Faraday to John Barlow   30 August 1854

Royal Institution | 30 Aug 1854

My dear Barlow

You do not say¹ where I am to address you or when so I write instantly that I may catch you at Dresden - though perhaps I shall decide to send it to Berlin as you ask whether you can do any thing for me there. Remember me in kindness to all friends there - there are three or four I think of writing to, but now that I am better the hot weather is so enervating that I am lazier than ever. We are getting on pretty well here. Lacy is better & his family & I shall not mention your kindness you can do what you like when you come back. Anderson had to lay up but is better indeed pretty well again. He had a boil or something in the neck that had to be opened. Miss Savage² has just gone for her holiday. Mr. Vincent will be here very soon & is very well. Tyndall is at work hard the Laboratory & appears to be quite well[.] We are now at Surbiton near Kingston but I am in town three or four days in the week at work. I am now very well. My wife, I hope improving; pretty well but very deaf & feeble in the limbs & head.

As to the world I know nothing of it here nor do I care much for it - if it will let me alone - but only think of the nuisance of being found out at Surbiton, & teased with visits; and invited by the Mayor of Kingston ³ to dine at the Venison feast (annual) - &c &c⁴[.] It is all meant very kindly but such kindnesses are not in my way, and I feel it unkind in me to refuse them[.]

I received a letter from Naples last Saturday⁵ which will grieve you⁶[.] Melloni died suddenly that is after a short illness on the 11th I think of this month (August)[.] We had been corresponding vigorously on some scientific matter⁷ & instead of a letter from him I received the notice of death from his friend, M. Flauti of the Academy of Sciences there[.]

I must pass by your observations on religion &c & indeed must conclude in the briefest manner with our kindest wishes to you & Mrs. Barlow[.]

Ever Yours | M. Faraday

Address: Revd John Barlow MA | &c &c &c | Poste Restante | Berlin