Faraday to Thomas Romney Robinson   25 November 1863

[Royal Institution embossed letterhead] | 25 Novr. / 63

My dear Robinson

The controversy I spoke of¹ was as with the Athenaeum², not with you. You told me that you had given no ground for that which the Athenaeum attributed to me. I shall not controvert it with them. You & I may surely differ as I suppose we do but as you say without controversy[.]

The experiments of the T.H. were not made in a fog & I dare say you will think were of little use for they did not extend to absolute measures but to the comparative efficacy of three different kinds of signals. I cannot let you therefore so interpret my words as to suppose that they take two of your categories out of the reaches of doubt. They were such comparison of signals as Nautical Men were (in my opinion) fittest to make but I dare say you would think them of little use.

You & I do not differ about superintendence only. We differ about the one head of judgment & responsibility. Programme alone I think of little or no value. The Programme of one man or body of men in the hands of others gives me no confidence. It would only Embarrass a fit man[.] It is the governing head; - the mind that can direct vary & apply the results as they appear that is wanted. I do not desire to be consulted by either the TH or the B of T on this point, but if consulted that is & will be the opinion I shall give[.]

And now My dear Robinson let me hope that this matter may not grow up into a cause of unkindness between you & me. I fear such a result & it would grieve me to the heart if any expression I may have inadvertently used should seem to you to tend that way. I earnestly beg your pardon for it. I would not have prolonged this matter by the present letter but that you, in place of going to the B of T for the accounts of the observations of the TH for which you asked me & to which I referred you do take my words with a width of meaning which I never gave them. I want my own character to stand upon my own words & acts therefore it is that I wished your report & my letter to go together I hope that when the Parliament ask the B of Trade for returns on the matter that letter (& all mine on the subject) will be asked for at the same time and that so I may still get righted[.]

I am | My dear Robinson | Yours Very Truly | M. Faraday

Revd Dr Robinson | &c &c &c | Armagh