To Thomas Archer Hirst   29th January 1855

29^th January 1855

My dear Tom.

Your letter¹ came to me this morning as I was about to commence preparations for my lecture tomorrow.² I read it with great gratification and at intervals during the day it dawned in upon my thoughts and imparted a pleasant warmth to my feelings. It assured me among other things that love for your wife did not necessarily undermine your love for your friend, indeed that the one may brighten and enhance the other.

It is now night and I am about to step from the world of action into the world of dreams. I shall go to bed all the more contented, with sweeter and more placid thoughts for having read your simple statement of your present feelings. God grant that these feelings may flourish like the amaranth³ in the gardens of heaven and never know what it is to fade. It was impossible for me to contemplate the change which you proposed to yourself⁴ without some degree of anxiety, but the consciousness that you alone were the competent judge in this matter held me back from trying to influence you in the slightest degree. Your statement gratifies me therefore for a double reason – It proves that you were wise in the choice you have made and that I was wise in believing that your choice would be the right one.

I have had a hard week of it. On Tuesday I think I gave them a good lecture at the Institution⁵ – On Thursday I gave the Bakerian Lecture⁶ at the Royal Society – it lasted nearly two hours, but even this time was far too short to do justice to the subject. I by no means filled the measure of my own ideal, but Lord Wrottesley called the lecture an able one – Lord Ashburton I am told expressed himself greatly delighted with it – Grove did not see how the arguments brought forward could be overcome – so that on the whole it cannot be called a failure.

On Friday evening I lectured at the Institution⁷ – I fear I made a slight mistake – I said once that I was compelled to dissent from the views put forward by Faraday in his lecture of the foregoing week.⁸ Faraday’s own feelings I do not know. He shook hands with me at the conclusion of the lecture, but I know the thing has been commented on by people in the house. If I had known that the matter would have caused such a stir I should probably not have alluded to the difference between us. As it is I am content – I have a clearer appreciation of Faraday’s merits than those who would condemn me. I love and reverence the man, but it is with the heart of a freeman who will ever maintain his right to differ from him. The world will yet see that I do not differ from him on insufficient grounds.

I am glad Edmondson is commencing the half year wisely – I told the old man when he was here with me⁹ that your opinions influenced me – and that I consulted you on almost all matter of importance. I should not wonder if this simple remark had some influence upon him. It is past bedtime – goodbye – my love to Anna – did you get the portrait from John Martin?¹⁰ –

Your affectionate | John¹¹

RI MS JT/1/T/592