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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
An elder to an extravagant younger Brother.
Dear John,
You may be certain that your Misfortunes are to me a most melancholy Subject: You are my only Brother: I own it: And your Misfortunes affect me next to my own: But there is this Difference in what I feel for you, and for myself: I am sure, every Misfortune I have met with, has been occasioned by unavoidable Accidents. This Consideration has supported me under the many Afflictions I have myself endured: But for those I have shared with you, I cannot boast the same Alleviation. While our Father lived, he was your constant and unwearied Support, even after your Patrimony was squander’d away. While our Mother remained, she was every Week assisting your Necessities, but what might more properly be called your Levity and Extravagance. She is now, by the Divine Will, taken from us both; her Jointure, as well as the Estate my Father independently left, has devolved upon me. Of this both Nature and Providence require I should make the best Use: And to serve you, I readily confess, is my greatest Care. But, my dear Brother, how is this to be done? The generous and bountiful Assistance of our Parents, procured you no substantial Good. What then am I to do to screen you from Want and Misery?——That you are not already happy, is not owing to the Backwardness of your Friends to serve you; but, allow me to speak plainly, to your own Indiscretion. Your own Fortune maintained you not for three Years: Were I able to give you as much more, what Reason have you given me to suppose you will be a better OEconomist than you have been? My whole Estate, let me tell you, Brother, at your Rate of Expence, would scarcely maintain you for Seven Years: And, think you as you will, I must believe it my Duty to leave enough to support my Off-spring, with prudent Conduct, to the End of Time. If I send you, as you desire, Fifty Guineas, What good will that Sum procure you? It will but serve to lengthen your Credit, and make you run deeper into Debt. I have assisted you before; and has not this always been the Case?
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