[dateline] Amsterdam Decr. 15. 1781
[salute] My dear Child
This day Mr. Sayre arrived,
1 with your Letter of the 12/23 of October. Yours of August I answered, Yesterday.
You have not informed me whether the Houses are built of Brick, Stone or Wood. Whether
they are seven stories high or only one. How they are glazed, whether they have chimneys
as in Spain. What publick Buildings, what Maison de Ville or state house. What Churches?
What Palaces? What Statuary, what Paintings, Musick, Spectacles, &c. You have said
nothing of the Religion of the Country, whether it is Catholick or Protestant. What
is the national Church. Whether there are many Sectaries. Whether there is a Toleration
of various Religions &c.
I think the Price for a Master is intolerable. If there is no Academy, nor School,
nor a Master to be had, I really dont know what to say to your staying in Russia.
You had better be at Leyden where you might be in a regular course of Education. You
might come in the Spring in a Russian, Sweedish or Prussian Vessell, to Embden perhaps
or Hamborough, and from thence here, in a neutral Bottom still. I am afraid of your
being too troublesome to Mr. D[ana].
However, I rely upon it that you follow your Studies with your wonted Assiduity. It
is strange if no Dictionary can be found in French nor English.
I dont perceive that you take Pains enough with your Hand Writing. Believe me, from
Experience, if you now in your Youth resolutely conquer your impatience, and resolve
never to write the most familiar Letter or trifling Card, with
2 Attention and care, it will save you a vast deal of Time and Trouble too, every day
of your whole Life. When the habit is got, it is easier to write well than ill, but
this Habit is only to be acquired, in early life.
God bless my dear Son, and preserve his Health and his Manners, from the numberless
dangers, that surround Us, wherever We go in this World. So prays your affectionate
Father,