Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   23 September 1859

Royal Institution | 23. September 1859

My dear Schoenbein

The state to which you consider that grief has reduced you, must, I think, be mine by course of nature & years; for I am just as you describe, weary, unwilling to write, and have nothing to say, really nothing to say; or else, surely I should have written sooner to you. Yesterday was my birth day & I then completed my 68th Year[.] Well! many men are at that time of life far stronger than I am, either in body, memory, or mind; but surely I ought to remember how many pass away before that age,- and how plentiful & wonderful have been the mercies & goodness I have enjoyed during this long series of years.- Indeed, I think it is only when I have to fulfil some expectation, as in giving a discourse, or writing to a friend like you, that I wish my powers were more than they are:- and yet the very wish is ungrateful and brings to my mind a reproach.-

I was very glad to hear of you, and I hope the journey you were about to undertake to fetch your daughters home, with the intended little episode in the Black forest¹, will have done you all good. I have just had a little piece of enjoyment amongst fine scenery, for I have been in Scotland for a fortnight, & passed a few days among the lochs & mountains in the western parts.- I have also been two days at the British Association at Aberdeen; but was glad to leave it quickly and before the visits to Balmoral came on²:- for pleasant & happy as the occasions are they are by their excitement a weariness to me:- yet I was for the 48 hours with very kind friends.- The whole matter would have suited you better than me[.]

Our friend Miss Hornblower continues in great pain; & I think we may consider the operation as a failure. Certainly it has failed to give the relief that was hoped for.- She cannot move without crutches, nor without great pain.- My wife & niece are pretty well:- the former desires her kindest remembrance to you,- the latter is still in Scotland[.]

Very many thanks for your scientific news - I see you will carry oxygen much farther yet, and expect, with every letter, some new point:- As for me I am barren;- the best I have are some negative results about Electricity heat & gravity³.

Good bye My dear Schoenbein | Ever faithfully Yours | M. Faraday