Royal Institution | 5 June 1851
My dear De la Rive
Your last letter1 has affected me deeply and has renewed my sorrow on your account. I knew of your sad loss2 and had heard also of your personal illness & its very serious character: but I knew also that you had within that might sustain you under such deep trials. Do not be discouraged - remember - wait patiently. Surely the human being must suffer when the dearest ties are rent but in the midst of the deepest affliction there is yet present consolation for the humble minded which (through the power that is over us) may grow up and give peace & quietness & rest. Your letter draws me out to say so much for I feel as if I could speak to you on account of something more than mere philosophy or reason. They give but a very uncertain consolation in such troubles as yours and indeed nothing is more unsatisfactory to me than to see a mere rational philosopher’s mind fighting against the afflictions that belong to our present state & nature - as on the contrary nothing is more striking than to see such afflictions met by the weakest with resignation & hope. Forgive me if my words seem to you weak and unfit for the occasion. I speak to you as I have felt and as I still hope to hope to feel to the end and your affectionate letter has drawn me forth[.]
I have nothing to say to you about Philosophy. For the duties of the season & the exhibition Jury work3 occupy all my poor ability which through a failing memory becomes less & less[.] As to my last papers4 I hope you will find them at home & there you will see how I consider the Cape of Good Hope & other cases.
I intended to have written to you at Vichy but I think now I had better send to Geneva. Indeed I ought to apologize for this letter both for its bad writing & its unconnected matter but if I wait to write a better it may turn out worse for I have let my thoughts run on though unconnectedly and as to my hand writing I find the muscles will not obey my will as they used to do and that I cannot write as well as I would[.] The machine is becoming rusty. Let it, there is a time for all things5 - and there is a time without end6 coming[.]
Ever My dear De la Rive | Your affectionate friend | M. Faraday
Address: A la Professor | Auguste de la Rive | &c &c &c | Geneva
Please cite as “Faraday2432,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on