Faraday to Longman¹   26 February 1835

Royal Institution | 26 Feby 1835

Gentlemen

I have to apologize for troubling you with my enquiries, being uncertain how I ought to direct them to your firm but trust that my ignorance of the steps to be taken will be with you a sufficient excuse[.]

A friend & brother in law of mine² residing at Edinburgh a practical Engineer is inclined to write a work on rail roads &c. I send you one of his letters: in another he says “the proposed work would contain a popular exposition of the great principles of rail ways and their application to the purposes of local transport. A full discussion scientific and practical of all the different topics of the rail way system and of the locomotive engines which have been recently agitated; and a particular account of the rail ways already erected & in progress in England & Scotland and also what is doing abroad &c &c &c with plans sections drawings &c &c[”.]

You will see from his letters that he is desirous of putting the work in your hands. I believe him very competent for it but am no judge of the nature of such a work as an article of trade[.]

If you will oblige me with a note or allow me to call some morning on you to have what answer I should give Mr Buchanan it would be esteemed as a favour to myself³[.]

I am | Gentlemen | Your Very Obedient Servant | M. Faraday

Messrs. Longman & Co | &c &c &c

May I beg of you to take care of the plans & drawings which I send herewith[.]