1804

Thomas Beddoes to Richard Smith, 10 October 1804

Dear Sir

I am much obliged to you for y^r note & especially for offering the benefit of y^r influence in case my anat^l lectures sh^d be given – There are two striking reasons for wishing you c^d have joined 1. Your being known – & 2. The preparations you possess & can obtain the use of as I suppose

Mr Alcock, who will stay with me this winter & after some time settle elsewhere, w^d I believe undertake a course – & I w^d assist him by the best lectures of application I c^d draw up. But for want of suff^t preparations, I do not know if he c^d make the attempt properly

I am aware that the suggestion I am going to risk is a bold one, perhaps unreasonable – But if you & Mr Bowles w^d trust him with a moderate qt^y of your preparations, he w^d risque the proposal of a course – We have skeletons injected subjects & a certain no of specimens – & I have a considerable collection of the best plates – [MS torn] all this will not, I [MS torn] do with^t assistance –

Whatever conditions you chose sh^d be religiously followed – The best security is that Mr Alcock is a man of integrity & a good anatomist – Any other sh^d be given –

I beg you to believe that sh^d you refuse this application, I sh^d not think I had the least title to feel chagrined – & I only request you not to mention the idea of lectures –

Thomas Beddoes

10 Oct 1804

Address: Mr Smith / Surgeon
Endorsement: Papers relative to Alcocks lectures
MS: Bristol Archives MS 35893/36/e