George Fownes¹ to Faraday   8 July 1842²

6 Coventry Street | Friday morning.

My dear Sir,

It is with great regret that I feel myself called upon to decline becoming a candidate for the Toronto professorship³, partly on account of the really advantageous nature of the appointment, by [sic] more from inability to shew my sense of your kindness towards me by accepting it. You will understand my reasons for this decision at once when I mention that my mother has long since been dead, my father⁴ is now declining in years, his only family consists of a younger brother and myself, so that under these circumstances I do not think that I would be content, even on such advantageous terms, to settle myself permanently at so great a distance from home, and prefer therefore remaining to take my chance of what may hereafter arise, even at the certainty of making but little progress for several years to come.

I sincerely trust that in thus declining you will not for a moment imagine that I act from caprice or undervalue your proposed boon which in fact would be eagerly received by many whose condition in life is above my own at present, and that in rejecting your offer I shall not cease to enjoy your countenance and friendship.

Believe me, most respectfully & truly your's | Geo. Fownes

M. Faraday Esq. &c