Faraday to George Buchanan   23 December 1862

Royal Institution | 23 Decr. 1862

My dear George

It was very kind of you to write me, and such a letter as was equal to my comprehension. I was not inclined to let Christmas come to pass without thanking you for it so that when you come here I may hold up a fair face in your presence. From your sketch of the works you have been engaged upon and our remembrance of the inroads of the sea & in our flat countries I form rambling thoughts of how you (or they) will keep the water in the canals for as I understand you there is no pegging or claying of the embankments or bottom of the water courses[.] When they first formed the canal at Paddington¹ then a set of desolate or field like country it interested me very much to see how they went about their work. I was only a boy but the workmen allowed the boys to run about amongst them and it was to us so strange to us to see a stagnant shore found where we had been used to play. Then I remember also that after a little while the first ever barge appeared there. Not an iron barge only but one carrying goods & coals & I learnt at that time some of my philosophy and set various things beside iron saucepans & pot[s] afloat - for jugs bottles & many other things that I thought at first ought to sink floated & so many first steps to knowledge were gained[.]

I cannot help wishing that what ought to be great work for India had been so carried out that you might have remained there a while longer & had a hand in it. I hope it will yet set to rights somehow but as yet the way does not appear[.]

Our distant connexions seem to be arriving home. You are coming. Mr. & Mrs. Deacon² are coming & so are some others of my friends may you all bring pleasant news - health and happiness home with you. You will find us at Peace I trust, for as yet we have evaded the irritation of poor America³ & I hope we shall do so still. But she is in sad trouble and though it is dangerous to pity her yet we cannot help doing so.

I think all our joint friends here are well but of that you will have regular accounts & I am one of the very worst in the world to write news I forget all about it. We have had a great treat in Mary’s⁴ company with us at Brighton for about a fortnight. She is a happy cheery creature like Shakespeares violet bank receiving and giving odours⁵. I think she is none the worse for it.

Now I have go on dispersing ink on this paper like one of your own canals except that I doubt of its having any use except you will look at it as an expression of my kindly feeling & regard for one who is coming home to rejoice many[.] We are all pretty well[.]

Ever Dear George | Your Affectionate Uncle | M. Faraday

Geo Buchanan Esqr

Address: Via Marseilles | Geo Buchanan | Care of Messrs Line & Co⁶ | Madras | India