Gentlemen,
On returning to town yesterday, I found the inclosed letter1: it is anonymous, and I have no means of referring to its author. But as it describes an experiment, in which chemical decomposition is for the first time obtained by the induced magneto-electric current, I send it to you for publication, if you think it worthy.
I cannot, from the description, decide whether the effect is really chemical: it may or it may not be so. A careful distinction must at present be drawn between real chemical decomposition and the mere effects of a succession of electric sparks2. I hope the author will describe the results in a more precise manner, and corroborate them by other chemical actions.
I presume the writer can have no objection to the publication of his letter; and for my own part, I would rather avoid being in exclusive possession of anonymous philosophical information, lest any mistakes should hereafter arise as to dates. But if you publish the letter, favour me by thanking the author for it.
I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c. | M. Faraday.
Royal Institution, July 27th, 1832.
FARADAY, Michael (1833a): “Experimental Researches in Electricity. - Third Series. Identity of Electricities derived from different sources. Relation by measure of common and voltaic Electricity”, Phil. Trans., 123: 23-54.
Please cite as “Faraday0601,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 21 September 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday0601