Lovell Augustus Reeve to Faraday   29 July 1853¹

[RI embossed crest] | July 29

My dear Sir,

I looked in to ask if you would kindly favour [me] with an opinion, or hint, as to what might be said as a matter of comment on the enclosed communication.

In last Saturday’s Lit. Gazette I wrote an article on Electric Gas² from material supplied to me by Mr Robert Hunt, with the view of exposing what he termed a ‘great sham’.

Just at the eleventh hour while making up my paper this week for press, I have a letter from the Electric Gas Company accompanied by a certificate from Mr Holmes³ to the effect that this prepared water is without doubt converted by the magneto-electric machine into a non-explosive quietly burning Gas⁴.

I ought to insert this communication - and yet I do not like to insert it without comment. Can you help me in this emergency? Mr. Hunt is in Cornwall, and Dr Playfair is also out of town.

I will come again at 4 o’clk on the chance of finding that this has reached you -

& much oblige | dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Lovell Reeve

Address: Professor Faraday