Faraday to Charles Stuart   7 November 1826¹

Royal Institution | Nov. 7. 1826.

Sir

I have the honor to enclose a report on the bottles of water left with me for examination and beg leave to return herewith the remaining portions of the different specimens of water[.] I am fearful that they will have undergone a change to a greater or smaller extent but that is consequent upon them being opened & unavoidable[.] I trust it will not have proceeded so far by the time you may open the bottles as to have caused the disposition of all the Iron in the chalybeates[.]

I have the honor to be | Sir | Your Obedient Humble Servant | M. Faraday

Right Honorable | Sir Charles Stuart | &c &c &c

Royal Institution | Novr. 7. 1826.

Waters from the [word illegible] St Michaels

No.1. Contains a minute trace of sulphate of lime a rather larger quantity of Muriate of Soda and Carbonate of Soda and a trace of Carbonate of Iron[.] It abounds in Carbonic acid held in solution and because of the small quantities of other matters which it contains may be considered as a natural strong solution of carbonic acid gas in water.

No. 2. Is very peculiar in containing considerable proportions of Carbonic acid and Sulphuretted hydrogen and its freedom from earthy salts. A minute trace of sulphate of lime may be detected in it. It contains much muriate of Soda a considerable proportion of carbonate of Soda and Iron held in solution either by the sulphuretted hydrogen or the carbonic acid or both[.]

No. 3. Is remarkable for the quantity of alkali it contains surpassing in this respect all the other waters. When boiled it becomes considerably alkaline to test papers[.] It contains a slight excess of Sulphuretted hydrogen & Carbonic acid also some sulphate of soda much muriate of soda and comparatively very much carbonate of Soda. The hydrosulphuret of soda existing in it probably gives rise to the sulphate which is found to occur. There is no iron in this water but a little colouring matter probably vegetable which with the alkali in excess occasions a dingy hue[.]

No. 4. This water is of a yellow colour is equally free from Earths as the former waters containing a mere trace of sulphate of lime a little muriate of soda a little carbonate of soda and much carbonate of Iron[.] To these ingredients is added a considerable excess of Carbonic acid[.]

No. 5. | This water is colourless and of a sensibly chalybeate taste in this respect being quite unlike No. 4 which has a carbonated taste[.] There is here a trace only of Sulphate of Lime Some Muriate of Soda, a little carbonate of Soda, Carbonate of Iron and uncombined Carbonic acid though not in great excess.

All these waters in addition to their peculiar characters are remarkable for the almost entire absence of earthy matter and the presence of carbonated alkali.

M. Faraday