Faraday to George Biddell Airy   9 February 1855

Royal Institution | 9 Feby. 1855

My dear Sir

I should not like to draw a conclusion from the phenomena you describe¹ except upon more numerous and personal observations. Mr Latimer Clarke has told me that he has evidence of currents produced in underground wires referable (he thinks) to atmospheric inductions upon the surface & substance of the earth at different localities & unless yours be a constant phenomena it may be of that kind.

As to the sea water battery - you must not rely upon it before you have tried it for some time. A change of fluids (which for a time includes the condition of fresh fluids & fresh surfaces) may answer for a short time & yet the new fluid may not be satisfactory in the long run[.]

I have not seen your letter to Mr Barlow² yet but I have been ill & confined to my room[.] I dare say he will shew it to me in due time. In the meantime I send you a paper from the Phil Mag³. The speculative part I have no more opinion of than I have of the many speculations that float about (and must float) in mens minds but the experimental part contains many nuts which at present are hard to crack.

Ever My dear Sir | Yours Truly | M. Faraday

G.B. Airy Esqr | &c &c &c