Faraday to Benjamin Vincent   8 July 1863

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 8 July 1863. | Mrs Cottrell¹ | 8 Northampton Villas | Sandgate Road | Folkstone

My dear friend

We arrived at this place yesterday in due course, and all quite well, save that I did not feel sufficiently in spirits to write to you; but as Jeannie wrote to some one (I forget whom) I expect you will hear of our whereabouts. We came into a cold mist here; but the weather has been fine since & is bright this morning, and I think the place altogether will do us good, and I trust myself in particular for whose sake Dr. Bence Jones sent us to the sea side. I hope our friends will not think I am indulging myself too much, if I remain here according to the Doctors instructions into the middle of next week. Give my love to our Elders & bring my case before them. I wish that I had written last night, that you might have had my letter this morning; but I felt no way assured in my own mind of what was best to do.

As I said before of your son and my friend, Mr. Thomas², I think, if he obtains the position in the Philosophical Society of Newcastle that we were speaking about, it will be a good thing for the Society, & I trust pleasant & convenient to himself. I have seen him grow up from childhood; and therefore have a right to testify regarding his moral qualities, that he is sober, honest, industrious, truthful, just, and, as I may say altogether rightminded. I believe him to be self dependant, to have a good general judgment, and, what is not very common, good common sense. Besides these things, I think that his education & occupation, as far as they have been carried, will fit his mind, so that it shall readily enter upon the occupation before it in the Society; and I thoroughly believe he would not enter upon an engagement he had not well considered, with the final conclusion that he could perform its duties thoroughly. Use these words in any way you may think fit.

My dear companions, my wife and Jeannie, send their love with mine to Mrs. Vincent & Annie. We often think of you together[.]

Your Affectionate friend | M Faraday

B. Vincent Esqr