Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from William Ramsay
Ramsay, William, 1852-1916
Joly, John, 1857-1933.
Argon.
A handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George. F Fitzgerald, dated the 4th of February 1895. W. Ramsay updates Fitzgerald on his ongoing work, including repeated density measurements of argon and plans to examine its behaviour over a wide temperature range. He mentions preparing and sending a vacuum tube and reports that his recent scientific paper was well received, though he dreads giving popular lectures. 2pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I am ahead at it. I am first re-determining density as accurate as I can, five times, so as to get an average; circulating between each determination. I am next going to fix an [isocher?], from -90 degrees to say . 250 degrees. I don't think redetermination of the wave length will lead to much more than it has already given. The method gives concordant enough results for any one substance; but I am not so absolutely certain of 0.5 p.c. accuracy in comparing two substances, like air & argon. It may be worth while to attempt a descent in V. Meyer's apparatus at as high a temp. as I can reach; though I don't expect much from that. It is interesting about the spectrum. I am getting a lot of vacuum tubes made. & I shall fill them on Wednesday I shall send you one. It appears questionable if argon would show any solar spectrum. For apparently, nitrogen does all the conducting in vacuum, when the ratio increased to about 10 pc. At least the A lines are very difficult to make out with N2 in the tube. The paper went off very well. I wasn't a bit nervous, for it was for like an ordinary lecture. It is the popular lecture that I am afraid of. Yours ever sincerely, W. Ramsay.
Ramsay, William
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letters
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901
1895
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Text
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from William Ramsay],
Ostwald, Wilhelm, 1853-1932.
Ether (Matter)
RDS Library & Archives
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W. Ramsay],
UCD.
Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)
Home rule
A handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George F, Fitzgerald, dated 13th February, 1893. W. Ramsay asks Fitzgerald for help refining an equation correcting the rectilinear relationship yv^2/3=K(r-d) as his data shows deviations near the critical point. Ramsay reports progress with one successful experiment at –80°C and plans for further work. He ends by sending well wishes and hoping Fitzgerald and his family are in good health. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, Will you give me a final help? You suggested before some function of the volume, as a correction to the rectilinear relation yv^2/3 = K (r-d). The matter is now thus: - The straight-Line. Holds from B to A. on mapping differences from A to O ∏ (the critical point), I set a series of numbers. These mapped against v^2/3 give a straight line. The values of v^2/3 vary between A and B from 28 to 22, or thereabouts Of course I put another like this in: - yv^2/3 = K(∏-d) + R(v^2/3-a) So that the value of R(v^2/3 - a) at the critical point the right number to add to the first known, K(∏-d) ; but it will fade away efficiently at lower temperature, because v^2/0 varies as I have said between 28, where the rectilinear relation between yv^2/3 and T-d ceases to hold at temperature nearer T : and it appears to me, moreover, that such as equation is a clumsy attempt cant it be modified like this? gr^2/0 = KT-KD+Rv^2/3-Ra Kd+Ra are both numerical constants and can be added. But this appears to interfere with the origin of the curve. Anyhow I don't get reasonable results from yv^2/3 = KT + Rv^2/3 - count the straight line valuation between v^2/3 the difference between the calculated and real value of v^2/3 holds being accumulated. I suspect my trouble is that the equation at the bottom of last page deal with v^2/3, whereas i should deal with the differences. But the handling of the problem is beyond me will you come to the rescue? I have tried the differences against T, but the relation is a very complex one - like a/(T-6)^2 or a something of the kind. We have managed one experiment at -80 degrees, which appears to come on the straight line. We all plan to do a lot tomorrow. We are all well. I hope you have escaped influenza this time, & have found your wife & family flourishing. The wife sends kindest regards - Ever yours, W. Ramsay
1893
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W. Ramsay
Handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to G. F Fitzgerald on the 20th of May 1892 W. Ramsay encloses a letter he believes will be helpful to Fitzgerald and apologises for delaying his own correspondence. He expresses regret that Fitzgerald can't attend the Castle Soirée but suggests meeting when he's next in town. Ramsay mentions being overwhelmed with work and notes limited progress on his ether experiments, particularly in determining its heat of vaporisation, which he plans to attempt again. 1pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I enclose you a letter which will give you what you want, I think. I have intended to write to you for ages, but have put it off. I am sorry that you can't come up for the Castle Soiree, but I suppose you can't. You might join us on a call the first time you are up. I am overwhelmed with many things; unfortunately the [up?]. The ether aren't making much progress. I have tried to determine the heat of vapour of ether, but without much success. I must have another go at it. With thanks again. Yours Sincerely, W Ramsay.
1892
Sollas, W. J. 1849-1936.
Haughton, Samuel.
A handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George. F Fitzgerald on the 25th of June, 1897 In his letter, W. Ramsay thanks Fitzgerald and outlines his upcoming travel and ceremony schedule, including a visit to Mrs. Reynolds or Mrs. Fitzgerald and managing Oxford exam papers over the weekend. He seeks advice on protocol for gifting to a university dignitary and shares a scientific observation: that air's refractivity slightly exceeds the sum of its parts, while a hydrogen-helium mix falls short, suggesting variability in Dalton’s law—an intriguing deviation confirmed by refractivity measurements. 3pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, Many thanks for your kind letter. I hardly know what to say. I cant't leave before Thursday night, so I shall arrive at Dr Haughtons's on Friday morning. Then comes the ceremony. There is, I believe, lunch after the operation. In the afternoon, I shall try to do my duty, & I am dependent on you to learn it. I should like to call on Mrs Reynolds, or if possible, Mrs Fitzgerald. Mr Lollan is, I imagine, ["ex quaestione"?] Then I shall have a bundle of Oxford papers arriving on Saturday morning. I don't know if that will need two, or only one day's work. If two, then I need more use of my time on the way home on Saturday. If one, then I can stay over Saturday & read then on Sunday on my way home; or I could leave on Saturday night do then at home on Monday. I have to be in Oxford at 10:30 on Monday morning, as you see things are somewhat crowded. I fancy that to leave on Saturday night may be best . Please put me up to this tip: - Is it customary to give an embellishment to dignitary of the university less in rank then the Provost? and if so, how much? I have something interesting to tell you. Air has a [Refractive?] greater by 0.3pc. that the sum of the refractivities of its constituents, taken in the proportion in which they occur; and a mixture of hydrogen helium has one less that the calculated one and 1 1/2 percent. That means that Dalton's law is variable - which may have been suspected, but which is proved by reactivity measurements. Isn't that curious? Of course that is an assumption that volume of a mixture = the sum of the vols. of its constituents at the same temperature. Yours sincerely, W. Ramsay
Ramsay, W
1897
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901, Correspondent
Rayleigh, John William Strutt, 1842-1919.
Helium.
Handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George. F Fitzgerald, dated the 29th of May 1897. W. Ramsay apologises for not responding sooner to Fitzgerald’s invitations and expresses regret that he can't accept them. He humbly downplays his accomplishments and feels undeserving of recent honors. Ramsay shares his disappointment that helium may not be responsible for the heavier gas fractions he studied—arguing instead that argon appears to be the cause—and reflects on the experimental challenges and his own self-doubt. He discusses ongoing work with gas separations and precise measurements, plans to contact Lord Rayleigh about publishing their apparatus details, and looks forward to discussing these matters in person. He sends warm regards to Fitzgerald’s family and mentions a curious find: a fund for a city library in Egypt with 5,000 manuscripts. 4pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, "My face is that red" when I think of your kind letters of invitation, which, worse luck, I am unable to accept. And still worse, I haven't written to thank you for the share you had in adding an-other honour to my list, which is already far too long. I am bowed down when I think of them in one scale or my deserts in the other. I know as well as you do that I am rather a duffer, with a kind Plain that I would much rather have gone to you but I thought that it might / all I D - [Huugh?] low to invite me quasi - official by, a hat you would have gone so had is here etiquette. You see I don't know what good manners and customs are. I am rather despondent about helium. After all our work, it appears nearly certain that argon is the sole reason of the higher density of the heavier portion. We can make mixtures of argon and helium which give spectra apparently identical with those of one heavy fractions, and which must have an identical density Of knack of experiments and a kind of dourness in hammering at a thing - But it seems to me that if any one like dozens of others were only to take trouble they would do far better. In fact I put somewhat you impostor, and you, in your good-ness kindness have lent a hard to encourage the deception I wonder you aren't ashamed of yourself. But I am definite from any point, which is to thank you very much for your kind invitation, and especially We are at separation notices now, to see if they too give the mean. The apparatus is capable of giving the results. The error is not more than 0.1 p.c. I must write to lord Rayleigh & ask him to publish details of the apparatus, for we must use of a heap of results with air, oxygen, nitrogen & hydrogen to prove our point. I hope I shall have a chance of talking over these matters when we meet. Kindest regards to all. Glad to see the children in the flesh (o skin) & not merely as pictorial representations! have you heard of Grenfell fund of a city library in Egypt with 5000 pieces miss? Yours Sincerely, W Ramsay
Young, Sydney, 1857-1937.
Trouton, Frederick Thomas.
Handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George, F Fitzgerald. Dated 3rd January 1894. W. Ramsay writes to thank Fitzgerald and to extend New Year wishes to his family. He and a colleague, Young, are critiquing misconceptions in physical chemistry and ask Fitzgerald to consider publishing their enclosed letter in Philosophical Magazine. Ramsay discusses experimental inconsistencies due to temperature issues, molecular weight anomalies in liquid mixtures, and ongoing trials with alcohol-chloroform and fused salts like silver nitrate. He also plans to revisit Trouton’s work on heats of respiration using new apparatus and data. His wife sends her best wishes to Fitzgerald’s family for the new year. 4pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I don't know if I can thank you for your last letter; if not, here goes. And I am pretty sure I never wrote to wish you, and your wife, and the family a happy new year, and many of them. Young and I have been meditating on the rash assertions which are concurrent, not to say rife on the critical point, and we venture to ask you to give the enclosed letter a place in the Phil. Mag., under the heading "Gentlemen!" Will you glance through it, and tell me if you think it worth inserting? I think it is time that attention were called to the many absurdities, especially since the Phil Mag. in its.... Last number contains an abstract and are of the most absurd. I may lay around until a good night, twice I myself published the same abundance in 1881, Proc. R.S. the absurdity is all the result of uneven temperature, and though the method of jacketing with naphthalene [sapon?] some do might, some do right, there must have been some flaw in the execution. The mixtures are coming out enormously. In all cases of mixtures of mono molecular liquids, the mol. weight calculated from the molecular surface energy of the mixture is correct, i.e. is the mean of the liquids taken. But alcohol or benzene are an here pair. They combine, and give huge molecular compliance. So we are now trying alcohol or chloroform, in hopes of better success. Beckmann & the freezing process found that alcohol dissolved in benzene, showed a ridiculously high molecular weight. I am now trying fused salt, I have began with silver nitrate. It goes pretty easily, and appears to show a very complex molecule. But it is perhaps premature to speak till I have tried others, or done silver nitrate again & better. these things want practice. You told me that Trouton never published anything on heats of respiration. I suppose you must have told me about his experiments. I have now got the apparatus & will start soon. You may remember that I told you that I had tried the process in 1882, I think, but never followed up. But now that young has given all the data for volumes & vapour pressures and a lot of esters, it appears to me worth while to have a try at the other side of the equation. My wife desires me to say that she specially salutes her equals. And wishes them "all sorts of things' as a Frenchman would say, (but in a restricted sense, there being many things one would not wish ones's worst enemy) for the new year. Ever yours sincerely, W. Ramsay
1894
A handwritten letter from W. Ramsay to George, F Fitzgerald, dated 26th of June 1894. In the letter W. Ramsay included a formula relating to the velocity of sound in ether. Ramsay asks for clarification on the formula closes the letters saying he is rushing off to college and sends wishes for Fitzgerald's children. pp.2 Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, Just turn for one question please. [xxx?] than for a formula using. V² = 0.1631 jav - 78620 / v^5/2 + 205900 / v^5/3 When V. is velocity of sound in ether, and v is Vol.p is measured in mms. of mercury, which expresses very well the velocities of sound in ether gas. I remember that you said that if the relation pv = bc - a holds, the specific heats can't change with temperature. Am I right? Will you explain why this statement, or are we overthinking like it is true? I am in a great hurry to rush off to college so adiue. I hope the youngsters are all right now. Ever yours, W. Ramsay
Ramsay. W
Handwritten letter from William Ramsay to George F, Fitzgerald, dated 9th of December 1894. W. Ramsay writes to G. F Fitzgerald regarding a discovery about a gas with a specific heat ration of 1.66. He presents wavelength data from experiments and notes. He closes that No chemical compound has yet been found. Ramsay ends by mentioning ongoing work on a paper and sends well wishes from himself and his wife. 4pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I have been too hard at work to write friendly letters, (or hostile ones either) but I have just come on an extraordinary a result that I must tell you of it. The gas (or gases, for I am pretty sure there are three: there are certainly two) possesses the ratio of specific heats 1.66. The density is in round numbers 20. This means an atomic weight of 40; and at that place come Ca & Scandium & before Ca, K, There is no shadow of a doubt. About it The wave length in air = 19.60 Ratio(K ------ Previously found - in Co2 = 15.11 1.276 1.261 - in H2 = 73.60^x 1.376 1.411 - in Argon = 18.08 1.665 ---- The correct wavelength for 1.411 should be 74.5. The waves were so long as to be very difficult to measure. Moreover, any impurity could affect the density, which is assumed to be 1. Whats the meaning of it all? The spectrum of the gas is a double one. If current is passed through a vacuum tube, The end of the capillary is red & gives one spectrum. The negative end is blue, & gives another. In the middle the spectrum is a mixed one. No chemical compound has yet turned up. I have tried nearly everything I can think of. but fluorine yet, nor the electric arc between carbon poles. Have you seen the diaries of Dec 7th? If you can get hold of it look in P.7. We are all well. [Lund R.?] & I am slaving away at the paper. Trying to get it off in a week from now. Kind regards from the wife & myself to you all. Regards, W. Ramsay
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Robert Goodbody],
Goodbody, Robert
Balfour, Arthur James Balfour, 1848-1930.
Lister, Joseph, 1827-1912.
British Association for the Advancement of Science.
