Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   16 February 1859

Royal Institution | 16 Feby. 1859

My dear friend

I must write, not knowing but that you may walk in during the act. I have delayed thus long thinking that possibly when my letter got to Basle you might be here:- but whatever may be the case I must write. If you do not get my letter Mrs. Schoenbein will & though Miss Hornblower wrote off to her on Monday¹ immediately that she knew the cause of your dear daughters death and I can say nothing in the way of information more than she can still my letter will not be wrong. Last Thursday² I think they had sent to us to learn Dr. Bence Jones’ hours intending to see him on the Saturday perhaps. On Sunday morning³ as I was dressing about ½ p. 7 o clk a messenger brought me a note which telling me of Miss Schoenbeins very serious state, sent me first to Dr. Bence Jones & then to Stamford Hill⁴: but I was too late to see the poor girl alive[.] She died at ½ p. 7 oclk. Dr. Bence Jones came in very soon after and then we telegraphed off to you the first time[.] In the evening of the same day Sunday, I sent off the second telegraph message - On Monday Morning an examination took place Dr. B. Jones being present & he tells me it was perforation of the stomach - a matter which could neither be foretold nor distinguished during life (for there was no sickness) nor aided if known and so her end came and as I understand with great peace of mind as to the future, though with much present pain of body.

We do not know what to expect whether you are coming or not. Perhaps even now there is news of you at Stamford Hill but we are some miles apart & unfortunately I have been ill & am confined to this house. I expect to hear from Miss Hornblower in the course of a few hours. You will either by letter or in person instruct her what to do but if nothing is heard from you the burial must take place on Friday next⁵. Miss Hornblower told me she had had a telegraphic message from you but they are of necessity very brief. I left word with Miss Hornblower that if you come and it suited you we should be very glad to make your home here for the time. There are some friends of Miss Schoenbein at Hampstead & I think also in Warwickshire where she spent her holidays. They have been informed & I believe one of them a Clergyman from Warwickshire purposes being at the funeral but I am very imperfectly informed of these matters which are all held doubtful until it is known what you will do.

I write to you though I think you may not be a Basle and once I thought of writing to her Mother. This letter indeed is as much to Mrs. Schoenbein as to you. Your good daughter had made unto herself friends who thought very much of her and I grieve to think she will not return to you to be a comfort to you both in future years. But Gods will be done. You may think of her with great though melancholy pleasure. She was full of thought latterly about you & the Ozone evening⁶. I send you a note of hers to me only 5 days before her death⁷.

My dear Wife & Niece as knowing Miss Schoenbein join with me in all sympathy with you both & your children. My nieces sisters⁸ have been indebted to her care for them at Stamford Hill. Associations in every way have risen about her - poor girl, & she will be mourned by many & for some time.

My dear friend - I can write to you about nothing else and I can do no good in writing - I simply grieve again & again for your loss & ours.

Most Affectionately Yours | M. Faraday

Dr. Schoenbein | &c &c &c

Address: Dr. Schoenbein | &c &c &c | Basle | Switzerland