Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   1 October 1812

Octr 1. 1812.

<-> no <-> no <-> no <-> no <-> none <-> right <-> no Philosophy is not dead yet <-> no <-> O no <-> he knows it <-> thank you <-> ‘tis impossible <-> Bravo.

In the above lines dear Abbott you have full and explicit answers to the first page of yours dated Septr 28. I was paper hanging at the time I received it but what a change of thoughts it occasioned what a concussion confusion conglomeration what a revolution of ideas it produced - Oh ‘twas too much - away went cloths shears paper paste and brush all - all was too little all was too light to keep my thoughts from soaring high connected close with thine[.]

With what rapture would a votary of the muses grasp that inimitable page how would he dwell on every line and pore on every letter and with what horror dread disgust and every repulsive passion would he start back from the word BARILLA¹ to which I now come[.] I cannot refrain here from regretting my inability (principally for want of time) to perform the experiment you relate to me[.] I mean not to reflect on any want of clearness in your details on the contrary I congratulate you on the quickness with which you note and observe any new appearances but the sight possesses such a superiority over the other senses in its power of conveying to the mind fair ideas that I wish in every case to use it - I am much gratified with your account of the Barilla but do I read right that part of your letter which says that the salt you obtained from the first treatment of it was efflorescent[.] As I went on to that passage I did not expect that you would obtain any crystals at all but only an uniform mass but that crystals containing so great a quantity of Alkali in I suppose nearly a free state should give out water to the Atmosphere surprised me exceedingly - explain if you please.

With respect to the combination of Carbon with the fixed Alkalies I can say nothing to the point - With the volatile Alkali Ammonia you well know that it forms Prussic Acid - But Ammonia differs from Potash & Soda - true the two last are Oxides or rather Hydrats of Potassium and Sodium & Ammonia is a compound of Nitrogen Hydrogen and Oxygen now if as we have some reason to suppose is the case Nitrogen & Hydrogen are volatile Metals the difference between Ammonia & the fixed alkalies will be perhaps none and then the plea of similarity will induce us to suppose that Carbon is capable of uniting to all the Alkalies[.] With respect to the last observation you make on the subject - when Potash is ignited on charcoal it undergoes I believe no other change than when ignited by itself in both cases it assumes a greenish colour.

“Ether.” - How are the fragrant atmospheres of Bermonds[e]y situated at present² - do they kindly accom[m]odate themselves to each other or are they at perpetual variance neither is the case one is completely dissipated “lost lost for ever lost” whilst the other remains and will remain to clear he fatigued spirits of all who like M.F. will gladly go miles to see B.A. - Thus ends the response to Abbotts Letter dated as above.

Hear [sic] beginneth an answer to Benjamins last letter.

Dear Ben.

I rejoice in your determination to pursue the subject of Electricity & have no doubt but that I shall have some very interesting letters on the subject[.] I shall certainly wish to (and will if possible) be present at the performance of the experiments but you know I shortly enter on the life of a Journey-man and then I suppose time will be more scarce than it is even now³[.]

I partly repine at learning that I cannot be admitted before Christmas[.] I understood from the old laws that it could take place any private night⁴[;] nevertheless to make a virtue of necessity I will persuade myself that second thoughts are best and therefore employ the time in considering it over again[.] I am greatly obliged to you for your offer of admissions an<<d>> [MS torn] afraid I am so covetous as often to accept them.

I am obliged to you for your information respecting that species of crystallization which may be called vegetative[.] I have seldom observed particularly any instance of it ‘till the one I last described came under notice[.] A series of confused thoughts came across my mind at that instant which induced me to describe it so minutely - I supposed that it might be only certain salts as the Alkaline ones that would thus crystallize or perhaps thought I those whose crystals are primary or plates then again I conceived that their [sic] might be a difference in the appearance of the vegetation peculiar to each salt & lastly I fancied that a knowledge of those things would add to the science of crystallography - These are ideas of the moment and are therefore loose & erroneous of course but an investigation of the subject might lead to other things of importance[.]

Venus I find is amongst your visible planets <-> tis <-> a <-> beautifull <-> object <-> certainly.

I am suddenly stopped yours Hastily M. Faraday

Address: Mr. B. Abbott | Long Lane | Bermondsey