The sudden arrival of my brother John upon busness of some considerable consequence, with his sudden departure (for he is going off again tomorrow by the packet), together with the continual preparation for departure in which my father has been obliged to hold himself with all his family, have so taken up the little time I have had left to myself, that I was obliged frequently to break my promises of writing to Paris. My expectations of forwarding your boxes also was equally frustrated by different circumstance. I find they did not leave this port till within a day or two ago, being gone by sea to Mr. Hervey of the Ship Inn Dover, & being to be forwarded by him to Mr. Dessein at Calais. The contents & descriptions are as follow. (1) A large box containing your order of glass ware, for which I have yet received no bill of parcels. It is large; & has a memorandum of Parker’s nailed on the outside, signifying it to be glass. (2) Another large box from Nairne & Blunt, marked as glass; containing their new patent electrifying machine; also its description by them in MSS.; also Messr. Blagden & Nairne’s acot. of the poor-house struck by lightning in Norfolk or Suffolk; also a packet for Lady Juliana Penn; & lastly a packet for the Marquis of Gensano, containing drawings of carriages, which you may if you please open, & renew the covers of when you are satisfied with looking at them, as they come from Foster, Long here. (3º.) A box with a farrage of things, of which Mr. Ridley’s clerk will forward you the particulars. Among other things, there are shoes for Dr. Franklin; his bible; a present of Dr. Price’s books on Reversionary Payments & Annuities, with some few political pamphlets Woodmason’s damping presses; also cumberland’s books for Mr. Carmichael. (4º.) Addressed as the rest, but with a separate memorandum of the Duke of Chaulnes named upon it, there is a box with two lions & two sphinxes from Mr. Wedgwood’s manufactory

I have put numbers here but I believe the numbering is omitted upon the boxes themselves; though I shall bid Dessein put them upon the boxes.—You will observe that two of these boxes are yours & your father’s; a third contains many of your things; & the fourth a friends. If you choose to get admission for the whole, you may safely say that there is nothing but the same sorts of things as your own, in the third box; except two pair of buckles value 1 guinea each, 6 £ or 7 of ribbands & three or four prints, & all either for Mrs. Jay, or m[torn] De Limon.—I shall detail this third box as minutely as possible to Mr. Ridley’s clerk next post, considering the purpose for which it is wanted. You need only order the admittance, & he will take care to see to the distribution.

I shall send you by Lord Daer a fashionable pair of buckles, and a letter, for he is a singular young man & son to Ld. Selkirk; likewise some late curious pamphlets. You will then hear why I have not written to any of my friends before that time.

I inclose you a paper Dr. Rush sent me. You may get it translated; in which case pray send De Limon one, Rue Fauxbourg St. Honoré.—Can you who have a good eye, & clear description, & neat drawing, give me an idea of the manner of ornamenting the Sêve China with artificial pearls, not other gems; that is respecting the festoons, inserted upon the ground, whether there is a collar of gilding at the insertion &c &c. Bentley’s partner wants this information. Dr. F knows who I mean.—John who came over in the Vriendschap, Capt Gibson, [?] write by a good opportunity. Remember me in the most ardent terms to Dr. Franklin: my gratitude is boundless for what you have done to same. My next will inclose a Bystander.