| Description | (Directed to Mr. Bourdon's, rue de Maurepas.)
As my movements are very irregular, it is not possable I can be otherwise in my correspondence; otherwise I should write much oftener to my dear Son.
I received since I came to town your letter of the 27th May, and I have this minute received yours of the 3d instant, by which I learn that you have seen Mr. Startin with Mrs. Delassert's family at Versaills, but I must request that when you see any of your countrymen you do not indulge your self in talking English, and that you continue to labour with unremitting ardour untill you can speak and write that language as well or better than your own. Pray favour me now with your letters in French, for nothing will improve you more than writing letters in French and translating English into F.
There is some danger in a young Englishman's head becoming giddy by the pagentry of courts and the folly of fashion, for in proportion to the predominence of those things good sense and good tast dwindle, although there is as much difference between the one and the other as there is between water gilding and solid gold. It seems to be agreed on all hands that Germany is the place to make a man, and Paris the place to make a man of fashion (i.e. a gambler and a rake). I wish and beg you will constantly be employ'd, and that you as speedily as possable get possession of the language, and that you read such history, such anecdotes, and such sentiments as tend to teach and to inspire sentiments of honour and benevolence, for it is the possession of such like principles that constitute the real gentleman; fashion and foppery has nothing to do with it. But at the same time I mean to be understood that you should dress your self in the character of a modest young gentleman, and never suffer your self to be laught out of a becoming decent modesty by puppys, blockheads, rakes, or impertinents.
I believe I never mention'd to you that I intend one of those swords for Mr. Geni and the other for Mr. Bourdon, forgeting that school boys wear swords at Paris and Versaills, and upon further recollection I believe you must wear one of them your self; and therefore tell me in your next whether you think I can send Mr. Bourdon any thing that you think will be more acceptable than a fine steel sword. You may tell him your sword was intended for him, and learn from conversation if any thing else would be more acceptable, and intimate it to me in your next.
As oeconomy is now the fashionable word at Versaills, I presume they will not think of re-erecting Le Machine de Marly, &c. I therefore conclude we shall not be summonsed to France this summer.
If you find any difficulty in getting permission to learn to ride at the King's stables, I am sure that if Mr. Geni would give the least hint to Baron Briteul he would remember what he said to me on that head when I had the honour to dine with him at Paris. I think you should not loose so favourable opportunity.
I wrote to Mr. Bourd[on to] day and to Mr. Guyot by the last post. I shall stay in this city about nine or ten days longer, and hope to have the pleasure of one or two more letters from you. I remitted 50£ to Mr. De Lassert lately, as your account was got on the wrong side.
Your sister is pretty well, but I hear Mrs. Watt is ill and Mrs. Matthews also. Mr. Watt is just set out in the all-night coach on that account.
I am now writing at the Albion Mill, which is going merrily. If you read the English papers you'l see that Mr. Watt shew'd the King, the Queen, and the Princess Royal Mr. Whitbread's engine on the 26 May.
Adieu. God bless you, my dear son. I am ever yours affectionately,
M. Boulton
[Edited transcript.] |