• Reference
    HW87/307
  • Title
    Letter: Jacob Gilbert van der Smissen (Altona) to Silena How.
  • Date free text
    16 Jan. 1770
  • Production date
    From: 1770 To: 1770
  • Scope and Content
    ... The few weeks [Tommy] stayed at our house I must confess he behaved himself very well. You know he is of a lively temper & therefore a very watchful eye ought to be fixed upon him constantly, but he being tenderhearted too, he accepts reproof, tho’ he has soon forgott and immediately committs the same fault again. But for all that I consider him to be a youth of great hopes & I love him for the sake of his honourable mother. As to my judgement, it is very good for him to be a while at Segeberg at such a good masters house, where he may not only make better progress in the German Language but also lose a little more of his childishness which hinder’d him much of being serviceable to himself and to us ... As to his proneness to the vice of lying & drinking ... as to the first, I am very carefull on his stories he tells whether they are as he relates them …& as to drinking he has no opportunity at all at our house . Sister is engaged to cousin; & himself hopes to marry. G. van der Smissen adds a note, that he has received a letter from Segeberg about Tommy's good behaviour & progress.
  • Level of description
    item