first administered appear to have been a compound mixture of diluted ether with hydrogen or azotic gas; but subsequently carbonic acid gas, obtained by pouring on it diluted sulphuric acid. Erasmus Darwin, whose acquaintance Beddoes had made in 1788, looked favourably on these attempts to solve the question as to how far pneumatic chemistry could aid in the cure of disease; and Dr. Withering of Birmingham, Dr. Ewart of Bath, and Dr. Thornton of London, lent their countenance to the scheme. The first idea appears to have been that the Pneumatic Institution should be merely a place for chemical trial; a testing point, as it were, for the gases to be used in private practice. But as time progressed it occurred to Beddoes that the Institution would best answer its intended purpose were it made capable of receiving from six to twelve patients; these to remain whilst cure was in progress. The necessary apparatus would be on the spot, the gases in their highest state of efficiency, and medical aid constantly at hand. In this idea he was encouraged by the Duchess of Devonshire, then residing at Clifton; and, as funds were necessary, he made known his intentions to a number of persons, and received in return assurances of co-operation. It is not very clear by what means Beddoes came first in contact with the Wedgwoods. It may have been through the instrumentality of Keir, whom he knew, of Edgeworth, of Darwin, or of Watt. But, at least, one of the earliest of the letters bearing relation to the extension of the Pneumatic Institution was addressed to the elder Wedgwood; and by him, as was customary, promptly and generously responded to. None knew better than he did, who had had to contend with disease under the pressure of incessant duty, the THE PNEUMATIC INSTITUTION. 61 great boon conferred by every true advance in the art of medicine. The sum is not given; but Beddoes's letters of appeal were only written in the autumn of 1794, and on December 4 in the same year it was Mr. Byerley's province to pay into Coutts's bank a remittance to his credit.1 1 The machinery at first employed in the administration of fictitious airs was ludicrously complicated; but an application to Watt resulted in an apparatus as simple as it was efficacious. Of this Watt wrote a description, which was appended to Beddoes' later pamphlets on 'Fictitious Airs.' His correspondence with Watt was spread over a considerable period, and is said to have been of a most interesting character; for it included the discussion of many points of scientific interest, besides those connected with pneumatic chemistry. The men, too, were so different, and yet so original-Watt cautious, reflective, severely logical, and desponding; Beddoes sanguine to a fault, hasty in judgment, and prone to theories which, in many respects, proved little more than day dreams. His contribution to the Pneumatic Institution was amongst the last benevolent acts of the elder Wedgwood's life. He died a month afterwards, January 3, 1795; and from that day the English Etruria might be considered a place of the past. Disintegrating influences were soon at work; and his family, dispersed hither and thither, were brought within new influences, and more or less into connection with the opening of a greater age of fresh thought and freer action. 1 Mayer MSS. 62 REMOVAL FROM GREEK STREET. CHAPTER III. Removal of Wedgwood's Show Rooms from Greek Street, Soho, to York Street, St. James's Square-Spaciousness of the Premises-Fine Objects shown there-The Rendezvous of eminent Men-Progress of the Pneumatic Institution-Thomas Wedgwood a Patient-His Faith in the ultimate Value of Pneumatic Chemistry as a Branch of Science The Predilection of the Staffordshire Potters for the South of England-The Cause of this-Bristol-Coleridge and SoutheyColeridge's Introduction to Thomas Poole of Nether Stowey-Poole a Tanner, and a Man of extraordinary Parts-His Friend Mr. Purkis.— De Quincey's Opinion of Poole-The Watchman-Coleridge's Journey through the Midland Counties-His Settlement at Nether Stowey— Wordsworth to his Sister-Description of Coleridge-The Wordsworths at Alfoxden-Its beautiful Neighbourhood-Suspicions of the Tory Squires-Information sent to the Government-Cottle's VisitThomas Wedgwood at Nether Stowey-Humphrey Davy-Thomas and Josiah Wedgwood pass a Winter at Penzance-They assist Davy -Mr. Giddy, afterwards Gilbert-Davy introduced to Beddoes-His Removal to Bristol-Mr. Wedgwood and Mr. Lambton generously aid the Pneumatic Institution-The Fictitious Gases-Their EffectsCharacter of Beddoes-Great Ability as a Physician-Frogs-Failure of the Institution-Philosophic Toys-Coleridge's Necessities-Preaches -Offers his Services to the Unitarians at Shrewsbury-Refusal of 1007.-Memorable Sermons-Hazlitt present at the first-Accepts an Annuity of 150%. per annum for life, and quits the Ministry-Thomas Wedgwood in search of an Estate-His continuous Illness and Depression -Both Coleridge and Wordsworth visit Germany at his Expense-In Somersetshire-His Letters-Buys Castle Florey-His female Servant -His domestic Projects-Proposed Sale of Etruria Hall-A Step to be regretted-The elder Mrs. Wedgwood in Somersetshire-Thomas Wedgwood again a Wanderer. THE leases of the several premises in Greek Street, Soho, which Wedgwood had held from the autumn of 1773, were, at the time of his death, expired, or nearly so; and in the March following application was made for their renewal to the agent of the Duke of Portland. But, it being the intention of his Grace |