THE SCOFFER ABROAD 191 



the week of the anniversary of the Royal Society, when 

 he is necessarily so much occupied. ... He will certainly 

 to-morrow pay his respects where they are so justly due." 



A few days afterward, there was a similar interchange 

 of communication with Mr. James Watt, between whom 

 and Sir Joseph there was much friendly intercourse. But 

 Banks was not to be moved. He had seen no proofs of 

 the efficacy of the new system ; and he ventured to 

 repeat the suggestion that " the medical gentlemen, many 

 of whom are in the most affluent circumstances, should 

 lead the way " by their subscriptions and by their 

 moral support. . . . " You flatter me by saying that 

 my name will be of use to Dr. Beddoes. If it is capable 

 of being useful in attracting other subscribers it is because 

 I have been careful hitherto not to annex it, in any matter 

 of importance to humanity, unless I had sufficient con- 

 viction of the probability of its success. In the case of 

 Dr. Beddoes I do not fully understand it. ... I hope, 

 Sir, this argument will satisfy you that I am not un- 

 reasonable in requesting that I may not be pressed any 

 more by the Doctor's friends to do what I have already 

 formally declined to do." 



By the help of James Watt, R. L. Edge worth, and 

 other liberal friends, the Pneumatic Hospital was opened 

 at Bristol in 1798, and lasted a few years. 



