Roderick Impey Murchison to Faraday   29 January 1852¹

16 Belgrave Square | Jany 29 1852

My dear Faraday,

Before I make my appeal to the board of Managers of the Royal Institution as I am authorized to do by the Royal Geographical Society over which I preside, I wish to consult you as ‘amicus curiae’² & grand Master of all that pertains to your admirable establishment.

The history of our case is this. We are a thinking, active body now, to whose geographical memoirs & discussions great interest is attracted & we literally have not sitting room.

We are memorializing the Government to do something in their way for us, as we do much for them; but in the mean time it would be an enormous boon & advantage, if we could have the use of your theatre on a Monday Evening (every other Monday) when nothing is done with it.

Any additional expence or even a moderate consideration (if requisite) we would pay, & it would be quite understood that every Member of the R. Institution could have free access to our performances.

In short, it would be one attraction more added to your good bill of fare, & thus instead of having me once on mountainous matters you could be bored with me very often.

Your President³ is one of my Council & if you & Barlow give me any hopes of success I will write to His Grace to have my letter laid before the Managers next Monday⁴.

Yours most sincerely | Roderick Murchison

M. Faraday Esq