George Robert Waterhouse to Faraday   18 August 1853

British Museum | Aug. 18 / 53

My dear Sir

For some days past I have thought, each day, that I should be able to get out and call upon you, my object being to tell you that I sent in your note backed, as strongly as possible, - neither the note nor the observations accompanying it, however, came before the Trustees - it was explained to me that a similar application (one of a very pressing nature) had quite recently been brought before the Trustees - that the officer who had charge of the object wished to be taken out of the Museum offered to take it himself & not to let it out of his sight & to bring it back again - it would not do - the Trustees sayed they felt themselves bound to abide to the rules which had been made. Under these circumstances I was begged to withdraw your letter & my notes relating to it, as by so doing I should save the Trustees from making a refusal which would be very painful to them¹.

I am most sorry for all this!

Believe me | faithfully yours | Geo R. Waterhouse

Prof M. Faraday