I was favor’d with your Letter of the 17th. Ulto. by the Hand of Monsr. Avisson Junr. whom I introduced to my Printing House and a Foundry, where I am cementing my Letter.

Since I had the Honor or writing you last many Alterations have taken Place in this Fount. At that Time I had the whole Language cemented which I found on Trial would not answer as it extended the Distance and after 6 Month’s Use, it did not appear that ½ the Letter had been us’d, besides the Trouble of distribution I found was a great Loss of Time; I have therefore reduc’d the Founts considerably, by taking out all Words not in common Use, by which Means I am enabled to enlarge the Size of each Cell, which likewise admits of the Words being distributed as common Letter, instead of standing upright. I take up the Words least in Use by Syllables.

This has not only been a very tedious Loss of Time but attended with a heavy Expence, too much for the Wreck of my Fortune, and puts Me to some Difficulties, I have so many Mouths to supply, as from the various Things I have going forward in which 5 Presses are constantly engag’d the Weekly Expences of my Houses generally exceeds £50. Among other Things now printing are Neckars Finance translated into English by Mr. Mortimer. Mr. Vanderhey’s Treatise on the Finances of Great Britain. Transactions of the Society of Arts for the present Year. Mr. Le Texiers French Plays, An Octavo Edition of Robinson Crusoe, Derham Physicks Theology &c &c the last 2 are part of the Subscription of which is Dr. Watts Improvement of the Mind, that Book being finish’d I have troubled Mr. Avisson to deliver it to You, not being able to find Dr. Bancroft who sent your Letter by his Servant without any Address.

Monsr. Avisson left London unexpectedly before I had an Opportunity to give him in charge a Letter for you, and some Specimens I meant him to have carried You. I am casting some Words not exceeding 5 Letters, which will be a considerable Saving, and have a Method of joining Letter from the common Fount, which may be distributed back into single Letters with little Trouble. I did not chuse to be very particular with Mr. Avisson, as I should flatter myself a thorugh Investigation of this Improvement might produce some Gratuity from the Court of France for the Expence I have been at. If Opportunity offers, I should be glad to have your Introduction of it to the Academy of Arts   Paris, as I am doubtful that Count D’Adheman complyed with my Wishes on that Subject, though I sent an Explanation of the Improvement for that Purpose.

At your Leisure please to inform Me by what Means I shall convey the other Books as they are finish’d and if not too much Trouble request Monsr Avisson to inform Me where his shall be left as he subscrib’d his Name to them, and of whom the Subscription Money is to be receiv’d. I am with wishes for your Health and a long Enjoyment of it, with great Respect Sir Your Much Oblig’d and Obedient Servant