Thursday June 25 1778.

Hostilities you will know are

commenced at Sea; there are a

thousand different reports about

it.

M r Sam Bentham Ward's Coffee House upon the Parade Portsmouth

As for the Doctor ( Mulford) I see no particular end

it could answer to talk with him about the Russian scheme

Let us count our chickens before they are hatched to ourselves a la

bonne heure; but not aloud. You might if you wanted conversation

talk to him of it in the general, as a thing you

had in view: but mention not the particular steps that have

been taken with a view to it.

Your things went last night to the Bel Savage for

the Waggons. Alas! I forgot to put up the phial. But

there must be a necessity ere long to send another parcel;

and then I will remember better. If you send me peremptory

orders for Falconer's Dict. y it shall go; and then I will endeavour

to get the Phil. Transactions from Lind.

D'Alembert and Helvetius I will enquire about and get

if Wilson will let me; which I almost doubt. I was going

t'other day to have bought a print of Don Jorge Juan

the author of the Spanish book on Ship building not yet

translated the Title of which begins " Examen Theorico-Practico",

but he patted me away. But I will get them all let him say

what he will — these eye-traps are of more use than one

can well imagine

Courage my Boy I am glad to see thee work in such good

spirits. Punishments now go on pretty well — I have got over

great difficulties Circumstances influencing Sensibility - and the cursed Pains