“I write by the post that you may receive the enclosed, or rather subjoined, cheque for L.60, in perfect safety. This dreadful morning will probably stop Mercer.* It makes me shiver in the midst of superfluous comforts, to think of the distress of others. L.10 of the L.60 I wish you to distribute among our poorer neighbours, so as may best aid them. I mean not only the actually indigent, but those who are, in our phrase, ill off. I am sure Dr Scott— will assist you with his advice in this labour of love. I think part of the wood-money,‡ too, should be given among the Abbotstown folks if the storm keeps them off work, as is like.
“Deep, deep snow lying here. How do the goodwife and bairns? The little bodies will be half buried in snow drift.”