Faraday to Charles De La Pryme   3 April 1852¹

Royal Institution | 3 April 1852

Sir

Your note & its contents are very interesting. It is to be hoped that the lad will be able to pass safely through the period that must intervene between the present & that time when he shall have found his true position according to the powers of his mind amongst his fellow men[.] This will depend very greatly upon the friends around him. If he could have for half an hour the experience which is sure to be his ten years hence I do not doubt he would be able to steer his immediate course aright. I trust he will even now know how to value courteous commendation and disregard flattery and the sentiment of the two first specimens and more especially of the mind makes me hope this.

I should be happy to take a copy of the volume but I cannot let my name appear. For years past I have declined. It must therefore be simply M.F. with no address²[.] I should have sent you a post office order for the 5/- but am refused at the office for want of your Christian name[.]

I am Sir | Your Very Obedient Servant | M. Faraday

C. de la Pryme