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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
A Widow-Mother's Letter, in Answer to her Son's complaining of Hardships in his Apprenticeship.
Dear Billy,
I am very sorry to hear of the Difference between your Master and you. I was always afraid you would expect the same Indulgences you had met with at home; and as you know, that in many Instances, I have endeavoured to make any seeming Hardship as easy to you as I could, if this causes you to be harder to be satisfied, it would be a great Trouble to me. Your Uncle tells me, I am afraid with too much Truth, that the Indulgences you have received from me, have made your present Station more disagreeable than it would otherwise have been. What I have always done for you was intended for your Good, and nothing could so deeply afflict me as to seemy Tenderness have a contrary Effect: Therefore, dear Child, to my constant Care for your Welfare, do not add the Sorrow of seeing it the Cause of your behaving worse than if it had not been bestow’d upon you; for as, before we put you to your Master, we had an extraordinary Character of him, from all his Neighbours, and those who dealt with him; and as Mr. Joseph, who is now out of his Time, gives him the best of Characters, and declares your Mistress to be a Woman of great Prudence and good Conduct; I know not how to think they would use you ill in any respect. But consider, my Dear, you must not, in any Woman beside myself, expect to find a fond, and perhaps partial Mother; for, the little Failings which I could not see in you, will appear very plain to other Persons. My Love for you would make me wish you always with me; but as that is what your future Welfare will no way permit; and as you must certainly be a Gainer by the Situation you are now in, let a Desire to promote my Happiness, as well as your own, make every seeming Difficulty light; which, I hope, will appear much lighter for being what I intreat you to dispense with; who am,
Your ever loving Mother.
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