Christian Friedrich Schoenbein to Faraday   9 July 1837

My dear Sir

I have just now published a little work in german containing a detailed account of my researches on the peculiar condition of Iron, which I was so presumptuous as to dedicate to You¹. As my motive for doing so was no other than the desire of publicly expressing my feelings of respect and regards towards you, I entertain the flattering hopes, you will be indulgent enough, as to grant me a pardon for the great liberty, I have taken and accept in kindness of the feeble tribute offered by my humble individual to a Man, whose name stands so high in the scientific world. Should the British Association for the advancement of Science happen to receive scientific works as presents, you would oblige me very much by sending one of the copies laid by to the president of that society for being produced at their next meeting in Liverpool. Though it has been a favorite plan of mine, these last five or six years, once to attend the meetings of this learned body and to visit Old England once more, a country which I love as much as I do my own native land, up to this time I have not yet been able to satisfy my wishes in this respect. I hope, however, to see them one day fulfilled.

The other day I got a letter from Mr. Berzelius², the contents of which relate to my observations on the peculiar state of Iron. This distinguished Chemist, though he does not yet give a decided opinion upon the subject, is inclined to think, that in one notice of yours, published some time ago in the Phil. Mag.³, which alludes to the observations of Ritter⁴ and de la Rive⁵ regarding the secondary piles and the electrical state of polar Platina-wires, the true cause of the inactivity of Iron is hinted at⁶. According to the view of Berzelius, Iron performing the function of the positive Electrode undergoes a change, with regard to its primitive electrical condition in such a manner, as to be turned from a positive electrical body into a negative one. As my views with respect to electro-chemical subjects essentially differ from those of Berzelius', I cannot, on this account, think the idea of that Philosopher correct; but it appears to me that it is not in accordance even with one of the principles of the electro-chemical system, such as laid down by Mr. B. himself. For the suggested Idea implies the assertion, that Iron whilst performing the function of the anode, or to speak the old language, whilst acting the part of the positive pole, is capable of being, at the same time, in a negative electrical state; in other terms, that Iron, under the circumstances men‑tioned, exhibits two opposite electrical states and consequently attracts and repels Oxigen at the same time. But such a kind of action is, to my opinion, a thing quite impossible and must be held as such even by those, who agree with the views of B. I have reason to believe, that Mr. B. will treat this question more circumstancially in his next annual Report⁷, and then we shall see, whether the obscure subject will be more cleared up, than it is now. Some of our continental papers, particularly german ones, have still much to do with Mr. Crosse's insects⁸, said to be manufactured out of siliceous matter by the agency of a current. As these Journals frequently make use of your Name to prove the truth of the pretended discovery and enter in this respect into particulars, such for instance, as to assert, those insects had been exhibited by you at the meetings of the Royal Institution I should be very much obliged to you, if you would have the kindness to tell me, what to think of such reports. You may easily imagine, that our scientific men strongly doubt of the correctness of these extraordinary tales or rather do not believe in them at all.

The magneto-electrical machine, which you were so kind to procure for our institution, arrived here some weeks ago⁹. During its passage through "la belle France" it was so roughly handled, most likely by the custom house-people and waggoners there that some parts of it were broken. Now it is arranged again and works exceedingly well.

I was very sorry indeed, to learn from one of your former letters, that you did not enjoy of full health. On account of Yourself and the scientific world at large I confidently hope and ardently desire it will and may, by this time, be entirely reestablished. A trip to the Continent and into our beautiful Alpes would, perhaps, do a great deal of good to you. Should you ever cross the channel and happen to touch Bale, I would feel myself highly honoured, if you had the kindness to visit me.

Accept, my dear Sir, the assurance of my being.

Yours very truly | C.F. Schoenbein

Bâle July 9. 1837.