Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward to Faraday   3 November 1851¹

Clapham Rise | 3 Nov 1851.

Dear Sir,

I feel most reluctant to trouble you about any personal matters, but I am in a strait, and know not how to act. Paxton² - not contented with his reputation as an Architect, a Botanist & Horticulturist - has come forward as a Medical Champion for the relief of consumptive cases by advocating the erection of a Sanatorium in connexion with the Consumption Hospital³. Now this idea most certainly did not originate with him as I advocated it most strongly in a little work published in 1842⁴.

It is just possible that Paxton may never have read my book - although the magnific conservatory of his noble patron at Chatsworth⁵ was filled with its choicest vegetable treasures by means of the closed cases sent expressly to the East Indies for that purpose under the care of a gardener chosen by Paxton. Relying on the boasted impartiality of the Times I wrote a letter to the Editor, simply stating the above facts - but this letter has not been noticed.

Now may I take the liberty of asking you whether (in the conversation I had with you - resp[ectin]g the Lecture you did me the honor to deliver at the R.I.⁶ & which was prior to the publishing of my book) I stated my conviction that the same principle which had proved so beneficial with regard to the vegetable kingdom was likewise applicable to the animal.

I feel that I have no right to trouble you with such a question - but a Portfolio in which the minutes of your Lecture were preserved - has been lost or mislaid in my removal from Wellclose Sqr to this place. I can hardly however expect that you can have recollected what I - who am personally interested in the matter have nearly forgotten. What I now wish to do is to publish a plain statement in one of the medical journals - leaving the public to draw their own conclusions. I need not of course add that I shall not print any statement from you without your consent.

Hoping you will pardon my thus intruding upon you.

Believe me to be Dear Sir | Very truly yours | N.B. Ward