TO THE REVEREND DR. GRAY.
Royal Institution, Oct. 30.
MY DEAR SIR,
As it was the consequence of your invitation that I endeavoured to investigate the nature of the fire-damp, I owe to you the first notice of the progress of my experiments.
My results have been successful far beyond my expectations. I shall enclose a little sketch of my views on the subject; and I hope in a few days to be able to send a paper with the apparatus for the committee.
I trust the Safe lamp will answer all the objects of the collier.
I consider this at present as a private communication. I wish you to examine the lamps I have had constructed, before you give any account of my labours to the committee.
I have never received so much pleasure from the result of any of my chemical labours; for I trust the cause of humanity will gain something by it.
I beg of you to present my best respects to Mrs. Gray, and to remember me to your son.
I am, my dear Sir, with many thanks for your hospitality and kindness when I was at Sunderland, your obliged servant,