Faraday to Emil Heinrich du Bois-Reymond   15 January 1850

Royal Institution | 15 Jany 1850

Dear Sir

I this day received your kind present of books (your great work¹) and also the letter². I regret that I have no better thanks to offer you than those of a man who cannot estimate the work properly. I look with regret at the pages which are to me a sealed book and but that increasing infirmities too often warn me off I would even now attack the language of science & knowledge for such the German language is.

M. Magnus whom I rejoice to call a friend told me of your great experiment in which from the muscular excitement of the living human being you obtained a current of Electricity. I endeavoured a few months ago to procure the result but did not succeed no doubt being unacquainted with all the precautions needful & the exact manner of proceeding³. I was at fault - and now I am so engaged by the duties of my station & the Season that I have no time for anything else. During the season I trust to pick up the information that will give me success the next time that I try[.]

The second copy of your work is already on the road to the Royal Society and I shall do all I can to direct the attention of the men of Science & others to the copy you have sent me by placing it before them on the table of this Institution[.]

I am Sir | Your Very obliged & grateful Servant | M. Faraday

Dr. E. du Bois Reymond | &c &c &c