Accession No

2325a

Brief Description

2 letters concerning Twaddell’s hydrometers from William Sanderson, 1864

Origin

Leith; Scotland

Maker

Sanderson. William

Class

physics; metrology; manuscripts

Earliest Date

1864

Latest Date

1864

Inscription Date

1864

Material

paper

Dimensions

breadth 129mm; height 202mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from M. Howard, 10/1977.

Inscription

see description notes

Description Notes

1st letter: ‘Leith 18 Mch 1864
My dear sir,
I have only to-day got looked after your apparatus having been so busy with my journeys.
The instrument you want for Acids + Alkalies [sic] is called Twaddell’s Hydrometer, there are six sizes No. 1 from waterto 1130 No. 2 1130 to - No. 5 1510 to 1700 - 6, 1700 upwards so you wd. likely need a set at £1.1/- or 3/6 ea.
The Glass Beads for Spts are 1/1each, and float or sink at a certain strength.
Let me know what else I cna do for you + I will get them sent on at once.
Yours truly
Wm [?] Sanderson
P.S. Did you notice Mrs S. got a daughter on 11th. + both are doing well. WS’

2nd letter: ‘Leith 24 Mch 64
My dear Sir
Stevenson has just sent down your Hydrometers his [?] is 21/6 the 6d I presume for the box. The way to use them is to mark what number the liquid cuts on the stem + multiply it by 5 + add 1000, less it cuts 140 5 times that is 700 + add 1000 gives 1700 as the S.G. which I fancy is marked 1.700 by Chemists however you will understand it easily enough.
The box is too late for the train tonight but will go tomorrow + will I hope reach you safely.
Anything else I can do for you will give me great pleasure.
Yours truly
Wm Sanderson’

Condition fair; complete.

References

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