James William Morrison to Faraday   8 October 18311

Mint Office | 8th. Oct: 1831.

Sir

The Refining by the new sulphuric process, which has been lately established at the Mint, has given rise to complaints among the Inhabitants of the neighbourhood, in consequence of the effluvia which are emitted from the Works.

In considering the circumstances which led to the undertaking by Mr. Mathison2, Lord Auckland3 thinks it will be desirable to obtain the opinion & advice of some scientific person upon the subject, and his Lordship has accordingly directed me to apply to you, and to request you will have the goodness to call at the Mint, at your earliest convenience, for the purpose of inspecting the Refinery, and to investigate the causes of the complaint4. His Lordship wishes to ascertain whether the fumes which proceed from the operation are injurious to health, & also that you would report your opinion as to the construction of the Refinery, & whether some alteration, & contrivance, by giving height to the Chimney & improving the condensing apparatus, may be introduced, so as to destroy the noxious effects of the effluvia. & render the works perfect & free from complaint. Should it be practicable to adapt any efficient plan of the present Buildings, his Lordship will be obliged by your stating the probable expense that will be incurred, and you will also report any other observations that may occur to you in the enquiry, and what, in your judgement, would be the best & safest mode for effecting this public service.

Mr. Brande5 & Mr. Bingley6 have directions from Lord Auckland to meet you at the Mint.

I am &c: Jas. W. Morrison

I. Farraday Esq | &c &c &c

Endorsed: Note. Mr Farraday’s report delivered to Lord Auckland who has not transmitted to it the Mint | WHM

1
James William Morrison (1774-1856, B2). Deputy Master of the Mint.
2
Gilbert Farquhar Graeme Mathison, melter and refiner of the Mint. There is some variation in the spelling of his name.
3
George Eden, 2nd Baron Auckland (1784-1849, DNB). Master of the Mint, 1830-1834.
4
Mathison as a private venture was extracting silver from gold at the Mint. This involved the release of noxious fumes into the air, causing complaints from local residents. See Craig (1953), 304-5.
5
In his capacity of Superintendent of Machinery at the Mint to which he had been appointed in 1825. See Craig (1953), 393.
6
Robert Bingley (d.1847, age 81, GRO). King’s Assay Master at the Mint. Craig (1953), 159.

Bibliography

CRAIG, John (1953): The Mint: A History of the London Mint from A.D. 287 to 1948, Cambridge.

Please cite as “Faraday0516,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday0516