William Edward Fitzmaurice to Faraday   12 August 1858

Hamilton Lodge | August 12. 1858

Dear Sir

I have forwarded to you an official answer to the letter of the Board which I regret that I could not do sooner as I was busy at Cherbourg where I was highly complimented on the splendour of the light by Her Majesty, the Queen, and also the Emperor¹. The Lords of the Admiralty also expressed themselves very much pleased with brilliancy of the illumination, and the [sic] amongst the general public I understand it created more sensation than anything else there²[.] Considering the way I was hurried and thwarted in making my arrangements I was the most surpassed of any one there. I could have given ten times the effects if I had had my own way, however I was under orders so there was no help; any how they were all pleased beyond measure so one could not expect more[.]

Yours faithfully | W.E. Fitzmaurice