JB/539/100/001

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Petersbourg 1780

Hond Sir

I have just this instant read your letters which coming here during my excursion
were sent after me to the black sea. I was at dinner today at Sir James Harris's
when they were brought in under his cover.

I am totally at a loss for expression adequate to the affection so apparent in both your
letters particularly in the last though written at a time when my conduct must have
appeared to be such as to render me so little deserving of it. I can never forgive myself
for the inattention I have given to the circumstance of my having spent so much
money. My not having gone about to give an account of the reasons and to in the
way of justification for my having spent so much must appear very blameable but
my not having given some kind of assurance of that expensive mode of living
being at an end is unpardonable. I am astonished at it myself upon resolution.
Finding that I could justify my conduct to myself it seems as
if I thought nothing of the opinions and suspicions which my friends must have
from it or of the difficulties which I might involve them in.

First, Sir, let me assure you that all those great expenses which unexperienced
as I was and in such extraordinary circumstances I had incurred are now at
an end and though the appearance I keep up here is same as it was at
first and which was never more than was absolutely necessary for me to do anything
yet I have brought my expenses within the bounds which my brother
tells me your affectionate bounty has set me till I can settle myself .
As I was before exposed to many extraordinary expenses so am I now in circumstances
the most favourable for Oeconomy. This owing to me friend Pleschijeff.

A carriage was as necessary as a pair of shoes more so than a shirt.
To save the expence of hiring at a rouble a day and in times of public show at two
roubles independent of horses I brought one for 275 roubles. Instead of having
house by the month I give for Plechijeff when I only go out to dinner 1/2 a rouble.

Identifier: | JB/539/100/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 539.
Date_1	1780-??-??	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	539	Main Headings
Folio number	100	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	Correspondence	Number of Pages
Recto/Verso		Page Numbering
Penner	Samuel Bentham	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number
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