I received last Night, my dear Friend, your Letter of the 12th Inst. I am as sensible as you can be of the advantage that would result from my being at present in Paris—and I can assure you I am equally desirous of it. But Business of the last importance, and that interrested me personally, has hitherto detained me here: that however is now happily compleated; and I am at present constantly occupied in the Arrangement of my late Grandfathers Papers, which were left in the greatest disorder. Whether I am able to compleat this or not, I shall certainly leave London for Paris, in the Course of a fortnight.—But my wish is if possible to finish this, and my Bargain with the Booksellers before I set off; that I may not be obliged to return hither meerly [sic] on that Account. Were it only the Life, it would already have been done—but I wish a compleat Edition of his Works to appear at the same time—and as I have no Assistance the necessary preparations are very laborious.

I am very sorry that any Part of the Life should have already appeard in France—however imperfect, which I understand it is. I have endeavor’d, and I hope effectually, to put a stop to a Translation of it appearing here.

Adieu my dear Friend—All will I hope still go well. With my best Affections to all your Family, I am as ever, and for ever Sincerely Yours