David Brewster to Faraday   15 March 1842

St Leonard's College | St Andrews | March 15th 1842

My dear Sir,

I regret to trouble you upon so trifling a subject, but it is at all times desirable that the truth should be known even in cases when it does not appear to be very important.

I once wrote you about the Bude Light ¹, and had I been able to lay my hands upon your answer, which has been too carefully laid up, I shd not have been obliged to trouble you again.

I believe that I was the first person who conceived the Idea, (or rather who published it) of applying the Oxygen Gas Light to Oeconomical purposes. I have ample Evidence that in 1832 I recommended it to the Commission of Northern Lighthouses, & in the very beginning of 1833 I published the suggestion². I mention[ed] all this in my Evidence respecting the Lighting of the House of Commons³, and neither Mr Gurney⁴ nor any of the many able men then examined mentioned any other claimant.

A Gentleman here, who says that before this he had shown the burning Gas to some pupils in Perth, claims the Idea, & for the same reason claims also the Drummond Light ⁵; but this is ridiculous for chemists had shewn 50 years ago the ordinary Expt. with oxygen gas, is the intense light of pieces of lime exposed to the Blowpipe.

I therefore am desirous of knowing, if, in so far as you know, or believe, the Bude light was suggested for oeconomical purposes previous to 1832, that is if the suggestion was published. Lady Brewster⁶ desires her kindest regards to you, and I am,

My Dear Sir, | Ever Most Faithfully Yours | D. Brewster

To | Dr Faraday