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If you see anything of Mosberry ask him how he goes on with
his German.
The management of the Academy is also a matter which I have
my eye upon, in case I should succede in the other more Principal
matter, though alone it would be nothing. There are nine Professors
to some of which the D gives 200£ a year besides perquisites. There
are also a multitude of other expenses and all turned to
very little account. I am sure we could direct it much better.
I dined yesterday with Kreudner the Russian
Minister here and took an opportunity of inquiring if
the Empress reads English. Yes — she does, besides reading
English newspapers She has her favourite english
books of which Fielding's Joseph Andrews seems
to have the preference.
If she loves bawdy there
will be a little no doubt in Code & Punishment.
You must send me 2 or 3 copies of the English and
1/2 a dozen at least of the German Translation.
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As to my health at present it is pretty good. I have been
better in my life but not since I left Holland.
It plagues me to see how much money I have spent
yet I have both studied and practised oeconomy very much.
I will confess to you that upwards of twenty pounds I have
spent in a useless manner for want of a little more
greater part of it however at a time when on account of my
health I am was more excusable. I have lost nothing worth
mentioning except the Shirt of which Mr Davies gave
us one apiece. It was stolen from me at Berlin and I believe
by a female hand.
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Not a word have I heard from Lindgren. Do ask him if
he did not receive a letter from me which I beg'd him to answer
immediately directing to this place?
Have you had no parcel from Hanbury?
Riga Jany 29th. Here am I at last in the dominion
of the Empress. The instant I entered Livonia I thought
of our friend Lohenmann. I am not however yet quit
of Mittau. I left it this morning —but must return
there again the day after tomorrow and stay
till the 6th which is the Dutchess's birthday.
The 7th I shall pass through this place again
but without stopping longer than to take horses.
Papers, permissions to take horses, &c &c. I shall
settle now, that I may meet with no delay in my
way. Perhaps you may not hear from me again till I get to Moscow: but from Petersburg you shall often.
This young lady whom I mentioned in one of my letters from
this place as one that people here chose to say I was in love
with, has an amazing fortune for this country though it scarcely
exceeds thirteen thousand pounds sterling. If I
was really in love with her, it is probable I should succede
but as that is not the case I don't much think I shall bring
you a sister in law from Causland. Of all the girls I have
seen since England Huzarzewiki's daughter of Dantzic
would please me the most for a wife. She was all accomplished
all softness and pretty if not beautiful: but the old fellow
will I suppose want a fortune equal to what he will give his
daughter, a certain degree of rank also, and a Frenchman
rather than an Englishman. You must look
out for somebody for me against I come home if I don't
suit myself abroad. Alas the vain shadow of Miss Martin or some
such name.
Jere:y Bentham Esq.r
Lincoln's Inn
London
Franco
a
Amsterdam
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Identifier: | JB/539/009/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 539.
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1780-01-29 |
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539 |
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009 |
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002 |
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Correspondence |
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Samuel Bentham |
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