Your most acceptable favor of the 14th of Oct. 1787 I did not receive till about a week ago. It was transmitted me by an English Lady who resides at Pisa. I cannot account for so extraordinary a delay: but I have had later news of my dear paternal friend, by a Mr. Seton of Philada. tho’ none since the melancholy event which I fear must have greatly affected you. Often have I taken up the pen to address you, previous to, and after that event; but I was restrained by the apprehension that my letters would be considered as trespasses upon hours infinitely important, when they could afford no equivalent for the time employed in reading and answering them. But I sincerely repent of my ill-judged modesty, as it has perhaps led you to suspect me of negligence, and an indifference to your sorrows, which, believe me, I most sincerely participated; and permit me to assure you that nothing can afford me greater pleasure than the belief that you honor me with your friendship, and to my latest moment it will be my boast that my earliest friend has condescended to regard his little protogeè thro’ every period of her life, fateful and unhappy as it has been; and that now he would recal her to her native country: but alas! my prospects there, as everywhere else, are gloomy; for the little income which my dear Mr. Barry left me is in leases, and will fall in 4 years, and then I have no resource. To become a burthen to my friends is what my sould recoils at the bare idea of; rather would I seek some sequestered vale among the Apenines, and derive from Religion and Philosophy such aids as they extend to the meanest of their votaries, to enable me to submit to evils which must soon terminate.

My Son is put apprentice to a wine merchant in Dublin—my eldest daughter, corrupted by a vile servant in whom I placed the fullest confidance, turned Roman Catholic, and is now protected by the Grand Dutchess. I have two little Girls with me, the eldest near 11 years old; she speaks the English and Italian languages equally well, and has also made some proficiency in the French, in music, drawing, &c &c. These may serve as accomplishments, or resources, as Providence may dispose her future lot. The youngest I will also endeavor to educate well; and then shall I leave them, as their mother was left, to combat with a world which I hope will be more favorable to them than it has been to me.

I sincerely wish that your affairs had permitted you my dear Sir, to visit Italy, as you once proposed. The climate is fine, and Tuscany has deservedly acquired the distinction of being deemed the garden of Europe. Nature profusely pours on us such blessings as are in her gift, but the animating principle of genius is wanting. Commerce here is no more; the Arts languish; literature makes no progress, and an enervated people content themselves with the superiority which they vainly pretend to derive from their more enlightened ancestors, and aim not at re-claiming by desert, the palm of genius and merit. The Grand Duke is a lover of the fine Arts, and has contributed as largely as any of his predecessors the Med[ici] to the ornamenting and enriching the Royall Galery. He [has] taken from the Villa Medici at Rome all that it contained of valuable, and has transported them to Tuscany and the room which his R. H. has built for the reception of Niobe, Amphion and their Children, is truly magnificent, and worthy such admirable guests.

We enjoy here so much liberty as can be desired: the police is so well regulated, and the Churches affording no asylum to offenders, render our persons and property as sacred as under the best constitution upon earth. But when these blessings are enjoyed in a despotic government, all that praise is due to a Prince, who possessed of unlimited power, exerts it for the good of his people; and makes his State a pleasing abode for strangers: but we ought to deprecate the accession of one less virtuous.

The spirit of toleration has began to pervade these seats, where Superstition once fixed her execrable reign. Many convents have been suppressed, and the Nuns received permission of their Sovereign to retire to others, or return again into the world. The wealth arising from suppressed convents has been appropiated to the foundation of charity schools, and other useful purposes of the state. No nuns can be professed under the age of 25, and the convents can receive no fortunes from them. It is now 5 years since there has been a ceremony of initiation in Tuscany: population is encouraged, and the wealth of private families can no longer be alienated for the emolument of useless communities. We hear no more of pilgrimages, penances and miracles; and all processions, but that of Corpus Domini, have been prohibited. Could Monsr. de Voltaire arise from his tomb, and see these changes, it would soothe his offended spirit for the illiferality of his countrymen who denied him sepulchral honors.

Before I close my letter, permit me my dear Sir, to entreat the favor of you to have the necessary steps taken for securing to my children the still unlocated City-lot of ground, the writings of which I left in the hands of Mr. Israel Pemberton. He offered me 20 guineas for it 14 or 15 years ago; but even now so trivial as sum shall not induce me to taking from my children one foot of ground in a St[ate?] the splendors of which, will, I hope, one day equal that of Rome, Carthage, Athens or any other [missing] public renowned in history. May the fatal [missing] which produced the decline and fall of those [states?] prove warnings to the United ones of America and may the wisdom of their Laws have an immediate reference to the inculcating this imported truth, viz. That as Virtue is the noblest basis, it is the best security of an Empire, and that Vi[rtue?] must inevitably antidate its destruction.

When I write to you my dear, my revered Friend, I know not how to quit the pen. Imagination presents to me the scenes of childhood [when?] your two little girls strove who should obtain [the?] distinction of your notice: again I meet the f[riend?] on this side the Atlantic, and the last solemn parting and blessing is ever present to me. [But?] no more! Restrospection is as absurd as unavail[ing?].

Your last kind letter from Paris I defered answering, in hope of hearing from Govr. Pownall but I fancy that he succeeded not in procuring the balance of the account from Mr. Almon, [tho’?] he never honored me with a line. I find no demand for any of the maps at this place. I re[turn?] you my most sincere thanks for the great pains you had in the affair, and have only to regret that they were ineffectual.

My most sincere and affectionate compliments attend my dear Mrs. Bache, to whom I will very soon write; mean-time, believe me, with every sentiment of true filial affection, Most Dear Sir Your ever devoted Humble Servant