Faraday to Caroline Deacon   10 April 1864

Royal Institution | 10th April 1864.

My very dear Niece & friend

This is the Evening of the Sabbath day. We have just come home, bringing Misses Cloudsley¹ & Helen Hillhouse² with us, have had our tea, and, by this most agreeable though waning Evening light, I purpose to thank you for your kind & acceptable note of ten days ago. You will have had Mr. Boosey³ with you during the day, and he will have warmed you (as we hope to be warmed next Sabbath day) by his account of the happy events at Glasgow, in which he has had the honor & delight to take a part. I think these things must have cheered Mr. Paradise greatly:- above all, what blessing they will give to Glasgow! in the encouragement & teaching & enjoyment of all the privileges which they restore to that church.

You have had copies of the American letters?- Was not that one from our friend in the S American states a very delightful one? It was a strong reproof to me to see with what content & patience the dispensations of God were received; & it very strongly drew the affections of all here towards the writer.

I am at present as well as I think any man at my age has any reason to expect to be; and in many points I am much better. It is true my memory is much gone, nearly all gone;- & the power of recollection is nearly lost as to precision. But then all about me are very kind. My worldly friends remember the times past, and do not want me to give up my posts or pay, yet willingly remit the work:- and then He who rules over all is kinder than all;- and though I sometimes tremble when I have occasion in doctrine or judgement to use his word, being unable to remember it, I dare not venture to put that from me which he has put upon me; and I call to mind that his Throne is a throne of Grace⁴, where prayer may be made for help & strength in time of need. And he makes my brethren so kind that there is only one of the number who teases me & that is myself;- and I often think pride & the absence of humility has much to do with that.

Well dear friend;- the light is gone and my paper is pretty well used up so I will just commend myself to your kind thoughts - ask you to give my love to your dear husband & daughter and to Mr. Paradise & conclude, for I feel that my hand is taking up its rebellious habit. Sometimes it will not shape the letters as I wish.

Ever Your Affectionate Brother | M. Faraday

Mrs. Thos. Deacon.