Faraday to William Hasledine Pepys   15 January 1827

Royal Institution | Monday Jany 15, 1826 [sic]

My dear Sir

I have just been startled by a visit from Mr Wallis¹ who himself was also in a startled state in consequence of the peculiar relation in which you have placed us with regard to our Lectures at the London Institution²[.] I understood from you that like Mr. Brande I should have the preceding day to prepare my Lecture in: but Mr. Wallis tells me that if he Lectures on the Monday Evening it will require him to work all night and yet that he will not be able to have the place clear before 6 oclk on Tuesday Morning. Under such circumstances I should say it will be impossible for us to Lecture in the prepared and proper manner that we ought to do on the days that you have appointed[.] I am not in the habit of preparing my lecture table in a slovenly manner or of leaving much to chance and must beg you to remove Mr. Wallises Lectures to some other day[.]

He tells me that he left the choice of the day entirely to the Managers of the Institution so that I cannot help thinking there is some mistake[.]

I am dear Sir | Your obliged Servant | M. Faraday

I shall want at all events Monday Evening to prepare the Lecture table and to ascertain what things that have been overlooked are to be got ready by Mr. Styles³ during the time that I am giving the Lecture here on Tuesday morning so that when I come to the London Institution I may find every thing prepared & nothing to detract the attention from the subject to be brought forward[.]

Address: William H. Pepys Esq | Poultry

Postmark: 1827