Thomas Beddoes to Lady Anne Lambton, 12 January 1801
Madam
Yesterday was despatched to your ladyship a long letter of Williams including his translation of Aristides, entirely his own – It went under cover to Lord Paget at Beaudeserts John’s will soon be forwarded to town –
I could much wish if you approve that they should have the voyages pittoresques, as many as are published – And your ladyship would be able to choose good impressions. You would find them at Deboffe’s Gerard St Soho – at Dulau’s Soho Square or Faulder’s or Payne’s —There are voyages pittoresques de la Grece – de la Sicile – de Naples – de la France – de la Suisse – de Dalmatia & I believe others – In these the boys would see objects mentioned in classical authors & in modern history & geography – & thus would acquire juster ideas than books can give –
It is true these books are very expensive – but they will always retain their value; perhaps increase in value – such works shd be in the library of a place like Lambton – And I do not see in what respect a good fortune is so desireable as in procuring every thing that can be desired towards a good education. Every body too must perceive that the state of the world is very unsettled & precarious; & this I think is a good reason for availing one’s self of the power to procure whatever may render the boys more capable of enjoying their respective properties or making their way in the world without property, in case any general calamity shd befall this country – a thing I fear too justly to be apprehended –
If your ladyship shd see Mr Wilkinson, may I trouble to say to him that I do not know any Latin author, except Persius, that the boys will not very soon be able to get a good lesson in. But as the rigid pedantry of Eton-School requires certain books to be read before such & such a form can be entered, I wish he would get me a list of these books – The boys would be able (in case it should be determined ere long to risque sending them <so very young> to a great school) to be put into any form – I dare say in 6 months they will write good Latin – & soon after Latin verses – which M. Moisson writes with great elegance – I think (besides the acquisitions) there can scarce be two so good classical scholars of their standing in England –
It is possible I may go again to visit Miss Johnes at Hafod in the course of a month – As it is a noble place & as Col. Johnes has the best library of any individual in Europe for the fine arts of antiquity, where John saw many instructive things, I had an idea of taking both him & W. but if you are coming hither in a month, of course I must not – I am Madam
Your ladyship’s faithful servant
Thomas Beddoes
12 Jan. 1800
Address: Rt. Honble Lady Anne Lambton / Gloucester Place / London
Postmarks: 12 January 1801 and 13 January 1801
MS: Lambton Park MS