Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   24 February 1859

Royal Institution. | 24 Feby. 1859

My very dear friend

I received your touching letter¹ and I am glad you would receive mine² about the same time. Your cry of anguish may well pierce our hearts here for if the effect of the blow was stunning to us how much more would it be so to you. And that you should at the same moment be burdened with the heavy weight of Mrs. Schoenbeins illness! I do indeed grieve for you - but I hope you are by this time somewhat relieved in respect of that heavy home anxiety[.] Do tell her how we feel for her and the two poor sisters - I am glad you did not come here for your first duty was at home to succour and support those dependent on you - You could well trust Miss Hornblower for she had learnt to love your daughter. I have no doubt she has written of all things personal to you & Mrs. Schoenbein & will fulfill all your possible wishes. I expect too that by this time you will have had letters from Dr. Bence Jones - Grove & others for I have shown your letters to me & Miss Hornblower unto them.

You mentioned the matter of a tombstone in your letter³ to me and affectionately desired to have my name by yours on it. I suppose this is usual with you but with us it is very rare or even unknown and would excite much remark - that would be of no consequence if the remarks were indifferent in their nature but they would here be sure to carry a religious feeling or meaning with them and as I am known to be a dissenter strongly differing from the Episcopal church here would give rise to much remark among those who know me. I understand too that a dear friend of your daughter (I think the name is Crowdy⁴) has written to you direct about the inscription on the stone. I believe he performed the funeral service but as I knew it would be a Church of England service in which I could not conscienciously join I was not there. However his letter with Miss Hornblowers communications will bring about the fulfilment of the proper arrangements.

Poor girl - (happy girl I well may say considering her strong hope in death) we were hoping to have her with us tomorrow evening⁵ - but how vain are all our plans. Instead of a glad and buoyant heart I shall go to my work, as work indeed. I was desiring to put it off but when I began to look about for the purpose I found so many engagements had been made contingent upon the evening, and that even the Prince Consort was coming, that I could not properly change the date - I only hope that I shall not break down - I know I shall not be able to forget for the hour; and an overpowering thought may break in[.]

I hope that you are beginning to turn a little to occupation - I know how distasteful it will be - but you must be drawn away at times from the heavy thought; even though the exertion may be painful it will be healing. Do think of this for the sake of yourself and your family and your friends and may God give you that grave & gentle consolation by degrees which you ask for in your letter to me[.]

Ever My dear Schoenbein | Your Affectionate friend | M. Faraday