Dionysius Lardner to Faraday   2 October 1827

3 Jermyn Street St James’ | October 2nd

My Dear Sir,

In anxiety for the success of the new University¹ and indeed for the cause of public Education and the general advancement of science induces me to take a liberty which I feel is unwarranted by our short acquaintance and for which I must entreat you to pardon me.

You mentioned to me in our late conversation (and I understand the same from Mr. Millington) that certain engagements which would subject for two years or thereabouts precluded the possibility of your attending to the duties of the Chemical Chair in our institution but that if the election had occurred two years later, you would willingly accept of the professorship. Now a plan has occurred to me by which I conceive that your present important engagements will not be interfered with and at the same time the University will not be deprived of the solid benefit of your services and the eclat of your name.

I would suggest that you should be appointed to the professorship under this condition that the Council should not require you to do the duties for two years or such time as you think you shall be able to undertake them. That in the mean time other persons be engaged to deliver a course of Lectures each year for which the Council will be enable to offer liberal remuneration. If you should be ready to undertake the duties in two years from this time there will be only occasion to provide for the lectures of one year in this way.

I have every assurance that if you would accept the chair of Chemistry on these terms, the Council would most gladly accede to the arrangement and of course would consent that you should retain your situation at Albemarle St.

If your various avocations should render it inconvenient to write an answer to this I should be happy to see you at any time you may happen to pass this way. I am almost always at home until two o’clock.

Believe me, Dear Sir, | Yours very truly | Dion: Lardner

To M. Faraday Esq

Endorsed by Faraday: Lardner to me offering London University Coll Professorship of Chemistry Oct 2 1827

Address: M. Faraday Esq | Royal Institution