James South to Faraday   4 March 1845

Castle Parsons Town | Tuesday Mar. 4, 45

My Dear Faraday,

As yet I have had nothing to communicate to you concerning our observations with the Leviathan Telescope - for the truth is that not one fine night have we had since I came here¹. The only Celestial Object we have observed with the large Telescope was the Moon one Evening during the last Lunation, and Certainly a Most splendid view of her we had.

The Metal however was then only roughly polished - and its figure was not good - on Tuesday last² however it was removed from its tube - on Wednesday - Thursday - and Friday it was re-formed - on Saturday and yesterday was re-polished - and this day is replaced in its tube.

The weather is extremely unfavorable, and in a few days the Moon will again interfere with our Nebular Observations - so that unless we soon have a change of weather, another 17 or 18 days must elapse before we can do any thing.

There is a necessity for using a watery solution of Ammonia during the process of polishing the large Speculum, and the solution gotten in Dublin, sometimes stains the surface of the metal - nay, occasionally brings out innumerable crystals on the metal face, and that too (as tis said) "because the Ammoniacal Solution Contains Cyanogen". Whether this be really the Case, or whether it is only hypothesis I know not - it would however be very desirable to obtain some solution of Ammonia which can Certainly Contain none of this "Cyanogen". I believe the solution of Ammonia obtained from Dublin by Lord Rosse is procured from the Gas works, and as I believe not from Muriate of Ammonia.

Now it seems to me certain that were the Ammoniacal Solution obtained by the decomposition of Muriate of Ammonia, in the good old fashioned way, all admixture of Cyanogen with it would be impossible. If you are of that Opinion, can you tell me of any Manufacturer in London on whom Lord Rosse might rely for a supply. Formerly Howard and Gibson³ of Stratford made all the preparations of Ammonia better than any other persons - whether however they now do so I know not.

Last night we tried the newly polished Speculum of the Leviathan and I am delighted to tell you it performed very satisfactorily. All we want is some clear weather, and I doubt not, I should very soon have some very interesting facts to Communicate to you.

How I should be delighted if you could run over to us - is the thing impossible? I am sure it would do you good, and would indeed be regarded as a high honor both by Lord and Lady Rosse⁴ - who as well as Dr Robinson desire me to remember them most kindly to you.

Present my best regards to Mrs. Faraday and believe me

Yours affectionately | J. South

PS, Are you working in moderation as you ought -? A Metal out of Hydrogen, may be obtained too dearly - if at the expence of your health.