Passy, 23 September, 1778.
A very idle, vain conversation at a dinner has produced you this
letter[192] from a venerable old lady in this neighborhood, the wife of
Monsieur Grand, the banker. As the subject was introduced, and according
to the turn the conversation really took, there was not so much vanity
and ostentation on my part as you will suspect from her account of it.
But as I speak French very imperfectly, and she understands not a
syllable of English, I suppose she did not fully understand me. All that
I maintained was that it was the duty of a good citizen to sacrifice all
to his country in some circumstances. God grant I may never be called to
do this again so often as I have done already, for I have hazarded all,
very often, and done as much as sacrifice all, sometimes. You will have
a delicate task to answer her. Write to her in English. She has a son
about five-and-twenty, who is a master of English and will interpret. It
is a virtuous family, and very civil to me and my dear Johnny, of whom
the whole family is very fond.
We are in deep concern for America; the last accounts having left
D'Estaing going to Rhode Island and Lord Howe after him.
It is high time for me to write to my children, but hitherto I have not
had time. I hope you have received twenty letters from me, in which I
have desired you to draw upon me for what money you want.