Volume 03: Letters of John Macarthur to his sons, 1815-1832

Geneva, April 9th. 1815

My dear John,

We left Paris on the 29th. of last month, and proceeded to Dijon in the Diligence we were there delayed performing the journey – the weather was delightful and a consider-able portion of the Country through which we passed highly fruitful and well cultivated – we remained one day at Dijon, and set off from there to Chalon – At Chalon we embarked on the Saone for Lyons – we were two days on the River – nothing could be more pleasant than our little voyage. We staid at Lyons only one night so that we had no opportu-nity of examining that City. On Thursday we entered Geneva, and yesterday got Lodgings with Board, in a private Family

I suppose ere this Letter can arrive you will be on the point of leaving Cambridge – I need not say how happy I shall be to receive information of all you propose to do

I wish you would ascertain whether Mr. Cole has received any Letters from me. I shall write to you in a few days by way of Holland on business

It is rather early yet to form an opinion of them, but I am inclined to think we shall find our situation agreeable enough, as long as it may be expedient to remain at Geneva.

Fortunately they have not commenced pruning their vines in the vineyards contiguous to this City so that I shall have an opportunity of seeing the whole process of pruning, planting, and preparing the soil. The method which they adopt is the same as that practised in Burgundy and the Provinces where the choicest wines are produced, altho' the wine made here is of very inferior quality. – this inferiority is attributable to the soil, aspect, climate and other unknown causes, and not to the want of skill in the culture of the vine.

my health is much improved, and the Boys are as well as can be wished – I am exceedingly apprehensive that none of the Letters I write to you and others of my friends from Paris have reached their destination, as I have not received a Letter since I left England. I shall write to Mrs Thompson to morrow by way of Holland, but as the Letter will be much longer on its journey than this, I must by you to inform her that Frederick is in excellent health.

I am anxious to know if you have received any Letters from Edward. Write to me therefore one Letter by way of Paris, on this subject, and private matters only, but let all your other Letters be for-warded by way of Holland. [original crossed out]

Your Brothers unite in Affectionate wishes with My Dear John

Your Affectionate Father J McArthur

My dear John

Address your letters to my Father Chez Mdme Veuve Baurtt Pasteur Pres St. Antoine No 3b Maison Devrilard Genève

Via Holland

McArthur to John Geneva April 1815

Re-directed from CAMBRIDGE Monsieur Mc.Arthur Ibbotsons Hotel Vere Street Oxford St Angleterre London

Via Paris

[pencil] No 206 5 1810

Parramatta, 20th Febry. 1820

My dear John,

The accompanying Sheets have been written in Bed and with great difficulty, and I find myself so much oppressed with the pain and disorder that I can write to no one else except a few hurried lines to dear Edward in Elizabeth's Letter. You must therefore perform the task of acquainting him with all the important matters I have told you. – All the Regalia's goods came safe but much disordered from the broken state of the Packages The Seeds and Plants certainly spoiled – acquaint Mr. Gibbs that our collection of seeds for him could not be effectually dried (many of them being in cases) to send to him by this conveyance, but will be sent by a Whaler that is expected to sail in about two months. Pray what is become of the Iron Plough presented to me by Colonel Campbell, that was reloaded from the [original crossed out] David Shaw. – and why have you made no mention of the machine for flax dressing that I wrote so particularly about. – Where also is the [indecipherable] that poor Ned had procured for me – We have been put to great inconvenience, and continue to suffer it, from your neglecting to send the piece of Blue Cloth for Servants Linens – Cloth about 2s/ a Yard – and the Gross of large and Gross of small Yellow Buttons with our Crest.

Elizabeth intended writing to Eliza Thompson, but she dear Girl is a wretched Invalid – tell Mrs. Thompson how much we are interested in all that we hear of her and that both I and Elizabeth will write when we are better – We just hear the Coromandel is arrived from England, but I fear if there be any Letters, we cannot answer them on this occasion, as the Admiral Cockburn is said to sail tomorrow, and James is going off this instant with our Letters. Remember us most kindly to all friends –

Your Affect. Father J McAr –