Post from an elder brother to a younger.
To: Dr. A. Roberts
in the North American Station
Dear Albert,
AS you have been gone from home for some time, and are long since arrived at years of some discretion, I thought it not amiss to put you in mind that your childish affairs ought now to be entirely laid aside, and instead of them more serious thoughts, and things of more consequence, should take place; whereby we may add to the reputation of our family, and gain to ourselves the good esteem of being virtuous and diligent in life, which is of great value, and ought to be studied beyond any trifling amusements whatsoever: for it will be an ornament in youth, and a comfort in old age.
If you have fifty guineas, which you can, without any inconveniency, spare for about six months, I shall be greatly obliged to you to lend them to me for so long. I have been disappointed, and pressed for money at the same time. It is an unlucky, but not an uncommon, circumstance. You will believe me, that I would not ask this of you, if I were not certain to give it you back.
You have too much good nature to be offended at my advice, or at my request, especially when I assure you, that I as sincerely wish your happiness and advancement in life as I do my own. We are all, thank God, very well, and desire to be remembered to you, Pray, write as often as opportunity and leisure will permit; and be assured a letter from you will always give great pleasure to all your friends here, but to none more than
Your most affectionate brother,
and sincere humble servant,
N-----
at The George
On High Street
Alford, Lincolnshire
I Received the favour of your letter of the 12th. There was a time when if any one would have told me that I should ever have written to you such a letter as I am now writing, I would as soon have believed that the earth would have burst asunder, or that I would see stars falling to the ground, or trees and mountains rising to the heavens. But there is nothing too strange to happen. One thing would have appeared yet more impossible than my writing it, which is, that you should have given me the cause to have written it, and yet that has happened.
Your letter insults me, to think that you can play upon my sense of family, duty or pity in an attempt to manipulate me into granting your request for money. While I have it at my disposal to aid you in your request, I will not be doing so. Had it been our mother or father who had made the request, I should have been inclined to assist. As the request comes from you, I can only imagine that you have spent the allowance from our Father in the card houses and on women of ill-repute. I should sooner throw fifty guineas into the ocean then give them to you.
AS you have been gone from home for some time, and are long since arrived at years of some discretion, I thought it not amiss to put you in mind that your childish affairs ought now to be entirely laid aside, and instead of them more serious thoughts, and things of more consequence, should take place; whereby we may add to the reputation of our family, and gain to ourselves the good esteem of being virtuous and diligent in life, which is of great value, and ought to be studied beyond any trifling amusements whatsoever: for it will be an ornament in youth, and a comfort in old age.