At the very moment when I was writing out this first half-line, a person was announced who had been sent by Monsieur le Prince de Conti to ask me whether I had received the description and the drawing that you promised me of your fireplace, and to beg me to let him know as soon as I received them. I replied that you would learn at any moment of the interest that S.A.S. (His Highness??) took in the matter, and that as soon as I received your reply, I would have the honor of going to inform him of it. Many other less qualified people ask me for news of the fireplace every day.

I learned yesterday evening that someone had opened a subscription with a notary for a prize to be awarded to the best paper on the ways of keeping thunder away from buildings and persons; the Académie des sciences will be relied upon to judge which is the best paper. It remains to be seen whether the subscription, only just announced, will attract candidates easily. Nevertheless I have not yet given up hope.

If you take the trouble to open one of the volumes of the Journal de Médecine, which I take the liberty of sending to you to give to Monsieur Rush, you will see the account that is given there of Comus’ experiments on platinum. Perhaps you do not know who this Comus is. He is a tumbler-player, very much in vogue on the boulevards, but very distinguished for a person of his kind, and someone who enjoys a reputation above his social status.

Your writings are more and more appreciated by everyone there is in this country who is most capable of judging them, and of exerting social influence in the long term; but as the work does not have the favor of the booksellers, it has not yet won over a great deal of the public; we must be patient in this regard. I expect not only that everyone will come round, but also that your native country will profit from it, and will be as exalted on account of you (not only in France, but in all of Europe) as the work has created little sensation here up to now. Many people are beginning to discuss it, and all of them with a favorable passion. I receive more compliments on my little preface than the greatest of works would have brought to me in all my life. This is what I gain by soaring in the shadow of your wings. O my rampart and my sweet glory! (O, et praesidium, et dulce decus meum!)

The man who has undertaken to deliver the present letter, whom I have only known since a mutual friend directed him to me a few days ago, has conceived a plan that I hope will be successful, namely, going to London to be a French language teacher. He does not yet seem to me to be very strong in English, but people assure me that he possesses the gift of teaching to an exceptional degree—a gift that is not so identified with the most profound knowledge as it seems that it should be. Might I dare ask you to show him some kindness, without compromising yourself? He also has a letter to deliver to you from Monsieur Le Roy, who has perhaps known him longer or more intimately, and who is moreover better qualified to assess him.

I have millions of compliments to give you from my wife, Mademoiselle Biheron, and a multitude of other people of every sex and condition. But be sure that no one else is more sincerely attached to you, wishes more ardently for your safety and prosperity, is more desirous of embracing you this year to repeat to you that I am, with all my soul, entirely yours