Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 26 December 1795

Dear Sir

We have some time since erected the frame & find it to answer very well. I think however that it w^d be best to allow more velocity if a new one sh^d be erected. In healthy persons it excites a glow & in 2 or 3 instances it has appeared to diminish the frequency of the pulse – I am sure it w^d put off a hectic paroxysm & I think an intermittent one too. For the first, I believe it is the most simple contrivance as well as the most agreeable yet devised. For Dr Currie proposes the affusion of warm water in the cold stage: but this will not be practiced or not persevered in – I am trying the inhalation of powders. This is very practicable; they do not excite coughing, if the dust comes in a moderate volume. Mrs Kerr appears to a brother of Mr Kerr’s not to have sensibly declined, since she left Edin^r – I shall try the dusting plan & not relinquish the air –

I know very well that my politics have been very injurious to the airs – Mr Keir to day furnishes me with a striking proof, if any were wanting. Yet as every stroke aimed at liberty, equally threatens science, morals & humanity, it requires great self denial to look on patiently & silently, when such great interests are at stake. On the last occasion the adversaries of Mr Pitt stood on more popular ground than ever before; & I therefore think I did no harm to the other cause. I hope too that in endeavouring to animate public spirit I have done something to repress vengeance & calm violence. At least I can say that no Bristol publication has been so eagerly & generally read.

Have you ever considered the possibility of increasing the stock of provisions in a time of scarcity by converting into food ss used for inferior purposes? Wd not bones boiled down in a Papin’s digester afford good nutriment? May not this be practised with advantage on a large scale? If any thing c^d be suggested, I believe I c^d get it tried here – being popular for forwarding the petition ag^t the bills –

I sh^d be extremely glad of 2 or 3 or 4 of your mouth-pieces, if they are yet in a state to be manufactured – Pray how does the small apparatus answer?

I beg my comp^ts to Mrs Watt & Mr James Watt. I am

Dear Sir

Yours truly

Thomas Beddoes

26 Dec^r 1795

The 2^nd Ed of Part I & II is entirely sold – I am afraid Johnson is negligent about this book – It is strange he will not let a book have its course –

MS: LoB MS 3219/4/28/23

The full versions of these letters with textual apparatus will be published by Cambridge University Press.