Faraday to William Hosking   3 February 1835¹

Royal Institution, Feb. 3, 1835.

My dear Sir, - The points in your letter on the 26th of last month², which you put to me for an opinion, are such that I have no hesitation in agreeing with you upon them.

To enumerate briefly these points:- the principle of communication of power is correct - the use of local steam- engines is highly advantageous, both for cheapness of force, and capability of varying it when required - the necessity for levels will, I presume, therefore be greatly obviated - the association of cylinder and rail is such, that the whole road must (with sufficient thickness in the cylinder) have great strength and firmness - the absence of locomotive-engines removes much of the cause of derangement which the road would have to sustain - and I do not see how the governor and carriages can leave the railway.

You know my objection to giving a general opinion in reference to the profitable application of the plan in question; but I may here add, that the reserve I feel originates simply in my possessing no practical knowledge of the construction, expense, and profit of ordinary railroads.

I am, my dear Sir, | Very truly yours, | M. Faraday.

William Hocking [sic], Esq., F.S.A., | &c. &c. &c.