Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 2 December 1799

2 Dec

Dear Giddy

I do not know whether what I am going to say to you will appear extravagant – But I always recollect that when I ask anything of a man he has as good a right to refuse as I have to ask <& so I hardly feel chagrin from a failure.> You w^d have heard from Davy that I have tried living with cows in desperate cases of consumption with much promise of success – in 3 out of 6 cases of consumption where digitalis & what else c^d be thought of had been tried in vain I hope to succeed Dr. Priestley’s disorder – the most desirable patient one c^d have on account of the celebrity of the name – is I trust out of danger – but living with cows is what will not suit in general and is not I suppose at all necessary – & I want to ascertain compleatly what is necessary – & for this I must fit up a building for the reception of patients – And I have not at present at command above half the necessary sum – I suppose from £400 to £500 will be sufficient – Now will you risque £250 upon the chance of discovering a cure for consumption & of having it back doubled if the scheme answers. No doubt <in that case> I should profit largely & there is no reasion why you should not gain by the adventure –

I am afraid T. Wedgwood is hopelessly ill – he writes to me & comes to about talk with me his health but I believe he follows his own ideas & I cannot presume to think that mine w^d be more worth following –

I expect Buonaparte to act a part for which history affords no precedent – to do in politics what Mahomet did in religion without the bigotry & the ambition.

My wife desires to be remembered to your sister – I am glad to hear an acc^t upon the whole so favourable

yrs truly

Thomas Beddoes

PS I do not wish that you sh^d even risque a sum on the mere success of that scheme, which however I believe will answer – if my practice goes on as well as as it has done in 2 years I sh^d return you the sum with the usual interest –

Address: Davies Giddy Esq / Tredrea / Cornwall
Endorsement: Doctor Beddoes / Dec 98 or 99
Postmark: BRISTOL / DEC
MS: Cornish Archives MS DG 42/34

The full versions of these letters with textual apparatus will be published by Cambridge University Press.