Faraday to Richard Phillips   5 June 1821

Royal Institution, June 5th, 1821.

Dear Phillips,

In answer to your questions I have to state, that I have not been solicited to become one of the party¹; and that I remember only one occasion on which it was proposed to me to write in answer to Mr. Parkes’s observations. I have also to state, that my sole reason for not writing, was disapprobation of controversy, and an opinion that it rarely convinces of error or answers any good purpose; and finally, that my opinion with regard to the nature of the process, and the changes that take place in the oil, during the heating of it, as well as of the accuracy of the experiments that have been made, and on which that opinion was founded, not only remains unchanged, but is strengthened by my subsequent experience.

I am, dear Sir, | Yours, very truly | M. Faraday