James Timmins Chance to Faraday   3 November 1860

Hamstead, Birmingham | 3 Nov: 1860

My dear Sir,

Many thanks for the Copy of your Report¹.

It would certainly read better if it began from the Commencement.

No. IV Octant - Lower Reflectors - was adjusted, on the Evening of the Cruise, 25 up and 40 aside.

I am afraid that the word “foci” in your Report may be misunderstood by the unscientific, and be criticized by the scientific. Your meaning is, the common focus of the whole panel or group of reflectors - being the point of intersection of the focal, or middle, lines of the individual reflectors.

I include a letter received from Hyeen?² Might your Report, when complete, be communicated to him.

He has received some confused information about a ‘triangular duel’, as if I had had a rival Octant, as well as the French, in competition with yours.

Some official must have been Hyeen’s informant.

I hope to finish the South Whitby Light next week. The North one is to be left until next year.

I shall soon have the modified dioptric panel: I expect to gain 10mm for the Sea, without injuring the horizon: - that would equal 2½ dips at Whitby. I shall now have the lenticular bands adjusted from within just as the reflectors have been done.

Be kind enough to address me always at Hamstead Birmingham, instead of at the glass works, because by the latter address I do not get your letters until I go to the glass works, which I do not do every day.

Most truly Yours | James T. Chance.

P.S. If your Report should happen to be reprinted, please to let me be designated ‘James Chance’.

Professor Faraday | &c &c