From Thomas Beddoes to T G Estcourt   29 July 1808

Dear Sir

If I am not misinformed, women have been much employed in the corn harvest in Wiltshire of late years. If so, c^d you inform me whether it has been in reaping & what has been the usual allowance of ale or strong beer if women in the field use stronger fermented liquors –

How much a day of these liquors is the usual daily allowance of men in the corn harvest –

I remember hearing you once say at Estcourt that navigators as they are vulgarly called or men employed in digging a canal near you abstained from fermented liquors with advantage – I have repeatedly examined Mr Jessop here & there is no such virtue & he thinks was little practiced among this class –

I hope you have received my two late letters – I remain with compt^s my dear Sir

yr^s most faithfully

Thomas Beddoes

29 July 1808

℞
Calcis muriatae lbii

to take a teaspoon twice a day in milk – increasing the dose to two by degrees

Mast^r Ed^d Estcourt T.B.
29 Julii
1808