Faraday to John Tyndall   15 September 1856

Hornsey, | 15 Sept. 1856.

My dear Tyndall,

It is too bad of me to think of putting you off with a short letter, and yet I think I must do so, to save the post, for the 15th has come most unawares on me¹. Being here in the country for my wife’s benefit, the dates are beguiled away from me. Your letter was most welcome, and many have enjoyed it. I return you our most sincere thanks for the great favour. On our part we have no events to describe; we are rusticating. I try to experiment and write, but I forget so fast that I have the pleasure of doing both over two or three times. Never mind. A time for all things².

I called and saw Mr. Addams³ the other day. I found him disinclined to separate his acoustical apparatus one part from another. He has told you, I believe, that the price of the whole would be £80. I have not seen them, and indeed if I had, I could not have formed any judgment, for I do not know the present state of acoustical apparatus and should be unable to make any comparison with that which exists elsewhere, or in the collection of [blank in TS.]⁴ He said he would send me a bit of them, but I have not received it.

I suppose before you receive this you will meet with Dr. Bence Jones. If so, do not let him forget me. Very kindest thoughts to both him and you from all of us here. My wife is really better for the country, and we have had very fine weather. As to the house in Albemarle St., Anderson is well, Mr. Vincent is well, Miss Savage⁵ is somewhere in France, and has sent a letter, but no address. I do not know whether you expect to meet with any of our German friends at Vienna⁶. Schrotter⁷ remember me to, and the others if you see them. I think you told me something about Magnus and the transparency of gold [blank in TS]⁸. If so, tell him it works on pretty well - very curiously in my mind - but as yet with no broad distinct result which will strike scientific men, though I hope it may help the working of some.

Your account of your wanderings in the Oberland and also by Strasburg Bale, &c &c &c was most delightful to us, having been over the same ground. We also were stopped at the Grimsel glacier, by illness⁹. We had agreed to meet Agassiz, and could not go up to him, and so it goes in intentions and acts: not always well accordant, but let us hope well[.]

I must not [sic] stop. | Ever, dear Tyndall, | Yours very truly, | M. Faraday

Address: Dr Tyndall | Post Restante | Vienna | Austria