Faraday to Angela Georgina Burdett Coutts   22 April 1847¹

Royal Institution | 22 April 1847

My dear Miss Coutts

Not finding you at home today I now write to say that I do not personally know Mr. Cameron² or his character but I have heard of him & it is quite true that he has been twice rewarded by the Society of Arts. On referring to the Transactions of the Society I perceive that the two rewards mentioned are five guineas & seven guineas³[.] I believe the party rewarded has the option of choosing between money & a medal. The society of Arts closely examine into things & I do not doubt but that the rewards were deserved.

I intended to have seen you & thanked you personally for your kindness to our Institution[.] Our President the Duke [of Northumberland] told me the other day since the election⁴ that he wished the Duchess [of Northumberland] in every respect to follow your good example and then did as you have done in anticipation of it. By the bye if I read your note aright you have paid too much namely 65 and 21 Guineas: the printed letter says 60 and 20 guineas and our assistant secretary⁵ having sent to the Bankers Drummonds⁶ says the payment is 80 guineas. I beg pardon for talking of such things but could not consent to your losing 6 Guineas by my carelessness - but on the whole I think I must read your abbreviation for guineas wrong.

Ever Your Obliged & | faithful Servant | M. Faraday