Faraday to Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas   14 January 1856

Royal Institution | 14 January 1856.

My dear friend

Wheatstone in telling me that he had seen you gave me impressions very different to those that I had received from your letters¹:- he seemed to think that it was a duty for me to appear at Paris and went so far as to imply that you had said the Emperor expected it. I should be very grieved to think I could have appeared unthankful or less grateful than I ought to feel either in the Emperors eyes or in yours whose kind affection & approbation I most highly esteem; and having finished a course of lectures honored by the daily presence of our Royal Princes² I new feel able to leave town for a few days[.] So I propose running over to Paris & back in the middle of next week but as I have no other object than to see you and do as I ought to do, so if you were not there I should have no desire to be there[.] Tell me therefore whether I shall see you (and Madame Dumas) if I come and tell me whether on the whole I ought to come. Mr Hunt³ of Canada has just given me your correct address⁴ & so I hope my letter will find you at once[.] Our joint & most sincere respects & remembrances to Madame Dumas.

Ever My dear friend | Your devoted & indebted | M. Faraday

a Monsieur | Monsieur Dumas | Secretaire | &c &c &c