Henry Chuter¹ to Faraday   18 September 1831

My dear Sir,

I write you a few lines in great haste as a gentleman is on the point of leaving Paris and I am anxious to avail myself of his offer of taking a packet for me.

I am not aware whether you are on intimate terms with Mr. Murray² but as he publishes your journal I presume you are acquainted with him. I am anxious to submit to him the enclosed note of a work about to be published here with a view of knowing whether he would like to bring out an English edition (with a second copyright) simultaneously with the French one and if so on what terms he would do it. M. Douville³ (to whom I was introduced by M. Cuvier⁴) has agreed to let me have the proof sheets as fast as they are done so that the work may appear on the same day in both Capitals⁵. I have written to Mr. Washington Irving⁶ requesting him to submit the proposition to Mr. Murray, but as I see that he had resigned his official situation I am fearful that he may have left London; should that be the case will you be kind enough to speak to Mr. Murray on the subject for me as were I to address myself to him directly as a perfect stranger he could have no means of knowing my fitness for the undertaking. I trust you will excuse the trouble I give you & believe me

Very sincerely yours | Henry Chuter

Rue Joubert No 16 | 18h Septr. 1831

P.S. You will perceive the importance of my having Mr Murrays decision without delay. When you write will you be kind enough to tell me whether you have received a small parcel which I sent you two or three months since by private hand containing a letter and some pamphlets by M. D’Arcet⁷ on the gelatine question⁸ which he wished given to the Institution.

Endorsed: 1831. Septr. 18 | Chuter, Mr. Henry – of | Paris – to | Michael Faraday Esq

Address: Michael Faraday Esqre | Royal Institution of | Great Britain | Albemarle Street | London