To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 15 November 1782
From Benjamin Franklin Bache
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Geneva 15 9ber 1782
Dear Grand Papa
I wrote this pacquet as soon as possible Because My Cousin told me that there was an opportunity of sending them and as Mama Desires it all in english I wrote them with much of dificulty by that means I hope to make some Progress in the english language.2
I hope you have received the picture and the letter I sent you.3
I shoud be very happy if I had my parents with me but for only that I am quite unhappy, My life is uniforme, I get up at half after 7, I brekfast to 8, from 8 to 11 I am in class4 at 11 I have a Latin Lesson to 12, from 12 to 1 I Dine and learn By heart a Lesson that our Regent gives’us, from 1 to 3 I go to class, from 3 to 5 I do a task luncheon and do a theme, from 5 to 6 I have an’other latin Lesson from 6 to 7 I translate Joseph andrews and write my Journal from 75 I do my Drawing lesson to 8, and, then, I sup and go to bed. That is the work I do the Monday the tuesday and friday; the Wednesday and Saturday I have no drawing master almost every thursday and Sunday I go too Me [Mme] Cramer’s6 if I don’t go, the thursday I arrainge my things write my Journal, and translate.
I am My Dear Grand Papa Your most Dutiful and affectionate Son
B. Franklin B.
Johonnot presents his respects to you and desires yo would send his letters
Mr Cramer de Lon the son presents also his respects to you.7
Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / a Passy
2. BFB had sent his parents a letter in English around the new year (APS), but had not written BF in English since October, 1779: XXX, 586–7. His subsequent letters are all in English.
3. Dated [on or after Oct. 3], above.
4. Classes had resumed on Monday, Nov. 4, after a month off for the vintage holiday; see BFB’s letter of Oct. 1.
5. BFB averaged seven entries a month from August through December. On Dec. 5, his final entry for the year, he resolved: “Je compte ne rien faire que patiner dans mes moments de récreation cest pourqoi je veux oublier entièrement Mon journal jusqu’a l’année Prochaine.”
6. As he had been doing since the early days of his stay in Geneva: XXXV, 73.
7. Jean-François Cramer: XXXVI, 233n; XXXVII, 683.