Faraday to Edward Hawkins   7 August 1845

R Institution | 7 Aug 1845

My dear Hawkins

All I can say in reply to your note¹ is that the salts which I found on the metallic efflorescence is the main cause (with moisture) of that efflorescence & the injurious action from which it results. To get rid of these salts & stop the mischief which they occasion I recommend soaking & washing the statue inside & outside until they (being soluble) are removed. I see that certain parts of the statue are made up with clay & that the feet & legs are modern additions. Now as to the clay the soaking will probably bring that off. As to the feet I do not know how they are fastened on & if it be by some application of [word illegible] & saline cements they will then probably come off too. All I can say is that if it were my statue I should soak & wash it: for I think the continual process of corrosion which will otherwise go on a far greater evil than any thing else that can happen[.]

Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Edw Hawkins Esq | &c &c