| Description | (Portions of the postscript and the address-label have been torn away.)
My dearest Son,
Think of the feelings of a parent who hath seen his drowned favourite son restored by proper assistance to life and happiness again: such were mine in the reading of your letter of the 27th June from Stadtfeld. I am happy in the idea of your being gone to Lipsic in preference to Fryberg, as it's more central and convenient to go from to meet Collins, for I am still of opineon that it will be better for you to travil a little with Collins than to set down in any one place at present. However, I shall nevertheless submit that matter entirely to the judgment of our good friend Mr. Reinhard and your self, as well as what ever relates to the purchase of a chaise; but methinks I would not have you travil alone, and if you cannot find a traviling companion I should prefer you takeing a servant, provided one can be found who bears a good character and that Mr. Reinhard approves. You should at least take him untill you meet with Collins, who I hope hath wrote to you before you receive this.
I, with your sister, propose to set out tomorrow homeward, and as I cannot remember the names of my corrispondents in the citys you will pass th[r]ough, I must therefore be under the necessity of delaying (untill this day sevenight) writing proper letters of credit and introduction. I will also write Mr. Reinhard, but I request you to write to me by every post, even if it is but a short line, that I may know where you are and how to direct to you.
The Prince of Wales sent for me on Sunday last, and amongst other things he talked of our mill , which he express'd a desire to see, and appointed Tuesday, this day. He accordingly came, with his brothers the Dukes of York and Clarence. The prince was very minute in all his enquiries, and hath much fateagued me in answering all his questions. The last place I conducted the royal visitors to was the drawing room in Wyatt's house, where we had prepar'd for him a collection of fruits, sweetmeats, bisquits, chocolate, wine, ice creams, &c. The Prince of Wales eat a little and drank success to the mill. Mr. Droz hath just modell'd his likeness.
July 16. Upon second thought, I will write a line to Messrs. Frege & Co. to furnish you with money from time to time, as you may want it, to the amount of 60£ sterling; but I advise you not to take it all at once, least any accident should happen, but take a little at a time, say ten or twenty guineas. I would have sent Sir Robert Herries' circular letter, but if I do I shall loose this post. Collins is furnished with one, and when you join him he will provide all necessary money.
Please to make my best thanks to Mr. Reinhard for his good care of you, and the first leasure hour I have next week I will write to him.
I am in so great a hurry that I can scarcely say adieu. God bless you, my dear son, and cherish love and friendship for your very affectionate father,
Mattw. Boulton
To save the post I was obliged to request Mrs. Matthews to write Mr. . . . and she desires her lo[ve] . . .
[Edited transcript.] |