George Towler to Faraday   22 April 1841¹

Norwich April 22, 1841.

To M. Faraday Esq

Learned Sir,

I trust you will deem the importance of the subject on which I write, as sufficient apology for the liberty I have taken in again addressing you. And in appealing to your profound knowledge of the subject for judgement of the ideas I entertain, I hope I am not guilty of any impropriety. The following suggestions are most respectfully submitted to your notice.

First. If there be a stream of fluid flowing through a magnetic body, does it not do so under the protection of some power which resists atmospheric pressure, or would not an equilibrium be formed and the stream cease to flow?

Second. If magnetic substances contain fluid matter in motion, do not substances capable of becoming magnetic, although not magnetic, contain fluid matter in a state of rest?

Third. If a substance capable of becoming Magnetic contains fluid matter, does it not become magnetic on this matter being set in motion? And when once in motion continues, if defended from the action of the atmosphere?

Fourth. Is the density of a magnetic substance capable of resisting atmospheric pressure sufficiently to defend the current from the counteracting pressure of the atmosphere producing an equilibriumo. As a liquid is in a capillary tube?

Fifth. If a magnet emits a fluid must it not be supplied with it before it can give it out?

Suppose a Magnet 4 1/2 inches in length and 1 inch in thickness that is of 20 superficial inches. And each inch on an average to absorb or emit 1/1000th part of a cubic inch of atmosphere in a second. And that there are 10/1000ths parts of a cubic inch of atmosphere absorbed and 10/1000ths parts emitted in the same period; which atmosphere is derived from the space surrounding one half of the body and discharged into that of the other, say the six cubic inches surrounding each pole.

Thus there are 20/1000ths or 1/50th of a cubic inch of atmosphere more in the six cubic inches surrounding one pole than in the six surrounding the other.

Nevertheless this increase, and decrease of pressure is not perceptible to the senses or to any substance as regards Attraction and Repulsion but by the contact or approach of a Magnetic Body; that is of one which has two atmospheres, a denser at one pole than at the other, that this phenomenon becomes apparent.

Sixth. Does not Attraction result from one of the overcharged atmospheres being impelled into one of the undercharged and Repulsion from the contact of two of either.

Sir, | Once more hoping to be excused the liberty | I have taken | I am, | Your Most Obedient| & very Humble Servant | George Towler | Chymist

St Lawrence

Address: M. Faraday Esq | Royal Institution | London.

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