1797

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt, 13 November 1797

13 Nov 1797

Dear Sir

I am at present busy writing an introductory lecture to the popular course which begins on Friday & has been extremely well received. Indeed it will prosper to my wish, unless this Buonaparte should knock all other thoughts out of Bristol heads.

I think Mr James Watt’s constitution is prodigiously improved. He has totally lost that bloated appearance & unhealthy aspect which he brought with him – The residue of his complaint has not yielded so readily. He still complains of aches but says for several days past he has had less. He seems to have a strong opinion of the necessity of a warmer climate to his entire recovery – & if the state of the world were different, it might upon the whole be adviseable No medical objection, I think, lies against the scheme – However he is disposed to be more gloomy when he thinks of his uneasy feelings than (as it seems to me) he need. For I see nothing to indicate danger.

From Plymouth I have the most favourable acct^s Dr Geach has written a most judicious letter which serves to explain some failures – I shall print it soon as part of the proposed collection & will distribute a no. of copies – He says mercury is nearly laid aside there – I have other acc^ts, some favourable, some otherwise – I hope the dissention will put surgeons on their accuracy & think the facts will be numerous enough to admit of clear classification –

I wish Gregory w^d bring a copy of the bill of parcels of the last lot of apparatuses – I am likely to sell a portable today & cannot find Mr Forman’s letter –

Believe me yours truly

Thomas Beddoes

Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Nov^r 13^th 1797
MS: LoB MS 3219/4/029/25