Faraday to Fourth Duke of Northumberland   15 November 1861

15 Novr. 1861 | Royal Institution

My Lord Duke

Is it essential to yourself that we should lose you?

You are kind you bear with us you do not disturb our management you justify it when submitted to you you do all that we desire. No one can be to us the President that you are¹.

Mr Pole has shewn me Your Graces note - it and the remembrance of all your former kindness makes me thus bold to write.

That your Grace may know of my sincerity - I quote a small thing personal to myself. I am above 70 years of age and with a bad memory feel the thought of the Juvenile lectures a burden to me. I have retired from them, but as the Managers believe that the remembrance of past times and the association of my name is good for the R.I. I still continue engaged to do what I can for the cause of Science there². May I hope that Your Grace will in the same way continue our President.

I should be deeply grieved if I did not think that your Grace will forgive me the freedom of this letter.

I am My Lord Duke | Your truly humble Servant | M. Faraday