government in the world that is carried on upon such deep principles of policy, I will not add morality. Converse with them, frequent them, court them; but know them.
Inform yourself too of that infernal court, the inquisition; which, though not so considerable at Rome as in Spain and Portugal, will, however, be a good sample to you of what the villainy of some men can contrive, the folly of others receive, and both together establish; in spite of the first natural principles of reason, justice, and equity. [Same date.]
Military Study.—Go with some engineer or old
officer, and view, with care, the real fortifications of
some strong place; and you will get a clearer idea of
bastions, half-moons, horn-works, ravelins, glacis,
etc., than all the masters in the world could give
you upon paper. And thus much I would, by all
means, have you know of both civil and military
architecture. [Oct. 17, 1749.]
A Father's Object.—Dear Boy: From the
time that you have had life, it has been the principal
and favorite object of mine, to make you as perfect
as the imperfections of human nature will allow;
in this view I have grudged no pains nor expense
