Faraday to Charles Manby   4 March 1840

R Institution | 4 Mar 1840

Dear Sir

The chemical part i.e the 1st part of the paper is nothing particular & rather loose. Your pencil notes illustrate that. There is no new & more correct analysis & the old ones are as to nitrogen no doubt wrong. To say that coal consists of carbon & bitumen is for common use correct enough but will not do for an exact expression of its composition for bitumens differ from each other as much as coals[.] The reasonings about the azote p 10 &c are very doubtful. On the whole I do not see any thing new in this part or any striking conclusions drawn from the old knowledge[.]

As to the second part I have been pleased with the reading. It appears to be not practical results but an attempt to explain practical results. Whether so much effort is due to the mechanical force of the Vapour of water in the flue as the author ascribes to it I cannot say[.]

The third part is about the same as the first[.]

I have put a final note at the side of the fourth part or rather note on anthracite[.]

The whole paper is rather a compilation or resume of what is already known to one or another. The second part appears to me to that which partakes most of originality & yet I suppose that practical men may perhaps have long since drawn such conclusions & views[.]

It is not a paper of that strict & original character that would do for the Royal Society[.]

Ever Dear Sir | Very Truly Yours | M. Faraday

C. Manby Esq | &c &c &c