Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   25 April 1859

Royal Institution | London | 25 April 1859

My dear Schoenbein

I have just seen your letter to Miss Hornblower, and so write knowing you will be at home again. I am glad you went out, for though all things, would be distasteful to you still they work out the transition back again from sudden & deep grief to a more collected, healthy, & necessary state of mind.- For the same reason I am very glad that Mrs. Schoenbein has left home for a little while, & trust that it may calm her spirits and do her good. It is impossible for me to write to you, or do any thing connected with you without thoughts of your dear daughter entering in. I have a volume of my collected experimental papers on physical & chemical matters¹ to send you by the first opportunity. It was ready when Miss Schoenbein’s box was sent to you from Stamford Hill, but I felt as if I could not intrude the book into so sacred a deposit as that box was, and so retained it for some fitter opportunity[.] I gave a Friday Evening on Ozone & Antozone², for which only a few weeks before I had given tickets at her request to some friends of hers³; but I could not, & cannot, talk to you about it. I did my best;- though with thoughts often pressing in:- still let me thank you for what you had, before the sad event, done to help me.

Your letter to Miss Hornblower spoke of a cypress tree; & I went yesterday to see the state of such trees as are on the ground & how they are likely to grow.- Those that are up do not look well; but if Miss Hornblower will let me, I shall do what I can to plant such a tree on the spot. At present I cannot see her on the matter, for you will be sorry to hear that we are in trouble and anxious on her account. She fell some 4 or 5 years ago & hurt her knee; it has never ceased to be painful, & from falls since has become worse, & at last an operation was decided upon. This was performed the day before yesterday under the influence of chloroform and by a very clever surgeon. He removed part of the bone which had become injured & unhealthy, & we hope for good results; but time & patience will be required. The accounts last night were favourable, but the time since the operation is as yet too short to allow of any thing beyond a hasty and imperfect judgment.

I sent your letter to Grove. He has been suffering from a sharp attack of rheumatic gout, which confined him to the house, but he is now getting better.- All your friends think of you and feel for you.

For a little on the other side, I may say that we are pretty well. My wife joins me in kindest remembrances and thoughts; & so to does my niece Jannie:- for though she is not much known to you yet she was to Miss Schoenbein.- Extend these sympathizing thoughts to the children who remain to comfort you[.]

Ever My | dear Schoenbein Yours | M. Faraday