LETTER 30.

An Uncle in answer to a Nephew's complaining of hardship in his apprenticeship.

DEAR NEPHEW,

I am sorry you should have any misunderstanding with your master: I have a good opinion of him, and am unwilling to entertain a bad one of you. It is so much a master's interest to use his apprentices well, that I am disposed to think that when they are badly used it is of tener the effect of provocation than choice. Wherefore, before I give myself the trouble of interposing in your behalf, I desire that you will inquire of yourself, whether you have not, by some misconduct or other, provoked that alteration in your master's behaviour of which you so much complain. If, after having diligently complied with this request, you assure me that you are not sensible of having given cause of disgust on your side, I will readily use my endeavors to reconcile you to your master, or procure you another. But if find you yourself blameable, it will be better for you to remove, by your own amendment, the occasion of your master's displeasure, than to have me or any other friend, offer to plead your excuse, where you know it would be unjust to defend you. If this should be your case, all your friends together could promise your better behaviour, indeed; but as the performance must even then be your own, it will add much more to your character to pass through your whole term, without any interposition between you. Weigh what I have here said; and remember that your future welfare depends greatly on your present behaviour. I am your loving kinsman.

LETTER 31.

From a Mother to her Son on the same subject:

MY DEAR SAMUEL,

You cannot imagine how sorry I was to hear that your master and you do not agree so well as I could wish. I was always afraid you would expect the same indulgence when you got abroad into the world, as your experienced when at home. You know, that in many instances, I have endeavored to make seeming hardships as easy to you as I could; but if this makes you more difficult to be satisfied, it would be a great trouble to me. Your uncle tells me, and I am afraid with too much truth, that the indulgences you have received from me, have made your present situation more disagreeable than it would otherwise have been. Whatever I have done for you, was always intended for your good, and nothing could so deeply afflict me, as to see my tenderness have a mischievous effect. Therefore, my dear child, to my constant care for you, do not add the sorrow of my seeing it the cause of your behaving worse, than if I had been less tender to you. Before we put you to your master, we had a very pleasing character of him from all his neighbours, and those who had any dealings with him. As Mr. James, who is now out of his time, gives him the best of characters, and declares your mistress to be a woman of great prudence and good conduct, I know not how to think they would in any respect use you ill. Consider, my dear, you must not, in any other woman than myself, expect to find a fond and perhaps partial mother; for the little failings which I could not see in you, will conspicuously appear to other persons. My

affection for you would make me wish you to be always with me; but as that would be inconsistent with your future welfare, and as you must certainly be a gainer from the situation you are now in, let a desire to promote my happiness as well as your own, make every seeming difficulty light. I have desired your uncle to. interpose in this matter, and he will write to you soon. He has promised to see justice done you, provided your complaints are founded on reason. Believe me, my dear

child,

Your affectionate mother.

LETTER 32.

From a Father to a Son, on his negligence in his affairs.

DEAR JAMES,

You cannot imagine what a concern your carelessness and indifferent management of your affairs give Remissness is inexcusable in all men, but in none so much as in a man of business, the soul of which is industry, diligence and punctuality.

me.

Let me beg you to shake off the idle habits you have contracted; quit unprofitable company, and unseasonable recreations, and apply to your compting house with dili gence. It may not yet be too late to retrieve your affairs. Inspect therefore your gains, and cast up what proportion they bear to your expenses; and then see which of the latter you can, and which you cannot contract. Consider, that when once a man suffers himself to go backward in the world, it must be an uncommon spirit of industry that retrieves him, and puts him forward again.

Reflect, I beseech you, before it be too late, upon the inconveniences which an impoverished trader is put to, for the remainder of his life; which too, may happen to be the prime part of it; the indignities he is likely to suffer from those whose money he has unthinkingly squandered; the contempt he will meet with from all, not excepting the idle companions of his folly; the injustice he does his family, in depriving his children, not only of the power of raising themselves, but of living tolerably; and how, on the contrary, from being born to a creditable expectation, he sinks them into the lowest class of mankind, and exposes them to most dangerous temptations. What has not such a father to answer for! and all this for the sake of indulging himself in an idle, careless, thoughtless habit, that cannot afford the least satisfaction, beyond the present hour, if in that; and which must be attended with deep remorse, when he be gins to reflect. Think seriously of these things, and in time resolve on such a course as may bring credit to yourself, justice to all you deal with, peace and pleasure to your own mind, comfort to your family; and which will give at the same time the highest satisfaction to Your careful and loving father.

HONORED SIR,

LETTER 33.

The Son's grateful answer.

I return you my sincere thanks for your seasonable reproof and advice. I have indeed too much indulged myself in an idle, careless habit; and had already begun to feel the evil consequences of it, when I received your

letter, in the insults of a creditor or two, from whom I expected kinder treatment. But, indeed, they wanted but their own, so I could only blame myself, who had brought their rough usage upon me. Your letter came so seasonable upon this, that I hope it will not want the desired effect; and as I think it is not yet too late, I am resolved to take another course with myself and my affairs, that I may avoid the ill consequences you so judiciously forewarn me of, and give to my family and friends the pleasure they so well deserve at my hands; and particularly that satisfaction to so good a father, which is owing to him by his

Most dutiful son.

LETTER 34.

From an aged Lady in the country, to her Niece in New York, cautioning her against keeping company with a Gentleman of a bad character.

DEAR NIECE,

The sincere love and affection which I now have for your indulgent father, and ever had for your virtuous mother, when she was alive, together with the tender regard for your future happiness and welfare, have prevailed on me rather to inform by letter than by word of mouth, concerning what I have heard of your unguarded conduct, and the too great freedoms you take with Mr. Lovelace. You have been seen with him at the Theatre, Columbia, Mount Vernon, and Vauxhall Gardens. Do, not imagine, niece, that I write this from a principle of ill nature, it is on purpose to save you from ruin ! for, let me tell you, your familiarity with him gives me no small