46 
she idea of a reform sounds terrible to 
those who profit by the corrupt practices 
that decorate and dishyure the ancient 
system; and one abuse, as we knew by 
éxperience, is well calculated to prep and 
support anether. Many, therefore, who 
admired the talents of Dr. Beddoes, were 
alarmed at his principles, and in the very 
bosom of that University, amidst those 
academic groves, where the noblest, 
the purest, and the most. enlightened 
principles, ought to be cherished; he 
was doomed at one critical period to ex- 
perience all the rancour of malignity, and 
encounter all the suspicion incident to 
little, and contracted minds. 
Towards the latter end of 1792, he vo- 
Tuntarily resigned his readership, of which 
he had been. in possession for about six 
years, and was succeeded by Robert 
Bourn, M.D.. It was now time for him 
_ to settle in life, but a considerable period 
elapsed before he could finally determine 
en $6 important an object. His eye was 
naturally fixed at first on the metropolis, 
as presenung an ample ficld for a man 
ambitious of fame, and addicted to the 
pursuit of science. But he soon per- 
ceived, that all the important stations 
were already occupied; and that for 
years, he could only aspire to a secon- 
dary rank among the eminent practi- 
tioners of the capital. 
On this, he pitched on Bristol, where, 
in consequence of the vicinity of the 
hot-wells, which still continue to attract 
some of the first familiesin the kingdom, 
and the swarm of rich citizens,. settled 
both in the town and its neighbourhood, 
there appeared to be full scope for an 
honourable and successful career. 
He had not been long resident there, 
when the prevalent disease of consump~ 
tion, to palliate which the exercise of 
his professional talents was so often in- 
vokea, engaged his particular attention. 
Calling in chemistry to the assistance of 
aedicine, he formed a notion that it was 
possible to cure this cruel disorder, by 
changing the medium, which the patients 
respired, and this gave birth to the Paeu- 
matic Institution, established by him. 
As the attempt was founded on general 
benefit,.and the fortune of a single indi- 
vidual could not be sacrificed with any 
degree of prudence to such an under- 
taking ; many noblemen, and gentlemen, 
we believe, and among others the late 
Marquis of Lansdowne, entered into a 
subscription to epable him to defray the 
expence.. Of the success, I cannot 
speak with any degree of certainty, aad 
Memoirs of the fate Thomas Bezdoes, A.D. 
Feb. i, 
am. upon the whole inclined to consider 
the experiment as more curious than use- 
ful. It was, however, attended with one 
efect, that has in the end proved highly 
favourable, as well as eminently bene- 
ficial to science; for it was the means of 
introducing Mr, Davy to publie notice, 
that gentleman having assisted Dr. Bed- 
does, in constructing the apparatus, and 
performing the various experiments, 
during the course of six months.* To 
the honour of both parties, although they 
separated at the end-of this period, yet 
they preserved an unbroken friend- 
ship, and an uninterrupted correspon- 
dence, with. each other, until death 
snatched the pen out of the hands of one 
of them, and put an end to a connexion, 
founded on mutual regard. . 
I shall now endeavour in this place, 
to take a survey of the literary hfe and 
labours of Dr. Beddoes, without any par-- 
ticular attention, either to dates or sub- 
ject. 
it is pretty evident, that for some time 
at least, he attempted, like the celebrated 
Dr. J. Jebb, occasionally to unite poli- 
tics with medicine ; and while acting as a 
physician, resolved not to omit those 
duties which appertained to him as a 
man. . We accordingly find him attending 
a committee, whieh had been conveked 
preparatory to a general meeting of the 
inhabitants of Bristol, during the progress 
of Mr. Pitt, and Lord Grenville’s “ re- 
strictive bills.”” Soon after this, (1796) 
appeared an “ Essay on the Public Me- 
rits of Mr. Pitt,” by THomas Bepbozs, 
M.D. printed for Joseph Johnson, St. 
Paul’s Charch-yard. Ii is dedicated as 
follows :-— 
<¢ To the House of Commons, 
An Assembly 
Whose Acts for the last Twenty Years, 
No Man 
Who feels for 
Asia, Africa, America, 
Or Europe, 
Can regard, 
Without the profoundest emotions.” 
As an introductory motto to Chap. i. 
we find the following couplet: _ 
<¢ Penned be each pig within his proper stye; 
Nor into state concerns let Doctors pry.” 
In the course of this pamphlet, the 
author gives a sketch of the administra- 
tion of Lord North, and Mr. Pitt. The 
attachment of the nation, to the latter of 
* An account of-She life and scientific la- 
bours of Mr. Davy, will be found in the 
‘© Public Characters for 1809.” 
. these 
