From Thomas Archer Hirst   Feb 6th 1855

Broughton | Feb 6^th 1855

My dear John,

Since I read Faraday’s paper in last month’s Phil. Mag.¹ I have been wishful to ask you how you would treat his argument about the deportment of the several solutions of protosulphate of Iron between the poles of a magnet.² It appeared to me a very ingenious one and though from instinct I could not admit that it at all proved the identity of Magnetic and Diamagnetic polarity yet I confess it shook my faith in their distinctive character and rather confounded my notions on the subject. This morning brought me your reply³ to the very point in question and after reading it with great care I am inclined to believe that as an indirect proof of the opposite natures of magnetism and diamagnetism it will not be easily overcome[.] I see no escape from the contradiction between experiment and the consequence you have legitimately deduced from Faraday’s notions of a mere differential action. As to other parts of your letter not involving the argument I like most of it though as a general remark I would say do not allude too much to the value of his researches and his opinions but you will feel better than I can tell how much is due to him. As to your letter to me it is all interesting although the general tone has not a cheering influence on me[.] I notice in it the old consciousness of the effects which ever result from a too exclusive devotion to intellectual pursuits the only satisfactory fact to me is that such self-consciousness usually indicates a wish to remedy the evil which is felt is in fact a first step towards the reaction which in a properly balanced man always follows the disturbing action. I knew the good effect of writing to me at such times; it renders your cause for grievance more visible and strengthens you to undertake once more its remedy. For your sake I am glad you have me to write to; for my sake I am glad to be written to for apart from my brotherly affection toward you it has a salutary effect on me. For now that I have a wife whose harmonizing influence upon me is certain enough and as it may be carried too far and abused I see quite well the advantages of and even necessity of a Tyndall to shew me occasionally the other side of the question. So you see my dear John your selfishness accords with my selfishness and in following both we may do one another service.

My days pass pleasantly now. Until 6 P.M daily (from 7½A.M) I devote myself strictly to my several duties after that time I am my wife’s husband. No more at present write again soon and so will I.

Yours affectionately | T A Hirst

RI MS JT/1/H/213