From Thomas Beddoes to James Watt   25 January [1798]

My dear Sir

I intended to set out tomorrow – But your father’s absence from Heathfield & that of W. Reynolds from Ketley determine me to stay till Monday or Tuesday – It is as you suppose the malady of the chaise & not of Mrs B. that has delayed her journey. But she starts (god willing) early on Saturday. I hope to be with you on Wednesday morn^g early. I shall steer for the foundry.

My wish is to take a medical tour in summer – & then to establish the Pn^c Instⁿ – I need not tell the writer of the appendix to your fathers letter how uncertain all such projects are. I shall wish the committee to determine on the assistant or superintendant. But I shall undoubtedly pay all due attention to Mr Thomson’s merits & Mr Robison’s attestation. I have had some correspondence with Dr Millar of Paisley but he has not absolutely made up his own mind – I expect to hear from him daily – His letters are modest & sensible but I had rather – paribus – have a nondum graduatus –

I do not know whether when we meet I shall be able to say anything more precise.

People here seem still torpid – Their interest of the moment is not affected. For me, I believe firmly all you assert of the present & predict of the future –

I am yours truly

Thomas Beddoes
25 Jan.