1792

Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy [before and on 13 August 1792]

Dear Giddy

I am not at all surprised & am glad to hear you are disappointed by the fate of your project – I have not a doubt of its propriety; & I can easily conceive that spite, stupidity & Pride w^d conspire ag^t it with greater zeal, as it is was more excellent – thanks to the light spread by the proclamation over the land, no man need now be at a loss for an argument in politics; that which decided the meeting at Bodmin must doubtless be productive of infinite comfort & conviction to those who are masters of it.

I lately sent seeds of the stipa pennata under an episcopal cover I send more chaff than seeds I fear of the Briza Media; but some rude hand brushed away a parcel of good seeds & I can now find none better than that I enclose – But chaff sh^d grow when it has been so long near the mark of a sanctified & sanctifying hand –

The fate of Oxford, you see, is decided – That miserable paper the Genl Ev^g Post has not <indeed> announced it, but it was in the Star of the same day; I w^d exchange the G. E. P. for the Star which & the Morning Chronicle are two very well conducted newspapers –

I think after a good deal of reflection that I have fallen upon the specific cause of the French calamities – my hypothesis at least reconciles several seeming contradictory which had before puzzled me exceedingly – I hope the Empress of Russia who <has> may <thus> succeed<ed> in trampling the Polish constⁿ under her feet will not be able to bring her forces to bear ag^t the French this campaign. If any thing can increase one’s indignation ag^t the foolish violence of the French parties, it is surely the courage & conduct of the soldiers & nat^l guard & the D of Brunswick by his proclamations has endeavoured to render their cause a most essential service.

T. Beddoes

Fayette not to be accused by 182 majority
all the men of ability in the assembly in the majority

Address: Oxford. Aug^st 13 / Davies Giddy Esq^r / Tredrea / Marazion // Oxford, August the thirteenth, 1792 / To / Davies Giddy Esq / Tredrea / Marazion / Cornwall / Free / E. Oxford
Endorsement: Doctor Beddoes / 1792 / Aug^t the 13^th
MS: Cornish Archives MS DG 41/23 and 41/32