Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   1 August 1851

Tynemouth | 1 August 1851

My dear Schoenbein

On running away from the bustle and weariness of London I brought your letter¹ here intending to answer it long before now and lo! I have been attacked by inflammation of the throat have had a quinsy and been held in much pain and debility until now. I will not longer delay believing that a few words are better than none. I have not yet received the portrait of Euler but doubt not it is at home will you do me the favour to return my most sincere thanks to the Council of the Museum for the great [honour] they have done me in favouring me with a copy which I shall ever look upon with great pleasure. The others I will deliver according to their addresses.

The Ozone Evening went off wonderfully well²[.] Our room overflowed and many went away unable to hear (my account at least) of this most interesting body. Through your kindness the matter was most abundant & instructive & the experiments very successful. The subject has been sent into the world so much piecemeal that many were astonished to see how great it became when it was presented as one whole, and yet my whole must have been a most imperfect sketch for I found myself obliged to abridge my thoughts in every direction. Many accounts were printed by different parties & some very inaccurately since they had to catch up what they could. A notice of four pages appeared in the proceedings of the Royal Institution and though I think that has appeared in the Athenaeum or the Philosophical Magazine³ yet I shall send you copies of it when I can. The subject excited great interest and from what the folks said I had no reason to be ashamed either for the subject or myself[.]

and now my dear Schoenbein I am very weary[.] Perhaps to day you are at Glarus⁴. I was two days at Ipswich at our meeting⁵ - no more for want of strength[.] Queens balls⁶ - Paris fetes - &c &c &c I am obliged (& very willing) to leave all to others[.]

With kindest remembrances to Made Schoenbein & Yourself in which my wife has full part

I am ever yours | M. Faraday

Address: Dr. Schoenbein | &c &c &c | University | Basle | Switzerland