William Thomas Brande to Faraday   5 May 1852

Royal Mint | 5 May 1852

My dear Faraday

I have been much annoyed at two independent communications which have reached me since we met on Monday last¹ from two members of the Institution, stating the extreme regret they felt “in consequence of Mr Barlow having prevented the members expressing their feelings of thankfulness to me for my long services” and have heard for the first time that such a desire on their part was expressed after I had left the room on the occasion of my last lecture “but that Mr Barlow was instrumental in crushing it”[.]

I am convinced that there must be some mistake somewhere but the statement has been so unequivocally made to me that I think it my duty to ascertain from you what was really said upon that occasion² - and further, whether any thing transpired upon the subject at the members meeting either on Saturday or Monday last, as I am told is the case.

I am sure you will at once tell me what passed on these several occasions as I am sadly perplexed by the reports which have reached me. I have not said a word to any other than yourself upon the subject and of course the matter must be quite confidential between us.

Yours my, dear | Faraday always & sincerely | Wm Thos Brande.