James Timmins Chance to Faraday   12 January 1861

Hamstead | Birmingham | 12 Jany 1861

My dear Sir,

I am greatly grieved to hear of your indisposition¹, which, however, I trust that the present milder weather will soon remove.

The postponement of your visit to the glass works will not cause any delay in sending away the ‘Smalls’ apparatus; for it is only just completed, in consequence of the unforeseen delays in the new system of adjusting the refractors:- and it will require quite a fortnight for the putty to become sufficiently hard to bear locomotion, without yielding.

The question of lamps shall now have my chief attention: it has been laid aside, of late, owing to my assistance being so constantly required in setting on foot the new methods of adjustment.

I am desirous of suggesting to the Trinity Board the desirability of the ‘Smalls’ apparatus being erected at its destination by mechanics from our works. Would you suggest this to the Deputy Master², or the Trinity Board, or shall I do so?

Whatever observations may be made at sea upon the peculiarities of the ‘Smalls’ Light will lead to no useful deductions unless the intended adjustments are complied with in the final erection of the apparatus; and if this be done by others than those who have constructed it, there is no security against mistakes.

Great scientific interest attaches itself to this Apparatus, in consequence of the innovations made upon old methods; and I am very anxious, on that account, to adopt every precaution for securing accuracy in erection, as well as construction.

Believe me | yours very truly | James T. Chance