University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Draft letter from Joseph Black, Edinburgh to Princess Dashkova, dated 29 Aug. 1787. The letter is about University news and contains an account of James Hutton's theory of the earth.

Letter from Boyon de Baert, Glasgow to Joseph Black, dated 16 July 1787. The letter is about de Baert asking if there are any letters for him and he mentions Hutton, Adam Smith, his visit to Mull etc. The item contains draft letter from Joseph Black to Boyon de Baert, dated 18 July 1787 in reply.

Letter from Doctor Thomas Beddoes, Oxford to Joseph Black, dated 21 April 1789. The letter mentions William Thomson, Doctor Hutton, Doctor Priestley, chemical and medical news, etc.

Letter from Doctor Thomas Beddoes, Oxford to Joseph Black, dated 23 February 1788. The letter is about Beddoes' sketch of a system of chemistry, the success of his chemical lectures at Oxford, Black's skill in demonstration, Hutton's theory of the earth. It also mentions Cavendish, Withering, Morveau, etc.

Letter from Doctor Thomas Beddoes, Oxford to Joseph Black, dated 15 April 1791. The letter is about James Hutton's theory of the earth, chemistry, a 'pastry cook' inventor. In the letter, Beddoes also asks for specimen for his mineralogical lectures.

Letter from Doctor Thomas Beddoes, Oxford to Joseph Black, dated 14 June 1792. The letter is about James Hutton's theory of the earth and Beddoes asking for mineralogical specimens.

Letter from James Byres, Rome to Joseph Black, dated 26 September 1785. The letter is about introducing Mr Waters. Byres mentions Mr Home and Sir James Hall and also asks to be remembered to Mr Smith, Doctor Hutton, Mr Russel, Mr MacGowan, etc.

Letter from James Watt, Birmingham to Joseph Black, dated 8 June 1788. The letter is about two plated tea urns that Watt has sent, one for Black and the other for Hutton. In the letter, Watt also describes a device for measuring specific gravity and mentions Doctor Priestley.

Letter from Mr Cumming to Joseph Black and Doctor Hutton, dated 30 December, no year. The letter is an invitation to supper and an added note says "Mrs Cuming ...will take care to keep a piece of Bun to his (Hutton's) hugminy." The item also includes notes on waters examined for Edinburgh, December 1785, written in Joseph Black's hand. The item was found too late to be put in chronological order.

Letter from Valentine Girard, Paris to Joseph Black, dated 7 September 1787. The letter is about lodgings in Paris for a student (possibly Black's nephew), and l'ablee Guijot, who is looking for manuscripts of David Hume's History with a view to translation. Contains note [on the manuscript] by Black.