Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/11/30

Darwin’s second letter to Watt concerning raising funds for Dr. Beddoes’ pneumatic institute.

Nov. 30-94

Derby

Dear Sir,

I put into the Derby paper the account of the medical pneumatic institution, & the subscribers copied from the Birmingham paper, but have gain’d no subscribers except those personally applied to, – which I indeed suspected, the following is the list of them.

Dr. Milnes of Chesterfield 10-10-0
Messrs Strutts 10-10-0
Dr Darwin 5-5-0
Dr. French 2-2-0
Dr. Crumpton 2-2-0
Sam. Fox Esqr. 1-1-0
Isaac Liptrot Esqr. 1-1-0
Mr. Darwin 1-1-0

I also inserted the paragraph you favour’d me with, & another from Dr. Beddoes, & therefore think it not worth advertising any more. The money is in the hands of our bankers Crumpton & Newton except two guineas, which are not yet paid.

I was sorry my other engagements would not permit me to pass a few hours with you, when I was lately in Birmingham, but the short days & moon-less nights prevented me.

I have been so much engaged in common business, & in finishing the second vol. of my book, that I have not thought much about airs.

Mrs. Darwin begs to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Watt & yourself with, dear Sir,

your much obliged friend

Yr servt

E Darwin