Faraday and Sarah Faraday to Andrew Reid   24 April 1840¹

Brighton | 24 April 1840

Dear Andrew

Your aunt shewed me your last letter which besides the pleasure it gave as a kindly communication I read with great interest on account of its philosophical character and so to divide things properly we are about to return you a joint answer in which all the useful will be touched upon by your Aunt & the fan‑tastical as you may called [sic] it by me. I envy you your stormy evening walk and think if we had been together we might have made some very interesting observations. I do not doubt any part of your description & think that the hissing & luminous appearance which you saw were the natural preparations and precursors of the discharge of lightning which immediately afterwards occurred[.] Did you happen to observe any luminous appearance on yourself? I have little doubt that if you had held out your hand each finger would have had the light on the tip perhaps however it is as well that you did not happen to do so. It seems to me very likely that the lamp post was struck by the lightning or at all events something near it i.e. in the neighbourhood[.] Did the light go out? Have you seen the post since & examined the bars to see whether they seemed affected? Is the whole post iron or part iron part wood? Is it a gas lamp or an oil lamp post? The effect of the snow in making it the post brighter is very curious[.] How was the night altogether? very dark? or was there a sort of luminous haze about? Could you see the ground well or the clouds? and what time of night was it? I have sent you a large lot of questions but you will perceive they are so many proofs that I believe your story[.] And now I may say I do not think your situation was without danger and am very happy you escaped to be a comfort to your parents & family to whom give the affectionate love of your affectionate Unkle [sic] | M. Faraday

My dear Andrew

Your Uncle seemed quite interested with your account of the lightning and has written rather at length which he seldom does now if he can help.

We leave Brighton tomorrow and your Uncle and Aunt George² who have been here all the time with us stay till Monday. They have had a lodging about 5 minutes distance and it has been very pleasant to both parties[.] You need never be afraid of writing because of our being here for we do not often stay long & by the time you hear of our setting off we are thinking of returning[.] I suppose the bustle of the wedding is pretty well over now and you are thinking seriously of moving[.] We hear that Mary³ is to be with her Aunt Selby⁴ at first that will be a pleasant change for her and I hope will do her good - give my love to your Mother⁵ and say your Uncle is pretty well but not so strong as I should like to see him, he often needs relaxation. Jane Gray⁶ is with us here and tell Ann⁷ I often think of her for we have the Music book and practice a little[.]

With love to all the family I am my dear Andrew | Your affectionate Aunt | S. Faraday

Address: Mr. Andrew Reid | 12 Dean Street | Newcastle | On Tyne