Faraday to John George Children   23 October 1832

Royal Institution | 23rd October 1832

Sir

I have been honored by the receipt of your letter requesting to know on the part of His Royal Highness the President¹ and Council of the Royal Society whether I could accept the office of a Member of Council if recommended & elected for the coming year[.]

In reply I beg respectfully to decline the probability of election: not that I undervalue the character of that high and responsible office or esteem lightly the favourable opinion which would recommend me to it[.] But the time I can spare from imperative duties is already so small that I am anxious to devote the whole of it to original investigation and I entertain a hope that his Royal Highness the President and the Council will think that in so doing I am performing to the best of my abilities my duties to Science & the Royal Society[.]

I am | Sir | Your Obedient Humble Servant | M. Faraday

John G. Children Esq | Sec Royal Society | &c &c &c

Endorsed: Entered Council Book vol. XI p.325

Faraday (No 2)