mamma, return to this place again. I will not forget to carry with me your love to them. I hope, my dear Elizabeth, you have been attentive to your studies in my absence, and that I shall have the satisfaction, on my return, to find you have deserved the good opinion of Miss Weales. Pray tell your governess, I kiss her hand, and beg to be warmly remembered to her. ,·་ Believe me to be, dear Elizabeth, &c. B. O. To MISS CHRISTIANA OAKLEY, CLAPHAM COMMON. MY DEAR CHRISTIANA, Cheltenham, October 1, 1810. TAKING advantage of Mr. Walter's return to Clapham, you will perceive I have not been idle in answering your long letter, and those I have received from your sisters. You were very kind in sending a transcript of my letter to Benjamin, who, I am sure, must feel obliged for the trouble you took, and will not, I dare say, forget your kind attention. I read with concern the death of Mr. Blake, but do not recollect whether he was the young gentleman who dined with us at Clapham. There was also, in the same paper, the death of Mr. Aspinall, of Lincoln's Inn, whom I knew very well, and for whose loss I feel much concerned. I cannot make use of Richard's kiss, which you sent, and therefore beg to return it to you, to do with it as you think proper. i I remember the old saying you allude to, which, if my recollection serve me right, is, that "too many cooks spoil the broth;" and that when doctors differ, who shall agree? but you may tell Miss Weales, that Doctor Jenner and her uncle Doctor Fife do not disagree, and that I am in a fair way of doing well without any squabble between those learned gentlemen. Mr. Waymouth has consented to stay a week longer. I shall greatly regret the loss of his company, when he leaves me he is an intelligent young man. Mind you have the instrument in good tune at my return, as I expect to be much gratified in hearing the duet you and Mary are practising. Your affectionate Father, B. O. To MR. BENJAMIN OAKLEY, JUN. CHARTER HOUSE, MY DEAR BENJAMIN, Cheltenham, October 1, 1810. I AM glad to find you went to school in high spirits indeed, I should have been surprised had it been otherwise, as I have endeavoured to impress upon you the value of time, which, at this period of your life, is of more consequence to you than all the remaining portion of your existence. Do then, my dear boy, consider the value of time in the light I do, and apply yourself to your studies with a persevering industry; so that you may be fitted for any situation in life, and afford to your indulgent father that satisfaction, which, from his having placed you where you are, he has a right to expect. I hope to be at home in about a fortnight, and shall take the earliest opportunity of calling upon you. I remain, my dear Benjamin, Your affectionate Father, B. O. To MR. BENJAMIN OAKLEY, JUN. CHARTER HOUSE. MY DEAR BENJAMIN, Auction Mart, February 11, 1811. Nor being in town on Saturday, your letter did not reach me until the evening; but even if it had been received before, I could not have sent for you, on account of the illness of the coachman. The weather being bad, I hope you will make yourself contented at school, and not think of putting me to the inconvenience of sending for you. When we remove to town there will not be so much objection, and I may frequently call upon you on my way to Tavistock Place, and take you with me. Your mamma, sisters, and brother, are very well, and desire their kind love to you. Wharton will give you half-a-crown, which I told you you should have towards the subscription. Your loving Father, B. O. To MR. BENJAMIN OAKLEY, JUN. CHARTER HOUSE. MY DEAR BENJAMIN, Auction Mart, March 21, 1811. I AM very glad to find you arrived safe at the Charter House on Monday night, and that you found the parcel your mother had sent you. It gives me great pleasure, indeed more than any thing you could have expressed, to learn that you are trying very hard to get into the third form." It is an assurance of a steady perseverance on your part to do all you can in prosecuting your studies; and I am sure you are convinced, that the more earnest you are, the |