John Stevens Henslow to Faraday   27 December 1850

Hitcham | Hadleigh | Suffolk | 27 Dec 1850

My dear Sir,

Tho’ it is a shame to apply to one so occupied as yourself, I know there is nothing like appealing to the highest authority. We have determined on forming a collection of objects for the Ipswich Museum which may serve as types of the principal groups under the 3 Kingdoms of nature - & to keep such collections well labelled & illustrated by models & drawings apart from the ever shifting series of specimens arranged in the cases of a continually increasing collection. At the head of the Mineral Kingdom I wish to illustrate the Elementary substances by exhibiting as many of them as possible contenting ourselves with the names of those which cannot be exhibited. My idea is to give the S.G. & Chemical Equivalent where known, & to place the specimens under glasses. Circular discs of the metals, one half polished & the other not, with an exhibition of their fracture seem to me the best way of showing these. Though I cannot ask you to assist further than by offering any suggestion that may occur, perhaps you can inform me where I am likely to pick up examples of the more uncommon substances properly put up (as Iodine, Bromine &c) or of such metals as may require rather severer treatment to reduce them into the required shape than I am able to bestow on them. As I am asking on account of the public, I feel less scrupulous than if it were on my own account alone, though I shall not be less obliged.

Some such arrangement as this is what I am thinking of - a small watch glass over the metals. Where can I find the best arrangement? Will that in Gregory¹ do?²

Believe me | very truly yours | J.S. Henslow

Address: Prof. Faraday | Royal Institution | Albemarle St | London