1804

Thomas Beddoes to James Watt Jr, 17 November 1804

Dear Sir

I trouble you with 2 little books – 1 for yourself – one for Mr R. Boulton – I flatter myself that the success of my scheme is established in every sense of the word – I hope I can temper constitutions as well as any Birmg^m or Sheffield artist steel –

This may sound as a vain boast – & you may cast y^r thoughts towards poor Gregory – However he latterly was beyond the point at which I want my patients – I design to prosecute trials with elastic fluids, when I have fully gained the confidence of the people here & established the preventive scheme – I have no confidence in my old speculations nor tenderness for them – but I hold it as a fact that the gases have salutary powers – & that in a high degree –

I wish that it had been examined how Gregory died – Had I been at hand indeed, I sh^d not have avowed the wish to your father – For I do not think it becomes me to state obvious though decisive, arguments to a man like him – But I had conceived that he w^d have found some small gratification in knowing exactly the cause of an event, which gave him so much sorrow – as people sometimes like to be acquainted with the particulars of their misfortunes – I professed myself quite ignorant – & as to certain opinions or conjectures, formed at Bath, I c^d scarcely hear of them with^t derision.

You were the person of the family, most likely to have taken the resolution of having the body examined – & I wish the idea had occurred to you, if you were present at the in time.

I am Dear Sir
Y^r obliged friend

Thomas Beddoes

17 Nov 1804

Endorsement: Dr Beddoes / Clifton 27 Nov^r 1804 // accompanying his books on the medical Institution / Remarks upon my brothers complaint
MS: LoB MS 3219/6/02/B/80