[David Budge & Company, John's Coffee House, Edinburgh.] Manuscript Letter (signed 'David Budge & Cy') to John Watson, Manager, Edinburgh Gas Company, containing a statement of their burners in different part of the building and hours of burning.

1p., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'John Watson Esquire | Manager of the Gass [sic] Light Coy | New Street | Edinburgh', and docketed '1820 | Davd. Budge & Co | Johns Coffee house | Edinburgh 27 Novr | containing a Statt. of their Burners & hours of burning'. The author is annexing 'a Statement of the number of Burners used by us, also the time of burning - As some of the rooms where the gass is in, will seldom be occupied, it will not be necessary to light them unless when there may be Company in them, and as we have since our Commencement been always in the practice of extinguishing the lights the moment the Company leaves the rooms it is understood that we shall continue to do the Same, upon Condition that we pay only accordingly. - We have therefore calculated as nearly as possible the time the different burners is, [sic] and will be used.' The statement contains nine items, including: '3. No. 1. In large room, one of which has not been six times lighted, which we calculate the three for one hour each night. This room is often not lighted. - uncertain and

used on Sundays' | 1. No. 1. In parlour, 1. hour per night Often not lighted, as we have to put Candles in it for many people - Same proportion as the other days in the week'. The Edinburgh Gas Light Company (estd 1817)brought the first gas lighting to the city, in 1819. John's Coffee House was for many years an Edinburgh landmark (see J. Macbeth Forbes, '"John's": A famous Edinburgh Coffee House' (Blackwood's, 1910)).