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Robert Goodbody
A handwritten letter from Robert Goodbody to George, F Fitzgerald, dated the 24th of September, 1897. Goodbody expresses that he hopes Fitzgerald had a pleasant journey home. Goodbody, also shares that he has been unwell recently, likely due to drinking dirty water while golfing. Goodbody also apologises for being unpleasant and that he hopes to see Fitzgerald again in December. pp.2 Dear George, I trust you had a good voyage & found all well at home. As for me I have had a wretched cold. & on Saturday I was forced to go to bed with a sharp attack of malaria. I am only getting on it now. I have had torturing of it at times for some weeks & suppose I drank some bad water out golfing. I fear that I was rather irritable in any manner when you were here. Which has not of late years, I am told, been characteristic of me. I wish I had seen you for longer. But it could not be helped. I hope to see you in December. [Marcus?] does not go to St Paul till the end of October. I have not seen sun clearly all Fitzgerald Yours faithfully, I forwarded a letter by this mail
Robert Goodbody
Fitzgerald, George Francis, 1851-1901. Correspondent
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Marcus Goodbody],
Goodbody, Marcus
Technical education.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from E. Glanville],
Stoney, G. Johnstone 1826-1911.
Plunkett, Horace Curzon, 1854-1932.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from R.T. Glazebrook].
Glazebrook, Richard, 1854-1935.
Maxwell, James Clerk, 1831-1879.
Education
Thorpe, T. E. 1845-1925.
FitzGerald, Maurice.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J. H. Gladstone],
Gladstone, J. H. 1827-1902.
Kelvin, William Thomson, 1824-1907.
Lodge, Oliver, 1851-1940.
Physical Society of London.
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Joseph A. Galbraith],
Galbraith, Joseph A.
Science
Ball, Robert S. 1840-1913.
Glazebrook, Richard, 1854-1935
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from G. Gore
Handwritten letter from George Gore from Institute of Scientific Research 67, Broad Street, Birmingham to George F. Fitzgerald, dated March 19th 1894. Gore thanks Fitzgerald for responding to a enquiry and praises Fitzgerald for his statement "that the mechanical energies of molecules of different gases are equal". 1p. Transcription: Dear Professor Fitzgerald, Thank you very much for the note you have been so kind as to send me reflecting my enquiry in the Philosophical magazine of this month. Although I have read much on the physics of gases, and the statement that the mechanical energies of molecules of different gases are equal is one which I would certainly have noted, I have no recollection of ever having met with it, and I would much like to see it in print. Such a statement is of so very fundamental a character that I think it ought, like Avogadro's Law, to be explicitly expressed in simple words in every textbook of physics and monograph on gases. Your article in "Science Progress" appears to me originally suggestive and very interesting. Yours Truly, G. Gore Professor Fitzgerald
Gore, George, 1826-1909
RDS Library and Archives GFF Collection of Letters
Handwritten letter from George Gore from Institute of Scientific Research 67, Broad Street, Birmingham to George F. Fitzgerald, dated Jan 9th 1894. Gore writes in response to a letter received from Fitzgerald. Gore discusses his experiments he hopes to publish. My dear Sir, I have to thank you for your thoughtful and suggestive letter. On second research employing an oxidizable metallic powder is very desirable; a long time ago I purchased a quantity of platinum powder for the purpose. I have not seen Lord Rayleigh's remark to which you kindly refer me. My series of experiments on change of temperature of liquids by contact with powdered Silica will I hope be published before very long. Hoping to see your communication in "Nature". I am Yours Truly, G. Gore
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from John Gray
Gray, John
A handwritten letter from John Gray to George F, Fitzgerald, dated March 21st 1896, John Gray writes on behalf of Lord Kelvin to acknowledge receipt of a letter and to send final proofs of Kelvin’s Baltimore lectures. Kelvin, currently too busy to respond personally, hopes the recipient will accept the proofs as the first instalment of a planned volume to be completed within the year. The lectures cover topics such as vibration and wave motion, which were mentioned in the recipient’s previous letters. Transcription: Dear Sir, Lord kelvin had hoped to write you sooner himself, but he has been too much occupied and will still be so until the end of next week. He therefore instructs me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th and to send you the accompanying final proofs (by bookpost) of his Baltimore lectures he will be glad if you will accept them as the first instalment of a volume which he hopes, possibly, to complete before the end of a year. You will find there, discussed in some detail, the subjects of vibration and wave motion of which you tell him in your last letter. The pencil corrections which you fid on pp. 46, 74, etc. have been made from Lord Kelvin's cops I am, Yours faithfully, John Gray
1896
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from A. Gray
University of Wales.
University of Wales, Bangor.
A. Gray writes on behalf of the University of Wales to inquire whether Professor Fitzgerald would consider serving as the External Examiner in Physics. With the Vice Chancellor’s approval, Gray outlines the general duties and compensation, including payment per paper, script, and practical examination. He requests a preliminary response and notes that the exams will take place in the last two weeks of June, though the schedule is not yet finalised. 4pp. Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald I write to ask whether it would be with any possibility if success if the authorities of the University of Wales were to ask you to become their External Examiner in Physics for Degrees. I do this with the cognisance of the Vice Chancellor (Principal of J.V James) and need hardly say that at each examiners' meeting attended, and another fixed sum for each practical examination held. Practical examinations which the Sch. Examiner is expected to attend and supervise and to be held at the three colleges in succession. I can give you full information later, in the meantime perhaps you will let me have a line would give us and all connected with the University much pleasure if you could see your way to act. I cannot state in detail what the emoluments of the office are but they consist of a freed sum (£5 I think) for each paper set with 1/6 for each 'script' looked over, a foxed sum inclusive of expenses for addressed to me at Bangor to say whether you will think of taking the appointment, Believe me, Very truly yours, A. Gray Prof. G.F Fitzgerald P.S The examinations will take place sometime in the last two weeks of June, but the time table is not yet settled. Ag.
Gray, A.
Heaviside, Oliver, 1850-1925.
Stokes, George Gabriel, 1819-1903.
Rayleigh, John William Strutt,1842-1919.1842-1919.
A handwritten letter from A, Gray to George F. Fitzgerald dated May 26th 1894. A. Gray writes to Fitzgerald seeking suggestions for important papers on Bessel functions, particularly any not already listed or notable applications in physical research. He mentions ongoing work aimed at explaining magnetism and electricity through medium-based action, focusing on motion and displacement, and centered on the vortex model of galvanic currents. Though the task is challenging, he remains hopeful about achieving meaningful results. Gray also mentions Duhem’s dismissal of Maxwell’s theories and expresses hope that Fitzgerald has recovered from recent ill health. 4pp. Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, Perhaps I ought not to bother you with the enclosed. If you do know of any important papers dealing with Bessel. Functions perhaps you will kindly indicate them if they are not included in the list. As stated in the circular we have not given in the list the titles of physical memoirs in which Bessel Functions are used, but if you should know of any good applications you can say. Your hands in, we should be extremely glad to have references of course the papers of Lord Kelvin and Rayleigh O. Heaviside & Stokes are referred to in the text and will appear in the separate list referred to in the circular. I am very busy with the work I think I will mention to you in which I a trying to give an account of the phenomena of Magnetism and Electricity from the point of view of action in the medium. I am in hopes that after you see this you will like it; but of course I may be too sanguine. My idea is to present each case (Magnetism & Electricity) an account of the obvious facts and the obvious but incomplete theoretical conclusions, then to connect them with motion and displacement in the medium. The core of the whole thing will be the action of a galvanic current, regarded on the (vortex) origin of the field around it. Sometimes I am very much discouraged by the task as it grows and difficulties develop, but i think I will get through it, with some kind of result which may in part justify the labor spent Have you seen Duhem's Lecons sur l'Electricité et le Magnétisme? He claims in the most arrogant manner to have shown that Maxwell's electromagnetic theories are erroneous. I heard a short time ago that you had not been very well. I trust you are now quite recovered to health. Yours very faithfully A. Gray
University College of North Wales.
University of Glasgow.
