The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Walking Tours 1827-32
• 29.: Walking Tour of Sussex 20-30 July, 1827
• 30.: Walking Tour of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey 3-15 July, 1828
• 31.: Walking Tour of Yorkshire and the Lake District July-august 1831
• 32.: Walking Tour of Hampshire, West Sussex, and the Isle of Wight 19 July-6 August, 1832
• 33.: Walking Tour of Cornwall 3-9 October, 1832
• Diary 1854
• 34.: Diary 8 January-15 April, 1854
• Appendices
• Appendix A: the Manuscripts
• Appendix B: Journal and Notebook: Ancillary Materials (1820-21)
• I. Plan of a Dialogue On Government
• II.: “lieues De Poste”
• III.: Translation of Cicero
• IV.: Letter From Lady Bentham to James Mill
• V.: Letters From Richard Doane
• Appendix C: Textual Emendations
• Appendix D: Index of Persons and Works Cited, With Variants and Notes

IV.

LETTER FROM LADY BENTHAM TO JAMES MILL

At p. 81 of the Journal (f. 64, otherwise blank) a letter from Lady Bentham to James Mill begins; it is continued on the top margins of the preceding folios.

• Bagnères

14th Septr 1820

Dear Sir

In the first part of a letter sent from hence above a fortnight ago, I gave you an account of John’s progress in the French language, and in other branches of study and acquirements in which his time has been occupied since he has been with us in order that you might yourself determine whether his return to you should be from Toulouse, or whether he should continue with us the winter; but in a few lines at the conclusion of that letter, I added that the particulars we had heard from Mr. Berard respecting several of the public lectures at Montpellier had convinced us that John would be so materially benefited by attending them, that we in grand committee had resolved that he should remain with us unless you have some reason which we are not aware of for desiring his return to England forthwith—Mr. Berard’s judgment is as sound as his scientific knowledge is superior; he has had more opportunity of seeing your son, of appreciating his acquirements and of detecting his deficiencies than any other individual out of our own family; his urgent desire that we should keep John through the winter had consequently great weight with us, when we re-opened the letter already sealed to add the few lines above mentioned—Since that time I may say, our attention has scarcely been withdrawn an hour from him; he has travelled in the coach with Bentham Clara and myself and we have been considerably successful in getting the better of his inactivity of mind and body when left to himself—Upon all occasions his gentleness under reproof, and thankfulness for correction are remarkable; and as it is by reason supported by examples we point out to him that we endeavour to convince him—not by command that we induce him to act so or so, we trust that you will have satisfaction from that part of his education we are giving him to fit him for commerce with the world at large—Unless therefore we receive immediately your orders for his return forthwith we shall take him on with us to Montpellier.

We purpose setting out on Sunday for Luchon, where [w]e shall remain two or three days at least; business at this [final] leaving of Toulouse may detain us there likewis[e about as long], so that it is probable that an answer [to us] would still find us there. I hope Mrs. Mill has quite recovere[d] and that the little one is well—Assure her with my compliments that we pay every possible attention to Johns health; and th[at] he has become active and careful in regard to his wardrobe etc. Mr. B. has already been told that the penknives have arrive[d] safe, and were received with the pleasure that proofs of Uncles affection always give—they are beautiful besides. Pray tell him also that Mary is very much better, though not yet strong; and still requiring my care. The babe quite well. Should John remain with us, I must beg your permission to order for him a new coat at Montpellier, partly because he has outgrown his present ones, partly because seeing the variety of company he must with us, and be amongst those who dress well, it seems necessary that his appearance should be not only clean and neat, but also his cloaths of a form not to be remarkable.