| Description | (Misdated 1788. Directed to Mr. Reinhard's.)
My dearest Friend and Son,
I feel my self exceedingly vexed at my being depriv'd of the means of conversing with you much oftener than I do, but I assure you my inclinations extend beyond my powers.
Even the rigorous winter did not shield me from a succession of visitors. Mr. Wilkinson stay'd a fortnight with me, and then came Monsieur Sayd (alias the Baron Bellecot) and his lady through frost and snow from Viena to teach me the art of converting 100 pounds of gold into 120 lb., but as I consider'd his proposition as a reproach to common sense I did not choose to condescend to listen to him or pay the least attention to his opporations; however, I lent him my laboratory, and Lawson and he, after working a fortnight, reduced the 100 gr. to 90 gr. and repeated the opperation three times with the like success. Monsieur le Baron is therefore return'd to Viena to call the alchymist to an account for imposing on him, and his wife is gone to his mother's (whom you saw, and also his brother, at Paris). Previous to my awakeing them from their golden dream they seem'd perfectly happy, and talked of coaches, jewells, and various pleasurable phantoms, but now Monsieur groans and the lady drops tears. They stay'd a fortnight at Soho.
I have lately had much uneasiness on account of the king's ill health and the consequences of the expected change of ministry, for I have expended 4000£ and upwards in buildings, engines, coining machines, rolling mill, &c., &c., which did upon the faith of the orders I receiv'd under the seal of the Privy Council. Finding my self in a disagreeable suspence I went to London, and though Mr. Pitt and Lord Hawksbury shew'd me much friendly politeness and express'd their concern for the disapointment, yet I found I had nothing to expect from the intended ministers. But, thank God, things are changed within these few days. The king lives and long may he live is the cry of all the people, except a factious party. Miss De Luc is here on a visit, and her father writes her that he hath seen the king in Kew Gardin the day before he wrote, and that he is perfectly recover'd all the powers of his mind and is recovering his strength of body daily, insomuch that the proceedings on the Regency Bill is stoped and Parliament adjourn'd for some days in order to consult the king what steps he wishes his ministers to take, as you will see by the inclosed, and I shall now begin to resume my operations again.
I receiv'd your always welcome letters of the 25th December and 29th January (days equaly dear to me with the 8th of August). You certainly do right in endeavouring to preserve your French, and beg you will alternately write to me or your sister one week in French and another in English. I have had my fears lest the coldness of the season and the difficulty of the language should damp your spirits, but I beg, my dear son, that you will not suffer your resolution to desert you: persevere, labour at it morning, noon, and night, and I am confident that in the end you will conquer it by perseverence, though not without pain and labour to your self. The difference between the present and the preceeding winter at Paris are very great, and though it may not have afforded you so much amusement, yet I am perswaded that it will ultimately afford you more satisfaction. A true town or Parissian life of hurry, confusion, noise, slander, dissention, and dissipation is a sort of apprentiship to Hell and its Furies.
The most rapid way of learning any language is by the ear, and by practise in talking, and therefore I beg you will not loose any opportunity of talking, but talk all you can to every body; and when you walk out, take some German with you and talk right or wrong, for by so doing you may make progress without a master; however, I hope Mr. Rhenard will have so far recover'd his spirits from his great loss as to afford you all the assistance in his power.
I shall send him a present of a few plated wares [in three] days, and shall certainly write to him per next post; [and if] I set you a better example than I have of late [done], in keeping up a closer correspondence with yo[u, I hope] you will follow it.
Miss Salt and her mother can not agree to live together and therefore she hath taken up her residence at my house, and consequently I have much of Charles Startin's company; they are to be marryed so soon as they have found and furnish'd a house.
I have so much confidence in your discression that I shall make no objection to your keeping the fifteen guineas you mention for your own use. I shall pack the cotton stockings and the news papers with Mr.Rhenard's plated goods, to whom present my respectfull compliments. Your sister, to[o], desires her sincere love to you, and Miss Mynd and Salt beg to joyn. I am, my dear son, your truly affectionate father,
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |