Faraday to Marc Isambard Brunel   6 February 1826

Royal Institution | Feby 6th 1826

My dear Sir

In consequence of your assent to the request I made to you at the Court of Kings Bench Westminster I venture to beg for the loan of drawing of your condensed gas Engine and a copy if you have one of the specification¹[.] I think I explained to you that my object was to bring it forward at the Friday Evening meetings of our Members which are held here in the Library & Lecture room and I am anxious to do so next Friday²[.] After tea & coffee we go to the Lecture room and then if you consent I should have in a sort of social lecture to explain from the table briefly the condensation of gases, the consequent elasticity which exists between what were formerly distinguished as vapours and gases; and then your magnificent application of these new agents and by which I trust you will give an important and universal value to what before was only curious[.]

I would call upon you if I knew when to find you at home that I might have from you the pithy points so as to be able to state them without any very gross error[.] I suppose it is vain to hope for seeing either you or your active Isambard here. If one or both would be here on Friday Evening it would give all very great pleasure[.] But pray do not wait till then to say any thing to me but drop me a note immediately if you can spare time and say you will let me have the drawings &c & that if I call at your office they will be left for me.

I suppose I may mention the quantities in which I have seen you i.e your son (for I trust you two are one) make the liquid carbonic acid.

Pray excuse the trouble I am giving you but I am proud to be in any way associated with you and hope you will favour me & the Institution by granting me the help I require³.

Ever dear Sir | Your obliged | M. Faraday

M.I. Brunel | &c &c

Endorsed: 1826 Feb 7th Mr. Farraday and that I shall send him the Drawing & Specification