not be expected, sho d you go to Russia, that Persons there wo d

want to know of you a thousand Particulars relative to the

materials made use of in Shipbuilding here, & the Compar

expences of Constructing them. in short my dear Sam. !

my earnest wishes are that you wo d take every thing

into the account, while you are considering, what may

be most for your Advantage with a view of practising

the Profession, for without such View , you had better

abandon it altogether, & turn your thoughts some oth

way — Mr Randal promis'd to make Enquiries

& let me know the Result of them, & to call upon me

w ch. I dare say he will do. I hope you will let

me see you soon. we shall go to Waltham Abbey

on Sunday till Wednesday in next week — and probably some time

in the week following shall set out for Northamptonshi

for the Summer, we shall be at Imley Park, near Brackl

a House belonging to Mr Basset, who has been so

obliging to give me the use of it, & of it's Furniture

which is compleat.

1779} Q.S.P. at Q.S.P.

May} to

S.B. Portsmouth

Russia II.

My old french Servant Jean Franque has play'd

the fool & married a notorious Strumpet, upon w ch.

present I was oblig'd to part with him last Saturday

after his having liv'd with me near Seven years,

I had been informd of his intention a month ago & talk

to him very roundly & told him the ruinous consequence

he wo d bring upon himself at w ch. he protested he wo d

marry her but break off all Connection with her, but

after all he was infatuated enough to marry her yeste day

was se'en night, & he had no sooner done it but he

was convinced of his folly & was ready to hang himself

Adieu my dear Sam, God grant you may do the best for

your Advantage, & be asured that whatever uneasiness I have

arises from my not being able to do more, to Shew you how much I am

your affectionate Father J h B.