Thomas Beddoes to James Watt Jr, [between 19 and c. 22 March 1798]
Dear Sir
Your letter received yesterday, makes me regret that I did not speak about the lamps sooner – I imagined they were at all times at hand – However I shall not begin till the 26th and if I get them that morning it will be enough.
I am rejoiced to hear that you will try to get a lamp of such power attempted. It would be welcome whenever it came; but doubtless the more welcome the sooner –
I yesterday received from Dr Thomson at Naples 3 little mineralogical tracts, you know the one, containing observations on the changes undergone by certain substances baked in an oven of lava Perhaps you know that sulle incrostazioni silicee termali d’Italia. He finds the interstices of the ground at Solfaterra &c &c filled with silex, evaporated from <its> solution in fossil alkali – There is also Abbozzo d’una sciagrafia vulcania making feldspar, quartz, shoerl, mica, Hornblende, volcanizzate ovvero nate dalla fuscione & basaltes doubtless – I shall bring these or will send them if you choose.
It appears that there is the most prodigious abundance of sulfate of strontian here & in this district – Its muriate & nitrate agree perfectly perhaps muriates & nitrates from the original fossil form strontian. Will you have some now, or by the return of some articles lent me – As Caulk turned out so useful in ornamental pottery, so may this and I shall tell Josiah Wedgwood, who will be here in 2 or 3 weeks.
I shall use Mr Boulton’s specimens the 2nd lecture & immediately after, return them. Are you joking about the Barberini vase? Is it not dangerous to transport? I mean the Wedgwood imitation – Please continue to direct any thing to me at Cottle’s as you did the glass & the Keir parcels. If it be not much more than a matter of indifference to have Crells 1793, 4 & 5 out of your possn for 2 months, I shd be glad to borrow them, as they must contain the translation of academical papers which I have not seen & wch may be of use –
Yrs truly
T.B.
Address: James Watt Esq Junr / Soho / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / March 1798 // Sundry preparations for his lectures
MS: LoB MS 3219/6/2/B/66