soon after the re-assembling of the family, which exhibits the only sign of petulance observable in her correspondence:—
"Dear Sammy,
"I thought I should have heard from you ere now, but I find you do not think of me as I do of you. Indeed, I believe you would be very easy were you never to hear from me more; but I cannot be satisfied, myself, without writing sometimes, though not so often as I would.
"I have sent you a letter which I sent to your sister Sukey at Gainsborough, which I would have you read and copy it, if you have time. [This was probably the exposition of the Apostles' Creed previously mentioned.]
"When I have my leisure, I think I cannot be better employed than in writing something that may be useful to my children; and though I know there are abundance of good books wherein these subjects are more fully and accurately treated of than I can pretend to write, yet I am willing to think that my children will somewhat regard what I do for them, though the performance be mean, since they know it comes from their mother, who is, perhaps, more concerned for their eternal happiness than anyone in the world. As you had my youth and vigour employed in your service, so I hope you will not despise the little I can do in my declining years; but will for my sake carefully read these papers over, if it be but to put you on a more worthy performance of your own.
