Faraday to Frederick Gye   4 July 18571

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 4 July 1857.

My dear Sir

Again I thank you for the feast of last night2[.] The sleep-walking scene was wonderful - all was extraordinary, & what an excellent Macbeth you had3. I was very glad of that for Madame Ristoris4 perfection5 would not have seemed right in contact with an inefficient unmeaning husband. I suppose you will hardly agree with me but it seems to me that the call for Mad Ristori immediately after that scene indicates an utter want of feeling poetry and good taste in those who make the call.

In thanking for the past, let me say that we leave town I believe on Tuesday next6 and should not be able to profit by any remainder of kindness that might happen to be in your mind[.]

Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday

F. Gye Esqr | &c &c &c

1
Frederick Gye (1810-1878, ODNB). Manager of Covent Garden Opera, 1848-1878.
2
This was the Italian version of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” performed at the Lyceum. See Times,3 July 1857, p.8, col. f.
3
Cesare Vitaliani (1824-1893, EI). Italian actor.
4
Adelaide Ristori (1822-1906, WWW1). Italian actress.
5
As Lady Macbeth.
6
That is 7 July 1857.

Please cite as “Faraday3312,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday3312