Faraday to Edward Codrington   6 February 1846

Royal Institution | 6 Feby 1846

My dear Sir Edward

We have received your kind invitation and I answer it because on me hangs the cause of the negative answers which we are always constrained to give. On the 12th we shall be out of town; for we go to Brighton next Monday¹ for a week or 10 days air before hard work begins.

But let me, as a favour, ask you not to ask me again. I must not consent to what I esteem an honor & should find a pleasure; for I cannot do so without giving cause of serious offence to the many kind friends to whom I refuse. My policy is the result of a rule absolutely necessary which to break, would cause much remark & great trouble in its reestablishemnt[.]

Ever | My dear Sir Edward | Your Grateful Servant | M. Faraday