Faraday to Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas   17 November 1855

Royal Institution | Saturday Evening | 17 Novr. 1855

My very dear friend

Coming home for an hour or two only I find your last letter¹ & hasten to reply by the post. I trust you have my former one² from Brighton by this time. Do not think for a moment that any expression meant kindly can be to me any thing but a pleasure - I do not know to what you refer. I should be grieved at any word touching my honor or affecting my moral character but any thing else is to me perfectly indifferent. What I chiefly & above all rejoice in is your good opinion & great kindness in the first place & then the added approbation & aid of others upon your acts. To the Emperor I owe a deep debt of gratitude for I do not think that in this case he acts merely upon the conclusions of others but accompanies his most gracious act with a thought of good will on his own part. It is considerations of this nature which makes the honor so acceptable to me - for its own sake it is precious for the sake of these associated feelings it is very dear[.]

Ever My dear friend | Yours most truly | M. Faraday

A Monsieur | Monsieur Dumas | &c &c &c &c

Address: A Monsieur | Monsieur Dumas | &c &c &c &c | l’Ministre de l’instructions publiques | &c &c &c | à Paris