1797

Thomas Beddoes and Anna Beddoes to James Watt Jr, [22, 23 or 24 December 1797]

Dear James

You cannot think by what hurricane of events or engagements I have just been tossed – But I will pass over every thing to come to the point in which you found it good to interest yourself – You know I mean the lectures. Well what do you think? Stop, don’t be impatient. By Teuth or Teuto, my master, you shall turn over before you know.

Yesterday Friday were 103 real contributors – & I have drawn up an advertisement to limit the subscriptions to 150 – which I will send you – Dr Scherer’s German pride has stood in our way – I have taken or rather am negotiating with an Irlandois on Archer’s recommendation – I will take care that he be pretty well told of the necessary qualifications, before he set forth – Archer says he is as good a chemist as Higgins Qu’en pensez vous?

But here is the news Lambton is got better – But that is not the devil’s – L^y Anne Lambton – that is, Lambton’s wife – by the by, which do ye think the worst – the he or she devil – you will vote that there is most venom in the last – But L^y A. L. has requested me – & L^y Anne is particularly beautiful & unsereiner cannot refuse a beautiful woman She has earnestly solicited me to go to Italy – I cannot just now – but I think in a fortnight I could for other engagements & the Chem^l Lectures ought not to stop me – Qu’en pensez vous – Nun fur die Frau?

T.B.

[Anna’s handwriting:]

I know you would most gladly spare little frauens postscripts, but as it is good to thwart such kind of men as you now and then I shall not spare you <de>frau must be your mental as <der> mann was your corporeal physician – how I am going to impart to you a profound secret you can keep such a deposit securely enough, God and all who know understand your character as well as he has the happiness of doing know full well – aye and you can nick name his creatures & not what part you please – Now says der mann to me, ‘this letter will vex Watt but I can’t help it’ –

die poor frau is very sorry too but can’t help it neither and moreover is so impertinent & exigent as to want the injured person to go with der mann & die frau to Italy – Now Mr Watt, I did this as you perceive from policy, to shield from your just rage der mann – and to conduct off the lightening of y^r resentment upon die frau –

Please Mr Robinson Crusoe to send me word how you take this affair – or sure I will never write another word to you – but that you will say will only punish myself – I am just returned from spending a few days with Miss Archers – Mr A had swallowed and digested the D^r dose – which from all appearances agreed perfectly as there was no appearance of nausea – Miss A has presented me with a beautiful drawing – & her sister has executed a p^r of xxxx which she was so kind as to give me

Address: James Watt Esq Jun / Soho / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Clifton 24 Dec^r 1797 // No of subscribers to Chem Lectures compleat / Wants me to accompany him to Italy
MS: LoB MS 3219/6/02/B/62