A handwritten letter from A. Gray to Professor G. F. Fitzgerald, dated August 7th 1899. A. Gray thanks Professor Fitzgerald for his kind letter and strong support for his candidacy. He expresses uncertainty about the Glasgow electing body's decisions due to its mixed academic and non-academic composition. Gray shares a recent experiment with a radiometer in a magnetic field, noting that the vanes stopped spinning completely when exposed to the field. He wonders if this phenomenon has been previously observed. 4pp. Transcription: Dear Prof. Fitzgerald, Many thanks for your very kind letter and testimonial which I received on Saturday. Your statement is all that I could desire, and I am very grateful for it. The electing body at Glasgow is somewhat heterogeneous. The large majority of its members are city men, and though this, I must suppose, is a good thing, it renders their action a little difficult to predict. So far they seem to me, merely a little too exclusively purely academical in examinational honours. I intensely dislike putting my friends to trouble, but if anything further comes in your way by private correspondence or otherwise to help me at this junction I will not be labour thrown away - unless they reject me. I hope to be at Dover for a few days at lest, but it is just possible that I may be prevented. The meetings fits in badly with some of our College arrangements as regards Scholarship examinations. On Saturday I managed to have an hour or two's work with the magnet. One observation which I made, and repeated I should think twenty-five or thirty In succession, times, seems more interesting. I separated the pole faces sufficiently to admit a radiometer with the plan of rotation parallel to the field. The radiometer was driven by a burning taper placed about 14 inches off. A field of about 8000 or 9000 lines was then applied. The spin immediate slowed down and stopped completely. The field in fact held the vanes at rest wit the taper at this distance. Of course the film of black in the vanes conduct and the induced current will retard the motion, but the complete stoppage cannot I seems to still always occur he explained in this way. As soon as the current was shut off, the wheel started and ran as before. Reversing the current made no difference in the result. I see no way at present of explaining this except by supposing that the radiation within the bulb is interfered with by the field. Perhaps this has been noticed before, but I have not heard of it! I am, Yours very sincerely, A, Gray
1899
Hertz, Heinrich, 1857-1894.
A handwritten letter from A. Gray to Professor George F. Fitzgerald, dated, 9th of February 189. A. Gray thanks Fitzgerald for his thoughtful criticism of his book and agrees with many points. He explains that a planned discussion of Maxwell’s theory and mechanical models was accidentally omitted and will be added in future copies. He acknowledges that the Hertzian experiments provide useful analogies but don’t fully explain the motions themselves. Gray hopes to expand on these ideas further in future publications and invites any papers or references Fitzgerald can share. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, I thank you very much for your letter of the criticism with which on the whole I am disposed to agree. I had planned to give some further discussion and illustrations of Maxwell's theory of the medium, among them his own mechanical illustration and your model. But that part of the book through promised ar p. 177 was accidentally omitted. It ought to have been given as an introduction to Chap. V; and you will see that this would have given the emphasis to the action in the medium just where it is most needed. I think of having a note printed and bound up with future copies of Part I which will help to remove this particular reproach. "With regard to the direction of vibration of the ether" I mean precisely what you say. But no doubt the statement is not so full or so explicit as it ought to be. I hope however it still will tend to remove misunderstanding. As to yours statement that everything is. Bare about the direction of vibration is known experimentally. Sup to the question of "what changes in the medium accompanies electric and magnetic displacement?" I can't agree with it. What I referred to was the "direction of vibration of the ether." I can't think of anything going in which either it is experienced as electric force or magnetic induction which is not a result or manifestation of motion of a medium possessing inertia. The elastic jelly theory of the ether illustrates what I mean, though only imperfectly, as its rigidity requires explanation. When applied to explain the scattering of light by small particles, as in lord Rayleigh's theory of the blue sky, this theory does so satisfactorily if the direction of vibration of the jelly be at right angles to the plane of polarisation in a plane polarised beam. Now whatever theory of the constitution and mechanism of the ether is adopted (and anything hitherto thought of probably only dimly shadows the reality) I take it that the electric and magnetic force or "displacements" correspond to motions of the ether, and these motions must be vibratory motions. To the nature of these motions the Hertzian experiments give a clue by making known to us their analogue, but they do not settle the questions at all as to what these motions are themselves. The knowledge of these analogies & their relation to the plane of polarisation is a great step in advance of I wish I had devoted another paragraph or two to the matter. Part I was merely put in to avoid words of Space, and help some friends experiment to admire me of observation and perfection. I had not at all in mind the Theory of Light and I succeeded in making a better job of it I mean publish it separately in some form or other. In that case I hope to do justice to J. I need hardly say that I shall be very glad of any papers or references on this subject you can give me. Yours very truly, A. Gray
A handwritten letter from Robert Goodbody to Professor George F. Fitzgerald dated, 21st of August 1897. Robert Goodbody thanks George for his card and is delighted at the idea of seeing him. He asks if George will stop in New York during the B. & A. meeting and who will accompany him, offering to host two people comfortably and encouraging George to stay as long as he likes. He wonders if Ball will also be coming and asks to be informed so he can write to him. He mentions he may be busy with his sister visiting but assures George he will always have room for him above anyone else. 3pp. Transcription: Dear George, Your kind card to hand & I am greatly pleased at the prospect of seeing you. Do you stay at all on your way through New York at the B. & A. meeting? & who will be with you? Mind I can always put up two people easily. & I want you to make my. Plan you house for as long & as often as you can manage it will make me feel young again to see you! Not that I feel old but this begins me. Will Ball be coming on? If so please let me know & I will write to him. The only doubt I have is that for Sister is to be on & I will not manage the time at ours. But [Colborn?] comes remember I have room for you in preference to any one be he great or small. Yours affectionally, Robert Goodbody
Preece, W. H.
A handwritten letter from John Gray to Prof. G. F. Fitzgerald, dated September 25th 1896. 1pp. Transcription: Dear sir, Lord Kelvin desires me to send you the enclosed copy of a letter sent by him to W.H. Preece Esq today. I am, Yours Faithfully, John Gray Seey Prof. G. F. Fitzgerald
A handwritten letter from A, Gray to Professor G, F, Fitzgerald The writer informs Fitzgerald that Burke, along with two other candidates, for an assistantship, with the decision due next Wednesday. As the position involves preparing students for London examinations. The writer seeks Fitzgerald’s opinion on whether Burke is good enough for this kind of work. While confident in Burke's abilities based on his degree and Fitzgerald’s prior comments, a brief confirmation would be appreciated. The letter also references a missed opportunity to hear Fitzgerald's paper and clarifies a past misunderstanding regarding discussions on magnetic and electrokinetic energy. 4.pp Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, Burke with other two men, one from Edinburgh, and another from London (whom by the way you must have examined in 1892 as he got a second class in Exp. Physics J. & Edward Tyndall) is in the short list for my assistant ship & the election is to take place on Wednesday next. We shall still, notwithstanding on our University, have to prepare students for London, and of course you know the kind of work a man should be able to do for the London examinations, and especially the higher practical examinations in physics. Now the question has been asked whether Burke is thoroughly conversant with the range and kind of work. I have not much doubt about myself the matter myself. Having regard to his degree your testimonial, & what you told me of his good and bad points as Oxford, but it might be well if you would write me a line or two in answer to this question. I suppose he would compare well with a man you would have fallen a first class at London I am very sorry that owing to the "trifurcation" of Section A I missed his paper. an [Geissler?] tubes. I think there was a little misunderstanding between us when we talked about energy in the Park at Oxford. You were speaking of the energy thrown into the field by the battery in magnetising up a specimen of iron by the steps. I referred to electrokinetic. Energy exciting in the medium, which if requires many of malfunction is event until it seems to me to be 1/2 HB. The energy given out by the battery includes energy spent in doing electromagnetic work over and above..........
