| Description | (Directed to Johann Christian Wiegleb's. A draft of this letter, written the day before, is among Matthew Boulton's papers.)
My dear Son,
I have receiv'd one letter from you this year dated the 3d of February, which I should have answer'd a few posts ago, but I have been confin'd to my chamber for a fortnight past, have been blooded, blister'd, and run through all the medical gantlet, which hath taken away my disorder but hath left me feeble at present.
I am glad you have got the fossills safe. I have also sent you another box full of terra pondarosa aerata. It is consign'd to Messrs. Isnell & Martin, merchants in Amsterdam, to be forwarded to you by the coach or other conveyance. I would with pleasure have sent Mr. Wigleb a piece of plumbago such as you discribe, but I have no such piece; however, I will write to my friend Gilbert (who is a partner in the mine) to send me such a one.
I observe what you propose respecting an excursion to the mines in Bohemia, Saxony, and Fryburg, and assure you it would give me pleasure to comply with your wishes on that head, particularly as Mr. Wiegleb intended to be of the party; but there are various circumstances and considerations which have lately occur'd that induce me to wish you to return home so soon as your present course of lectures are finished.
In the first place, all my Cornish plans of mineing are at an end, both for my self and you. The people of Cornwall and their mines are all grown poor since you was there. The depths and expences are greater, and the price of ore lower, and there is no prospect of their mending. I have lately examin'd the state of our mineing accounts, and I find we have lost several thousand pounds by mineing. You have much to learn here of more consequence; the journey may be attended with loss of time and danger, and may give you the mineing mania and turn your mind from things of real advantage-at least, I think you may see those countries and mines to more real advantage on some future occasion.
At present I am desireous that you should return home, for various reasons: first, I think you and I have not lived together enough for you to become my very son in principles and disposition, and I am desireous we should be better acquainted, as well as haveing the pleasure of your company before I retire. I also wish to see you better qualify'd than my self to conduct the establishments I have made at great expence, which, if continued with oeconomy and prudence, may become very advantageous to you, or, per contra, ruinous. I begin to feel my self infirm, and overloaded with business, and the more I struggle with my load the faster will my infirmities encrease. I am therefore desireous that you should seriously turn your thoughts to actual business, and [be] established in it before I die.
I have train'd up hundreds of young men, but so thinly are sown the seeds of honour and gratitude in the human heart that I have not been able to select any one proper for a partner, associate, friend, and assistant for you-except your old school fellow Bennett, whose worth you did not know. his aprentiship expired last week without one spot of vice or neglect from the first to the last hour of it. I had agreed with him to carry on a certain aditional branch of manufacture at Soho, which he enter'd upon with great zeal, fitted up shops, and made a begining, when lo! he was seized with a violent fever, and died yesterday morning, most sincerely lamented by me and all Soho.
I had some thoughts of your makeing a tour to some of the great cities in Germany, particularly to Berlin, and of giveing you introductions to persons of distinction, but under all the circumstances I have turn'd over in my mind, I think it better for you to return home so soon as your present course of chymistry is finished.
You may this summer get a little introduction and light into business, and next winter (if God permitt) you may go to Edinburg, attend Dr. Black's lectures through one course of chymistry in your own language, also Dr. Robinson through one course of natural, experemental, and mechanical philosophy; at the same time you may study rhetorick and the bell letters, which are essential embelishments to the character of a gentleman; then return to business for a time, after which you may make a usefull tour through Germany, &c. (with Collins or some other), with infinite more advantage to your self and country than at present, as you will then be qualify'd to examine manufactures and see the state of arts both usefull and ornamental.
These are my present sentiments, and I hope, upon your deliberate consideration, they will be yours.
I was going to make some remarks upon the mistaken notions of the Germans in money and coin, but I perceive I shall loose the post if I attempt it, but will write again soon.
Your sister and Miss Mynd are well and desire their love to you.
I had almost forgot to desire you to purchase for my friend Dr. Withering the eighteen different works specify'd in the catologue inclosed. I presume Leipsick is the best market for them, but please to consult Mr. Wiegleb, to whom present my best compliments. N.B. They must be bought unbound, as there is a high duty in England upon binding. I suppose they may cost perhaps 30 or 40£; however, get them as cheap as you can, and I will write to Mr. Striberg to furnish you with the money. Pray write to me instantly.
May God bless and preserve your body and mind is the fervent wish of your affectionate father,
Mattw. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |