Faraday to Alessandro Palagi   12 April 1855

Royal Institution | London | 12 April 1855

Sir

I hasten to acknowledge your letter of the 28th of last month¹ & the more so because I have waited for the paper² of which you speak in it & have not received it. Our Post office is very uncertain about printed papers which come by it and frequently charge so high a price through some little circumstance neglected that I am unable to take the papers in[.] For many came to me and almost daily & the orders which I have been obliged to give have I am afraid caused yours to be returned. However no paper from you can have arrived since your letter because I should have paid special attention to it.

I am very sorry that your former remarks should be a source of annoyance to you. There is no doubt that a principle so new & so bold as that you put forth would require to be supported by undeniable evidence but in the working of it out for the development of the natural truth there should have been no cause of offence any where. People may differ in their belief even as to natural things & yet bear with each other[.] I differ in many things just now from those about me & yet we all go on very harmoniously together. At the same time one must endeavour to criticise ones own views very strictly so that we may give them up if wrong or if right establish them more & more by facts. I hope all these troubles will pass away - & I shall look for your new facts in the Italian Journals or in the Bibliotheque de Geneve where I trust I may find it[.]

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

Il Signore | Signore Palagi | &c &c &c

Address: Il Signore | Signore Palagi | &c &c &c | Bologna | Italy

Postmark: Hastings