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection letters
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.S. Green
Royal Dublin Society.
Fisheries
Two handwritten letters from W.S Green to Professor George F. Fitzgerald and an advertisement and letter form the Gloucester Net and Twine Company. Dated November 20th, 1888. [Letter 1] The writer responds to concerns about American schooners fishing mackerel in local waters due to the decline of their own fishery. While wary of potential harm, he notes that local spring mackerel don’t school on the surface like American summer mackerel, making purse seining less effective. Drifters (gill nets) are more successful here, and baiting the water likely wouldn’t work, meaning the schooners could often be idle. 4pp. Transcription: My dear Sir, Yours the 26th to hand. I am not surprised at all that owing to the American Mackerel fishery having deteriorated so much, the Schooners should think of coming over here. You ask me what i think of it & - here goes As American Savants consider that purse seining has injured the American fishery i should be very jealous of their doing us any harm over here. That is our point of view, However there is the other side which I will now consider. So far as I know the spring mackerel do not school on the surface i.e visibly to anything like the extent that the Summer Mackerel do on the American Coast, and many heavy nights fishing is done by our drifters (gill nets you we call them) Where the fish are not seen on the surface at all. Your schooners would often be idle & as our spring mackerel don't take bait it is quite possible that plan of baiting the water would not work. Of course the mackerel do sometimes shoal on the surface to a great extent, but a boat, depending on finding them doing so, would, as I have said, then be useless. {an advertisement for the Gloucester Net and Twine Co. from 1888, along with various information and a handwritten note} The writer notes from the newspapers that the Penrose Seiners plan to fish in Ireland next spring and asks for the recipient’s opinion on this idea. 1pp. Transcription: My dear Sir, I observe by the [Swanstown?] papers, that the Penrose Seiners would like to go to Ireland, next spring. What do you think of it? [Letter 2] W.S. Green writes to Fitzgerald about concerns that American fishermen will use purse seines in Irish waters, which Americans themselves admit damaged their own fisheries. He asks whether to publicise this issue through the press or their book and wonders if he should submit the part of his report on American mackerel fishing now as a preliminary report to warn about the danger. 3pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I received the enclosed today from a friend I made while in Boston. I am writing to discuss the interference that I feel sure that the Americans will use over foreign seines and to enable them to fish with tortured waters they will be under of their masters & crews. As it is acknowledged by the Americans themselves that by the best of their belief pure living has destroyed their fishery, I think some action should be taken to protect the fishery against further danger. There may not be a true bill against the present scheme at at, but as all the further documents of America have decided that there is, we have legislated accordingly. The matter seems of great importance. My Report can't be ready for some little time yet, so I want you to advise. Should I shall do from a R.D. Sounds point of view. Shall I address a note to the Daily news on this subject alone put for publicity or put in a newspaper letter on in our book. Sincerely yours, W.S. Green The only difficulty to prevent that Americans arranging an advantageous plan to work them as Irish. A angry the danger is imminent I have the portion of my report describing the American Mackerel fishery complete. Ought to make a fair copy. Do you think it would be well for me to send it in as a preliminary report and have it published at once. W.S.G.
Green, W.S.
November 30th
[Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from W.S. Green],
Fisheries.
A handwritten letter from W. S. Green to Professor George F. Fitzgerald dated November 10th 1887. W. S. Green writes to Fitzgerald to say his report is nearly ready and asks when it would be best to submit it, noting he can send it anytime but prefers to keep it until it is actually needed. 1pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I have my report all the same as ready. When would it be advisable for me to send it in? I can send it up anytime now but would like to keep it by me till it is actually wanted. Yours sincerely, W. S. Green.
Green, W. S. (William S.)
1887
Haddon, Alfred C. 1855-1940.
Royal Irish Academy.
Wright, E. P.
A handwritten letter from W.S Green to Alfred C. Haddon, dated January 20th 1888. W. S. Green sends Haddon his report draft, urges quick publication before the Government Report appears, mentions Wright thinks it should be published separately, suggests everyone review proofs, and asks about including an outline map 1pp. Transcription: My dear Haddon, Enclosed you will find report my promised last evening, and not quite trimmed as I'd like. I am anxious to have it in print as soon as possible for I believe R. Govt. Report is ready to be laid on the table immediately on the meeting of Parliament E.R Wright thinks it better to publish my reports separate & not in the General report but the committee must decode this. I have written to Jefferies about it. If we al had proofs before print off it would be well. What about an outline of map I enclose, with a few names? Excuse haste Yours ever, W. S. Green
Green, W.S
1888
A handwritten letter from W.S. Green to Professor George F. Fitzgerald, dated January 20th 1888. W.S. Green writes to Fitzgerald explaining he has worked hard expanding the report to show suggestions from their meeting and is nearly finished. He notes he quoted the inspectors stating the £250,000 came from the Irish Church Fund to clarify it was not English money. He mentions Mr. D.E.P. thinks the report should be published separately for easier circulation. Green hopes their report can be issued before the Government’s forthcoming Irish fisheries report to avoid any impression of copying. Because the manuscript has many corrections, he proposes sending it straight to the printers and distributing proofs to the committee and himself. He also offers to prepare a simplified map and emphasises his wish for prompt publication, apologising if he has overstepped by expressing his opinions. 4pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, I have kept the report a long time but not for nothing. I have worked very hard at it ever since as to carry out the suggestions of our meeting. I have had to expand it a good deal & there is nothing buts its likes to be disposed of. The only thing that you might object to is that I have stated that the £250,000 was "out of the Irish Ch. fund" in that I have copied verbatim the words of the inspectors' report and it is well to show that the grant was not out of English pockets. D.E.P. waist expand. His opinion that it should be published separately & not in the general Report - as those of the not yet buried out of sight - these now are not so convenient for circulation. I mention this to Mr. Moss but did not see you after. This is for your comments. The Govent Report of a commission on Irish fisheries is to be laid out. Fishing is to be laid on the Table immediately on the meeting of parliament so I would wish very much that ours could be out first. I don't know what is in this, but I would not take mine to come at after for then it might be said I picked my facts from it. As the corrections are numerous, there is difficulty in making out my M.S. I therefore think your suggestions should be carried out -- of sending it to the printers at once and then letting the members of the Committee have first proofs. I should like a couple proofs too. I send a map to help the understanding of it. If the Committee think well. I could prepare a bare outline map with very few names for the printer. But whatever is decided on I would like very much that it should be out soon You will excuse my giving my opinions upon things which of course that committee alone can deal with. But I dare say you will think it more satisfactory that I should express them. Yours truly, H.J. Green
Green W. S.
