| Description | (Misdated 1786. Directed to Mr. Bourdon’s, rue de Maurepas.)
My dear Son,
I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that I and Mr. Watt arived safe and well in London on Thursday last. In our road from Paris we visited the subteranious canal in Pickardy, which is a noble work indeed, being 20 feet wide, 20 feet high, cut through solid hard chalk in a straight line for nine English miles, and about 240 feet under the surface of the earth. We descended into it by commodious steps, and sail'd about two miles in it. The Emperor of Germany visited it and said he was proud in being a man when he beheld such great enterprised so well imagin'd and so arduously executed by one of his fellow creatures, and that when he returned home he would profit by the example.
In returning from the canal to the great road, our postilion overturn'd us, by which the chaise was much broke, our heads brused, and all our baggage deranged, which deranged our heads for a day or two.
We slept at Calais on Monday night the 15th. We set sail between nine and ten o'clock in the morning on the 16th and did not reach Dover till past midnight, = to between 14 and 15 hours-a tedious passage.
I have seen Miss Mynd; she came to town with her sister, but is return'd. Your sister is well, and all friends here and at Soho. Mr. Watt is yet here, and it will be the end of this week before we can go home.
I long to hear from you. Pray write often; tell me your feelings and what may pass in your mind. I will write to you as often and endeavour to keep you company as much as I can.
I wish you to go to Mr. DeLassert's as often as they invite, because you will there be always in good company; but there are other persons that may want you to go with them into improper company, and in all such cases I hope that you and Mr. Bourdon will put a negative upon all such propositions. Perhaps it may be proper that he should do it, in order that you may avoid giveing offence.
I desire that you will alternately write to me in English and French, and endeavour to make all the progress you can in the language.
Pray make my most respectfull compliments to Mr. Geni, his mother and sister, also to Mr. Bourdon and the ladies, whom I beg will favour me with their orders if they want any thing from this country.
I will not forget your hylt, &c.
Adieu. God bless you, my dear son. I am ever your affectionate father,
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |