“Dear Son William,—I do
purpose in a few weeks to send the remaining part of Joe’s Share to you, which is about £25
(now Wright’s bond is paid), for you to take the
managment of it for the benefit of his children, to put out. I think
Mary and John
have had all that can be expected of it, as I cannot give them anything by
will, and whatever he may have promissed to do for them is all a hazard, as he
may think he wants it for his own use. I think he can make a good shift without
it. Suppose he has wholy cast of Mary, now she has a
husband, though an Indolent one. I have not certainly heard
William is got into the bluecoat School. Doth he do
credit to it by improvment? I will give you notice when I send the money, and
hope you will write also. Tell me what Harriot and
Pheby are doing, and how John
goes on. I hope he will stay his time, and behave so as to be respected by his
master, and how your children do. I did not mean the snuffbox for a plaything
for Mary. It is of value, but for you to
take care of till she knows its value, and is told it was her
grandfather’s present to her grandmother. I hope for some good account of
John, that he has not wasted his little. As to
Hannah, she complains much; her
expenses must be great, besides her lodgings being unoccupy’d half the
year. She tells me Mr Hague, her good friend, is failed
again: sure he must have missmanaged very greatly. I shall send you a Turkey
this week, hope it
| 60 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
“Do you think a smal matter would do your sister good? I have sent her about £2, 10s. Do you think that as much more would enable her to go on?
“I hope I can send the £25 I mentioned above without expence by Mr Munton’s order to Messrs Wood, Bishopgate St. If you call too soon, it’s but little to call again, for letters cost something. But it will be necessary to live a memorandum or acknolegement of it with Mr Wood, with a date on plain paper, no stamp, for Mr Munton’s and my sattisfaction. Likewise give me a proper acknowledgement of it by a post letter when you have received it.
“Your brother Hully is going to send you a turkey. I am, through mercy, better.
“I have enclosed the money above mentioned, to save expences and trouble.”
