Thomas Sherratt to Faraday   17 March 1862

Westmoreland Place | Westbourne Grove North, W. Bayswater, | March 17th, 1862.

Sir, - Seeing in a leading article on the Times last Saturday, that you have a means of testing the table movements at spiritual séances ¹, I venture to leave this note, asking as a favour that you will allow our small circle (three in number) to sit in your presence, either at our residence or your own, yourself joining it or not as you think fit. My object, indeed I may say our object, is to ascertain by the strict scrutiny of competent judges of magnetic forces, the verification of the communications, undoubtedly made to us, as being of a spiritual nature or otherwise. Until this last six months we were Tyros in matters of this kind, but our experiences since then, have been (to us at least) so surprising, that I have kept a list of them, which at some time will be interesting for perusal. I beg to say we are not connected in any way with the recognized mediums, and sincerely hoping you will give your consent for our sitting as before mentioned.

I have the honour to be, Sir, | Your most obedient Servant, | Thomas Sherratt, Junr.

M. Faraday, Esq., F.R.S., &c., &c.

P.S. - Our circle consists (with myself), of my sister² (the medium), and her husband³.