Thomas Beddoes to Erasmus Darwin, [24/25/26 December 1793] (1)
Dear Sir,
On reperusing the sheets I have made several petty remarks upon the margin. They relate chiefly to inaccuracies. The most important is that you do not seem strictly to abide by your definition of Sensation, and that you frequently use the plural (Sensations) in a passive sense, in all which passages feelings would have prevented confusion. Your book will require great attention, and any ambiguity from inadvertence will oblige common readers to efforts of attention so painful as to suspend or destroy the pain of curiosity. In several places, I think, apprehension might have been assisted by a scheme, or table; for instance, p. 34, where you explain how fibrous contractions become causable by sensation, volition and association, such a tabular view as the following would, I conceive, have rendered the doctrine more perspicuous. After the paragraph No, 2, p. 34,
Original order,
Cause—Irritation of the sphincter and a certain sensation.
Effect—Evacuation.
Superinduced order,
Cause—The same sensation, (irritation being ineffectual.)
Effect—Evacuation.
Or,
Original order,
Cause—Cold to the puncta lachrymalia, a certain feeling.
Effect—Profusion of tears.
Superinduced order,
Cause—The same or a similar feeling, (without cold air.)
Effect—.Profusion of tears.
I had yesterday a long visit from the Dutchess of Devonshire, who came from Bath on purpose to converse with me. She knows more of modern chemistry than I should have supposed any Dutchess or any Lady in England to know. She seemed to comprehend my ideas perfectly. She said she only knew my publications by extracts in the reviews, but she should, after having talked with me and seen my apparatus, procure them and read them with attention. I had not a copy of my first book to offer her. She spoke of you and repeatedly charged me to remember her to you.
Published: Stock, Appendix 6, pp. xli–ii