From Thomas Beddoes to Davies Giddy   [1806/7]

Dear Giddy

What do you think of this project as useful & as practicable? – To collect the best original observers on fever into vols with double columns i.e. printed like the annual register – It is a fact that many of the best are quite unknown in this country & had they been known, practitioners in the W. Indies &c &c w^d have been less puzzled by the yellow fever – so w^d ours at home in many cases – & many authentic obs^ns exist which have not been applied – prevailing doctrines bringing into neglect all observ^ns not conformable to them –

I sh^d take upon me to regulate the choice – add some notices respecting the school from which the observers came –

I suppress the consd^ns that might be brought into a prospectus you will anticipate them – But do you think the scheme w^d strike people out of the profession, as country gentleman, navy captains, colonels &c &c as no doubt the collection w^d form an excellent library for ships &c – & gentlemen might get it to lend their neighbouring surgeons – at least in some situations – I w^d not ask any favour of ministers but if one c^d get their influence on the pure ground of utility, it w^d be useful – The booksellers must be consulted – There sh^d be no subscriptions received beforehand but it w^d be well to feel how the public is disposed – 15 or 20 vols might be filled by degrees – Such a collection might be truly stated as suitable to a time of war –