Faraday to Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas   27 December 1844

Royal Institution | 27, Decr. 1844

What can I say my kindest friend but thanks the most heartfelt thanks to you all for your goodness to me¹. I cannot understand how I with my reserved habits can have created such a feeling towards myself in such a body of men as constitute your Academy especially too when I remember my moderate standing in science & the little hope that even I entertain of producing much more. I can only account for it by referring it to the innate kindness & heartiness of those who have so thought of & honored me and to the abundant zeal & friendship of yourself. I hope I shall not discredit the honor conferred on me. I will strive to deserve it & should it be my good fortune to produce any contribution to science worthy to be called a discovery the greatest source of pleasure arising to me from it will be the thought that I am helping in some degree to redeem the pledge which you in your earnestness to me & my honor have as it were given to science on my part.

To Messrs. Arago, Becquerel Chevreul & all say how deeply impressed I am with their undeserved kindness[.] I refrain from multiplying words, for they would not be able to say all I feel.

I conclude that you read my Abstract &c². I wish the results had been greater[.]

Mrs. Faraday wishes me to remember her to you & though she thinks very well of me still wonders to find that I can create such an interest in you and the Academy. She rejoices in my joy[.]

Ever My dear friend | Your faithful & indebted | M. Faraday

M. A. Dumas | &c &c &c

Address: Monsieur A. Dumas | Professor | &c &c &c | au Jardin des Roi | Paris