I find that we shall have many ways of settling him to his
satisfaction; and as he is learning the English very
fast,[304:1] he will afterwards be able to choose for himself.
There is a gentleman of the name of Townsend, a man of four or
five thousand a-year, who lives very privately, within fifteen
miles of London, and is a great admirer of our philosopher, as
is also his wife. He has desired him to live with him, and
offers to take any board he pleases. M. Rousseau was much
pleased with this proposal, and is inclined to accept of it.
The only difficulty is, that he insists positively on his
gouvernante's sitting at table,--a proposal which is not to be
made to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend.
This woman forms the chief encumbrance to his settlement. M.
de Luze, our companion, says, that she passes for wicked and
quarrelsome, and tattling; and is thought to be the chief
cause of his quitting Neufchâtel. He himself owns her to be so
dull, that she never knows in what year of the Lord she is,
nor in what month of the year, nor in what day of the month or
week; and that she can never learn the different value of the
pieces of money in any country. Yet she governs him as
absolutely as a nurse does a child. In her absence his dog has
acquired that ascendant. His affection for that creature is
beyond all expression or conception.
I have as yet scarce seen any body except Mr. Conway and Lady
Aylesbury.[305:1] Both of them told me, they would visit Jean
Jacques, if I thought their company would not be disagreeable.
I encouraged them to show him that mark of distinction.[305:2]
Here I must also tell you of a good action which I did; not
but that it is better to conceal our good actions. But I
consider not my seeking _your_ approbation as an effect of
vanity: your suffrage is to me something like the satisfaction
of my own conscience. While we were at Calais, I asked him
whether, in case the King of England thought proper to gratify
him with a pension, he would accept of it. I told him, that
the case was widely different from that of the King of
Prussia; and I endeavoured to point out to him the difference,
particularly in this circumstance, that a gratuity from the
King of England could never in the least endanger his
independence. He replied: "But would it not be using ill the
King of Prussia, to whom I have since been much obliged?
However, on this head (added he,) in case the offer be made
me, I shall consult my father;" meaning Lord Marischal.[306:1]
I told this story to General Conway, who seemed to embrace
with zeal the notion of giving him a pension, as honourable
both to the king and nation. I shall suggest the same idea to
other men in power whom I may meet with, and I do not despair
of succeeding.