Thomas Beddoes to Josiah Wedgwood, [March 1800]
Dear Sir
The catastrophe of poor Ollivier & the part I was obliged to take in the business of the Coroner & in his interment occupied me so much that I cd not make a search for the MS previous to the departure of the last remains of your people. I have looked since, but have not yet discovered it, though I know I have it safe. I will rummage the house & send it au premier moment.
Some time before Tom’s arrival at Clifton he told me [xxxx] [xxxx] [xxxx] that by Lady day he shd. be rich enough to advance us part of his contribution to the Pneumatic Instn by lady-day – While he was at Clifton, he never mentioned the subject; & it wd. have been uncivil (& almost inhuman) to obtrude any ideas, which had not a personal reference, upon him. Did he ever give you any instructions on this subject? I give up another point, which was settled between us. It related to the lectures I advertised. On my stating the good I thought I cd do in this way; & the necessity of purchasing some expensive books of plates for the illustration of the subject, he empowered me to dispose of 50 tickets (at a guinea each) on his acct – But on the one hand I do not feel inclined to force this project – & on the other, the care of his health with other things must have taken a good deal of his ready money – & it goes agt one’s feelings to press the generous so I shall not at all avail myself of the permission above-mentioned – but the other project wd be glad of any assistance in 5 or 6 months – we have a new & strong case in favour of palsy. The Bp of Durham has written to me about his protégé. T.B.
Address: Josiah Wedgwood Esq / Gunville / Blandford
Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / March 1800
MS: WE/EL/1/1/E1–569