Faraday to Second Earl Spencer   20 August 1832

Royal Institution | Aug 20th 1832

My Lord

Your Lordships kind letter to myself and still more kind & liberal gift to the Royal Institution¹ induce those whom I formerly spoke of still strongly to desire that a portrait of Your Lordship should grace the walls of this place². Mr. Pickersgill has liberally prof[f]ered to give us a copy of any good portrait of Your Lordship. If there is one by Sir Thomas Lawrence he would prefer that. If not he would like the one by Mr. Phillips and he says he should be able to begin in six weeks from the present time. The object of this letter is respectfully to ask Your Lordships consent to Mr. Pickersgill's kind offer and our wishes and to assist us by the loan to Mr. Pickersgill of Sir Thomas Lawrence's portrait or else that by Mr. Phillips.

I hope my anxiety to have that done which I think on the part of the Royal Institution ought to be done and my confidence in Your Lordships' kindness have not hurried me into any impropriety in thus addressing you once more on the subject[.]

I am | My Lord | Your Lordships' Most | Obedient Humble Servant | M. Faraday

Earl Spencer | &c &c &c

Endorsement: Mr Faraday Rd 22 Aug 1832