第7章 LETTER IV

LONDON,December 9,O.S.1746.

DEAR BOY:Though I have very little time,and though I write by this post to Mr.Harte,yet I cannot send a packet to Lausanne without a word or two to yourself.I thank you for your letter of congratulation which you wrote me,notwithstanding the pain it gave you.The accident that caused the pain was,I presume,owing to that degree of giddiness,of which Ihave sometimes taken the liberty to speak to you.The post I am now in,though the object of most people's views and desires,was in some degree inflicted upon me;and a certain concurrence cf circumstances obliged me to engage in it.But I feel that to go through with it requires more strength of body and mind than I have:were you three or four years older;you should share in my trouble,and I would have taken you into my office;but I hope you will employ these three or four years so well as to make yourself capable of being of use to me,if I should continue in it so long.The reading,writing,and speaking the modern languages correctly;the knowledge of the laws of nations,and the particular constitution of the empire;of history,geography,and chronology,are absolutely necessary to this business,for which I have always intended you.With these qualifications you may very possibly be my successor,though not my immediate one.

I hope you employ your whole time,which few people do;and that you put every moment to,profit of some kind or other.I call company,walking,riding,etc.,employing one's time,and,upon proper occasions,very usefully;but what I cannot forgive in anybody is sauntering,and doing nothing at all,with a thing so precious as time,and so irrecoverable when lost.

Are you acquainted with any ladies at Lausanne?and do you behave yourself with politeness enough to make them desire your company?

I must finish:God bless you!