Faraday to Henry Ellis   20 August 1853

Royal Institution | 20 Aug 1853

My dear Sir Henry,

I beg, through you, as the proper channel to make the enclosed application to the Trustees of the British Museum¹[.] I have applied to Mr Waterhouse for advice how to proceed but I suppose I have been informal for he does not encourage me². The Trustees certainly ought to have the power, under sufficient precautions, to grant such a request as mine; for the British Museum is especially for the advancement of science. If they have not, I presume some department of government has; but I think it can hardly be needful that I should make such application, or that I should move such bodies as the Royal Society or the British Association to make such application, to a Secretary of State for a purpose so simple &, as it seems to me, so fit. Will you do me the favour to aid my object and to let me know the result of my application. I am anxious if possible to make my experiments before the Sun loses its power otherwise, they will have to run on into next Year[.]

I am My dear Sir Henry | Your obliged & faithful servant, | M. Faraday

Sir Henry Ellis | &c &c &c