| Description | (Two letters on one sheet.)
London Novr 23d 1802
Mr Boulton
My Dear Sir
I received yours containing the melancholy news of the loss of our friend Mrs Keir, which was as much unexpected as lamented by us. We sympathize most sincerely with Mr Keir & family, the loss to the former cannot be repaired, to the latter other cares will in time obliterate it. As to ourselves we cannot help feeling with deep regret the circle of our old friends gradualy diminishing while our ability to encrease it by new ones is equaly diminished but perhaps it is a wise dispensation of providence so to diminish our enjoyments in this world that when our turn comes we may leave it without regret.
I am glad to find that you continue tolerably easy, & I hope you will get well through the winter. for our parts we are in our usual health, though some what depressed by the bad news you sent us & the fogs of November.
As to Paris news I must reserve them till I see you-I have brought over a set of their weights for you, but I believe they are little if at all used in practice. In respect to their coinage if you can prevent their stealing your secret & convince them you know more on the subject than any one else I believe you may yet have a chance for it; but probably you will succeed better by opening a negociation with them directly than through third hands.
Mrs Watt joins me in best wishes to you Mr & Miss Boulton & kind remembrances to all friends. I remain
My Dear Sir
Your's affectionately
James Watt
My dear Sir
Accept of my best thanks for your kind letter which I received yesterday the distressing news it contained I will not now enter upon I mourn for Mr Keir the loss of dear friends is the heaviest of all humane afflections and never can be repaired I with a very greateful heart thank God that our journey has had so favourable a termination & trust we shall all soon meet at Soho with health and smiling comfort and find you as able to enjoy your freinds and cast away care as when we left you I have put myself under Mr Dumergues care & he has begun with taking out a teeth it will be some days before I can make my escape from him He gives me a very favourable account of your health at which I greatly rejoice with best love to yourself Miss Boulton and y[our] Son I remain
Your Affect friend
A Watt
I can hear no account of our good friend Miss Alston I wrote her a long letter from Paris but never recieved any answer I intended to have wrote Miss Boulton by this Packet but for want of time am obliged to defer it If I can be of any use to her while in town I request she will let me know at No. 29 Norfolk street strand. |