FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

and I flatter myself that we will receive still more. What causes me the most pleasure is
knowing that we are still loved, and that they are all ready to render us any service (good
turn) which their situation permits.
It seems to me, however, that your sisters have mis-understood the bill of liquidation of
which I sent several copies, since they want to consult a lawyer, while they had only their
conscience to consult. 60
I had hoped to bring you 2 or 3,000 pounds sterling, but the lessons I give the children
and the difference of having Laura at the D’s is eating away furiously at my little funds. 61
However, if we found a good [educational] establishment it will not be money mis-spent.
Besides I have done my best, and I hope that you will approve especially for [my] having
rescued Laura from her situation. You cannot imagine how much of her talents she has
lost. I am going to try to have her regain at least [the amount of her talents] she has lost.
I received last night a letter from our good friend Droine. He wants to know all that you
actually saw. Tomorrow I will send him all the details he is asking for.
Conupin has not arrived yet, and his sisters are not sure that he is coming. I received by
packet the letter you had given him for me. I would certainly like him to come before our
departure, so he can guide me on what I should take along. I am very undecided [as to]
whether I should take my old harp. Are they are expensive in New Orleans, or should I
ship one from France? 62
I shall leave it to Joseph if he is here to give the order for the guns. He believes that trade
is going to pick up, which will be very advantageous for us.
I am late in receiving details on the trip you were going to make in the countryside. <strong>The</strong>
moment I receive one of your letters, I am happy, but the good feeling does not last, as so
many things could have happened since it was written, my good friend. I do not want to
be separated from you, I suffer from misgivings so far from you. If you have chosen a
spot to settle down in, I hope that you have given attention to its healthiness. I form a
thousand conjectures. I suppose that the children and I will be at New Orleans and you
will be in the [interior?] – please do not have us cross the waters of the Atlantic to go to a
spot where we cannot see each other sometimes. [And I hope] the very dear Emmanuel
[brother of Marguerite, in New Orleans] has gotten rid of his rheumatism. I love him
with all my heart, for him, and for the reception he gave you. Tell him for me all the
most tender things you can find to say, and you will be telling him only a small part of
what I feel for him. His nieces are very anxious to know [see?] him. Azelie begs her
uncle not to call her “petite grenorille” [little frog] – nevertheless she talks like one.
to $600,000 today. (This assumes that today the education of a young woman at a finishing school would
now cost about $10,000 to $20,000 per year.)
60 It seems likely that Jean-Baptiste and his wife are handing over the family estate in Brittany to his sisters,
and are asking for a reasonable monetary settlement in return.
61 During this period, a lieutenant in the Royal Navy would make about 216 pounds per year in salary (not
including any prize money). A senior captain would make a bit more than twice as much.
62 This latter sentence is confusing in its translation.
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