From Frederick Ransome   28 February 1851

My dear Sir

I went over to Hardwick on Wednesday to inspect the work at Sir Thos Cullums and I am happy to inform you there is not the least symptom of any part of our patent stone having been affected by the frost–

The efflorescence with [sic] you have noticed is entirely due to the free sulphate in the soda–and I know of no way of removing it but by washing out– I scraped a large quantity of it off and dissolved in water–when I found it exhibited alkaline reaction– I then added a little acid & no effervescence took place neither was any silica precipitated. I afterwards added a little Baryta water where a milky white precipitate immediately showed itself–– clearly proving the presence of sulphate to a large amount–

I noticed a few lengths of the coping which exhibited a little scaling– this arose from imperfect workmanship owing to the men having floated some soft material over the face without thoroughly incorporating it with the mass–

I have ordered the whole of the Terrace to be well scraped & brushed which will remove all the efflorescence and I do not think any more will present itself–

With my best thanks for your many repeated acts of Kindness | Believe me My dr Sir | ms faithf– yours | Fredk Ransome–