Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 23 August 1796
Clifton 23 Augt
Dear Giddy
I wrote 3 weeks ago to Sir W. James to give me permission to have his house valued. I am not surprized that he shd have returned me no answer – it is in character – but I will not attempt a purchase before I know something near the market price of a commodity; & if you shd hear him I wish you wd ask him to grant this leave if he chooses still to part with the house.
I expect my wife home in less than a fortnight. I hope your sister will make herself ready to march at short warning & as soon as her hostess arrives, she shall have the word –
External politics are now not a subject of speculation, unless any one can suppose the French likely to venture too far. After the late great attempt of Wurmser to retrieve the Austrian affairs in Italy, this is less likely – We shall be invaded, I believe. Ld Lansdown thinks so too. They will concert 5 or 6 different expeditions at once for difft points between Devonshire & Northumberland, & will undoubtedly effect their landing in 2 or 3 places at least – Burke is at Bath, & I hear on good authority that he abuses the ministry & applauds the French as the best politicians in Europe. The country wd seem in profound peace & in prosperity not likely to be interrupted to a person who did not know that we are at war.
The resort hither is beyond all example; & the harvest for Death & the Doctors has been plentiful accordingly – I have a pamphlet as usual in the press – It is medical this time – I am making exps on the respiration of horses – They are neat & I think will be conclusive – There is a book of vast erudition & ingenuity by Dupuis – 4 quarts – La religion universelle – I think he has referred the aberrations of ye human mind to their true principle – The Dr who went to China is here. Sir G. Staunton has had hemiplegia – the Dr says the acct of China will be full of curious particulars. I have not seen or heard a word of Dr Luke -—
Farewell
yours truly
T.B.
Address: Davies Giddy Esq / Tredrea / Marazion / Cornwall
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / 1796 / August the 23rd
MS: Cornish Archives MS DG 42/7