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diterranean. I thought to have called on you at school, but our orders to sail were so sudden, that I had no time to spare from the necessary duties of my station. Let me beg, my dear, that you will attend with the utmost assiduity to your studies.

Youth is the proper time for acquiring knowledge, which, if properly improved, and reduced to practice, will be of the utmost service to you in your future life; you are yet unacquainted with the world, and happy will it be for you, if you remain ignorant of the evils and dangers of a seafaring life. Let me therefore intreat you, in the most earnest manner, to think of some employment which will procure you a decent subsistence, and enable you to live independently in the world. I have left an order with our agent to pay for your education; and although my pay is small, yet nothing on my part shall be wanting to make your situation as easy as possible. As it will be some days before we sail, I shall expect to have a letter from you, and if too late, it will be sent after me. In the mean time,

I am your affectionate father.

LETTER 22.

The Son's Answer.

HONORED SIR,

It was one of the first lessons you taught me, that gratitude is the noblest principle that can actuate the heart of man; but what must it be when connected with filial duty incumbent on a son to the most indulgent parent! I am left in a situation that may be felt but not described. That my fond and worthy parent should be so precipi.

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tately hurried away to a distant country, almost overpow ers me; especially when I consider that I may never have an opportunity of seeing you any more. I am convinced that your friendly advice to me is such, that if strictly followed, must be attended with the most beneficial consequences to myself; my honor and happiness will equally depend on adhering to it, and I shall always consider it as my second greatest duty, to obey the precepts of my worthy father.

I have got so far in my studies as to be able to read Xenophon, and next week I enter upon Homer. I have some thoughts, if agreeable to you, to take lodgings, in order to study the law; my inclinations run that way, but I submit it wholly to your approbation. Pray let me hear from you as often as possible, as it will be the greatest pleasure that you can afford

Your affectionate and dutiful son.

LETTER 23.

From a Young Gentleman, clerk to a merchant in town, to his father in the country, soliciting pocket money.

HONORED SIR,

I wrote to you by Mr. Bale, the dry goods trader, but not having received any answer, I am disappointed. Although I have been as good an economist as possible, yet I find the pocket money you allowed me to take from Mr. Willis, monthly, is not sufficient to support my nec. essary expenses, although it was so at first. New-York is such a place, that unless one maintains something of a character, they are sure to be treated with contempt, and pointed at as objects of ridicule. I assure you, sir, that

I abhor every sort of extravagance, as much as you can desire, and the small matter which I ask as an addition to your former allowance, is only to promote my own interest, and which, I am sure, you have as much at heart as any parent possibly can. My master will satisfy you, that my conduct has been consistent with the strictest rules of morality. I submit it to your judgment what you think proper to order me. I did not choose to mention my want of money to Mr. Willis, and for that reason, have not taken any thing more than you ordered; I hope you will not be offended with what I have written; as I shall always consider myself happy in performing my duty, and acquiring the favor of my honored parents.

I am, honored sir, your affectionate son.

MY DEAR CHILD,

LETTER 24.

The Father's Answer.

My reason for not sending to you sooner was, that I had been on a journey to your uncle at Philadelphia, where I was detained longer than I expected, and conse quently, did not see your letter till last night. I have considered your request, and am convinced that it is altogether reasonable: you are greatly mistaken if you think that I wanted to confine you to the small matter paid by Mr. Willis-no; it was indeed inadvertency; but my constant residence in the country renders me little acquainted with the customs of New-York. I do not desire to confine you to any particular sum; you are now arrived at an age when it becomes absolutely necessary for you to be well acquainted with the value of money,

your profession likewise requires it; and it is well known that prudence and sobriety in youth, naturally lead to regularity of conduct in more advanced life. Virtue insures

respect, and, as I well know that all manner of precepts are useless where the inclinations are vicious, I have left the affair mentioned in your letter entirely to your own discretion; and as the enclosed order is unlimited, I hope prudence will direct you how to proceed.

Your affectionate father.

LETTER 25.

From a young Tradesman, lately entered into business, to his father, asking his consent to marry.

HONORED SIR,

You know that it is now above a year since I entered into business for myself, and finding it daily increasing, I am inclined to look out for an agreeable partner-I mean a wife. There is a very worthy family in this neighborhood, with whom I have been some time acquainted. They are in good circumstances, and have a daughter, an amiable young woman, greatly esteemed by all who know her; I have paid my addresses to her, and likewise obtained the parents' consent, on condition that it is agreeable to you. I would not do any thing of that nature without your consent; but I hope that upon the strictest inquiry you will find her such a person as will approve. I, on every occasion, endeavor to act with the greatest prudence, consistent with the rules you were pleased to prescribe for my conduct. The parents are to pay me one thousand dollars on the day of mar

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riage, if the event should happen to take place; and as they have no other children, the whole of their property becomes ours at their death. In whatever light you are pleased to consider this, I shall abide by your direction, and your answer in the mean time is anxiously expected By your dutiful son.

MY DEAR SON,

LETTER 26.

The Father's Answer.

I received your letter, and my reason for not sending you an answer sooner, is, that it being an affair of great importance, I was willing to proceed therein with the utmost caution. I wrote to Mr. Johnson, my attorney in New-York, desiring him to inquire concerning the family you desire to be allied with; and I am glad to hear that his account does not differ from your own. I hope you do not think that I would desire to see you one moment unhappy. Your wish to enter the marriage state is natural and meets my approbation, and I am glad to hear that the person on whom you have placed your affection is so worthy. When you have fixed the weddingday I will come to New-York to be present at the ceremony, and spend a few days with my old friends. I hope you will continue to attend to your business with the same diligence you have hitherto done; and if you should live to an old age, you will then be able to retire from business with honor both to yourself and family.

I am your affectionate father.

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