To Mr Lorenzo Turchi
E I, 249
Strong criticism of his son’s behaviour upon returning from the autumn holidays
Turin, 17 December 1855
Dear Sir,
In previous years, I wrote to you to give you good news about Giovannino; this time, it is to give you bad news.
Since he came back from holidays I haven’t been able to get anything out of him. He no longer wants to know anything about devotion; in the morning it is no longer possible to get him out of bed, and when he does get up he does not go to church, he leaves the house without permission, he does not behave well at school, and what is more, he no longer listens to my advice. In short, I see him at a point where he will cause me serious grief and you serious disappointment. Reading those newspapers during the last holidays has ruined his mind, and God forbid that they have not ruined his heart.
Try writing him a letter, reprimanding him for his bad behaviour; tell him that if he does not mend his ways I will find myself in the unpleasant position of no longer being able to keep him in the house. I thought it best to step in before things got worse.
Mr Lorenzo! If only you knew what a terrible seed bad reading is in the hearts of young people! I will do everything I can for your son.
Let us commend everything to the Lord, and believe me when I say, with all due respect, that I am
Your most devoted servant
