ON FRIENDSHIP

From a gentleman of decayed circumstances in the fountry, to another lately returned from the East-Indies, recommending his son to his protection.

Sir,

TL was greatly pleased to hear of Jour arrival, but much more.s0, that you had acquired an ample fortune. You knew me when my cireumstanees were not only easy, but likewise affluent; and you also knew that I was glad of every opportunity of assisting my friends. But alas! I am now in quite a different situation. By the loss of a ship from Jamaica L was obliged to stop payment, and give up all to.

my creditors, Who have gencrously allowed me a small annuity for my subssistance,

When that fatal event took place, TI retired into the country, with my wife and children,and my time has since been spent in superintendine their educa— tion. The bearer, my eldest son,is just twenty,and is very desirous of gomg to the East-Indies;but my cireumstances are such,that it is not in my power to give him any assistance, nor indeed do I know in what manner foprocced in an affair of so much importance.

The friendship,which subsisted betwixt us before you left England, gives me some encouragement to hope that your elevation to afueuce and grandeur Will not make any alteration in your sentiments conceruing benevolence,notwithstanding the depressed situation to which I am reduced. Lrather think that my present distressed cireumstances will plead more powerful yin favour of the youth, than if he was supported even by the recommendation of the whole body of directors.

L'have given my son education perhaps beyond my circumstances,and suitable, I hope, to any situation in the mercantile world. ITis morals,so far as I know,are pure,and I doubt not his conduct will œive satisfaction ; if therefore you will be pleased, either to take him under your own direction, or instruct me in what manner to procced, in order to promote his interest,you will thereby confer a lastine obligation on an indulgent, though afilicted parent, and it shall be acknowledged with gratitude to the latest period of my existence.

T am, sir, your humble servant,

ie | | !

The Answer.

Dear Sir,

When I read your affecting letter I soarce knew whether Ï was more grieved to hear of your distressed circumstances, or felt ashamed that I had been three months in England and never inquired for one who had not only treated me with humanity, but even assisted me in making my first voyage to-the Indices. «

Your house was an asylum to me when I was utterly destilute, ana [ should consider myself an objeet of the utmost abhorrance,if I hesitated one moment in complying with your request,relating to the amiable youth who breusht me the letter. Bat what light mustIconsider myself, were my gratitude to the best of men confined to such à favour as wouid cosi me nothing, or that [ Would grant even to a Strancer! No, sir, L am sensible of benefits received, and should consider myself as a mean abject wrotch, 1f did not acknowledge them vvith gratitude.

I have just been with your son to the Kast-India House, and he is engaged as a vvriter at Bengal, If the climate agrces with his constitution, there is no great fear but he will soon acquire a considerable fortune, l'or which purpose I have deposited, in the hands ofsupercarso, five hundred pounds for his use, which you know is more than I had when] first embarked for that part of the world. But still L should consider myself as acting very partially,if, whilst T am making provision for the son, I should forget his aged parents, The ships for India don’t

sail till next March, s0 that your son will have at least ;hree months to remain with you before he embarks. He set off with the coach to-morrow, and LT have intrusted him with something for your immediate use.

Ï intend calling to spend a few days with you next month, and be assured that nothing in my power shall be wanting to make your life as agreeable as possible. I have not so far forgot the principles of a virtuous education, as to look with indifference on the various dispensations of Providence. How true is that saying of the wise man, “The race is not ta the strong!” as human wisdom cannot discern the progress to earthly grandeur, so man’s prudence is not always able to guard against calamitous events.

I am therefore determined not to place any confidence in riches, but only consider myself as tho steward of that all bountiful God from whom I have received them.

F am, dear sir, Your sincere friend.

To a friend on a breach of promise:

Sir,

You may remembar when I lent you the sum of fifty pounds, that you positively assured me you would certainly repay me on three months—on that account I ventured to let you have the money which L intended for my landlord; it has been now some weeks since the expiration of the time; and I have either seen nor heard from you. As I have been

guilty myself of a breach of promise, owing to your’s, you will exccedingly oblige me, by settling it as soon as possible.

Lam, sir, your very humble servant,

The Answer.

Sir,

L am exceedingly sorry that your good nature should suffer by my misfortunes; I had every reason to think I should be able to fulfil my promise, but Tam now determinsd to surrender all that I 4m worth, and as faras my stock will permit, give every creditor satisfaction.

I am, sir, your distressed friend,&ec.

Lord Chesterfield to his son.

London, 30th Oct. 1747.

Dear Boy,--I am very well pleased with your Tntinerarium, which you sent me from Ratisbon. : It shows me, that you observe and inquire as you go, Which is the true end of travelling. T'hose Who travel heedlessly from place to place,observing only their distance from each other, and attending only to their accommodation at the inn at night, set out fools, and will certainly return so. T'hose Who only mind rare shovvs of the places which they go through, such às steeples, clocks, townhouses, &e., get so little by their travels, that they might as well stay home. But those who observe and inquire into thesituations,the strength,the weak sess, the trade, the manufactures, the government

and constitution of every place they go to; who frequent the best companies, ard attend to their several manners and characters : those alone travel With advantage; andas they set out Wise, return WIiser.

I would advise, you alyvvays to get the shortest description or history of every place vvhere you make any stay;and such a book, hovvever imperfect, vvill still suggest to you matter for inquiry,upon vvhich you may get better information from the people of the place. For example ; vvhile you are at Leipsie, get some short account, (and be sure there are many such),at the present state of that tovvn,vvith règard to its magistrates, its police, its privileges, &c., and then inform yourself more minctely upon all those heads, in conversation vvith the most intelligent poo- ple. Do the same thing aftervvards vvith regard to the Electorate of Kaxony: vou vvill find a short history of it in Puffendoffs Introduction,vvhich vvillgive you à gencral idea ofit, and point out to you the proper objects of a more minute inquiry. In short, be eurious, attentive, inquisitive, as to every vhing, listlessness and indolence are alvvays blameable, but, at Jour age, they are unpardonable. Consider hovv precious,aud hovv important for all the rest of your life,are your moments for these threc or four years; and do not lose one of them. Do not think I mean that you should study all day long, I am far from advising or desiring it : but I desire that you vvould be doing something or other all day long ; and not half hours and quarters of hours,vvhich,at the year’s gnd æmount to great sum. For instance; there

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