Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 11 January 1809
To thank you dearest friend is nothing — yet what other method have I of testifying my gratitude? We have known each other so long, so intimately – and now we are placed in circumstances so new that every thing is changed – though you have proved that there is nothing you would not do for me, you do not — I will not finish this you know what I mean – and let what will happen, people always act in character provided they have any to support —
It seems strange to me that no letter from Davy is arrived – I sincerely hope he is not ill [1] —
My dear Davies though the poor Dr had dealings with <Sr Rd> MLxx works any thing that would hurt his fame if possible I would avoid, [2] and as the Dr wrote frequently in great haste a full edition of his writings might not be to the advantage of his memory — a judicious medical man would look them over perhaps leaving out what would injure him — If Davy cannot undertake the Life I think Dr Stock had best do it [3] — I am told Dr Craufuird wants to see me, perhaps upon this subject as Dr Bernard [4] is a particular friend of his, but I can hear of no writings of his excepting a panegyric upon Dr Cloisy which is in the Edinburgh Review —
At times I am very melancholy – adieu
Yours affectionately
Anna
Address: Davies Giddy Esqr MP
Endorsement: 1809 / Jany the 11th
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Notes
[1] Davy had indeed been ill in the last weeks of 1808 – he suffered from pain in his hand and a severe cold.
[2] Sir Richard Phillips (1767–1840) was the publisher of Hygëia and several other of Beddoes’ later works. He had, however, a dubious reputation for sharp practice, vanity and self-advancement.
[3] John Edmonds Stock (1774–1835), one of Beddoes’ assistants, did indeed compile, in 1811, Memoirs of the Life of Thomas Beddoes, M.D., with an Analytical Account of his Writings. This work was generally agreed to be both expurgated and dull.
[4] Another medical practitioner in Bristol.