Faraday to John Barlow   18 August 1849

Royal Institution | 18, Aug 1849

My dear Barlow

A short letter is better than none and so I write for as Mr. Vincent was not here today when your letter came & I was I ventured to open it to see if there was any thing I could do at once for you. Accordingly I have sent to Jones¹ & Yarrel² to instruct them to send you the Observers ³ &c as you desire[.]

We reached home yesterday & as far as I can see all is going well here but the Painters are yet in the house & much work is going on[.] As to what has been passing I know little or nothing as yet & shall let Mr. Vincent tell you all that. Mr. Mason⁴ is still alive⁵ but I am to hear about him & his wife⁶ on Tuesday or Wednesday⁷[.]

We came home yesterday & are both better for our trip. We had much bad weather in the North & there have been heavy storms here also. On Monday⁸ Anderson begins his holiday as I am now here to take charge[.]

I hope you & Mrs. Barlow have had good health no accidents and much enjoyment. I cannot remember whether we were at Avranches⁹ or not so cannot guess how you may be enjoying yourselves but I hope it is heartily & with all the success you thought of. I have no news for you because I have heard none myself but when you come back I will shew you a letter I had from Brodie¹⁰ immediately after mine to him¹¹ upon the last decision of the Managers¹² & mine in answer to his last which I had to write with some particularity & care¹³. You need know nothing of either until you see them, and the matter I conclude does not press[.]

With kindest remembrances to Mrs Barlow in which my wife would certainly join me if she knew I was writing I am

My dear Barlow | Ever Yours | M. Faraday

Rev John Barlow M.A. | &c &c &c

Address: Revd John Barlow MA | &c &c &c | Avranches | Department de la Manche | en France