Faraday to George Towler   30 July 1853

Mr Faraday presents his compliments to Mr. Towler & hasten to say that he cannot spare an hour or indeed any portion of time for discussion. If he once entered on such a course there would be many probably a hundred that he would have to meet before Mr. Towler’s turn would come round[.]

Mr Towler speaks of non magnetic iron & a small needle. There is no such thing as non magnetic iron upon the surface of the earth nor can there be. Every piece of iron is a magnet by induction from the earth, a state which it takes whether the needle is there or not[.]

Royal Institution | 30 July 1853