I do; but if Mr. Harte lets you continue there, as
long as I propose that you should, I shall then be
convinced that you make the proper use of your time;
which is the only thing I have to ask of you.
One year is the most that I propose you should stay
at Turin; and that year, if you employ it well, perfects
you. One year more of your late application,
with Mr. Harte, will complete your classical studies.
You will be likewise master of your exercises in that
time; and will have formed yourself so well at that
court, as to be fit to appear advantageously at any
other. These will be the happy effects of your
year’s stay at Turin, if you behave, and apply
yourself there as you have done at Leipsig; but if
either ill advice, or ill example, affect and seduce
you, you are ruined forever. I look upon that
year as your decisive year of probation; go through
it well, and you will be all accomplished, and fixed
in my tenderest affection forever; but should the
contagion of vice of idleness lay hold of you there,
your character, your fortune, my hopes, and consequently
my favor are all blasted, and you are undone.
The more I love you now, from the good opinion I have
of you, the greater will be my indignation if I should
have reason to change it. Hitherto you have had
every possible proof of my affection, because you
have deserved it; but when you cease to deserve it,
you may expect every possible mark of my resentment.
To leave nothing doubtful upon this important point
I will tell you fairly, beforehand, by what rule I
shall judge of your conduct—by Mr. Harte’s
accounts. He will not I am sure, nay, I will
say more, he cannot be in the wrong with regard to
you. He can have no other view but your good;
and you will, I am sure, allow that he must be a better
judge of it than you can possibly be at your age.
While he is satisfied, I shall be so too; but whenever
he is dissatisfied with you, I shall be much more
so. If he complains, you must be guilty; and
I shall not have the least regard for anything that
you may allege in your own defense.
I will now tell you what I expect and insist upon
from you at Turin: First, that you pursue your
classical and other studies every morning with Mr.
Harte, as long and in whatever manner Mr. Harte shall
be pleased to require; secondly, that you learn, uninterruptedly,
your exercises of riding, dancing, and fencing; thirdly,
that you make yourself master of the Italian language;
and lastly, that you pass your evenings in the best
company. I also require a strict conformity to
the hours and rules of the Academy. If you will
but finish your year in this manner at Turin, I have
nothing further to ask of you; and I will give you
everything that you can ask of me. You shall
after that be entirely your own master; I shall think
you safe; shall lay aside all authority over you, and
friendship shall be our mutual and only tie.
Weigh this, I beg of you, deliberately in your own
mind; and consider whether the application and the
degree of restraint which I require but for one year
more, will not be amply repaid by all the advantages,
and the perfect liberty, which you will receive at
the end of it. Your own good sense will, I am
sure, not allow you to hesitate one moment in your
choice. God bless you! Adieu.