| Description | 'Dear Duncan,
I had the pleasure of your letter of June 17th a few days ago and you may be always sure of my ready compliance with everything that can give you or your friends the least satisfaction. I shall therefore give you an account of what I know of the young gentleman without any reserve and the more willingly as altho I cannot in every point, I can however justify him in the principal one of the charge. It is very true that he comes often to Lausanne, much oftner than is consistent either with study or economy; but the company he keeps there is not that of the German but of the English gentlemen. He sees indeed the German in their company almost daily as in such a small place as this it is impossible for strangers not to meet; but I never could perceive that he preferred his company to that of others, and I never learned that he lost any considerable sum to him or anybody else. I am very positive he never did for I was present on most occassions when they played high last winter and if any such thing had happened in my absence I am sure it would not have been concealed from me. His parents have been lead, I suppose, into this opinion partly from his great expenses. I am convinced they are considerable. However I can account for them altho I don't know that he ever lost above twelve loius at a time at play. In the first place he keeps two or three servants, he has to the best of my knowledge four horses in his stable and a chaise, he is very extravagane in cloaths, ruffles, entertainments etc; when gaming is going on he always plays more or less as he is neither skillful nor attentive, it is to be supposed generally without success: when all these things I say are considered, and to these are added that he is giddy, careless, inattentive to all money affairs beyond expression, cheated of consequence by servants etc etc etc, it will not be surprizing that his expences should amout to a considerable sum. Thes are his foibles of which I have often taken the liberty to put him in mind. The good qualities of his heart and mind are innumerable and render him the darling of all his acquaintance. How far the views in sending him to this country have been or are likely to be answered, I cannot take upon me to say. Mr De Rochemont will best explain that question. You may judge however from the character I have described that his application is not severe; and yet I believe he does not neglect any thin intirely. I know he ispretty assiduous in his exercies in the manege; he tells me that he takes a lesson in law of Rochemont, a lesson in the German language and a lesson in French.If he succeeds in all these as he has done in speaking French, his parents will have no reason to repent the having sent him to Geneva.
I beg my compliments to all friends and ever am with great sincerity, dear Duncan, yours most affectionately
R Smith
Allow me to say in favour of the German Baron that if by gamester you mean a person who loves high play, he certainly is one; if you mean a sharper, he by no means deserves that epithet. I mention this not to vindicate the young man for playing with him, but to excuse his being sometimes in his company.' |