Thomas Beddoes to Thomas Grimston Estcourt, 10 January 1807

Sir

Clifton affords every species of accommodation which an invalid visitor can wish – The Inn here is called the York house. At the Wells are other inns – & every where plenty of good lodging houses – I feel with you that Bristol w^d be a situation far from desireable.

Your statement gives a good general idea of Miss Estcourt’s case – And from the constant habit of attending to such complaints, I cannot be very slow at catching their nature. You seem to me very justly to observe that a very different ~~that a very diff^t~~ treatment must be required from that which was at one time observed –

Collecting as I do from the tenour of y^r letter & the general feelings of parents, that it must be a prime object with you to get this young lady’s health restored, I take the liberty of suggesting what follows. I am very often desired to see patients at much greater distances & I think you will allow that in the state in which Miss Estcourt finds herself at present, it w^d be most highly desireable if her symptoms c^d be materially lessened without the removal. A change of air at a more favourable season may contribute materially to compleat the cure. For I confess to you that I feel assured that much may be done in the case – What occurs to me is that if I c^d obtain so much insight into the complaint as to proceed for a time by the help of correspondence – When you have determined for or against the eligibility of this plan, you will probably favour me with a line – & I will then do my best according to circumstances though I should be loath to attempt any thing without a personal interview the necessity of which you seem also to feel –

You are pleased to compliment a book of mine – You may be assured Sir that nothing can gratify me more than to learn from such good authority that my endeavours have in some measure answered their end –

I am
Sir
Your very obedient servant

Thomas Beddoes

Clifton
10 Jan. 1807

Address: T. Estcourt Esq / Estcourt / Tetbury / Gloucestershire
Endorsement: Jan 10. 1807 / Beddoes
MS: Gloucestershire Archives D1571/F227

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