Faraday to Carlo Matteucci   22 April 1862

Royal Institution | London | 22 April 1862

Dear Matteucci

Many thanks for your kind letter of a few weeks ago¹. I know that I am a very bad correspondent but that is first because I have nothing to say no news no discovery – and next because I forget how time passes – and I esteem it very kind of you that whilst you have all high objects before you politics education & science and all mental power to work effectually for the advancement of these great objects you can still think of one who has become ineffectual in ability and whose time of life constrains him to lay down the pursuit of his former objects[.]

You must not think that I forget the position you desire at the Royal Society here. I know that your name & claim is on the minds of the council of the Society but I know no more except indeed this that to press it as a matter of favour rather than of right would do the cause no good². I am sure you have many friends there – I half wonder you care so much about seeing how high you must stand in your own country and another in respect of every friend of mental exaltation[.]

When are we to know that your country is a [word illegible] & at Peace? I may well say when? – since we have within 12 months seen a country like America which was [word illegible] & at Peace break up into the most dire condition.

With kindest respects to Madame Matteucci³ I am My dear friend | Yours ever truly | M. Faraday