Letter from Robert Bakewell to Knight Spencer at the Surrey Institution

Ashby de la Zouch
October 14 1812

Sir
I take the liberty of requesting you to inform the Committee at the Surry Institution that if a course of lectures on Geology and Minerology would be acceptable. I expect to be in Town the approaching winter and will undertake to deliver the Lectures. The terms Fifty Guineas. I am at present, and have been during the Summer engaged in a Mineralogical examination of Charnwood Forest and the central parts of England for the Earl of M….(?) Many new and interesting parts tending to elucidate the Geology of our Island have fallen under my observation since my lectures at the Russell(?) Institution.

I expect to conclude my examination for Lord M….(?) in about a Fortnight. A Letter addressed to me at the Post Office Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire will much oblige.
Your obedient servant
Robert Bakewell

PS
Having observed your description of the luminous appearance of the land on the western coach (on the fifth May of last year) I will just observe that similar appearance sometimes are seen in the peat moors in the Northern Counties. On a dark summer night the ground presents numerous phosphorescent(?) points round the Horses feet that tracts(?) over the moors, and also whenever it is forcibly pressed(?). The cause has never been properly investigated.


Knight Spenser Esquire
Addressed to: Knight of Spenser Esq
At the Surry Institution
London


On back fold: Oct 14th 1812
Robt. Bakewell

Red seal in centre