Paul Frederick Henry Baddeley to Faraday   23 December 1851

My dear Sir

I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 4th of November last¹.

I shall take your kind [advice] about fixing my observations on the Dust Storms of India and now that I have had more time to consider the subject, and to add to and confirm my former results, those that may be now published, will appear in a more useful and kind form than this could now done before².

I have just invented an instrument for enabling ships to navigate with greater safety out of danger when involved in these rotatory Storms - and it will moreover tend to elevate the subject, by explaining the real power of the Cyclone, and cause of the veering of the winds, and confused sea, and in fact to answer for all or most of the phenomena connected with it. I have sent a model, with diagrams and description, the first one I have made to Lord Palmerston³ by this mail or the following.

As to the navigation of the aerial regions, I would not venture to propose such an apparently extravagant idea, save in a private letter to yourself⁴.

I am however surprised that the elecl state of the higher regions of the atmosphere has not been sought or probed, by means of a small baloon carrying a small wire covered with gutta percha and on a strong ship cord.

I must now disabuse you of the idea of my intention to flatter. I had good reason for supposing I addressed you correctly, for your name appears twice in Mr. Piddington’s⁵ book - the “Sailor’s Horn Book” 1851 at page 259 and again in the index, page 335⁶ - as I designated you - so that I am clear for this - Believe me

With great respect | Yours Faithfully | P. Baddeley

Lahore | Dec. 23rd 1851.

Address: M. Faraday Esq | &c &c | Royal Institution | London