Sent 4 [August 1787]. Hot weather has set in, exceeding anything experienced in England, but not intolerable. Received his father's letter of 19 July [1787]; sorry to hear state of things at Chelsea have caused his parents so much trouble [pregnancy of Smith's housekeeper, Molly Standard]; expects to be in London by Michaelmas [29 September]. Concerned for fate of his friend Cooper, and "melancholy state" of [Robert] Batty, whose death would be the "first real misfortune" he ever felt. Glad his father has read [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau's [(1712-1778), philosopher] "Confessions"; their reputation for shock; other book recommendations. Notes on silk business and prices for his father's bales.

Hopes his father received his letter of 4 August [1787]. Kindness of Messrs Malanot and Maghit; their regard for his father. His calls on cloth merchants and investigations into silk production. Mr Malanot so excessively hospitable as to make him uneasy. Invited by de Sousa, the Portuguese ambassador, to meet all the corps diplomatique. Has met a Milanese boy who is "such a treasure" he intends to bring him back to England, and is so clever he intends to "make him earn" what he costs [François Borone]. Account of a botanical excursion he made to Mount Cenis with de Sousa and other botanists and natural philosophers. Account of his arrival in Geneva, which "swarms with English people"; so far has only met Professor Zimmerman; meeting Mr Bonnet tomorrow. After Geneva will visit the glaciers, Lausanne, Berne, Basle, and Strasbourg, before reaching Paris.