1794

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 14 October 1794

14 Oct^r 1794

Dear Sir

In perusing the sheets I sent, you will note some inaccuracies; but two of these were not corrected; & the errata of the others are noted. In the 3^rd plate there was an omission of 2 small a.’s & b’s. These are supplied. In 400 out of 500 copies I have put immediately before the passage I ventured to extract from your letter concerning Pyro-sarcate & c ‘The manner is jocular, but the facts are curious’ –

I mean yet to extract sample directions for the machine out of the whole & print them separately – With these I can add what you reworked concerning the sweetening of the airs in the gr small, not in the great way – Considering how much you have done, I am quite sorry you are obliged to relinquish this pursuit so soon. I have yet one little problem for you to solve: it is connected with the late trains of your ideas & has nothing noisome – It is an easy way of enabling a patient to breath air warmed to 120 <or so>. This w^d do much good in many cases. If anything worth while occurs, I sh^d be glad of your permission to engrave it & add it to the matter abovementioned – you w^d then have compleated the machinery so far as to make it answer every purpose yet suggested.

In 2 days I shall send you a parcel of the corrected copies, & some other things – Lord Daer is certainly in a confirmed consumption. His physicians hitherto have doubted; but I suppose his disease has become more distinct. I am afraid by going soon to Lisbon he will lose his only chance – Capper went last week for Sidmouth. He had recruited considerably since his imprudence –

Whenever the apparatus is ready for me, I shall be glad to receive it; & wish it may be directed to – Mr Rosser Broad St Bristol. – I have told L^d Daer what you say concerning his apparatus – My waster pot has done infinite service. I wish I had another to fit the capital –

I am Dear Sir
Your obliged Friend &
hb^le ser^t

Tho^s Beddoes

Fixed air seems to agree perfectly with L^d Daer – We have [xxxx] not tried it very strong yet

Address: James Watt Esqr / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Oct^r 14^th 1794
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/27/05