| Description | (Directed to Mr. Bourdon's, rue de Maurepas.)
I yesterday received a letter from my dear son, by which I observe with great concern that he hath been much indisposed by a feverish complaint. As you have awaken'd my fears, I must beg you will not leave me in suspence but write to me every week or oftener.
I have no knowledge of any phisician at Versailles and I have no confidence in apothecaries. If, therefore, you should stand in need of medical assistance, I beg you will write a line to Mr. Guyot and request the general advice of the phicisian who attends their family, whom I believe you have often seen, and beg Mr. Delassert will satisfy him, and I will refund him.
I think if you were to take bark properly-that is, when you have not any fever-or if you were to bathe in a morning when you are not warm, it would do you good; but both must be done with judgment, and therefore should be done by the direction and advice of a phisician.
The book you mention, viz. Taylour's Arethmatick, was sent by Mr. C. Startin and not by Toney, and if he has not deliver'd it I suppose he has left it at Mr. Honorie's, where you may enquire for it by a line.
You surely don't apply closely to the French language or you might certainly begin to write letters; and if you cannot write correct it is a reason why you should practise writing, and there is nothing so proper as to exercise your self in as letter writing.
Pray, have you yet begun to ride?
You have much to learn, and therefore I think it best that you did not go with Collins, as it would have taken you off from your studies.
I have stay'd here much longer than I intended, but I shall certainly go home in three or four days.
Your sister hath had a tooth drawn, and at the same time another was drawn out of a young girl's head about 14, and after cleaning it and washing it in spirits of wine and campher it was planted in your sister's jaw, where it seems to fix firm, and I have no doubt but it will prove a good tooth and usefull.
Mrs. Matthews is very ill and I think likely to die soon, as she hath a dropsey.
As soon as I return home I shall send Mr. Bourdon a sword, but don't m[ention] it untill it arives.
I think it probable that I may [join you,] or meet you at Calais in three months or less, in order to fix you for one year in Germany, and therefore I beg you will make all possable progress in speaking and writing French.
Your sister begs I will send her best love to you, with every good wish for your health and happiness. God bless you. I am, my dear son, your very affectionate father and friend,
M. Boulton
Don't put your letters in a cover, as thereby they pay double postage.
[Edited transcript.] |