Thomas Beddoes to the Editor of The Monthly Magazine, 9 October [1798]
Sir
I doubt not but a variety of persons, eager to fix their opinions concerning the medicinal power of gases, have accused me of tardiness in the establishment of the Pneumatic Institution. No accusation however could be worse founded. I have never ceased to exert myself to bring the design to bear; but it is obvious that I had two serious difficulties to overcome. Had I begun without a certain fund, or without a superintendant qualified to conduct the enquiry, I should have failed altogether, and done a lasting injury to a good cause; supposing (what I firmly believe) that mankind can be benefited by endeavours of this nature.
The sum subscribed is adequate to many trials. I hope the sum collected will not fall far short of that subscribed. It is possible that some persons forbear to contribute till they see the institution on foot: The addition of 1000l. or 2000l. at most, would probably enable us to complete the present object, that is, to bring out decisive results, whether favourable or otherwise. Should any of your readers be disposed to yield us pecuniary assistance, they would find an account open at the house of Thomas Coutts, Esq. banker, Strand; or they may forward their contributions to me.
The difficulty respecting a superintendant was much the greater of the two; but in my judgment it is most completely overcome. A young man, endowed with talents for experimental researches at least equal to any person I have ever known, has at my earnest solicitation consented to undertake this most difficult charge. The subscribers who have most interested themselves in promoting the design, approve my choice; and with the rest I am willing to pledge my whole credit upon it. After a very short time, no one will need to rely on my judgment. Mr Davy has completed a course of experiments on the chemistry of light and heat, which will appear in the first volume of the West-country Contributions, and will, I think, go far towards settling many important points belonging to this abstruse subject. All imaginable means to secure authenticity and publicity shall be employed; I shall describe in a separate paper such as occur to me, and those which others may suggest we shall willingly adopt. The city of Bristol and its populous neighbourhood, will, we hope, afford an ample supply of patients.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.
Tho. Beddoes
Clifton, Oct. 9
Published: The Monthly Magazine, 6 (1798), 238