Fourth Duke of Northumberland to Faraday   22 December 1862

Alnwick Castle | 22 Decr 1862

My dear Sir

Many thanks for your congratulations¹.

It would be indeed a great gratification to us all, if the Prince of Wales should accept the offer of the Managers to become Vice Patron of the Royal Institution.

As I shall not be in London for some time, I would propose that you should be empowered to ask the Prince of Wales whether His Royal Highness is willing to accept the office of Vice Patron to the Royal Institution²: and I think it would be advisable to delay such communication until His Royal Highness has been married for two months³. And considering that the Prince of Wales is above 21 years of age, the next heir to the throne, & capable by law to assume the Government of the Country, without a Regency, & will then be married; I think the Managers should make the offer to the Prince of Wales personally, on his own intellectual attainments, without reference to his deceased father.

I also think that if the Prince of Wales accepts the Offer, no other Vice Patron should be elected while he holds the Office.

Yours truly | Northumberland

Professor Faraday