Faraday to Peter Henry Berthon   23 May 1861

Royal Institution | 23 May 1861

Sir

In respect of your letter of yesterday¹ enclosing one from Major FitzMaurice (19th May 1861²) which I now return I may say that the latter appears to me to refer to three distinct lamps which I have marked in the margin I. II. III. the last being the one which most nearly corresponds to the lime light formerly under consideration. It seems to me that the Trinity House will hardly take upon itself to select one light from the others as the best of the three but that Major FitzMaurice as the Patentee should make that selection and then I can see no objection to “his exhibition of the light experimentally in the lanthorn at Blackwall” provided it be done in such a manner as to prove whether the light is available for lighthouse purposes or not. In reference to that matter I may mention to you my letter to Major FitzMaurice 16 August 1858³ and mine to you of the 20th⁴ with a copy of the above and perhaps also mine to you of the 29th Septr. 1860⁵.

I am Sir | Your Very faithful Servant | M. Faraday⁶

P.H. Berthon Esqr | & & &