Faraday to Edward Parry Nisbet   10 August 1861

Royal Institution | 10th Augt 1861

My dear Sir,

I return you the papers, and in respect of them and our conversation to day, can only say I agree with you in your recommendation and have nothing to add to what was said to day. In trying both lamps at the respective lighthouses, you will obtain a continuation of your own experience; and that kind of average knowledge about them which only prolonged experience can give. I am very glad of what you said about the glasses and the means of securing always the good shape. Two lamps and burners equally good, may give very different results with glasses of different shapes.

Very important too is it that the keepers should be educated in the nature and management of a lamp and their morale and sense of sense of responsibility be raised. It seems to me that the only way of securing an effective and vigilant on their parts is to exalt their sense of the character of the service and the conviction of the power and ability they possess to do it good. A man who understands the character and action of his lamp would desire more than an ignorant man, to make it burn well.

Ever &c | Signed | M. Faraday

Captain Nisbet | &c &c &c