Faraday to Ernst Becker   4 December 1862

Royal Institution | 4 Decr. 1862.

My dear Dr. Becker,

May I still intrude upon, and use, you in a matter in which I think you only can help me.

Our Board of Managers being most anxious in respect of the hope they have, that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will condescend to honor the Royal Institution and foster Science, by becoming Vice Patron¹, next to our Queen (as was his most honored father); and thinking that the new year will offer the time at which such a wish & hope might be properly submitted to him, have earnestly pressed me to act in this respect. Remembering the manner in which the late Prince Consort brought His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to our lectures² they think that I might represent them in this matter, for the moment;- that I might write direct to the Prince making such a request; & that such an application, made by such a person, would not be other than agreeable to the Prince. But I dare not enter on such a course without some encouragement and so I apply to you; where I know that kindness, competency to judge, and common sense all unite to give me a right direction. - Do you think the time will then have arrived, when we ought to ask the Prince to allow us to make him an Honorary Member & the Vice Patron? - Do you think that I am the right person through whom the desire of the Royal Institution should be transmitted? - or that some more formal & direct channel should be chosen? You know how highly we estimated the character & influence of the late Prince Consort in relation to all Science & education;- you know how we have felt our bereavement; but we cling to the same hope in respect of the Son which we had as certainty in the father; and are bold enough to look for the same honored assurance, support, and encouragement in the time to come, as we enjoyed in the time past[.]

Ever Dear Becker | Your obliged & faithful | M. Faraday