Faraday to George Biddell Airy   8 June 1854

Royal Institution | 8 June 1854

My dear Sir

Many thanks for your note¹. Curiously enough I wrote in March to Mr. L. Clarke about experiments as to any change in velocity of conduction dependant on the character of the current as to quantity & intensity; for Melloni wished for some results². Mr. Clarke said he would make the experiments - and a week ago sent me all the results³ which I sent off at once to Melloni at Naples⁴[.] They are the same as those you refer to.

Did Mr. Clarke tell you the curious fact that some of the instruments connected with the underground wires have had their needles reversed & in some cases the wire melted ⁵. I suspect that they have been struck through the earth (where near the surface) by lightning⁶[.]

Ever My dear Sir | Yours Truly | M. Faraday

Geo B. Airy Esq | &c &c &c