Faraday to Christopher Hansteen   16 December 1857

Royal Institution | 16 Decr 1857

Dear & honored Sir

General Sabine has placed in my hands a letter from you, and I make it, I hope you will not think improperly, an occasion for writing to you, for the purpose of expressing my sincere admiration and respect; hoping that, as one who has been admitted into the circle of scientific men, I might be permitted to offer a word of testimony & praise to one who is a leader in that glorious band. Let me suppose that I have not been presumptuous in thus writing to you and in any case think as kindly of me as you can.

I thought also that I could better answer your enquiries in relation to Mr. Arndtsen¹ directly than through General Sabine. I am sorry that I cannot advance the wishes of that gentleman and yourself; but I must explain to you how it is. In the first place our Institution is not like your Universities. It is a private establishment: the Government does nothing for us, and we have no opportunities of receiving students. We have but one assistant and he is an ordinary workman. I formerly gave lectures to which the public were admitted by payment; but do not deliver any now, except six, once a year, at Christmas to the juvenile connexions of our members & subscribers. So you see we have no place for such an one as Mr. Arndtsen.

For the same reason I have never had any student or pupil under me to aid me with assistance; but have always prepared and made my experiments with my own hands, working & thinking at the same time. I do not think I could work in company, or think aloud, or explain my thoughts at the same time. Sometimes I and my assistant have been in the Laboratory for hours & days together, he preparing some lecture apparatus or cleaning up, & scarcely a word has passed between us:- all this being the consequence of the solitary & isolated system of investigation; in contra distinction to that pursued by a Professor with his aids & pupils as in your Universities.

But besides all that, my dear Sir, I now work but little and at fitful moments; as my health will bear it. I am obliged to keep out of Society;- to avoid Societies;- and above all to forbear making new connexions and claims on my thoughts: for I find it quite difficult enough to perform my duty to the few that I do keep open, as you may suppose.

Nevertheless I esteem Mr. Arndtsen’s desire as a very great compliment, and thank him & you for it. Will you say so much to him for me.

And now I must conclude, hoping you will believe me in truth & sincerely.

Your great & respectful admirer | M. Faraday

Professor C. Hansteen | &c &c &c

Address: Professor Chr. Hansteen | &c &c &c | Observatory | Christiana | Norway