Faraday to Carlo Matteucci   15 April 1859

London | April 15 1859.

My dear Matteucci

Since I received your last I have had reason to regret that I enter so little as I do into the world for thereby I am left unfit to help you in your present earnest exertions[.] Though I am not political I can feel deeply for one who like you thinks of his countrys welfare & would do his best according to his own views and powers to promote it[.] It is indeed a sad pity that Italy should be as it is & the intellectual & mental powers of its people drawn away from the fine pursuits which belong to peace & good government that they may be devoted to a conflict with evil & the conflict of brute force with force¹.

I have no connection of any kind however distant with the “Times” paper[.] I have sought for some since I received your letter but cannot find any[.] I have taken from my draw the only copy I had of your translated paper - have crossed out the translators note in p.3 & made the correction at p4 and I have sent it off to the times office but unless the Editor accepts it for its own sake I fear that the hands it goes through will not influence him much. Nevertheless that was all I could do. Being with your name it ought to have its full weight & force & I trust it may be so.

I hope Madame Matteucci is well & wish you every good wish. But I dare say that all your desires are just now directed towards the state of Italy. Who can tell how that may come out - it seems impossible that it should stand still[.]

Ever my dear Matteucci | Your Most truly | M. Faraday