XIX 



it ; the results, which are not very important, will appear in the next num- 

 ber of the Quarterly Journal (over which I have no influence), Sir H. 

 Davy, on seeing my paper, suggested to me to work with it under pres- 

 sure, and see what would happen by heat &c. Accordingly I enclosed 

 it in a glass tube, hermetically sealed, heated it, obtained a change in the 

 substance, and a separation into two different fluids ; and upon further ex- 

 amination I found that the chlorine and water had separated from each 

 other, and the chlorine gas, not being able to escape, had condensed into 

 the liquid form. To prove that it contained no water, I dried some chlo- 

 rine gas, introduced it into a long tube, condensed it, and then cooled the 

 tube, and again obtained fluid chlorine. Hence what is called chlorine gas 

 is the vapour of a fluid. I have written a paper, wbich bas been read to 

 the Royal Society, and to which the President did me the honour to attach 

 a note, pointing out the general application and importance of this mode 

 of producing pressure with regard to the liquefaction of gases. He imme- 

 diately formed liquid muriatic acid by a similar means, and, pursuing the 

 experiments at his request, I have since obtained sulphurous acid, carbonic 

 acid, sulphuretted hydrogen, euchlorine, and nitrous oxide in the fluid state, 

 quite free from water. Some of these require great pressure for this pur- 

 pose, and I have had many explosions. 



" I send you word of these results because I know your anxiety to hear 

 of all that is new, but do not mention them publicly (or at least the latter 

 ones, until you hear of them, either through the journals, or by another 

 letter from me, or from other persons), because Sir Humphry Davy has 

 promised the results in a paper to the Royal Society for me, and I know 

 he wishes first to have them read there ; after that they are at your ser- 

 vice. 



" I expect to be able to reduce many other gases to the liquid form, and 

 promise myself the pleasure of writing you about them." 



March 25, Monday, he writes to his friend Huxtable : — " I met with an- 

 other explosion on Saturday evening, which has again laid up my eyes. It 

 was from one of my tubes, and was so powerful as to drive the pieces of 

 glass like pistol-shot through a window. However, I am getting better, 

 and expect to see as well as ever in a few days. My eyes were filled 

 with glass at first." 



On May the 1st his certificate was read for the first time at the Royal 

 Society 



" Mr. Michael Faraday, a gentleman eminently conversant in chemical 

 science, and author of several papers, which have been published in the 

 Transactions of the Royal Society, being desirous of becoming a Fellow 

 thereof, we, whose names are undersigned, do of our personal knowledge 

 recommend him as highly deserving that honour, and likely to become a 

 useful and valuable member." 



Twenty-nine names follow; the first six were Wm. H. Wollaston, J. G. 

 Children, Wm. Babington, Sir W. Herschel, J. South, Davies Gilbert. The 



b 2 



