Faraday to Davies Gilbert   4 February 1830

Royal Institution | Feb 4. 1830

Dear Sir

I have been anxious to attend the Council today for some time past but have been confined to my room since Saturday afternoon and though I am now recovering am as yet fearful of venturing out. I hope that what I meant to have done at Council you or the Secretaries will be able to bring forward for me[.]

On applying at the Admiralty some time since to ascertain how bills on the Glass account would now be paid (Dr. Young having formerly obtained their liquidations) Mr Croker told me that the only proper plan is for the Sub Committee to send them to the President & Council & the latter body send them to the Admiralty when they would be paid[.] I therefore enclose the accompanying three bills for £ 33.18.11 - £ 27.1.6 and £ 11.7.0 being all the expences up to Decr. 31. 1829. They have been examined & are signed by Mr. Dollond[.]

I enquired also at the same time as to the further assistance which the Admiralty would give the Experiments for though I am far too much occupied at this time of the year to have a moment to spare I should like to carry them further presently. Your conversation however on Saturday last makes me think it will be unnecessary for me to say any thing on this point - except perhaps that Mr. Croker thought it would be desirable to send a copy of my paper on what has been done at the time we applied for funds to do more[.]

Today the Committee will decide whether they think my paper worth printing¹[.] If that is agreed to I think it would add to its value if parts of some of the reports of the Subcommittee were appended to it[.] I mean such parts of Mr. Herschells reports and others as refer to the probable uses & advantages of the heavy glass in telescopes, for some theoretical suggestions are there given of great value[.] I am not aware whether any formal difficulty exists to such an arrangement if so it cannot be done if not I think the plan would be useful².

I am My dear Sir | Your Obliged & faithful Servant | M. Faraday

Davies Gilbert Esq MP | &c &c &c

Address: Davies Gilbert Esq MP | President Royal Society | &c &c &c