John Somerset Pakington to Faraday   2 September 1852

Westwood Park | Septr. 2 / 52

My dear Sir,

Lord Lyttelton¹ & other friends who are now staying here, agree with me in thinking that for the sake of Science it is very desirable that either you or some other Scientific man of eminence should see the action of the lightning on the tree about which I wrote to you².

Though perhaps you might not think it so extraordinary as we do - I should mention that what we consider is wonderful is the explosive action from below, which can, apparently, alone account for the manner in which the tree was blown out of the ground roots & all, leaving a socket or cup where it stood - one portion of the stem with the earth attached being moved 3 or 4 yards from the socket - any one leaving London by an early train (via Birmingham) might return by the evening Express. I mention this is case you should like to send anybody else.

Yours very faithfully | John S. Pakington

M. Faraday Esq.