Faraday to Berkeley Westropp   c.23 October 1831¹

Royal Institution, October 13 [sic], 1831.

Sir,

I have great pleasure in answering your enquiries relative to the samples of water which you sent to me. I have examined those from the London docks very carefully, and beg to assure you that all the fears relative to their being unwholesome, to which you referred, are groundless. I cannot detect a particle of copper in them, nor is it likely the metal could be there, as the waters are fresh, and not of a nature to dissolve copper. I have sought for also, but cannot find anything else injurious in them. One of the waters you sent me had rather a stale odour, and was, for that reason, unpleasant; but if I were very thirsty and could obtain no sweeter, I should be glad of, and certainly drink such as that.

I have also examined the waters you sent me from the West India and St. Katherine’s Docks; they were both a little foetid, but with respect to the presence of copper, or any injurious power upon persons immersed in them, dependent upon deleterious substances, they are as innocent as the water from the London Docks, or the river itself.

I have the honour to remain, Sir, | Your very humble servant, | (Signed) M. Faraday

To Berkley Westropp, Esq., | Secretary to the Royal Humane Society