1799

Thomas Beddoes to Matthew Robinson Boulton, 28 November [1799]

Nov. 28

Dear Sir

I can recollect distinctly a circumstance which may lead to determine whether the missing nos. are those I had. In the first place the last parcel was all unbound – the circumstance I mean is that two at least of the numbers contained an analysis of the publication of a society in Holland, consisting of papers of verbal criticism Greek & Roman & middle-age antiquities – If I mistake not, one number of this analysis made the first article in one no. number of the magazine – & I think volume I and II were those analysed – If you find these articles it will be a proof that what I had were returned – If not, of the contrary – It is so long since that it will be difficult but I will try to ascertain the carrier –

In your exp^t with the newly tried gas, I do not wonder you were disappointed – We have numerous assignations of persons, anxious to try the air & were at first continually defeated by bad management – & I believe y^t at present all or almost all) the trials that shall be made, that in the appropriate institutions, to cure diseases by this air will turn out abortive half-exp^s, as most others in pneumatic medicine have been – The trouble of making air enough for 2 or 3 patients is incredible – & the last salt we had from Mr Biddle was miserably bad in one respect – I do not doubt but I c^d make you swoon or jump over all the chairs & tables in the room –

I have now a parcel of German books on the road which I hope will come safely along the former channel.

I think upon the whole all the cow-patients are better – But I was near misconducting the process – But I believe I have now discovered on what success depends

I am D^r Sir
Your obliged friend

Thomas Beddoes

P.S. Should it be necessary to say anything to say anything to Mr Busch of Hamburgh, you will I trust order it done – But there is nothing changed in my commission to the Leipsic bookseller & I suppose your directions to Mr Busch were intended to be standing orders –

Address: To / M. Robinson Boulton / Soho / Birmingham
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Nov 28. 1798 // Reasons for thinking the missing num^br of the Magazine <was> not sent to him / Progress of his experimn^t with the gaseous oxide of azote & wonderful effects of it – / Alledged causes for the failure of our experim^t
MS: LoB MS 3782/13/8/17