LETTER III.
An Excuse to Father or Mother.
Honoured Sir, or Mother,
I am informed, and it gives me great concern, that you have heard an ill report of me, which, I ſuppoſe, was raiſed by ſome of my ſchool-fellows, who either envy my happineſs, or, by aggravating my faults, would be thought to ſeem leſs criminal themſelves; though I muſt own I have been a little too remiſs in my ſohool-buſineſs, and am now ſenſible I have loſt, in ſome meaſure, my time and credit thereby; but, by my future diligence. I hope ſoon to recover both: and, to convince you that I pay a ſtrict regard to all your commands, which I am bound to, as well in gratitude as duty, and hope I ſhall ever have leave, with great truth, to ſub’cribe myſelf.
Your moſt dutiful Son
WILLIAM COLLINS.
LETTER IV.
From an Apprentice to his Father.
Honoured Sir,
I know it will be a great ſatisfaction to you and my dear mother to hear that I go on verily happily in my buſineſs:
