Faraday to Dominique François Jean Arago   4 February 1845

London | Royal Institution | 4 February 1845

Honored & dear Sir

It is with the deepest feelings of gratitude that I receive the packet which the post has just placed in my hands¹ and I am at once aware that no written words of mine can adequately express or return the thanks which I feel in my heart. I may truly say that I had never thought of such honor as being Foreign Associate of the Academy of Sciences for myself; and my gratitude is the deeper because I cannot help feeling that in respect to its bestowal on me my deserts are not proportionate to the kindness of those who have so highly distinguished me[.] But what can I say except promise that the more I feel I have not yet deserved the great distinction the more I will strive to deserve it[.] Permit me to hope that you will add to the many obligations I owe you by presenting to the Academy of Sciences the expression of my most profound respect and my most cordial thanks for their high appreciation and the encouragement they have been pleased to give to my exertions[.]

And for yourself believe me to be Honored and dear Sir with the greatest admiration and respect

Your Obliged and grateful Servant | M. Faraday

Monsieur | Monsieur Arago | Secretary Perpetual | &c &c &c | Academy of Sciences | a Paris