[William Ramsay, Scottish Chemist; noble gases] Substantial Part of an important Autograph Letter, lacking at least the signature page, on experiments. To Major Cardew (See Note e.)

Note: Sir William Ramsay used electric discharge tubes to isolate argon, neon, krypton, and xenon, observing their distinct light spectra [AI] See Note d. below. Two pages, oblong 12mo, good condition. Dear Major Cardew, | I have just see Readman, about whom I spoke to you in connection wiith the electrical plant available at Glasgow. He tells me that his terms are ?5 per month for rent of premises, or 3d per unit of electricity used. These terms are so advantageous that I think we ought to take them. [This?] process is in a fair way to finish, but he anticipates that it will be the middle of September before things are going on such a scale as will permit me to report. [?] Readman and I are old friends, & I can perfectly trust him. I told him about your proposal. He has had occasion to consult electrical patents[lately?] to a large extent, & tells me that the process is a new one. I put it to him if we were treading on his toes in the least in making use of his dodges. The answer is no; he says he will be happy to help us in any way. | Now we want to oxidise the arsenic. He confirms what I thought, viz. that there is very little demand for metallic arsenic, but a large demand for oxide. Hence we must make oxide. But we can't admit oxygen into a hot electric furnace without consuming the carbon electrodes, & carbon is the [only?] substance which will resist the attack of sulphide of iron. Drain pipes won't do. Readman has left with me the sketch of his little furnace, & we must take that as a model & alter it to suit our necessities. These are: Heating the [arc?] in the lower part of the furnace; & oxidation of arsenic in the upper part away from the carbons; also condensation of the arsenic fumes. We must have an ent[r]y for air, a region of combustion of the arsenic in contact with some porous substance, which will keep hot [text missing from her]. Notes: a. Dr James Burgess Readman FRSE FCS FSSA (c.1850?April 1927) was a Scottish chemist who invented an electric furnace for creating phosphorus invented in 1888[1] and patented in 1889 [Wikipedia]; b. Dr James Burgess Readman FRSE FCS FSSA (c.1850?April 1927) was a Scottish chemist who invented an electric furnace for creating phosphorus invented in 1888 and patented in 1889 [Wikipedia]; c. Major Cardew was referred to as an expert in Electricity and Optics and provided reports on matters like the London Electric (likely the regulation or infrastructure of electricity supply in London). [AI]; d. Is it significant or coincidental that he wrote this in 1895 and Between 1894 and 1898 he discovered five new elements ? helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon; commonly known today as the noble gases?; e. Major Philip Cardew (1851 ? 1910), was an English army officer in the Royal Engineers. Engaged in the application of electricity to military purposes, he designed innovations in electrical engineering. [Wikipedia] Image on application.