198 
marble staircase in the Marquis’s house is just 
finished, at the expense of about 5000/. sterling. 
We shall not stop at Rome for more than a day 
or two in our way to Naples. We have letters to 
Mr. Walsby, secretary to the Duke of Gloucester, 
now at Rome. 
Your affectionate Son, 
J. E. Smiru. 
Mr. Smith to J. E. Smith, Genoa. 
My dear Son, Norwich, Jan. 4, 1787. 
Pray make no apology for writing a small cha- 
racter that your letters may contain more; they are 
so entertaining, independent of the interest we take 
in every thing you do, and in all that takes your 
attention, that we are never tired, but read them 
over and over again.—I have looked into Thick- 
nesse for the JZaison Carrée, mto Le Voyage de 
France for Aix, Nismes, the Pont du Gard, Mar- 
seilles, &c.; and much the more enjoyed your and 
their descriptions. For the climate, the fruits, the 
good cheer, the frugality, and though last, not 
least, the fountains of Aix, I amuse myself with the 
delights of living there. Could we but find civil and 
religious liberty, besides the above blessings, I could 
wish myself and my family resident there. 
I was not sorry you were not bit with. poetic 
phrensy at your visit to Vaucluse. "Tis by no means 
a vein to be wished. No muse rewards her votaries 
so ill: to say how many she has ruined would be 
