Joseph John William Watson to Faraday   5 September 1854

31 Pall Mall | Sepr. 5 1854

Dr Sir,

Altho’ I fear that I am out of order in the request contained in this note yet the importance of the subject may perhaps claim some little indulgence on your part. I was not a little surprised at the result of the communication made to me by Mr Herbert respecting the late trials at the Trinity House of the Electric Light¹, since I had fully anticipated some trial of the light in a situation where its great intensity might be displayed in a better situation than in the cellar of the Trinity House. Doubtless, however, you had excellent reasons for not continuing the exhibition to that point; but, as any condemnation from so high an authority as yourself would operate most injuriously against the Electric Company which has for its end, I consider, matters of great national importance and is therefore deserving of public support may I ask the great favour of your pointing out to me the paths for improvement by which this light may be made available for practical purposes such as Light house illumination. I am aware that I am perhaps asking too much but the wording of Mr Herberts communication emboldens me to still hope to see the electric light employed by the Trinity Board.

Any communication I may receive from you I can assure you I should consider as perfectly confidential and trusting that I shall not be disappointed

I am | Dear Sir | Yours most faithfully & obediently | Joseph J.W. Watson

M. Faraday Esq DCL | &c &c