| Description | (Directed to Mr. Reinhard's.)
My dearest Son,
Be of good comfort, your father loves you better than himself; and, though much alarm'd, yet upon a moment's reflection he rejoices that he hath a virtuous son living, that he hath preserved his honour, and that he is not marryed?I say not marryed because it would be exceedingly indiscreet for you to think upon that subject untill you know more of the world and the deceptions and artifices of its inhabitants. God bless you. Fly instantly; fly without a pause from Calypso and all her enchantments; dread her more than rocks and storms. You see not your own danger. Pray take my advice in the present case, and be assured that when your youth is ripen'd into manhood, your reason more mature, and your experience and knowledge of the human heart and human race is greater, I shall be the first to promote your happiness, for in seeing you happily marryed would be the sumit of all my wishes; but in the present case I shudder at the danger you are in. I have heard something of the person you mention from Jim Watt, who, I believe, had no acquaintance with the party.
I am unwilling that you should leave Germany untill you are master of the language, but if you remain at Stadfelt I am perswaded you will not be master of your self; therefore hast away to Frieburg. Learn the language, learn minerology, and improve your mind untill I can form some other plan for you.
I shall loose the post if I write more, but don't let me close this letter without expressing the satisfaction I feel in your writing to me so openly and candidly. Be assured, my dear son, you will never find a friend that you can consult with so much advantage to your self, nor one whose sincerity you can so much depend upon as upon mine. Continue, my dear Matt, to make me your confident. I shall never deceive you.
I will write again per next post, and in the intrem I pray God to guard and preserve you. I am, my dear son, your most affectionate father,
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |