The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-10
Letter from an Am erican Lady In London
A Visit to Professor Faraday.

published, some time since, ale;ter from Miss
A. Clarke, Principal Of the young Ladies' Seminary,
No. 10 Rutgers street, describing the late Worlds
Fair. The following letter from the Same lady,
while il London, gives an interesting account Of
her visit to Professor Faraday, well know through
out the world for his scientific researches.
LONDON, 1851.
have thus far ieen very little Of English socs-
ty, oil my time having been occupied IN sight see
i1g. AS my stay in London WAS uncertain, and
having to choose between two alternatives, | pre-
ferred seeing the city and its institutions, leaving
an acquaintance with It's people an after consid3ra-
tion. day, however, wac fixed By an American
mend for me to accompany Nun on a visit to Pro-
fessol Faraday, President Of the Royal Scientific
Institution, in which office ne has succeeded Sir
Humphrey Dayy. My friend had obtained per-
mission to introduce an American lady ard my
name being known TO tho professor, he entered tae
Apartment into which We had been ushered, and
eat nding hand TO each and cling US both by
nam 2. hado welcome, VIII the Dir and case Of an
OLD acquaintance. tie desired 70 know how be
should hest entertain ug For my part, | requested
10 10 permitted to examine Tic beautiful collection
Of Minerals and other curlosities, natural, Wich
which the room was 6led We were followed by
the professor as We took our rounds ne, mean.
time directing eur attention TO what be considered
most rare. The collection is not as largo as nave
seen elsewhere ia England, though the specimens
sre all chosen, and happily arranged, and some OF
them Of great value. There was one specimen of
colored quartz, which VS. were specially requested
10 observe, large, and the crystals 80 wonder uy
arranged that thirk should have noticed u with
out a guide. ! have seen amethysts before Ia col
lectious of minerals but such specimens rs this
must be spariDgly produced Ia nlture This,
eGid eur frior dy guide, 'ca ne from South America
Though geoogist and chemist Of great merit,
Professor Faradays chief attention for some years.
has been almost exclusively devoted to ex-
periments in galvansm ard electricity, which
science he has enriched by some startling disco.
veiiee, particularly the electricity Of some o. tao
gases, Probably IN this department oiknc Wedge
PIoitsser Faraday knows no superior. IL roc4a.k-
Cd that st was yet iu It's infanoy-that Il began
with Ito world and would end with the world
alc that then come Of its properties would &c -
much mystery ID they now arc. lie told us taat
his miLd had beer 80 absorbed by his tavorto pag
suits that 10 had not Kept PIP wta The ago Ia o.aer
branches oil scicncc with which ho once i.it himself
familiar. tic showed lis his laboratory. I" hefo,
said be, " spend some my happcst h7pts
asks 4 him II could SOC the famous battery Of Sc
Humphrey Davy, with lis 600 Plates "oh, no.
said 6e THAI vas taken TO pieces l'nS ago, being
surtrseded hy Others OF lgsa cumnr0nl size I"
s.Ibere, said be, pointing ~ ono 81 bis oga, rs
battery with but forty PLACES, that Is iar more
roWotiul than the orc ii Sir Humphrey, with tao
exc ption tina; the spar does Dos act at co great
distance; but which for all practical purposes does
orcqter execution When we meet, / will epdca.
yor show to you wherein tic difference IL tho two
rsist', as the professor took great
a.-- ....a y g W. tie entertained " With