Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   23 October 1847

Royal Institution | 23 Octr 1847

My dear Schoenbein

With absolutely nothing to say I still feel a lingering desire to write to you and though I have waited days and weeks in hopes that my thoughts would brighten I will wait no longer but just make a return to your very characteristic letter¹ by one which will be distinguished only by its contrast with it. You would perhaps see by the Philosophical Magazine that I had received yours for the whole was printed there except three or four lines at the end². The novelty & beauty of your new test for ozone is very remarkable & not less its application to the detection of Ozone from such different sources as Phosphorus, the Electrical brush and Electrolysis. I shame to say that I have not yet repeated the experiments but my head has been so giddy that my Doctors have absolutely forbidden me the privilege & pleasure of working or thinking for a while & so I am constrained to go out of town, be a hermit, & take absolute rest. In thinking of my own case it makes me rejoice to know of your health & strength and to look on whilst you labour with a constancy so unintermitting & so successful. Long may it be so to the joy & happiness of yourself, wife and family[.] My wife desires to be remembered to you most earnestly & is always glad when your name turns up either in reading and conversation. Remember me in the same manner to Mrs Schoenbein & those of yours that I have seen and believe me to be

Ever My dear Schoenbein | Yours Most Truly | M. Faraday

I do not talk about Gun cotton because I think you will let me know when any thing philosophical or important turns up respecting it which it would give you pleasure to tell me. But you may suppose that I do not hope the less in respect of it[.] | M.F.

Address: Dr. Schoenbein | &c &c &c | University | Basle | on the Rhine