FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

Letter 4.
[Letter from Marguerite Marie Le Det de Segrais, 1770-1817, and later from her four
daughters, to her husband Jean Baptiste Florian, traveling in the US.]
December 17, 1808? 1809? [<strong>The</strong> translator has marked this as 1809, but from the context
and reference to Jean-Baptiste arriving in Halifax, which occurred in early October 1808,
it seems that this is 1808.]
I cannot tell you, my good friend, the pleasure the news of your arrival at Halifax has
given. <strong>The</strong> success of your first voyage has given me hope for the rest, and I await your
arrival at New York with much impatience, but less disquiet than I had before receiving
your letter.
I thank you for the details you gave me on the land and the savages who live there. <strong>The</strong>
portrait you have drawn for me really made the children laugh. <strong>The</strong> details you gave me
on cod fishing interested me quite a bit.
Laura received your letter first, and she brought it to me. Just imagine seeing her get out
of the car [hackney cab?] and calling to me from a distance when she saw me, “A letter
from Papa! A letter from Papa!” I forgot for an instant that you were not out of all
danger. I assure you, my good friend, that it was the first moment of happiness which I
have experienced since your departure. I count them now since you left me. I still have
eight months until my departure. 38 You can judge the fear I will have, by the fear that
you had to cast off [in order to undertake the voyage]. But fear will have no effect. I
shall come to join you, though I must follow you to the Antipodes. Had you not left first,
I would certainly never have had enough courage to make the trip.
Our children are still doing well. Laura spent two weeks with me. She left two days ago
for Farenham with the Dawson family, which she will spend three months. I would never
have let her go back there, as there is no piano there, but Mrs. Dawson is as kind to her as
if she was her daughter. She promised me to be attentive, and I hope she will lose less
[skill] than she did during her trip to Brighton, during which she did nothing worthwhile.
I blame her less, however, than Mrs. Dawson, who has no energy, and who does not have
enough knowledge or talents to appreciate Laura’s. On her return, I shall be established
in London, and if I can have her with me, I will put her to work again.
Virginia has gotten taller and grown prettier, and she was greatly admired at the concert
which took place last week. She has drawn a charming head, a fresh baby face. In
general everyone is pleased with her.
38 This would make the departure of Marguerite and the daughters about August, 1809, if it is correct that
this letter is dated December 1808.
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