Faraday to Jacob Herbert   9 April 1844¹

Royal Institution | 9th April 1844.

My dear Sir,

I cannot understand the description of the parts referred to by Mr. Neale², I do not suppose it has anything to do with effects to be governed by the deflecting plate I have spoken of, for that is a remedy only in cases of gusts of wind and he speaks of the burning from night to night all the year round. Our ventilating chimney does not affect the burning of the Lamp which has I think its only regulating throttle valve, and he must refer to something about the lamp. However he had better send you up a drawing to shew the parts referred to and their places, and if by his experience he has observed any effect or arrangement which he thinks valuable and which may also appear so to you, I would suggest that it be put up and tried here in London first under our own observation before any change be authorized at the Lighthouse.

If after all, the effect he speaks of is that of occasional wafts of flame in gusty weather, then the deflector will cure it, but his description does not agree with that³.