Faraday to Benjamin Vincent   9 July 18571

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | Old Buckenham | Thursday, 3 oclk.

Very dear friend

Our journey yesterday was prosperous. We arrived in due time at Attleboro, - found Mrs. Brown2 there, - went with her to their house & took tea there; & then my wife, Mrs. Brown, one of her daughters, and myself went in a fly to Old Buckenham, - in time for the meeting, - and indeed in time for more:- for seeing Mrs. Fisher3 in the garden, & speaking to her, I found the time & state of our dear friend Mr. Fisher was very opportune for seeing him. He was very glad to see me - his voice & his looks more cheerful; - his words full of hope & comfort to those, who like his wife and myself, had the privilege to hear him. He talked without seeming to feel it a burden; though of course I would not stop long, - but his voice was feeble. He had no cough whilst I was there & the room was most comfortable in its state. I told him of the happiness we had on Sabbath evening & it was just the subject to rejoice him. After a little while the brethren met in the meeting house & we had reason to be happy together[.]

This morning I hear that Mr Fisher passed a night that may be considered as quiet & favourable - this morning as was to be expected he had a heavy fit of coughing & clearing - after that he went into a quiet sleep which continued & as yet we have not seen him to day. Mrs. Fisher is to let us know how things proceed - or if a favourable time for my wife occurs. Mrs. Fisher herself bears things with quietness & as a Christian woman & the friends seem well. Mrs Bigsby4 as you will know is in town & we have heard that her son is gone5.

We have seen several here but the year which has passed since I was here the last time6 has made a great change in many points - some of which you will be aware of. My wife is not fit for much here but I am in hopes we shall not be too much for our friends - or unacceptable in being here - they are very kind - our views take no shape as yet - but will depend day by day.

With kindest love to all believe me my dear friend.

Very Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Mr. Vincent

½ p. 4 oclk. Have just seen Mr Fisher - he is about as yesterday - but Mrs. Fisher says the Doctor gives no hopes.

1
Dated on the basis of the visit that Faraday and Sarah made to Old Buckenham between 8 and 14 July 1857 (DUA Acc M/409/5/3, p.143) and also on the death of William Fisher on 21 August 1857.
2
Ann Brown. Member of the Old Buckenham Sandemanian Church from 1852. DUA Acc M/409/5/3, p.131.
3
Mary Marsh Fisher (d.1898, age 82, GRO). Wife of William Fisher and member of the Old Buckenham Sandemanian Church, 1832-1876. DUA Acc M/409/5/3, pp.121, 131.
4
Maria Bigsby (d. 1884, age 78, GRO). Member of the Old Buckenham Sandemanian Church from 1840. DUA Acc M/409/5/3, p.131.
5
William Bigsby (1838-1857, GRO). Tailor who died on 7 July 1857.
6
Faraday’s visit is noted in DUA Acc M/409/5/3, p.142.

Please cite as “Faraday3315,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday3315