Faraday to John Barrow   12 December 1832

Royal Institution | 12 Decr 1832

Sir

In reply to your note of yesterday I beg to say I will report to you immediately I have analysed the meals and therefore after that report the man who brought the samples can have them back again¹[.]

Your last letter says I am to ascertain "if any of them contain the like proportion of calcareous matter which the former ones did"[.] The extract from the report of the Solicitor² recommends that the samples "be submitted to a similar test of analysis and if similar results be produced &c &c."

Now I am able to say at present that all the samples are (all of them) similar to the former samples from Inglis and all contain calcareous matter. But if you require me to speak to proportions in each case it involves the accurate analysis of each one for the quantity of calcareous matter present and requires far more care and time. It will require at least a week more to make such analysis satisfactory to myself[.]

Will you have the goodness to tell me whether you think that a report on the general similarity in which I can give a strong opinion as to similarity of proportion also will be sufficient or whether you wish me to proceed with the quantitative analysis of each for the carbonate of lime[.]

I am | Sir | Your Very Obedient Servant | M. Faraday

John Barrow Esq | &c &c &c

Endorsed: 12 Dec. Aq him their Lordships deem these to be sufficient.