Faraday to Christian Friedrich Schoenbein   30 July 1838

Royal Institution | 30, July 1838

My dear Sir

You know how I value your letters & may conclude that the last¹ was very pleasant to me though there is always a feeling of deep regret that the treasures which accompany your communications being in the German language are sealed up to me[.] I was out of town when your letter arrived & have not had the fortune to see Dr. Brabant² but I hope he enjoyed himself in England[.]

Your paper on the possible condition of Iron in its peculiar state³ I have taken to Mr. Taylor (as well as the parcel)[.] Your theory is just now in that state as respects the facts of the case that one may very well be allowed to be not too sure either for or against it but you can hardly think I should consider any opinion of yours as unworthy of publication[.] I have far too much respect for the judgment you have shewn in these very delicate & difficult enquiries[.]

You mention Fechners objections to my theory and I am exceedingly anxious to see & consider them but do not know whether they are all accessible to me or not. Would you mind referring me in your next to Poggendorf[f] or other Journals in which they are; mentioning the pages in which the path of the objection or the positive experiments are & then I will have them translated. I am rather in hopes that the paper you say you have sent to Mr. Taylor will in fact refer to & perhaps state them⁴. I am very anxious to know of all important objections but I do not mind about slight ones. Many have been made to me which been left to themselves have disappeared in a few months from the minds of the objecters themselves; but good & valid objections are of great importance and often I think prove the key to new discoveries[.]

Dr. Poggendorf[f] who was here lately told me of Fechners objections but when he learnt from me that I by no means go the length of De la Rive; and that I admit many other modes of electrical excitement besides chemical action, I thought he seemed to think that Fechners objections were rather against De la Rive than me. Perhaps what I am saying has not reference to Fechners objections but what I believe is that the Electricity which characterises the voltaic pile limiting the phenomenon to that instrument) is of chemical origin; is another form of chemical affinity and I think the notes to paragraphs 856⁵. 921. 928⁶ indicate that to be my meaning besides the general tenor of the papers & descriptions contained in it[.]

I have been writing on Induction & have three new papers (series 11. 12. and 13⁷) & shall soon have a fourth⁸ for you. I am rather uncertain whether you receive those I send you by our Royal Society means[.]. If you do not let me know: and if you know of any channel which <<is>> fitter for the purpose & will tell me I will send <<them>> to you by it at once. I am very heavy in experiment just now & have some results with crystals⁹ which I think you will approve of. I must now conclude in haste but not the less

Sincerely Yours | M. Faraday

Address: Dr C.F. Schoenbein | &c &c &c | Bâle | sur le Rhine