Faraday to John Barlow   27 July 1857

Royal Institution | 27 July 1857

My dear Barlow

I consider that whether a letter of mine to you contains five or five hundred lines of writing it would be of equal value for I know that I can tell you little that you do not know better than I do that the matter in fact is of no value & on the other hand that five lines from a true friend is abundantly sufficient to call very much to remembrance. Mr Vincent gave me your address this morning until the 31st & that sets me off. We came in on Friday¹ after a fortnight of physical rest though we had been among friends where death as we believe is present though our friend yet lives². We are both pretty well. We find the house in great actual confusion but in the full order of repair³ - nearly all the drains open but happily very fine weather for our purposes. As far as I know all is well with us & I trust it is so with you & Mrs. Barlow. If I remember rightly you did not enjoy your last trip abroad. I hope the present will bring & leave nothing but pleasant remembrances[.]

Tyndall is away among the ice at Chamouni. I had a letter from him on Saturday⁴ - he expects (as he hears from Balmat) to meet Forbes there. So we may expect that regelation may be thoroughly worked out & all its principles & results developed both as regards man & ice[.]

My wife & Jeannie are out or I should have messages from them to you & Mrs Barlow but you know what they would be as well as I do. All health & happiness & pleasure be with you both[.]

Ever My dear Barlow | Most Truly Yours | M. Faraday