Faraday to Charles-Gaspard De La Rive   16 November 1821

R Institution | Novr. 16, 1821.

Dear Sir

Herewith you will receive copies of my papers which I mentioned in a letter I sent you per post a month or two ago and which I hope you will do me the favour to accept¹. I also send in this packet a little apparatus I have made to illustrate the rotary motion on a small scale[.] The rod below is soft iron and consequently can have its inner end made north or south at pleasure by contact of the external end with one of the poles of a magnet[.] To make the apparatus act it is to be held upright with the iron pin downwards the north or south pole of a magnet to be placed in contact with the external end of the iron pin and then the wires of a voltaic combination connected with the upper platinum wire the other with the lower pin or magnet the wire will then rotate if the apparatus is in order in which state I hope it will reach you. Good contacts are required in these experiments[.]

Now let me know what is doing with you, for I long for news from your southern parts[.] An Italian gentleman who is on his return home will give this packet to you - at least I hope so for I want it to reach you safe - I am excessively busy too much so at present to try my hand at any thing more or even to continue this letter many lines further but I hope soon to have a little news on steel to send you[.]

I am my Dear Sir As Ever | Your Very Obliged and faithful |

M. Faraday

M de La Rive | &c &c

A single pair of plates 2 or 3 inches square or 4 inches square is quite large enough for the apparatus -

Yours Ever | MF