| Description | My dear Son,
Although I am very busy to day, I am unwilling that another mail should depart without acknowledging the reception of your two letters dated Brussells, September 1, and Franckfort, the 13th, which I must say afforded me more satisfaction than any letters I ever receiv’d: first, because they reliev’d my anxiety for your health and safety, and secondly, because they contain sentiments and assurances that make me look forward with pleasure to the time when you will return to Soho and become my confidential friend and assistant, when our mutual endeavours to promote mutual happiness will be the only struggle between us.
Sorry am I to say that is not the case at Harper’s Hill, where every thing is inharmonious and Jim is no longer to dwell there—a loss to his family as well as to B. & W. I do all I can to promote peace, but all in vain, and I believe Jim is now to go to the Manchester trade: but I think it prudent for you to be silent on this subject.
Mr. Salt is dead, Mr. Walters at Handsworth is dead, and Mr. Vere is dying, and thus there remains three rich, agreeable widows who have all in turn been given to me by the tea table gossops; but, alass, I love my children too well to ever think of risking their happiness by the introduction of a mother in law into my family—no, no, that shall never be; I have seen too many fatal examples.
I yesterday receiv’d a letter from Mr. Delassert, and another from Mr. Manuel wondering at our silence and saying Madam De Lassert hath been ill. I shall write to them next post and I think you should do so likewise, for of all sins I think that of ingratitude is the worst, as it is often an indication of a bad heart, and a bad heart is the fountain not only of life but of all evil. Pray appologise for your long silence, and assure Madame of your gratefull remembrance of all her motherly kindnesses to you dureing your residence in France and of your great regard for every branch of her family, and likewise for Mr. Guyot; and I think you should not slight Mr. Manuel by your silence. His present adress is Manuel, Maison Fouchy, rue de Portes, a Paris.
I am very much obliged to Mr. Striber for his offers of friendship to you and wish I could retaliate his kindness upon his son, but I cannot get him to come to Soho so often as I wish. He spent his evening at Soho two nights ago, when I learnt he had left Mr. Startin’s house and was gone to live at the Shakspeare Tavern; but I shall offer him a bed at Soho, which I think is more proper than at any tavern.
I am much concern’d at Mr. Rheinhard’s loss, as it will natural overcloud his spirits; but you must take every occasion to amuse his mind and turn it to agreeable subjects; and don’t leave him oftener than you think it agreeable to him. He will probably not lay you under any great restraints, as I hope you will not stand in need; yet, nevertheless, I would have you restrain your self within the bounds of his wishes, and the more you can contribute to his happiness the more you will promote your own, particularly as you are destin’d to live together untill you can write and speak the German language, which I hope you will incessantly labour at untill you are master of it; and the sooner that happens the sooner you will return to Soho.
I was well pleas’d that you fell in with Mr. Oats of Leeds (whose mother, I believe, was Dr. Rowbuck’s sister) and thereby render’d your journey more agreeable and expeditious. As to the extra expence, I do not think of it as I should have done if it had been layd out in any kind of dissipation.
I have been fateagued with much company at Soho lately: amongst others were the Duke and Dutchess of Northumberland with some of their relations, and after fateaguing them in the manufactury I took them to the tea room, where I had provided the best fruits, cakes, biskets, sweetmeats, and wine, to refresh them.
On Saturday last, I had twelve at my table—Italians, Spanish, French, Dutch, and English—amongst whom was the chevalier Landriani, who desired to be remember’d to you; he was with us three days.
Since your departure we have apply’d the four-inch little brass steam engine to the boat on my little pool, and it drives it about merrily. I intend to put it upon the Birmingham Canal, in order to see the possibility of sailing up rivers against the stream or sailing without sails against winds and tydes. Perhaps I may meet you at Ostend or Calais when you return and bring you over by steam.
I hope you receiv’d your sister’s letter, which I inclosed in one to Collins and directed it to Frankfort. She is very well and, with Miss Mynd, desires to joyn with me in love to you and in every good wish.
Please to present my best respects to Mr. Rheinhard, hopeing he will long enjoy the blessing of easy health and cheerfull spirits, looking forward to brighter days and the happiness that will result from amiable children.
Pray God bless you.
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |