Faraday and Sarah Faraday to John Barlow   10 August 1859

Hampton Court Green | 10 Aug 1859.

My dear Barlow

It was very kind of Mrs. Barlow to write to my wife, and I think that a letter from me to you, is hardly the fit way to acknowledge it:- yet as I write to you you must say something fit for us, with our kindest remembrances, and I expect my wife will write soon. We are exceedingly glad to hear that your journey has been good.- your company a happy one - & your present life healthy & joyous-. Before I forget remember me to Mr. Esmead¹ - I cannot tell whether I have been at Spa², or have any friends there; if there are such I dare say you will find them out. We are jogging on or rather we are not jogging on:- for on Monday last³ the workmen ceased to come, the builders strike being on⁴. As far as I can learn, both Masters & Men enter quietly into it; so that though it seems as if it might come to an end in a few days, it may perhaps go on for some time & cause great distress and trouble. We must just wait.

I am not able to give Mrs. Barlow’s message to Tyndall, for I think he started last Monday Morning for Chamounie [sic], and I have not seen him since Saturday⁵. Frankland goes with him. He spoke of taking the higher optics for his next course of lectures⁶, and I agreed with him in the propriety (if he saw occasion) of spending £20 on apparatus fitted for the course and for investigation. I do not suppose that he will come across any clear good optical rock salt, but we find great difficulty in raising it from the mines in England. Indeed it is rather an impossibility than a difficulty.

As I have been out here with only runs into town I really know very little of what is going on there:- and what I learn I forget. The Senate of the University accepted & approved of the Report of the Committee for Scientific degrees, so that that will go forward - (if the Government approve) and will come into work next year⁷. It seems to give much satisfaction to all who have seen it, though the subject is beset with difficulties:- for when the depth & breadth of Science came to be considered, and an estimate was made of how much a man ought to know to obtain a right to a degree in it, the amount in words seemed to be so enormous as to make one hesitate in demanding it from the student:- and though in the D.S one could divide the matter and claim eminence in one branch of Science, rather than good general knowledge in all - still in the B.S. which is a progressive degree a more extended though a more superficial acquaintance seemed to be required. In fact the matter is so new & there is so little that can serve as previous experience in the founding & arranging these degrees, that one must leave the whole endeavour to shape itself as the practice & experience accumulates.

We have had very hot weather but it is & has been cooler for a few days. The Thames has very rarely been seen so low in water here, as it is now. In London its bad condition seems to increase; or else my nose accustomed to a better odour here feels it more. The harvest all round us is nearly in; being very early; but they tell me the corn is not so heavy as was to be desired. Want of rain has kept it small.

Ever My dear Barlow | Very Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Dear Mr. Barlow

My right hand Jane being absent in Scotland I am afraid my husband has promised more for me than I can perform so Mrs Barlow will kindly take Mr Faradays letter as an answer with my best remembrances | Sincerely yours | S. Faraday