Faraday to Justus Liebig   3 October 1856

Royal Institution | London | 3. October 1856

My dear Liebig

Your letter¹, received a few days ago; grieves me, since it shews that you feel very much, the opposition set up by some to your views, and the principles you so effectually advocate. - I say effectually, for though present obstruction arises the truth must ultimately prevail. But we know, as a matter of universal experience, that it never makes way at once; but has to fight through a long course of resistance, arising from invested interest, pride of knowledge falsely so called², retention of old habits, prejudice, &c and all these your great truths must meet with, just as every other advancing part of science has and is still meeting with, as I think I, for one, perceive in my own department. Moreover I think you are hardly aware of the strong hold your name, and principles, have upon our general population; and of those here who speak for them. Daubeny³ I believe is one of the latter⁴; - and Playfair, on one of the last Friday Evenings (May 30th)⁵. in our Institution in referring to the chemistry of Agriculture (which was his subject) to Mr Lawes and to you, spoke up most earnestly for your views, as he had a right to do; and was, as I can testify, well responded to by the feeling of our audience: - as far as I could judge true Agricultural chemistry is making its way as well as could be expected, considering the enormous mass of persons in the country requiring instruction and the very unprepared state for it in which they were not many years ago. But as I said before how can a man expect, in his own life time, to be truly, recognised; it requires more than one generation to give currency to his highest truths.

Your expressions with regard to my Nephew⁶ are most kind and acceptable; and give great comfort to his parents and family. He speaks of you in a manner shewing his deep sense of gratitude for all your kindness, and his respect and veneration for you as a commanding intellect amongst those by which you are surrounded. We hope to see him soon, & to perceive the influence of the minds amongst which he has been sojourning. - His sister⁷ thanks you gratefully for him and desires to be remembered. Tell the Baroness⁸, that my wife and I are deeply indebted to her for thinking of us, and, scarcely hoping for any personal opportunity of expressing our feelings, desire now to thank her most heartily, with you, for your wishes in our favour - I am becoming old dear Liebig, and I am losing my memory, & with it the means of enjoying many pleasures; but no loss of memory can make me altogether forget the abundance of mercies I have received & am in possession of, amongst which I hope & ask for the continuance of a contented & cheerful spirit for the short remainder of days.

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