Faraday to Peter Theophilus Riess   11 April 1853

Royal Institution | London | 11 April 1853

My dear Sir

I cannot deny to myself the pleasure of expressing to you my most grateful thanks for your kind present of the two volumes on Electricity¹, which I received safely a week ago. The pleasure is mingled with a deep regret that I cannot profitably use them, because of my ignorance of your powerful, well used, & highly productive, language; for I know, through translations, of some of your papers², the high qualities of your powerful mind, and I feel that your book is a rich mine of wealth, freely opened to others but shut to me[.] Still the kindness which has caused you to send it to me is a proof that I have your good opinion; & that I value most highly. I can appreciate the value of the commendation of men themselves worthy of all praise: and were it not that I am now growing old & memory is failing I would promise that your labours should have their influence a second time by stimulating me to further work. As it is accept my most grateful thanks & the expression of my highest esteem & respect and believe me to be

Most Truly Yours faithfully | M. Faraday

Professor P. Th. Riess | &c &c &c