Sarah Faraday to Thomas Andrews   6 September 1852

My dear Dr. Andrews

I have delayed answering your kind & cordial invitation¹ till now, hoping that my dear Husband would be able to accept it though I could not; but he has been so depressed & unable to bear a part, even in casual conversation that I felt at last I could not urge him to undertake such a journey & excitement without me, when he himself felt so unfit for it, and we have reluctantly given it up[.]

Now though I am disappointed in not being able to be with you at the British Association I still hope we may see you & Mrs. Andrews in your hospitable home some future time & this notwithstanding my philosophical husband tells me that I must not expect to be strong again, that old age is coming upon us &c &c &c.

I can bear travelling though unable to walk, and at another time I might not be such a burden to friends as I should on such an occasion as the present[.]

With our best thanks to Mrs Andrews for all her intended kindness[.]

I am my dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | S. Faraday

Hampstead | Sept 6th 1852

Dr. Andrews | &c &c &c