Faraday to Friedrich Wöhler   14 May 1855

Royal Institution | 14 May 1855

My dear Profr. Wöhler

About a fortnight ago I received your very welcome letter by M. Welkner¹ and the specimen of Aluminium which you sent me. I prize the letter & the metal I cannot say which the most I value both greatly and I try to look back through a very dull memory to the time when many years ago I saw & talked with you². I have seen specimens of the Aluminium but I am glad to say that the one you sent me is the first I have possessed I wish I had some good product to send you in return.

This morning I received your second letter. As to the Society it speaks of nothing is known of that Society here unless one has occasion to enquire about it. I had such an occasion on the part of M. Quetelet I think and some others. I can say nothing in its favour. I saw no appearance of action for good & suspected that it was got up for interested motives. I think it takes care not to make itself known in this country and I am quite sure it can confer no honor upon you. The charging a fee of money is a very suspicious circumstance & it is the more suspicious when one considers that the payment is to become annual. For my own part I should be sorry to think your name was given to the list on the supposition that the Society had any value here[.]

I am | My dear Sir | Yours Very faithfully | M. Faraday

Professor Wöhler | &c &c &c

Address: Professor Wöhler | &c &c &c | University | Gottingen | Hanover