John Frederick William Herschel to Faraday   11 November 1832

Slough | November 11, 1832.

My dear Sir,

I am most excessively mortified to find that I have been the means of saddling you with such a person as Dr! Robinson¹ proves to have been². I have nothing to say in excuse but that he came to me recommended by Dr Ferguson³ of Windsor, a skilful and highly respected Physician, and a personal friend of my own, in a letter which I have unluckily mislaid, but in which he spoke of the recommendations of Dr R to him as highly respectable, and requested me to show him attentions. In giving him the introduction to you, I had no other idea than that of putting him in communication with one eminently competent to judge of his chemical discoveries (if such) relative to the detection of poisons taken internally but that he should have so far abused such an opportunity as to act as you describe is indeed most abominable I only hope you did not lend him much. Though I have often under similar circumstances felt myself obliged in justice to the recommendation of friends to act nearly as in the present instance, I have generally endeavoured in any letter I may have written, to indicate the extent of my personal knowledge of the individual and his character. If my memory serves me, in that I addressed to you, I adhered to this principle. It will however be a lesson to me as long as I live to be extremely cautious in such cases, and as nothing of the kind ever occurred to me before, I will take good care it never shall hereafter. Again I must repeat my hope that you have not been a great sufferer by him. Indeed I feel that I ought to insist on your considering me your debtor to the extent of his borrowings. I shall take care and let Ferguson know what sort of person he has had palmed upon him, and thus let a knowledge of his exploits run back along the conductor as far as it may reach. He had got a whole pocket book full of letters - described himself as well acquainted with Dr. Turner Dr Daubeney [sic] &c and in short, but for the awkwardness of his manner which is anything but insinuating - might prove a very dangerous & troublesome adventurer.

Believe me &c | (Sd) J.F.W.H.