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journey in regard to information and connections, 
with a pleasing prospect of future happiness and in- 
terest ;—all these agreeable subjects for reflection 
do not interest us near so much as what concerns 
your health and safety, the confirmation of which in 
every letter carries my soul, loaded with gratitude, 
up to the throne of our gracious God, displaying 
your letter as the testimony of his great goodness in 
preserving and protecting you, who are the joy and 
comfort of those to whom you owe your birth, and 
who are never ceasing to offer up vows for your 
happy return, when you have completed your pur- 
posed tour. Excuse, my beloved son! these sallies 
of the passions,—my heart is full. 
Your brother Francis is pursuing astronomy now 
with the earnestness he undertakes every thing, and 
he is making astronomers of the girls andme. We 
are ever popping out to peep at the stars, and are 
intimate with Orion, the Ursz, the Lion, and Bull, 
&c. Sir J. Banks told me he had received a letter 
from you. I shall write to you to Turin, and hope 
you will let us hear from you as soon as you arrive 
at Venice, at Milan and Turin, if you have only 
time to say you are well. 
Yours for ever, 
JAMES SMITH. 
I am told the road from Milan to Turin is in dan- 
ger of banditti. I beg of you omit no precautions, 
nor spare expense, for your safety. I write now 
for the caution I give you, which I don’t let your 
mother see. 
