| Description | My dear Son,
I wrote to you about nine days ago, since which I am without any of yours; but I this day had great pleasure in receiving one from Madamoiselle de Lassert, who informs me that Madame de Lassert hath found a proper lodging and person to take care of you and to instruct you in such things as I and Mr. Guyot shall point out.
1st. As it is impossible that you can know or even suspect the dangers of Paris, I must request of you not to go any where without the knowledge or consent of Mr. Manuel.
2d. I have requested that he will accompany you as often as much as possible.
3. That he will instruct you and excite you to take great pains to write the French language gramatically and correctly, particularly in the style of letter writing.
4. That he will accompany you to such lectures of chymistry, mineralogy, or natural philosophy as Mr. Guyot may point out; and I must request you to make short notes of such lectures to assist your memory, and at leasure times you and he may converse upon and explain the same.
At the same time, I advise you to allow a little time each day for the preservation of your health by takeing air and exercise, or you may go to some rideing school, as learning to ride is a usefull accomplishment.
I beg that you and Mr. Manuel will consider that I do not wish you to go to Paris to take what is commonly call'd pleasure, by going to balls, operas, or publick places of dissipation, or to contract habits of indolence; but, on the contrary, I am desireous you should be incessantly employ'd in gaining knowledge or strength of body or of mind, and must beg you will not indulge one idle moment in the course of the day.
But above all I must insist upon it that you do not form any improper acquaintance, or keep any improper company; particularly I desire you will avoid the company of young English puppys, fops, bucks, rakes, &c. Madam and Mademoisell de Lassert are exceedingly kind in inviteing you to come often to their house, which I beg you will never decline, as the company you will generaly find there will tend to refine your manners and exalt your sentiments, and consequently tend to make you a happy and virtuous man.
I have by this post wrote to Mr. Bourdon and told him that you are going to reside for some time at Paris, and that I have directed you to take money from Mr. de Lassert (which I have mention'd in my letter of this day to Mademoisell), and that you will pay him one quarter's pension, although not due till Christmass. I suppose you pay the masters by the month, and, if so, they need only be paid for the time, but you may consult Mr. Bourdon or Mr. Guyot, who is now probably return'd; but before you go to Paris get all the bills you owe and state them in one account, that you may see how much money you shall want from Mr. de Lassert. You must also give the servants something at coming away. If it is the same maid servant that lived all the year at Mr. Bourdon's, you may give her half a guinea or a guinea; but you may consult Mrs. de Lassert about such things, as I know not the customs of France.
I also beg you will send me by the return of post the state of your general Cash Account from the time I left you, in order that I may know what sum to remit to Mr. de Lassert.
I don't love to find fault with you, because I think upon the whole you do not merit it; but you must excuse me if I express my wishes to see you write a more regular hand, and state accounts with neatness and regularity.
I also beg to have your taylour's and all other bills. Let me know per return if Mr. Guyot is come back, for if he is I shall write to him directly.
I shall leave London and go to Soho about Wednesday next. Mr. and Mrs. Vere are now at Soho. Mr. Watt and Jim are here, both well, and desire to be remember'd to you. Jim writes French well and German better. He was my scribe in my last letter to Mr. Droz.
Your sister is well. Pray write me oftener.
I am, my dear Matt, your faithfull friend and most affectionate father,
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |