Faraday to Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas   4 October 1865

Royal Institution | 4 October, 1865

My dear & most honorable friend

I have just returned from the seaside ill, and very unable to act much. I was rejoiced to see your hand writing. I have lost my memory, but not memory of you & your constant kindness. If I have ever had an intimation of your Lavoisieriean thought as regards myself it has utterly left me & in the present state of matters, I hope not, for in that case I shall appear most ungrateful in your eyes, and that I am not, for such a work published under the care of such a man as yourself in such a manner under such auspices would be a great honor to me & deserve all my thanks.

I am employing my dear Niece to write all my letters for me - my memory will not go on from the middle of one line to the middle of the next - but I could not give the one, for you, out of my own hands. you will I am sure accept my feeble and broken exertions backed as they are by my plentiful & warm thoughts[.] But I must bring this to a close for my hand threatens me with loss of its powers, and I must save power enough to write to M. Gauthier Villarez¹ according to your instructions.

I remember a warning that Madame Dumas² once gave me that she was troubled by my hand writing. I am ashamed to send such writing as this but it is the best in which I can convey my most earnest respects I hope that will cause it to pass.

Ever my dear Dumas Yours | M. Faraday

I would like to have recalled a few names to my memory but fear to make myself troublesome & when they arise fear to trouble you, and again, so many have passed away. St. Claire de Ville³ Lavoisier⁴ etc.