| Description | Dear Father,
There is a longer time elapsed since my return from Leipsig without writing to you than I could wish, but this last week has been wholly spent in rejoicings. The Kermes, an annual festival in Germany, has been celebrated here with great gaiety; and contrary to the general ideas we entertain of the Germans, they are excessively fond of dansing. The two Barons keep open house and provide a band of musick, which is constantly employed. Feasting, the constant attendant upon such occasions, is not forgotten. This gay life lasts from Tuesday to Saturday. They press you to join in their amusements, and if you decline they attribute your refusal to pride, so that you see it is not very possible to do much during the Kermes.
Our journey from Leipsig was far from beeing agreeable: bad weather, miserable roads, and various other inconveniences could not fail to render it disagreable. Having no chaise of our own we were obliged to content ourselves with those we found at the different stations; often we travelled exposed to the rigours of the weather in an open waggon. This, and former experiences of this mode of travelling, shews me the necessity of having a chaise; and hereafter if you intend I should make a tour in Germany, I will with your permission profit of any occasion which may present itself of buying a cheap chaise; I shall gain as to the expence, but more particularly as to convenience.
Mr. Rheinhard has lately received a letter from Mr. Watt junior. His situation is indeed one of the most unhappy: to be forced to quit the parternal dwelling, to abandon that pure joy resulting from the company of a father, is truly a rigourous fate. How must I then thank heaven for giving me a father who has preserved me from those calamities and whom the united ties of friendship and paternal love will ever render dear to me.
During our absence, winter has made a considerable alteration in the aspect of Stadfelt. The mountains covered with immense forests destitute of foliage present the rudest prospect one can imagine. The snow will soon surround us and then, cut off from the rest of the world, we shall enjoy a perfect tranquility necessary to learn the German language; but thus blockaded, our sentiments will communicate through the hardest rocks, my father will be present at all my occupations, and the hopes of meriting his esteem will encourage me to overcome those difficulties with which I shall probably have to encounter.
I suppose Mr. Collins will be arrived before this. Remember me kindly to him, with many thanks for his kind letter. I remain, dear father, your dutiful son,
Mattw. R. Boulton
PS. Just as I was sealing this letter I received yours of September 2, suppose November 2.
[Edited transcript.] |