Stephen Peter Rigaud to Faraday   9 September 1831¹

Observatory Oxford | Sept. 9. 1831

Dear Sir

I can understand all the plague & interruption which the journal must be to you. I have myself in the present instance to make all this explanation, for the University, about Harriots² papers, which ought to have been done by others thirty years ago. I hope, therefore, from a fellow feeling you will forgive my troubling you with the request to make one short alteration in what I took the liberty of sending you.

I have looked through all the papers which Lord Egremont³ lent me⁴ but there is probably not more than a third part of them which I have thoroughly examined. I am persuaded that, when I go completely through the rest, I shall find nothing to alter my practical opinion, but I wish to say nothing which in any way exceed the strict facts: I think, therefore, that I ought to put in a short parenthesis to qualify what I have said towards the end. The other parts of the sentence may remain as they are. I have no copy by me and only quote from recollection; there is, therefore, no occasion to attend to any thing but what I have underlined - the rest is only put down to direct your eye to the place.

I have recently been entrusted &c .... There is much in them that is very curious but very

This to be inserted in its place

little &c ... very curious but (as far as I have had time to examine their contents) I have found very little &c⁵.

Yours truly | S.P. Rigaud

Address: M. Faraday Esq | Royal Institution | Albemarle Street | London