Faraday to Martin Farquhar Tupper   11 June 1842¹

Royal Institution, June 11, 1842.

My dear Sir, - Your note² was a very pleasant event in my day of yesterday, and I thank you heartily for it, and rejoice with you at the success of the crop. It so happened that yesterday evening was the last of our meetings, and I had to speak in the lecture-room. The subject was Lithotint³: but I placed the one ear in the library under a glass case⁴, and after my first subject was over read the principal part of your letter - all that related to the wheat: and the information was received with great interest by about 700 persons. Our President, Lord Prudhoe, was in the chair, and greatly desirous of knowing the age of the wheat. You know he is learned in Egyptian matters, and was anxious about the label or inscription accompanying the corn. I hope I have not done wrong, but I rather fear your letter will be published, or at least the wheat part, for a gentleman asked me whether he might copy it, and I instantly gave him leave, but found that he was connected with the press, the Literary Gazette. I hope you will not object since without thought on my part the matter has gone thus far. The news is so good and valuable that I do not wonder at the desire to have it, - Ever your obliged servant,

M. Faraday

M.F. Tupper, Esq., | &c. &c. &c.

P.S. - I am happy to say that I am plain Mr. Faraday, and if I have my wish shall keep so. - M.F.