Faraday to Charles Giles Bridle Daubeny   27 October 1853¹

Royal Institution | 27 Octr. 1853

My dear Daubeny

I have read with delight, and thank you heartily for, your inquiry. What should we do unless some of those who have a right to bear witness for the true interests of the present age, were not to speak out. You have, as one of these, performed an important duty well. I am greatly flattered to see that my name is thought by you useful as illustrating any part of your argument, and the kind appreciation which you make of one part of my peculiarities at p 18² opens my thoughts to you:- for it is as true as it is kind; and that which the world attributes to address, or to religion, or to some other queer cause, is just what you have stated it to be. When I first had the opportunity at the Royal Institution of pursuing science, I longed for much but hoped for little; yet I resolved, as you have said, to withdraw from Society that I might at least have time to learn. In this manner I gained time and I saved or rather avoided expense. As soon as circumstances enabled me, I withdrew from Professional business, by which I gained more time, being doubly a gainer in that point; whilst the absence of income & the absence of expenditure neutralized each other, and so left me, if I may say so, a free man. It was a great delight to me to find that, though I thus ran counter to the customs of life, I was still able to secure to myself the kind feelings & friendship of yourself and some others; which make up to me all of society that I desire[.]

Ever My dear Daubeny | Yours | M. Faraday