Faraday to James Timmins Chance   28 October 1861

Royal Institution | 28 October 1861

My dear Sir

I have sent on your report¹ of the N. Whitby light to the Trinity House[.]

You wrote to me from Bournemouth - how you run about? I hope Mrs. Chance & the little or rather young ones are quite well[.]

Your kind & free offer about the investigation of foci for the lime light is very grateful to me. I do not know how we could do without you. We go (i.e a committee) out to sea on Wednesday or Thursday² night to look at the light - & there will be much to do in the retort & gas house - and in the matter of expence before the light can be established[.]

The individual lights are of about this shape and size the maximum light being at a & this spot is slightly sunk into the lime in consequence of a depression which is formed by the current of gases - there are eight of these lights placed at equal distances round an opaque cylinder about 3½ inches in diameter. As all the light that goes to any part of the optical apparatus is from the front & side of the lime but none from the back you will easily judge what a change would be required for the focal points especially for the upper reflectors[.]

Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Jas. T. Chance Esq | &c &c &c