LETTER XLI.

  Victory, March 14th, [1804]
  off Toulon.

Young Faddy, my Dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this station.  However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me.

With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do any thing.  The surgeon of the Victory is a very able, excellent man, and the ship is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I could—­but, thank [God] I cannot—­do such an unjust act, as to remove him.  He is my own asking for! and, I have every reason to be perfectly content.

Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he got out of a good employ, and has seen another person, at Malta hospital, put over his head.  He must now begin again; and act with much more attention and sobriety, than he has done, to ever get forward again:  but, time may do much; and, I shall rejoice to hear of his reformation.

I am not surprised, my dearest Emma, at the enormous expences of the watering place; but, if it has done my own Emma service, it is well laid out.  A thousand pounds a year will not go far; and we need be great economists, to make both ends meet, and to carry on the little improvements.  As for making one farthing more prize-money, I do not expect it; except, by taking the French fleet:  and, the event of that day, who can foresee!

With respect to Mrs. Graefer—­what she has done, God and herself knows; but I have made up my mind, that Gibbs will propose an hundred pounds a year for her:  if so, I shall grant it, and have done.  I send you Mrs. Graefer’s last letter.

Whilst I am upon the subject of Bronte, I have one word more—­and your good, dear, kind heart, must not think that I shall die one hour the sooner; on the contrary, my mind has been more content ever since I have done:  I have left you a part of the rental of Bronte, to be first paid every half year, and in advance.  It is but common justice; and, whether Mr. Addington gives you any thing, or not, you will want it.

I would not have you lay out more than is necessary, at Merton.  The rooms, and the new entrance, will take a good deal of money.  The entrance by the corner I would have certainly done; a common white gate will do for the present; and one of the cottages, which is in the barn, can be put up, as a temporary lodge.  The road can be made to a temporary bridge; for that part of the Nile, one day, shall be filled up.

Downing’s canvas awning will do for a passage.  For the winter, the carriage can be put in the barn; and, giving up Mr. Bennett’s premises, will save fifty pounds a year:  and, another year, we can fit up the coach-house and stables, which are in the barn.