1795

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 4 March 1795

4 March Wednesday

Dear Sir

I think the n. ed. of my Considerations will shew that I have anticipated your sentiments, as far as they are applicable to that publication – your description is printed by itself – & my idea was the same as yours to print your letters along with other people’s in P. 1 – The number of facts in this n. ed. will satisfy every body who is in any degree reasonable – I am sorry for the indistinctness of Dr Th’s <Thornton> narrative of which I am fully sensible. I will not drop a word of your new invention, but will if at all possible be with you on Tuesday or Wednesday morning next – Indeed as I hope you will favour me with an idea of your apparatulus I w^d go so far to acquire the information –

I have made 2 or 3 very interesting physiological discoveries by exp^s on animals & which confirm in a wonderful manner some of J. Hunter’s speculations – they coalesce with them towards forming a new system of animals nature – I do not believe in my own theories – for instance, I do not believe in the hyperoxygenation of the system in Consumption – My first speculations were merely attempts to put facts together & to deduce such conclusions as might be put to the test of exp^t – I endeavoured to draw these speculations up in a plausible form; otherwise how w^d they have gained attention? In other words, how w^d good in any reasonable time have resulted from them? I have your letter but not time to refer to it – but I think I can depend on my memory so much as to say that you did not mention Mr Barr when you spoke of the scrophulous case – However I write to Mr Barr by this post; & I hope my letter will put every thing right as to etiquette – I certainly feel unpleasantly at the idea of hurrying you at this busy time – but am so much the more obliged to you for paying me attention – I am, D^r Sir with great thankfulness & all good wishes Yrs

Tho^s Beddoes

Address: James Watt Engineer / Heathfield / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Mar 4^th 1795
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/27/15