Thomas Beddoes to the Editor of A Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and the Arts, 24 March 1799
Sir
I send you the West-country contributions, supposing that it falls within your plan to announce the publication. You will do this the more readily, as an article in your last number erroneously represents Dr Gibbes as the discoverer of the sulphate of strontian in this neighbourhood. This mistake you will see corrected in a note to my table of contents. Whether Mr Richardson told Dr Gibbes what he had learned from Mr Notcutt, viz. that the specimen he gave the doctor was sulphate of strontian, I have not yet learned; but I suppose he did, because it is so very natural to do so, in presenting a specimen; and because Dr Gibbes, as it appears, immediately directed his experiment according to that supposition. The title of the paper, no doubt (Discovery of Sulphate of Strontian, near Sodbury, by T. S. Gibbes, M. B.) comes from you. The thing itself is of small importance. Nobody thinks it of less than the real discoverer of the great quantities of this mineral, near Bristol. But unless rightful claims are respected in matters of this sort, the confidence of private communication will be destroyed, than which few events could be more baneful to philosophy. I leave this disagreeable subject, with sincere regret that justice could not be done to the parties by private explanation.
The second edition of my introductory lecture will shew you that the project for giving select lectures on anatomy and physiology, to a mixed audience, succeeded. We have now had two such courses. I intend (if I can find time) to give an extensive course of physiological lectures, principally with a view to instruct parents in the means of preventing sickliness and disease.
Last spring, I published a proposal for instructing mechanics in the principles of chemistry. But the advantage of the scheme not being felt, it was not carried into execution. But since the Institution for diffusing Economical and Mechanical Improvements, has received such respectable sanction in London, I should hope that another attempt may succeed in Bristol.
The Medical Pneumatic Institution is open for out-patients; and soon will be for in-patients. I shall immediately circulate a prospectus. I hope for further subscriptions. Under the superintendence of a young man of such extraordinary genius, as Mr Davy, I think we may expect useful and curious discoveries.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Thomas Beddoes
Clifton, March 24, 1799
Published: Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and the Arts, 3 (April 1799), 41–42