Remarks on the Opinion of Henry Eeles, Esq; concerning the Ascent of Vapour

During the 18th century, when scientific investigations, theories, and conclusions were growing, there often arose a situation in which one scientist disagreed with the theory or conclusion put forth by another scientist. This paper is an example of such a situation. Henry Eeles had proposed that vapors rose because they had absorbed an electrical charge. Dr. Darwin disagreed with this theory, but felt that since he was not a Fellow of the Royal Society (F. R. S.), he was unable to challenge Mr. Eele's position. Therefore, on March 23, 1757 he wrote a letter to Mr. William Watson, F. R. S., with two attached technological letters, requesting that Mr. Watson, after reading his letters and agreeing they were suitable for presenting to the Royal Society, forward them for their consideration. Mr. Watson did agree, and the letters were read before the Society on May 5, 1757.

The resulting paper in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society bore the title Remarks on the Opinion of Henry Eeles, Esq; concerning the Ascent of Vapour, published in the Philosophical Transactions Vol. Xlix. Part I. p. 124. By Erasmus Darwin, M.D. Communicated by William Watson, F. R. S. The paper was published in 1758 in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Volume L, Part I for the year 1757, pages 240-254. The paper, which measures approximately 6 x 9 inches, has been disbound from the Transactions. The pages are lightly tanned, with text that is clear and easily read. The overall condition of the article is good.

The illustrations accompanying this description show page 240 (the first page of the letter to William Watson), page 241 (the last part of the letter to William Watson and the first page of Letter I.), and page 248 (the last page of Letter I and the first page of Letter II), and page 254 (the last page of Letter II).

Erasmus Robert Darwin FRS (12 December 1731 – 18 April 1802) was an English physician. One of the key thinkers of the Midlands Enlightenment, he was also a natural philosopher, physiologist, slave-trade abolitionist, inventor, and poet. His poems included much natural history, including a statement of evolution and the relatedness of all forms of life. He was a member of the Darwin-Wedgwood family, which includes his grandsons Charles Darwin and Frahcis Galton. Darwin was a founding member of the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a discussion group of pioneering industrialists and natural philosophers. He turned down an invitation from George III to become Physician to the King. [Wikipedia]

Sir William Watson, FRS (3 April 1715 – 10 May 1787) was a British physician and scientist who was born and died in London. His early work was in botony, and he helped to introduce the work of Carolus Linnaeus into England. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1741 and vice president in 1772. He was knighted in 1786. [Wikipedia]