| Description | Dear Father,
I was afraid that I had unintentionally incurred your displeasure and that your silence was to be my punishment.
Great must be the crime to merit such a severe punishment. I was extreemly sorry to learn from Mr. Marindin that Mr. Salt was dead, and it added to my sorrow hearing it from another than you. I naturally thought my father would have informed me of an accident which interrests him; I figured to myself the melancholy situation of his familly and knew not but I then suffered the same loss. No! God will prolong your life for the sake of thousands whom it benefits.
We have remained at Leipsick much longer than Mr. Reinhard first intended. I see with pleasure that the voyage interrests him, he gradually regains his former gaity, he finds himself so well received by his friends that for the moment the overflowings of friendship fill the space which his late loss left unoccupied. The town is extreemly full, and every one seems to be in a bustle; but for those who have no particular bussiness it is very dull. We are lodged in the house of Mrs. Krunbar, sister of Mr. Freggle, first banquer of this town, who formerly spent three days at Soho; he has endeavoured to requite your favours by shewing me the greatest politeness. This town does not offer many things worthy of a stranger’s notice. At the distance of twenty miles there is a manufactory of green vitriol, which I have visited; they extract it from the earth found in the neighbourhood.
I have not heard a word from Mr. Collins since his departure, and I am afraid it will be some time before I shall receive my sister’s letter, Mr. Collins having forgot to give my address to the banquer to whom his letters were sent, s[o] that it will go to Amsterdam.
I am glad to hear of your success in the application of the fire engine to the driving of boats, and wish it may answer all your hopes as completely as your former enterprizes. Pray remember me kindly to my sister. I remain your dutifull son,
Mattw. R. Boulton
[Edited transcript.]
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