138 LIFE AND EXPERIENCES CHAP. 



have some little doubt about, just omit it they will 

 never find it out!" He was most careful himself 

 in the preparation of his experiments, even to the 

 extent of trying the stoppers of all his reagent bottles 

 beforehand. This method and precision Faraday 

 carried out in all his doings. Each sample of gold- 

 film on the watch-glass was carefully marked and 

 every bottle in the laboratory in use was labelled by 

 himself with his monogram 1VF. 



Here are two letters I had from him, which exhibit 

 his delicate thoughtfulness even on so small a matter 

 as the return of a photograph. 



21 February, 1857, 

 ROYAL INSTITUTION, 



ALBEMARLE ST., W. 

 MY DEAR SIR, 



Last night I placed the portrait of Bunsen in the Library, 

 and that led me to get a friend to read the inscription beneath ; 

 and considering the case I am persuaded that I came to a 

 false conclusion about it. Somehow I imagined that it came 

 from Bunsen himself, but then I do not know him personally 

 and the inscription tells me that it is a valued personal 

 testimony to some one in particular, and I doubt not it is you. 

 Now I should send it back to you at once by the carrier, but 

 am not quite sure that I have your town address, so I use this 

 letter as a means of knowing really where you are and with 

 many thanks for your kind intention of showing it to us here, 

 beg your pardon for my mistake and oblige, 



Ever, my dear Sir, 



Yours Very Truly, 



M. FARADAY. 

 Roscoe, Esq., 



&c, &c. 



25 February, 1857, 

 ROYAL INSTITUTION, 



ALBEMARLE ST., W. 

 MY DEAR MR. ROSCOE, 



Your letter is very kind and I would on no account 

 wish to offend you. But I know the value of a personal 

 remembrance and I think the portrait ought to be in its right 



