Editor’s NoteEditor’s Note634To Jeremiah Bentham10 December 1788 (Aet 40)

Hendon Decr 10th 1788

My Dear Father

I can but ill spare time; but the occasion, though I hope it will happen often will not happen every day, and when a father turns seducer, it is difficult for a son to resist. I will therefore obey your summons if God permit. In the mean time I send you some papers which perhaps may afford you some amusement. I shall only add that the prayer of Wilson's petition² which you will find among pg 21them is granted for divers causes and considerations besides those he mentions. I was asked t'other day by a gentleman you don't know whether the Defence of Usury was yet published in French? I asked him how he came to expect it should be? his answer was because a short time ago the Comte de Mirabeau had told him at Paris he intended translating it or getting it translated. You will return me the papers on Saturday: till when I remain

• Your affectionate         
• J.B.               

P.S. Wilson must never know I show'd his letter even to you: if he did, he would take it very much amiss.