From Thomas Beddoes to James Watt   4 October 1794

Dear Sir

I passed 2 or 3 hours yesterday with Dr Ewart alone. His publication & its degree of forwardness he mentioned, but not the circumstance you speak of. It being as you say unpleasant to repeat the same things in two publications, I shall immediately do as you desire & send Dr Ewart your printed sheet & all that is set of ye 2nd. Upon this I leave you & him to do as you please, only adding (in case you wish to know my sentiments) that I cannot have the slightest repugnance to your permitting him to publish the abstract you speak of. What I have to say of Capper is more favourable as to his immediate feelings. He got over the feverishness, clearly produced by spice, in a few days with some decrease of strength. It seems clearly also proved by his experience that the dyspnea (which harassed him once) is completely relieved by modified air.

Tomorrow I will send you 2 sheets of my matter. An unskilful compositor – not he who printed your sheet – altered my last proof upon his own authority, & made such compleat nonsense that I must cancel a leaf. I shall be ready in time. I almost fear your engraver is more behind than he owns. If not, I wd rather have the 1st & 2nd <plate immediately> or either if finished & the 3rd 2 or 3 days afterwards; for the careful impression of the plates some time will be requisite: I shall correct any thing that appears to require it in your final communication, & must now perforce obey the adjuration to the priestess. I like the hints as to a totally artificial atmosphere & shall use them in the little I say upon that subject –

Yrs with much esteem

Thos Beddoes

Octr 4

Please cite as “BEDDOES-LETTER-128,” in Ɛpsilon: Thomas Beddoes Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/epsilon-testbed/beddoes/letters/BEDDOES-LETTER-128