Faraday to W. Wright   11 March 1856¹

Royal Institution, 11th March, 1856.

Sir,- I cannot give you my autograph for sale². I always decline to give it, for doing so would be unsatisfactory to my feelings. I send you five shillings, which you may put to the funds, with the letter F. only associated with it; or if such a sum is valueless, give it to any really poor case that may come under your notice.

Will you excuse me, if I point out one or two circumstances in your mode of application which might raise a shadow of doubt in one’s mind? In the first place, I do not find your name among the printed names on the papers you sent with your letter. In the next, your letter is dated the 5th of March, and says within that the bearer will call for the papers on the next day (Thursday) evening, and yet it did not arrive here before the 10th March, and the packet containing it has written on it ‘will be called for to-morrow evening.’ I do not find your name in the Court Guide, though you use a seal and motto; neither is it contained in the Post Office Directory, at page 625 under the head of Princes St., Stamford St. I have no time to enquire further, but trust that no person is using your name for improper purposes, or any other purpose other than that expressed on the papers.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, | M. Faraday

Mr. W. Wright