Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Matthew Boulton, 1784/01/17

Darwin writes to Boulton to request repayment of a loan and of the attempt of the Derby philosophical society to send an air balloon to Soho.

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Derby Jan 17-84

Dear Boulton,

If it be not very inconvenient to you to pay me the 200£ (as you seem’d to say when I had the pleasure of seeing you), it would be very acceptable to me at this time, as I have a sum of money to pay, to compleat a purchase I made here some time ago.

I hope philosophy and fire-engines continue to go on well. You heard we sent your society an air-balloon, which was calculated to have fallen in your garden at Soho; but the wicked wind carried to Sir Edward Littleton’s.

Pray give my Compliments to your learned society, and believe me, dear Sir

Your affect. friend

And obed. serv.

E Darwin