Faraday to William Hyde Wollaston   30 October 1821

Royal Institution | Oct 30th 1821

Sir

I am urged by strong motives to request your attention for a few moments. The latter end of last month I wrote a paper on electromagnetism¹, which I left in the hands of the printer of the Quarterly Journal and went into the country. On returning home the beginning of this month I heard from two or three quarters that it was considered I had not behaved honorably in that paper and that the wrong I had done was done to you[.] I immediately wished and endeavoured to see you but was prevented by the advice of my friends and am only now at liberty to pursue the plan I intended to have taken at first[.]

If I have done any one wrong it was quite unintentional and the charge of behaving dishonorably is not true[.] I am bold enough sir to beg the favour of a few minutes conversation with you on this subject simply for these reasons that I can clear myself satisfactorially - that I owe obligations to you - that I respect you - that I am anxious to escape from unfounded impressions against me - and if I have done any wrong that I may apologise for it.

I do not think Sir that you would regret allowing me this privilege; for satisfied in my own mind of the simplicity and purity of my motives in writing that paper I feel that I should satisfy you and you would have the pleasure of freeing me from an embarrassment I do not deserve to lay under. Nevertheless if for any reasons you do not consider it necessary to permit it I hope I shall not further have increased any unpleasant feeling towards me in your mind[.]

I have very much simplified & diminished in size the rotating apparatus so as to enclose it in a tube. I should be proud if I may be allowed as a mark of strong and sincere respect to present one for your acceptance. I am almost afraid to make this request not because I know of the slightest reason which renders it improper but because of the uncertain and indefinite form of the rumors which have come about me[.] But I trust Sir that I shall not injure myself with you by adopting the simplest and most direct means of clearing up a misunderstanding that has arisen against me but that what I do with sincerity you will receive favourably[.]

I am Sir with great Respect | Your Obedient Humble Servant | M. Faraday

Dr. Wollaston