Faraday to Lyon Playfair   17 October 1842

the University of King's College in Upper Canada - an institution of the highest importance to this Province and which from Various causes has had but a nominal existence since its original endowment 12 or 14 years ago by George IVth¹.

(Then some of the Professorships are to be filled up by persons in the Province but others can not be properly so filled & amongst them the Professor of Chemistry - whom it is hoped may be obtained from England and my letter goes on to say)

The amount of the Salary and of the Emoluments arising to the Professorship may be reasonably estimated at not less than £450 per annum with a house and garden & such minor advantages of the kind as are usually attached to Collegiate establishments. The Professor will have to reside at Toronto where he will find a society composed of many of the most accomplished men whom the country affords and it may be as well to add that in his capacity of Professor he will form one of the council of the University which will consist of the Bishop of Toronto² as President - A Vice President holding the Professorship of Classical Literature with the active superintendance of the management & discipline of the Establishment - a professor of medicine - a Professor I believe of Surgery, Professors of Chemistry & Mathematics with such other Professors in other Faculties as the improvement of our funds may hereafter enable us to establish.

A sum of money has been recently appropriated by the college for the purpose of such instruments & utensils as may be necessary for its Laboratory and the Council will be disposed to listen with great deference to the suggestions & to avail themselves of the assistance of the person whom &c - as to the manner in which the sum destined for the purpose of this apparatus should be expended.

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My dear Sir

With the exception of the part in brackets on the first page the above are the words of the letter to me³ & contain all the information I have about the University & the Professorship. They therefore form the best answer I can give to your last[.]

Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Dr Playfair | &c &c &c | 17 Octr. 1842

The person who writes to me is the Governor General himself⁴[.]

Address: Dr. Lyon Playfair | &c &c &c | Jas Thomson Esq | Primrose | near Blackburn | Lancashire