Item 126 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

7 pp

Edinburgh - The Forbes family have pleasant memories of WW and Lady Affleck's recent visit - 'which I sincerely hope may be repeated'. JDF has read WW's review of Bacon with interest since you told me where to find it. Mr Spedding's publication now assumes a formidable magnitude' ['Review of Spedding and Ellis's edition of Francis Bacon', 1857]. JDF has just had a letter from William Thomson 'asking me to be present at a public dinner to be given to him in Glasgow in connection with the Atlantic Telegraph. That, as you know is not in my line. And while cordially rejoicing in our excellent friends distinction, I cannot help severely regretting that he has mixed himself up so much with the commercial branch of the affair - which besides is far from prosperous. He is not only a Director but a Patentee in connection with it'.