A handwritten letter from W.S Green to Professor George F. Fitzgerald. W.S. Green writes to Fitzgerald unhappy that the Committee has decided he must only collect local statistics on long-line, lobster, and oyster fisheries, and leave out trawl, net fishing, and historical records. He feels this makes his work almost pointless, since all the fisheries are connected and past failures are important to understand. He recently visited a sardine factory and got helpful information, but now has to ignore it. Green explains this restriction goes against what he believes the Dublin Society needs, and he is also writing to Hadden about it. 3pp. Transcription: My dear Fitzgerald, Hadden and the following Resolution of the Committee "That you should, for the present, Confine your attention to local statistics concerning. Long line fishing & Lobsters & Oyster etc. Fisheries. You are not to investigate trawl & net fishing. No historical statistics will be required from you, of what has actually been done in the past. I am sure such a resolution has passed with the best possible intention, but it stultifies one completely. The long line of errata is now almost over, and it is of computing the importance compared with the past fisheries just about to commence Mackerel, Sprats, pilchards etc. but as there are distinct fisheries I am not to have anything to say to them. They are all most intimately connected with on another, and the failures of fishing enterprise in the past which must be counted as "Historical" I should think would be most useful. Gathering the statistics, authorities, etc. Would be tending to a certain extent in the steps of the Barton [?] commoner. as my idea would be to take the thing more from another stand point and in no way to clash with them. I visited a sardine "factory" last week. it has been working for 15 years and the owner Who is a fast friend of mine gave me a lot of help. but that is all about no fishers so it must be stuck out. You will no doubt see my difficulty and at the same time I think I know pretty well what the Dublin Society requires. I am writing to Hadden too. Yours sincerely, W.S Green
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Robert Graham
A handwritten letter from Robert Graham to Professor George F. Fitzgerald dated, the 2nd of July 1892. Robert Graham asks Fitzgerald to provide a ticket for the Sunday Garden Party for Captain Morton’s friend, Faurs, who is visiting for the celebration. 1pp. Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, Could you let me have a ticket for the Garden Party on Sunday, for Captain Morton's friend [Faurs?], who have come to stay for the celebration, and oblige Yours faithfully, Robert Graham G.F Fitzgerald
Graham, Robert
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from J.S. Goodbody
Goodybody, J. S.
A handwritten letter from J.S Goodbody to Professor George F. Fitzgerald, dated October 22nd. J.S. Goodbody sends Fitzgerald a photo taken by Marcus as a memento of his visit, mentions Marcus has gone to St Paul’s, hopes the pressed flowers arrived safely, shares news about cycling activities, and wishes Fitzgerald found everyone well at home. 3pp. Transcription: Dear Mr Fitzgerald, Marcus asked us to send you this copy of his photo of you while you were here, in memory of your visit. Marcus left yesterday for St Pauls and expected to arrive tomorrow morning and have Sunday. To look about before beginning work. I hope your pressed flowers arrived quite safely, Aunt Bonnie has also been collecting them here, but has not found as many I do not think as yet. Papa has not yet tried the bicycle although Mother is becoming quite expert at it, I am afraid he wont succumb. We had a splendid ride on Wednesday over twenty miles in which Marcus took me on a tandem which made it very easy work. I hope you found everyone quite well when you get home. Ever yours sincerely, J.S. Goodbody
Goodbody, J.S
October 28th
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from P. L. Gray
Thompson, Silvanus Phillips, 1851-1916.
Radiation
Handwritten letter from P. L. Gray, 15, Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, to George F. Fitzgerald, dates 3 November 1895. Gray discusses the nature of Radiation while expressing his hope to contribute more to the discoveries of Radiation and Absorption. 2pp. Transcription: "Dear Professor Fitzgerald, Thank you for the return of Paschen's letter, which touches on several interesting points. I have felt for some time that the [general?] question of Radiation & Absorption of different surfaces required a fresh start experimentally I hope to be doing something at it myself in the next few years. I am inclined to think highly of the importance of what Paschen prints out - that the variations in the law of Radiation, obtained by experiments, are due to the difference in the absorbing power of the various "receiving-surfaces" which have been used. I have not yet seen Sylvanus Thompson's lectures on Ave Lamps; I will look them up immediately. Yours Very Truly P. L. Gray"
Gray, P. L.
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Alfred P. Grairs
Grairs, Alfred P.
Handwritten letter from Alfred P. Grairs to Professor George F. Fitzgerald, dated May 8th 1891. Alfred P. Grairs writes to ask Fitzgerald if he knows of a capable candidate for the role of Organising Secretary of Technical Instruction in Agriculture for the County of Somerset. The ideal applicant should be skilled in agricultural chemistry, drafting, public speaking, and lecturing. The position offers a £400 annual salary plus travel expenses and clerical support. 4pp. Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, Have you a first rate man in your eye who would be Agricultural Chemist, Draughtsman, Speaker, & Organising Lecturer. Enough to fill the position of Organising Sec of Tech & Instruction in her Agriculture [County of Somerset?] Call his attention & it advertisement in "Nature" "Science" and "Art" etc, etc We offer £400 a year & travelling expenses at the highest & will provide office clerical assistance I speak as a coupled County Councillor and as one of the Sub-Committee appointed to Consider applications. I should like to hear of a good representation from T.C.D but please keep my name quite dark. Except from Arnold. Application should be addressed to: the Clerk of the County education Commitee 24, Princes St. Yeovil From some copies of the Scheme under which the County Education Committee are acting & further particulars as to be the duties required can be obtained. Very sincerely yours Alfred, P Grairs
Grairs, Alfred P
RDS Library & Archives GFF collection of letter
The Orchard,
1891
Fitzgerald, George Francis
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from H. Ebert
Ebert, H. 1861-1913
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from William T. Green
Green, William T.
3 telegrams from the city of Leeds Electric Lighting Department, to George Francis Fitzgerald, dated from the 5th of November 1900 to the 12th of November 1900. William Green, Chief Clerk, corresponded with Professor G. F. Fitzgerald regarding the supply of electrical transformers. In response to Fitzgerald's inquiry, Green provided pricing and specifications for Lowrie-Hall transformers with various transformation ratios, He also informed Fitzgerald of surplus transformers, copper wire, and soft iron stampings available at low prices due to changes in their power supply system. Following an order from Fitzgerald, Green explained that the requested 1 E.H.P. transformer at a 10:1 ratio was unavailable and proposed sending a 2 E.H.P. version at the same price, pending Fitzgerald’s approval. pp.4 Transcription: G. F. Fitzgerald Esq School of Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin. Dear Sir, We are obliged for your letter of the 7th instant, and beg to say in reply that we have transformers wound for transforming in a ratio of 40, 20, and 10 to 1. The periodicity for which they are designed is 83 per second, but, of course, there would be no serious disadvantage in using them upon circuits with a different frequency. We could supply Lowrie Hall transformers (made by Messrs John Fowler & Co ) without cases, at the following prices, nett, free on rails at Leeds :- 1 E.H.P. £3 : 5 : 0 2 E.H.P. £3 : 15 : 0 4 E.H.P. £5 : 5 : 0. We could supply cast iron cases for these at a few shillings each. We have also a few three-Kilowatt Brush Transformers, complete with switches and earth shields at £6 : 10 : 0 each, nett, free on rails at Leeds. Trusting to hear further from you, we are, Yours faithfully, William Green Chief Clerk -------------------- Dear Sir We have on hand a number of alternating current electrical transformers which, owing to changes in our method of supply of energy, are of no further use to us, and it occurs to us that you might be able to utilise one or more of them for experimental or testing purposes. If you are open to consider a purchase, we shall be very pleased to send you particulars, and in the meantime beg to say that we have almost all sizes for disposal, from 1 E.H.P. upwards, and for transforming in various ratios. The bulk of the transformers are of Messrs. John Fowler & Co.'s manufacture, and the remainder were made by the Brush Electrical Engineering Co. We should be prepared to sell them at extremely low prices. Yours faithfully, WM. T. GREEN, Chief Clerk. P.S.—We also have a quantity of cotton-covered copper wire and soft iron stampings, of excellent quality, for disposal at low prices. ------------------- Dear Sir, We are much obliged for your order of the 10th instant for two Lowrie-Hall transformers, and are sorry to find that we have not a 1 E.H.P. transformer wound for the ratio of transformation named by you (10 to 1). Under these circumstances, we propose to send you a 2 H.P. transformer giving the ratio required, and to charge for it the price quoted for a 1 E.H.P. instrument. Before sending the transformers, we await your approval of this course, which we have no doubt will commend itself to you. Yours faithfully, William Green Chief Clerk.
