Faraday to William Whewell   15 May 1834

Royal Institution 15 May 1834

My dear Sir

I ought before this to have thanked you for your great kindness in the matter of the names respecting which I applied to you¹; but I hoped to have met you last Saturday at Kensington² and therefore delayed expressing my obligations[.]

I have taken your advice and the names used are anode cathode anions cations and ions the last I shall have but little occasion for. I had some hot objections made to them here and found myself very much in the condition of the man with his son and Ass who tried to please every body³; but when I held up the shield of your authority it was wonderful to observe how the tone of objection melted away[.]

I am quite delighted with the facility of expression which the new terms give me and shall ever be your debtor for the kind assistance you have given me[.]

I am My dear Sir | Your Obliged & faithful Servant | M. Faraday

Revd. W. Whewell | &c &c &c