Second Earl Spencer to Faraday   8 February 1832

Althrop 8, Feb. 1832

Dear Sir

I lose no time in acknowledging the Receipt of your very flattering letter¹ respecting Mr Pickersgill's wish to paint a portrait of me for the Royal Institution, & if the only consideration on the subject to guide my acceding to the wish were my disposition to testify my good wishes for the welfare of the Institution, which have never ceased since its original establishment, I should feel no difficulty in consenting; but in the present very infirm state of my Health, & the small probability there is of my being sufficiently recovered by the time mentioned to remove to London, as well as from the consequences of long illness having very much unfitted me for the object in view, I am reluctantly obliged to decline complying, but not without begging you & the other friends who have done me this honour to accept my very cordial thanks.

I am, dear Sir, | Your very faithful | humble servant | Spencer

M. Faraday Esq.