TALBOT2311

31 Sackville S^{t 1}
Thursday
1832 ²

Dear Sir

I think the contrast between the Nickel & Copper solution would be still more remarkably shewn, by viewing through them what is called “Red Fire” ³ – Some day I shall have the opportunity I hope of trying the experiment. These researches deserve to be multiplied, as there is evidently a connexion between optics and chemistry which cannot fail to throw light on the latter. D^r Brewster ⁴ imagines that all simple substances have a different action on light. ⁵ I think that something of the sort will be found to be true, tho’ not perhaps exactly that.

D^r B. informs me of a late very curious discovery of his, of a liquid ⁶ (which he does not name, but says it is a compound of only 2 elements) which has the property of absorbing partially the light of a candle so as to make the spectrum formed by candlelight to resemble the Solar Spectrum, viz. to make it appear covered with small lines or bands. I hope he means to publish this, as being very likely to explain the nature of the Sun’s light & atmosphere.

Yours truly
H.F. Talbot

M. Faraday Esq.
Royal Institution
Albemarle S^t