1797

Thomas Beddoes to James Currie, 7 December 1797

Dear Doctor

I hope that you will have received my introd^y lecture. In the lectures at the close of the course I shall take matter from your book & I sh^d much wish to illustrate fully & minutely some important points which you have treated. For this I sh^d extremely wish to borrow one [MS torn] curved therm^rs. If you can pack it up so as to carry, I will faithfully & soon return it. I also wish you to do me another favour – which is, to have inquiry made among your butchers respecting their longevity <diet> & diseases. I principally aim at the frequency or infrequency of consumption. But of course I w^d have the questions put as little as possible to elicit the expected answer. I w^d wish [MS torn] investigation to note the questions & the answers in the words of the parties. I have made (or caused to be made) this enquiry in various parts of England & Ireland & I think the results very curious & pregnant in useful consequences –

If you can lend me a therm^r, please direct to me at Mr Cottle’s bookseller Bristol who has suspended the proposal respecting Burns – but I do not see many names inscribed –

I am Dr Doctor

yours with great regard

Thomas Beddoes

MS: Mitchell Library, Glasgow NRA 35994