Faraday to Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas   12 August 1847

Dundee, Scotland | 12 August 1847

My dear friend

At last I write to acknowledge both the great kindness you favoured me with by M. Le Verrier¹; and also that received by the hands of M. M. Edwards². It was with great joy I saw them both at the Oxford Meeting³; but that did not compensate to me for your absence. It is true, I hardly expected you, but Sir Roderic[k] Murchison had greatly raised my hopes; and I am sure I may say the whole meeting longed to see you. Their feelings were not altogether my feelings and none could miss you as I did.

I had undertaken a certain object at the meeting, - the preparation for which and the delay occasioned by the use of unfamiliar and untried apparatus⁴, consumed so much of my time that I saw very little of M. Le Verrier - but I knew him before hand in spirit by his glorious work⁵; and I shall now not forget his form & appearance. It is a cause of great rejoicing to science that with such mental power and soundness of judgment there is joined a physical frame, health, & strength that promises abundant additions to the victories of science. I hope you will give my kindest remembrances to him.

M. Milne Edwards I first knew personally at your house⁶. Here, i.e., at Oxford he was the same kind & hearty friend as there, and gave me your packet with as much delight as I could receive it with. The diamonds & resulting carbon are wonderful; and I hope that a close investigation of the change produced & the attendant phenomena will lead to the reconversion of carbon as coke or charcoal back into diamond - I am not quite sure the result is desirable in relation to the use or value of diamond, but it could not be otherwise than valuable to the cause of science. I shewed the specimens at the section of chemistry⁷ & also to the Chairman⁸ & others of the Section of Physics; and to many individuals. As Mr Milne Edwards assures me, that you wished me after that, to keep them in remembrance of you, I shall do so; i.e. if I make no mistake in understanding your writing or what he says. But such specimens must be too rare & too valuable to be easily given away or retained.

I left Oxford for London on Saturday⁹ in the middle of the week of meeting. I was seized in London with a heavy attack of giddiness & confusion in the head which not only prevented my return to Oxford (where I should have seen more of MM. Le Verrier & Edwards) but has not left me to this day so that I have been unable to work, think, or write, and this it is which has delayed my answer to your letter. I was sent up into Scotland for change and though better do not feel restored - and am conscious that more than ever I must take care and withdraw from Society & work. I regret it a little; because I had hoped to do a somewhat¹⁰ more with light and magnetism & still think I see my way further than the bounds of the present state of the subject. I would much rather be able to send you news and facts than so many useless words; but failing the one I know that I may trust to your kindness in accepting the other. My wife offers her kindest compliments to Madame Dumas and enjoys many remembrances of past favours received by her. I venture also to add mine, though with more fear of their acceptance - for I am afraid th<at> every additional word which I write may be to her an additional trouble. But with other infirmities I feel this, that my hand will not obey my will: and I must cast myself on her gentleness & favour.

Ever My dear friend | Your Most grateful Servant | M. Faraday

M. Dumas | &c &c &c

Address: Monsieur | Dumas Professor | &c &c &c &c | Jardin des Plantes | à Paris