Editor’s NoteEditor’s Note294To Samuel Bentham23 December 1778 (Aet 30)

Wednesday Decr. 23 1778 Linc. Inn.

I have got for you Sunderland on Ship-building²—Is it not a Book you have been in want of? If not tell me, within this week, and I can return it—it cost 5s.

I have received your's of 22d.

pg 202I should like the scheme of taking the Russian Cub mightily: but for the reasons you mention I have no great idea of it's succeeding. I will think about a method of carrying it into execution. Perhaps I may call upon Sambouski³: our name I believe is known to him; but I fear not in a very advantageous way. All that however is mere conjecture, and I have not time to mention particulars.

What mean you by the Book Ld. Mulgrave recommended you? is not that the very book I got for you? Manuel des Marins⁴ I think the title of it is.

I will see about Don Jorge.⁵

If they charge you double at the Post Office for single letters, complain.

I wrote to you by Peake's boy—I thought he was to have set out on Tuesday morning—but I found he was not to set out till Tuesday night.

Here is but an indifferent 3 pen n'orth.

Madam Q.S.P. has lately had a disappointment. Banks⁶ wrote a letter to C.A. asking him to go on from Geneva with him into Italy. C.A. wrote an answer spelling to be treated. Came a civil reply, but the hint was not accepted.