Faraday to Dionysius Lardner   6 October 1827

Royal Institution | Octr 6th 1827

My dear Sir

My absence from town for a few days has prevented your letter¹ from receiving an answer so soon as it ought to have done and to compensate for the delay I should have called upon you yesterday evening but that I prefer writing in the present case that my reasons for the conclusion at which I have arrived may be clearly stated and understood[.]

You will remember from the conversation which we have had together that I think it a matter of duty and gratitude on my part to do what I can for the good of the Royal Institution in the present attempt to establish it firmly[.] The Institution has been a source of knowledge and pleasure to me for the last fourteen years and though it does not pay me in Salary for what I now strive to do for it yet I possess the kind feelings & good will of its Authorities & members all the privileges it can grant or I require and moreover I remember the protection it has afforded me during the past years of my scientific life[.] These circumstances with the thorough conviction that it is a useful & valuable establishment and the strong hopes that exertions will be followed with success have decided me in giving at least two years more to it in the belief that after that time it will proceed well into whatever hands it may pass[.] It was in reference to this latter opinion and fully conscious of the great opportunity afforded by the London University of establishing a valuable school of chemistry and a good name that I have said to you & Mr. Millington that if things altogether had been two years advanced or that the University had to be founded two years hence I should probably have eagerly accepted the opportunity[.] As it is however I cannot look forward two years & settle what shall happen then[.] Upon general principles only I should decline making an engagement so long in advance not knowing what might in the meantime occur: and as it is, the necessity of remaining free is still more strongly urged upon me. Two years may bring the Royal Institution into such a state as to make me still more anxious to give a third to it; it may just want the last & most vigorous exertions of all its friends to confirm its prosperity & I should be sorry not to lend my assistance with that of others to the work[.] I have already (and to a great extent for the sake of the Institution) pledged myself to a very laborious & expensive series of experiments on glass which will probably require that time if not more for their completion and other views are faintly opening before us[.] Thus you will see that I cannot with propriety accede to your kind suggestion[.]

I cannot close this letter without adverting to the honour which has been done me by my friends and I may add by the Council of the University in their offering me the Chemical chair in so handsome and unlimited a manner and if it can be done with propriety I wish you to express my strong sentiments on this point to those who have thought of me in this matter. It is not the compliment or public distinction (for the matter is a private one altogether) but the high praise and approbation which such an unlimited mark of their confidence conveys and which coming to me from such a body of men is more valuable than an infinity of ordinary public notice[.] If you can express for me my thankfulness for such kind approbation and the regret which I feel for being obliged by circumstances to make so poor a return for their notice I shall be much obliged to you[.]

You will remember that I have never considered this affair except upon general views for I felt than unless these sanctioned my acceptance of the Professorship it would be useless to inquire after such particulars as salary privileges &c &c[.] I make this remark now that you may not suppose these have been considered & approved of supposing other things had been favourable. I have never inquired into them but from general conversation have no doubt they would have proved highly satisfactory[.]

I am my dear Sir | yours very truly | M. Faraday