Faraday to Isambard Kingdom Brunel   13 November 1852

Royal Institution | 13 Novr. 1852

My dear Brunel

Dampness is probably as bad for you as oxygen so that I suppose moist matters are to be avoided[.] But as against both dampness and oxygen why not use Potassium or Sodium. Select either, and then just before you change the cup, remove the napth[a]line from the metal by dry blotting paper or a piece of linen, cut the metal into three or four pieces by a sharp clean knife put them instantly into the cup and the cup into the cavity & close all in[.]

Ever Truly Yours | M. Faraday