Benjamin Collins Brodie to Faraday   10 July 1849

13 Albert Road | July 10

My dear Sir,

So far as the decision of the Managers rests in grounds of oeconomy it appears to be both parsimonious and inconsiderate¹. The Institution has a large surplus income, as much as the whole Chemical expenses, and it is of very little moment whether £100 or £200 be devoted to a good scientific purpose. If the end be not a worthy or suitable end, by all means let it be abandoned. This however is not the question. In proposing to me to take the lectures, it is acknowledged that they are desirable. The statements I have made as to the inefficient means of the Institution for carrying them out, are neither denied or discussed. But I am practically told that the changes, I desire, if made at all, must be made by me without their aid. This would truly result in the fact that I should devote the time of my private assistant, whose time is of value to me for my own experiments, to the service of the Institution or else have an additional assistant. While the question at issue is, whether the Institution is to find £100 more or less. This is very disheartening and certainly my first impulses would be to throw the thing entirely up. I have however written to Barlow to say that I will send my answer in a few days time, when I will write again².

Very faithfully yours | B.C. Brodie

Professor Faraday

Endorsed by Faraday: 1849