' to the Duke of Argyll, and remain at Paris

'My dearest,-I received the melancholy ' account of' (the bankruptcy of a mercantile house, in which a large portion of Dr. Moore's fortune was entrusted,) by

You will believe that I would have 'been sufficiently affected with the misfor'tune of my worthy and regarded friends S. ' and B., although I myself had not been 'involved in the calamity; indeed, their fate, 'independent of every other circumstance, 'would have cut me to the heart. There is 6 no consideration in the whole that affects me 'more than the thoughts of what you must suffer, and the effect this may have upon 'you in your present situation; and I never ' regretted the necessity which obliges me to ' remain at a distance from you so much as

6 now, when

you

have so much occasion for

• comfort and support.

<

I beg it of you, my

dear Jane, that you

• will call up all your courage and resolution, and do not allow your mind to be overwhelmed, and your reason overcome, by this affair, however black an aspect it may ' wear. Consider, my dear, our young and ' numerous family have more need of our care and protection; and, for my own part, ́ I shall never think myself unhappy while 'you and they are preserved, and I am able, ' by every effort of mind and body, to support you. But if I lose you, I shall indeed lose courage; and heaven knows how long I might keep from despair. I conjure you, 'therefore, with the utmost earnestness, that

' you will take all proper care of your health, particularly when the time of your confine

'ment comes on.

'I wrote to you, in my last, that I would like the child, whether male or female, to 'be named Hamilton, for the Duke.

In the midst of so much bad news, I am

"happy to send you some good. The Duke ' of Hamilton is perfectly well, and behaving, ' in every respect, as his family would wish. 'He showed much sensibility at B's 'misfortune' (the bankruptcy). ‘Jack is in 'good health, and doing very well; and I 'never was better, nor happier, in my life

6

when this sad news came,-which, how

ever, I shall struggle to get above, that I may be able, in every respect, to perform

my duty to the Duke, and to my own family.

At this distance I can give you no very 'particular advice about anything; you must act as your own judgment directs. Let me 'know the extent of my misfortune, and 'what hopes there are of anything being ' recovered.

'My affectionate compliments to Mrs. J., your brother, and J, and B.' (The partners of the unfortunate commercial house.) 'God Almighty preserve and support you, 'my dear.

'I ever am sincerely yours,

John Moore, when ten years old, to his

Mother:

6

'Ma chère Mama,-Je vous écris en Fran

çois, et Jeany vous traduira ma lettre en Anglois. J'aime beaucoup Genève parceque 'j'entends le François assez bien à présent, ' et j'ai un grand nombre de camarades François, Allemands, et Genevois, aussi bien que

6

6

des Anglois; et j'ai fait connoissance avec

beaucoup de familles ici, qui ont beaucoup 6 d'amitié pour moi.

6

Papa est très satisfait parceque je m'ap

plique assez bien au Latin, au François, et

'à l'écriture; et je suis résolu à faire tout

mon possible, pour que ma chère Mama

' n'ait point de raison de rougir pour moi.

6

6

Faites mes amitiés à ma chère sœur, à

mes frères, et à mes parens, et à tous mes camarades, particulièrement à Peter et Jaques Murdoch.

'Je suis, très, très chère Mama, votre obéis

'sant et affectionné fils,

John Moore to his Mother:

Chatelaine, Oct. 27th, 1773.

'Dear Mama.-It always makes me very 'happy to hear that you and Jeanie, and brothers are well. I believe this is a very healthy climate; at least the Duke

6 my

6

and Papa, and I, have always been in

good health since we came here. The

Duke and Papa live in a vineyard, and I

am with them twice a week, and get as

many grapes as I please. I am very sorry 'we cannot send them to you.

'I apply pretty much, but find the Latin 'more difficult than the French. I am at 'the writing and arithmetic school, and

Papa has learned me geography so nicely, 'that I know every part of the world. An English gentleman here, made me a present of a fine set of mathematical instruments.

They are of no use to me yet, but I hope they will be of use soon. I am trying all

I can to make myself good for something. 'I will do whatever I am fit for, and Papa ⚫ and you please.