Faraday to Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander von Humboldt   6 April 1846

Royal Institution | 6 April 1846.

Honoured and Dear friend

At last I allow myself the liberty of writing to you, thinking that the matter for a letter has so far accumulated, that you will not think I am unnecessarily drawing away your attention for a few moments from the various subjects of thought, which continually engage it. First, let me acknowledge yours¹ to me by Dr. Carus². I did not write in reply, because, being a letter of Introduction, I thought that to do so would only be to trouble you; but any letter of yours on any occasion is always to me a pleasant event. As you hear all things I have no doubt you have heard something of experimental researches, which I have lately made - and as they touch closely on Magnetism, I am in hope they will interest you and even obtain your approbation. I can assure you, that the honour which the King³ and you have done me⁴ is with me a constant motive to exertion. By this time perhaps a copy of my papers⁵, which I sent through our Royal Society are in your possession. If it has arrived, I hope you will accept it, and believe that it is accompanied by the warmest thoughts of respect and esteem, which my heart can entertain. The Light Phenomena, spoken of in the first paper, are best shewn by the use of a kind of heavy glass, which I made many years ago. It is not likely any more will be made. That which I was in possession of, I have had cut up into useful portions, and I thought that some of them might very properly be placed in the hands of those, who from their position or occupation were in a situation to render them available, either for the Repetition and further prosecution of the Phenomena, or that they might give or lend the Glass to whom they thought fit. In this view of the matter I have dedicated one piece to you, and hope you will kindly accept it. This day I shall send it to our mutual friend the Chevalier Bunsen⁶, who has undertaken to convey it safely to you. When the present season of ordinary but necessary occupation and duty is passed, I hope to resume the enquiries.

I cannot close my letter without expressing my longing for the Second Volume of the Cosmos⁷. I grieve that I am unable to read it in the German but I hope the translation into English is faithful⁸, and I know that it is full of absorbing interest.

Ever my dear Baron | Yours most respectfully and Devotedly | M. Faraday

The Baron | Alexander von Humboldt | &c &c &c