Green, T. W.
1900
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Frederick Guthrie
Guthrie, Frederick, 1833-1886
Frederick Guthrie wrote to Professor Fitzgerald requesting information about the physical space and capacity of Fitzgerald’s physics laboratory. Specifically, he asked for rough estimates of the total floor space devoted to physics, the area used for lectures, the space allocated for storage, and the maximum number of students who have worked on practical physics simultaneously. Guthrie mentioned he was seeking more space for practical work and hoped Fitzgerald could assist. pp.2 Transcription: Dear Fitzgerald, I am trying to get to get more room for practical work in Physics. Will you kindly give me the following information about your Laboratory? (1) What is the total floor space from wall to wall devoted to Physics? (2) How many square feet are employed for lecture purposes: including apparatus and cabinet? (3) How many for storage? (4) What is the greatest No. of students you have ever had working at Practice Physics at the same time? A very rough estimate will greatly oblige. yours, Frederick Guthrie
Guthrie, Frederick
1886
A handwritten letter from F, Guthrie to Professor G, F Fitzgerald dated 5th of April 1883. In this brief and apologetic letter, Fred Guthrie expresses regret for not having supported the recipient’s candidacy for the Royal Society of London, stating that he was unaware they were being considered that year. pp.1 Transcription: My dear Sir, I did not know that you were "up" for the Royal Society of London, this year. I feel disgraced at not seeing my name amongst your supporters. Yours faithfully, Fred Guthrie
RDS Library & Archives GFF corespondent letters
1883
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from John Gunn
Gunn, John
A handwritten letter from John Gunn to Prof. George F. Fitzgerald, dated 23rd of November 1888. John Gunn writes to Professor Fitzgerald to acknowledge receipt of a letter from Dr. Hill and to send 50 copies of the "Rules for Observers," with more to follow once printed. He mentions Fitzgerald’s success in recruiting observers and notes similar enthusiasm from Mr. Brown of the Belfast Natural History Society. Gunn is optimistic that Ireland will contribute significantly to the initiative and hopes for comparable success in England and Scotland. pp.2 Transcription: Dear Sir, Dr. Hill has handed me your letter, and I now send you herewith 50 copies (all I have at present) of Rules for Observers. As soon as the printers can strike off a fresh supply, the balance shall be forwarded. It is very encouraging to know that you expect such success in getting observers. Mr Brown, of the Belfast Natural History Society, also hopes to induce several as members of that association take an interest in the work. So Ireland should produce very valuable results. I hope our efforts in England and Scotland may be equally successful. Yours very truly, John Gunn Professor Fitzgerald Dublin
A handwritten letter from John Gunn to Prof, George F. Fitzgerald, dated 4th of December 1888. John Gunn informs Professor Fitzgerald that two individuals, Mr. B. Kernan of Warrenpoint and Mr. A. Mulligan of Rathfriland, have volunteered to take surface water temperature measurements. Mulligan also suggests contacting Mr. John Smyth, C.E., of Banbridge, and mentions plans to establish a high-altitude station in the Mourne Mountains. Gunn asks whether Fitzgerald’s circular mentioned the 2 shillings and 6 pence charge for each thermometer and case, as neither volunteer appears to be aware of this cost. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Sir, Two gentlemen, Mr B. Kernan, Warrenpoint, and Mr A. Hulligan, Rathfriland have already written me expressing their willingness to take observations on the temperature of surface water in their neighbourhood. The latter suggests that Mr John Smyth, Sons, C.E. Lanaderg, Banbridge, should be applied to if this has not already be done. He also says that he hopes to establish a station among the Mourne Mountains, at some height above the sea. May I ask If, in your circular, you have stated that a charge of 2/6 is made for each thermometer and case? Neither Mr. Mulligan nor Mr. Kernan seem to be aware that such a charge is to be made. Yours truly, John Gunn Prof. Fitzgerald
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from D.P. Griffith
Handwritten letter from D. P. Griffith to Professor George F. Fitzgerald. Dudley P. Griffith writes to Dr. Fitzgerald to inform him that he has been offered the position of Assistant Engineer on the Bengal & North Western Railway. Before making a final decision, he wishes to speak with Mr. Neville, who is also with the railway and currently in the country. Griffith asks for Mr. Neville's address, as Fitzgerald had previously mentioned that Neville was home on leave. He closes by thanking Fitzgerald for his influence in securing the appointment. 2pp. Transcription: Dear Doctor Fitzgerald, I have been offered the appointment as Assistant Engineer, Bengal & N.W. Railway. I would be very glad if you could let me have the address of Mr. Neville who is on the same line, & who is in this country at present as I would like to have a talk with him about the matter before finally deciding on accepting the appointment. You may possibly know his address as you mentioned to me some time ago the fact of his being home on leave. Thanking you for your influence in getting me the appointment. Yours faithfully, Dudley P. Griffith
Griffith, D. P.
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Albert Griffiths
Van der Waals forces
A handwritten letter from A. Griffiths to Prof, George F. Fitzgerald, dated April 11th 1899. Albert Griffiths thanks Mr. Fitzgerald for his letter, which allowed him to correct an error before presenting his paper. He appreciates Fitzgerald’s suggestion regarding the spiral for resolving diaphragm issues and plans to use it if objections arise. He defends his method for calculating work done by flow pressure, though he notes a possible omission related to inertia-pressures from diffusion, which he believes have minimal effect. Griffiths describes a new apparatus for measuring diffusion, though it’s showing wear, and briefly speculates on surface tension using Van der Waals’ equation. 3pp. Transcription: Dear Mr Fitzgerald, I was very pleased by your letter of the 27th Feb. Fortunately reading of my papers was postponed till the 10th, and I was able to correct the error in regard to the heat of combination. I see now that the remark in the letter about the large diaphragm was it your dodge of the long spiral would get difficulty beautifully, and if I ever receive objections to the work on the ground of in the upper and lower vessels, I will use of your notion. You seem doubtful of the method calculating the work done by the pressure of the flow. On receiving your letter I went over the work carefully myself, and then with a learned friend. He thinks the work correct, so that if it turns out to be.... easily arise. The only omission that I can think of, is the neglect to take any account of the pressure which may be developed by the presence of diffusion. There is a continual passage of diffused substance up the diffusion tubes which may develop of inertia-pressures. I have not been able to deal with the matter in a satisfactory manner. The inertia-pressures (assuming they exist) would not be of any resultant importance in my apparatus, but they might introduce certain corrections in the details. "The reason why I have avoided gases, up to the present, is that I am afraid of the difficulties of inter-diffusion I have made a new apparatus for the determination of coefficient of diffusion by the means of diffusion convection . It is a modification of the apparatus used to give an experimental illustration of diffusive convection. The vessels at the extremities of the diffusion tubes are connected by suitable tubes to larger vessels, which serve as sinks into which the diffused substance can fall. These sinks can be cleaned out with. little disturbance to the next of the apparatuses. The apparatus commenced by behaving very well, but I have been able to spend so little time with it, that the various indiarubber joints are beginning to show signs of suffer from old age before the completion of the tests. Some additional theory has turned out to be rather interesting. With regard to the existence of surface tension at the boundary between a dense & a dilute solution, I fancy that if one were as bold (or bolder) than the chemists, and applied Van Der Waal's Equation to solution the term a/v^2 might indicate a surface tension. This, of course, has no bearing, on your remarks, for the term is absent from the equation far for a perfect gas. Thanking you for your letter, especially for the correction of the error, I am yours faithfully, Albert Griffiths
Griffiths, Albert
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from ?? Goodbody
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from Howard Grubb
Grubb, Howard, 1844-1931.
