Faraday to Third Earl of Rosse   25 June 1850

Royal Institution | 25 June 1850

My dear Lord

My opinion is not worth your having but bad as it is you have the fullest right to it & I ought not to withhold it. My impression is that either Hansen¹ or Weber (W?) or Wöhler deserve the Copley Medal but as it is for the Most Worthy I feel extreme difficulty in forming any idea respecting the preference of one over the others². And my trouble on this point is chiefly if not entirely my infirm memory for I cannot remember that which I have read of what they have written[.] Hence my confidence in myself becomes shaken and I fear to form conclusions least they should be unjust[.]

I told your Lordship that you would have very useless opinion from me & I am sincerely grieved that I cannot make it better or more useful. As a man of true Science & as the Head of the Royal Society Your Lordship deserves the active & working support of every lover of Science and for other relations independant of Science Your Lordship deserve[s] the help of every right minded man[.]

I am My dear Lord | with the Greatest respect Most faithfully | M. Faraday

The Earl Rosse | &c &c &c