very highest
genius.

[The following letter was the last my mother received from Faraday:--]

FROM PROFESSOR FARADAY TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, _17th January, 1859_.

MY DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE,

So you have remembered me again, and I have the delight of receiving
from you a new copy of that work which has so often instructed me;
and I may well say, cheered me in my simple homely course through
life in this house. It was most kind to think of me; but ah! how
sweet it is to believe that I have your _approval_ in matters where
kindness would be nothing, where judgment alone must rule. I almost
doubt myself when I think I have your approbation, to some degree at
least, in what I may have thought or said about gravitation, the
forces of nature, their conservation, &c. As it is, I _cannot_ go
back from these thoughts; on the contrary, I feel encouraged to go
on by way of experiment, but am not so able as I was formerly; for
when I try to hold the necessary group of thoughts in mind at one
time, with the judgment suspended on almost all of them, then my
head becomes giddy, and I am obliged to lay all aside for a while. I
am trying for _time_ in magnetic action, and do not despair of
reaching it, even though it may be only that of light. _Nous
verrons._

I have been putting into one volume various papers of mine on
experimental branches in chemistry and physics. The index and
title-page has gone to the printer, and I expect soon to receive
copies from him. I shall ask Mr. Murray to help me in sending one to
you which I hope you will honour by acceptance. There is nothing new
in it, except a few additional pages about "_regelation_," and also
"gravity." It is useful to get one's scattered papers together with
an index, and society seems to like the collection sufficiently to
pay the expenses.... Pray remember me most kindly to all with whom I
may take that privilege, and believe me to be most truly,

Your admirer and
faithful servant,
M. FARADAY.

* * * * *

[My mother wrote of this letter:--]

FLORENCE, _8th February, 1859_.

... I have had the most charming and gratifying letter from Faraday; I
cannot tell you how I value such a m