Diffusive Convection
Handwritten letter from Albert Griffith to George F. Fitzgerald, dated 14th December 1898. Griffith is responding to criticism or commentary on his scientific paper "Diffusive Convection". Transcription: "Dear Sir, Having heard your kind remarks on my paper "Diffusive Convection" referred to as criticism, it is perhaps a duty I owe myself to state that, before reading my paper to the Physical Society, I had considered nearly everything you mention in your article "Diffusion in Relation to Work" which appeared in Nature, Nov - . I knew my remarks applied to gases. I had mentally devised machines depending on the ascent of the diffusing substance. I was cognizant of the importance of the rise of the centre of gravity; but was unable to apply that to my apparatus because the rise is the same whether work is done or not. Some time before last Christmas, probably in the summer of 1897, but perhaps as early as 1896, I worked out an equation giving the relationship between the fall of temperature, and the height of the cylinder along which diffusion occurs. Last night in searching through some papers I accidentally came across my original notes; and I find that I considered diffusion upwards, diffusion (combined with [m?] ) with horizontal displacement of the centre of gravity, and [m?] when the centre of gravity falls. It may be mentioned that diffusion could be applied to the constitution of a machine, analogous to Lippmann's electro-motor, by awaiting's ones self of the fact that certain salts apparently travel with the current. In conclusion I may say that personally I was very pleased to see your article. The casual reader is liable to obtain a unong impression of my missions and deficiencies; but life would be very slow and "wouldn't be worth living", if one had to be careful and guarded in every little matter. With thanks for your notice, I am, Yours very truly, Albert Griffiths"
Griffiths, Albert. 1867-1937
1898
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from G. Griffith
Schuster, Arthur,1851-1934.1851-1934.
National Physical Laboratory (Great Britain).
Letter to George F. Fitzgerald from R.T. Glazebrook
Cunningham, D. J. 1850-1909.
Schuster, Arthur, 1851-1934.
Preston, Thomas, 1860-1900.
Education, Secondary.
Helmholtz, Hermann von,1821-1894.1821-1894.
University of Manchester.
University of Leeds.
Royal Dublin Society. Administration
Royal Dublin Society. History. 19th century
Proceedings of The Royal Dublin Society, from November 2, 1843, to July 4, 1844
Royal Dublin Society
RDS proceedings, volume 80, from November 2, 1843, to July 4, 1844
Royal Dublin Society, printed at the University Press, by M. H. Gill
1844
Royal Dublin Society. Exhibitions
Manufactures. Awards. Ireland
Indigenous art. Ireland
Ethnic art. Ireland
The sixth [fifth] public exhibition of Irish productions and manufactures, will be held within the premises of The Royal Dublin Society, on the 1st June, 1844, and following days. Edward Hardman, Assistant Secretary.
Index to the proceedings of The Royal Dublin Society, from November 2, 1843, to July 4, 1844
National Botanic Gardens (Ireland)
Botany. Ireland. 19th century
Agriculture. Ireland. 19th century
Essay on the growth and management of flax in Ireland. Annual report of the general state of The Royal Dublin Society's Botanic Garden, and the collections therein, in November, 1843. D. Moore, curator. Donations of seeds and plants, received at the Royal Dublin Society's Botanic Garden. List of donations to the Museum of The Royal Dublin Society. Essay on the progress of agriculture and its connexion with science and the arts of civilization: comprising a short account of the exertions made by The Royal Dublin Society, to promote an improved system of husbandry in Ireland. Analyses of the important soils of Ireland, with observations; read at a sectional meeting of the Royal Dublin Society, on Saturday evening. May 4th, 1844 by T. Antisell. Esq., M.R.D.S. Return of books to the Library.
Moore, D. (David), 1807-1879
Antisell, Thomas, 1817-1893
Royal Dublin Society. Agricultural Committee
Royal Dublin Society. Awards
Royal Dublin Society. Drawing Schools
Agricultural Museum. In the last year's list of Premiums, offered by the Royal Dublin Society, the intention of establishing an Agricultural Museum on the premises, was announced to the public. Edward Hardman, Assistant Secretary. Schedule of premiums proposed by the Committee of Agriculture and adopted by the royal Dublin Society for the ensuing year. Second public distribution of premiums awarded to the successful pupils in the drawing and modelling schools of the Royal Dublin Society, at the annual competition, December 9th, 1843. Adjudication of premiums at the fifth exhibition of Irish manufactures, June, 1844.
Royal Dublin Society. Spring Show
Spring cattle shew, 1844. The following premiums are hereby offered by the Royal Dublin Society, for the exhibition of live stock, horses, agricultural produce, etc.
Proceedings of The Royal Dublin Society, from November 7, 1844, to June 26, 1845.
RDS proceedings, volume 81, from November 7, 1844, to June 26, 1845
1845
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 6 1845, to June 25 1846
RDS proceedings, volume 82, November 6 1845, to June 25 1846
Royal Dublin Society, printed at the University Presss, by M. H. Gill
1846
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 5 1846, to July 1 1847
RDS proceedings, volume 83, November 5 1846, to July 1 1847
1847
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 2, 1847, to June 19 1848
RDS proceedings, volume 84, November 4 1847, to June 29, 1848
1848
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 4 1848, to June 29, 1849
RDS Proceedings , volume 85, from November 4 1848, to June 29, 1849
1849
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 1 1849, to June 27, 1850
RDS Proceedings , volume 86, from November 1 1849, to June 27, 1850
1850
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 7, 1850, to June 26, 1851
RDS proceedings, volume 87, from November 7, 1850, to June 26, 1851
1851
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 6, 1851, to June 24, 1852
RDS proceedings, volume 88, November 6, 1851, to June 24, 1852
1852
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from November 4, 1852, to September 8, 1853
RDS proceedings, volume 89, November 4, 1852, to September 8, 1853
1853
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 1, 1853, to June 30, 1854
RDS proceedings, volume 90, July 1, 1853, to June 30, 1854
1854
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 1, 1854, to June 30, 1855
RDS proceedings, volume 91, July 1, 1854, to June 30, 1855
1855
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 1, 1855, to June 30, 1856
RDS proceedings, volume 92, July 1, 1855, to June 30, 1856
1856
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 1, 1856, to July 16, 1857
RDS proceedings, volume 93, July 1, 1856, to July 16, 1857
1857
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from August 6, 1857, to June 24, 1858
RDS proceedings, volume 94, August 6, 1857, to June 24, 1858
1858
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 1, 1858, to June 30, 1859
RDS proceedings, volume 95, July 1, 1858, to June 30, 1859
1859
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 7, 1859, to June 28, 1860
RDS proceedings, volume 96, July 7, 1859, to June 28, 1860
1860
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from August 2, 1860, to June 27, 1861
RDS proceedings, volume 97, from August 2, 1860, to June 27, 1861
1861
Proceedings of the Royal Dublin Society, from July 4, 1861, to June 30, 1862
RDS proceedings, volume 98, July 4, 1861, to June 30, 1862
1862