From Edward Sabine   Nov. 24./51

Woolwich Nov. 24./511

My dear Sir

Will you be so kind as to give your correct designation, such as it must be entered in your certificate as a candidate for the R.S. –

Name (including Christian names)

Rank

Profession

Qualification, Author of —

Usual Place of Residence

Distinguished for his

Acquaintance with the science of —

Mr Faraday will sign from personal knowledge, and there must be two other signatures from personal knowledge,2 who must be, of course, Fellows of the Society. Can you kindly tell me, who you would wish me to apply to for this purpose; I shall find no difficulty in obtaining three other signatures from general knowledge, from persons who have read your papers: six signatures is the number required.

The titles of your publications must be specified: will you be so good as to write them down for me.

Sincerely yours | Edward Sabine.

Dr Tyndall.3

RI MS JT/1/S/6

1

Woolwich Nov. 24./51: this letter was enclosed with letter 0572.

2

two other ... personal knowledge: Tyndall chose J. J. Sylvester and T. H. Huxley (Journal, 27 November and 25 December 1851, JT/2/13b/552 and 556) but the approaches were made by Sabine or Francis, rather than directly. For example, Sylvester’s letter agreeing to supply a signature was passed on to Tyndall by Francis and Tyndall initially passed on his thanks to Huxley through Francis (letters 0581 and 0590).

3

Dr Tyndall: as in the earlier letter (0559) from Sabine, the addressee’s name was written at the bottom of the first page rather than at the end of the letter.

Please cite as “Tyndall0571,” in Ɛpsilon: The John Tyndall Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/tyndall/letters/Tyndall0571