Faraday to Juliet Pollock   4 January 1860

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 4 Jany 1860

My dear Mrs. Pollock

You will think me sadly remiss in thanking you for your kind letter & thoughts but coarse things & the concerns of the lectures¹ have so taken up my time that I have been really unable fitly to express myself[.] I write a line or two of a note & then forget what is written & how the construction of the sentence runs & get all wrong & give it up - and this I have done more than once[.]

But I value your favours greatly - and your boys² visit & their kindness in thinking of me & now I remember that they have only just returned home and might like to hear an odd lecture or two. If they do pray let them run in as they pass using my name at the door[.]

I am sorry you were dull at Christmas but hope better things of you[.] We are getting on pretty well here[.] My wife & niece having much cold in the body but warm remembrances for you[.] Jeannie has lost her voice so that I am really too quiet[.]

Again & Again Ever Yours | Most Truly | M. Faraday

Mrs. Pollock

Love to all whom I dare send it to[.] I would not be in debt for such a precious thing as that & yet I do not want it to be by measure | MF