James Timmins Chance to Faraday   15 November 1860

Hamstead | Birmingham | 15 Nov: 1860

My dear Sir,

You will, perhaps, be expecting to hear something from me concerning the Lens experiments.

The preliminary arrangements have taken all my leisure time until now.

I am taking the middle belt, and each of the rings, separately; so as to find what height of focus, for each, above the burner corresponds to the transmission of the brightest light in the horizontal direction.

Beginning with the middle belt, I find 21mm above the burner to be about the best position of the focus for sending the brightest light horizontally:- and it is extremely satisfactory that the most brilliant band of light on the distant screen is most evident;- and that, no light goes to the sky.

I feel sure that you will like to see these trials in detail, each lenticular band being taken separately;- as well as to compare the total result with the old management.

I shall be quite ready for you towards the end of next week; but I will write again to say, on what day exactly everything will be quite prepared.

I anticipate a most decided improvement in the transmission of the brightest light to the horizon, apart from the accompanying advantage of economizing light wh: now illuminates the sky.

My men have returned from Whitby; & I will not delay sending you my report¹.

Most truly yours | J.T. Chance