| Description | (Directed to Mr. Reinhard's.)
My dear Son,
I wrote to you by the last mail, since which I have remain'd very uneasy about you, and shall do untill I hear that you are removed a hundred miles from Stedfielt.
It is strange, but true, that I have by a most extraordinary accident learnt some anecdotes of the person alluded to in your letter which both you and Mr. Reinhard will be astonished at, particularly when I say 'tis probable I know more of her character than either of you do: at least, I know so much as to feel the same sensations which I should do if I saw you standing upon a pinnacle of the highest projecting cliff, from whence a fatal slip would termenate your existance. You are too young and inexperienced in the arts of woman to see your danger, or to judge soundly on what your future happiness in life depends. Tear your self away; begon instantly; and if you ever fall in love with a chaste, virtuous woman I shall second you, but without virtue it is impossible that happiness should long exist, or that I or your sister should ever associate with, or receive into my family, a person whose character is -------.
In my last I thought of your going to Fryburg to study mineralogy under Mr. Werner, but upon second thought I conclude that it will be better for you to join Mr.Collins and to travil with him. To vary the scene, to see a variety of persons and places will amuse you, and will be a little introduction into business, for you have much to learn before you are qualify'd to grapple with the world. I have wrote by this post to Collins to settle with you, per post, when you shall meet. The last letter we had from Collins was dated the 19th June from Osnabrück, saying he would set out from Quackenbrück next day, and that the next letters to him should be directed to the care of Mr. George Hein. Büsh in Hamburgh, where I suppose he will receive my letters, and from there he may come half way to meet you, as you and he may settle. You must request some letters of credit, either from Striberg or some other friend, and when you meet with Collins he will provide the necesary. I have not intimated the least tittle to Collins of any reasons for this change of plan, except that of my desire for you to travil and begin to attend to business. Neither have I given the least intimation to your sister or any other person of the subject of your letter, nor shall I, and therefore keep you own council. Write to me directly and as often as possible. It is necessary that you should be furnished with letters from me to introduce you into good company where ever you go, and so soon as I learn from you what road you and Collins mean to go I will send you proper letters.
The time will shortly come when you will see the danger you are in in another point of view and be thankfull that you had a father to snatch you from it. Besides, it is not only your own happiness that is at stake, but it is the happiness of your father and your sister also, because we hope to see you marry a modest, discreet, amiable, and virtuous young woman, whom we shall love as a daughter or a sister and live together in perfect harmony, but the fatal step you were about to take would have blasted all our hopes and put an end to the happiness of us all. Therefore depart, and if you cannot travil, nor fix your self in Germany so as to be comfortable and to make your self master of writing and speaking the language-I say, if you cannot, then, and in that case only, come and take refuge in my arms in England.
I pray God to preserve you and guide you in those paths of virtue and honour which lead to a happy old age, and remain ever, with most fervent prayers for your health, happiness, and prosperity in life, my dear son, your sincere friend and most affectionate father,
Mattw. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |