Johann Conrad Fischer to Faraday   10 January 1840¹

[Printed heading showing view of Schaffhausen]

Schaffhausen - Schaffhouse | Capitale du Canton de meme nom.

Dear Sir!

The bearer of the present, Mr. Stadler² Architect of Zuric[h], intends to visit England, in order to view the many beautiful & partly marvellous objects of the art he professes & of which your country abounds. In taking the liberty to recommend this Gentleman in the best way I can do, for your kind advices with respect to the end & aim of his voyage, I greatly regret that I have been prevented till now by business of different nature to visit London again, & to enjoy the honour of Your conversation³. The frequent citations however in our Scientific Journals of Your important operations & discoveries have proved at least to me that You are always well & always pursue Your path with equal vigor & success. I for my part go on very slowly & in a very succinct compass, occupying myself with almost nothing but Iron & Steel & the different properties they acquire either by alloys, or in the way of fusion or cementation. Some time ago I received from Petersburgh by order of the Minister of the Interior [sic] Mr of Cancrin⁴, 1/2lb of purified Platina from the Ural which I found to be a very useful alloy for steel, but almost to[o] costly. You would greatly oblige me to let me know by Mr. Stadler <female> how much the Pound of native Platina (Platina in grains) sells now in London & where it best might be had. Hoping to learn on his return that you are in perfect health, & of what I should be extremely pleased also, of seeing you soon in Switzerland, I beg to agree the assurance of my distinguished esteem, with which I have the honour to remain

Dear Sir | Yours | J.C. Fischer | Lft. Col.

Schaffhausen the 10th of January 1840

<female> who will also be so good as hand you over a very curious piece of slag.

Address: To | Mickle Faraday Esqre | at the Royal Institution | Albemarle-Street, London