JET. 15.] SCHOOL-DAYS AT BEADING. 19 



hindered me from writing till the present moment : it is not well 

 yet, and I have only just begun to write. I am very much 

 obliged to you for the pound you ordered Mr Knight to give me, 

 but which I am ashamed yet forced to own I have spent ; for 

 there are an old man and woman that live on the Forbery who 

 sell to us all sorts of things that we want. When you sent me 

 the money I owed them about 15s. I went to pay her directly I 

 got the money, but she said that I must wait till she made my bill. 

 The next day being the fair day, I spent a great part of it in 

 books, but I did not buy any trash, nor go into any shows ; with 

 the rest I paid my debts to the boys, and before she had finished 

 my bill (which was a day or two ago) all my money was gone. 

 But why I wish you to send me some now is because yesterday 

 one of the Doctor's sons, a clergyman, went into the shop, and 

 seeing a great many bills lying upon the table, took them up, 

 and perceiving that the boys owed her a great deal, some of 

 them 2 or 3, and others only 6d. or 9d., went to the Doctor 

 and told him of it, who said that he would put all the boys on 

 the obstinate list (when any one is on it, he has to do a long 

 imposition every day, has to say almost all the lesson when his 

 class goes up, generally gets caned if he says a word wrong, and 

 seldom escapes a flogging during the week) till it is paid off, 

 which he does by giving the woman sixpence a-day for those 

 that owe her anything until they are out of her debt, so I should 

 be on the list for a month. So, dear father, it would be the same 

 to you whether you send it me now or had it put down on 

 your bill. Please, if you send the money at all, send it before 

 the end of this week. I was rather surprised when you said I 

 was not to have any parcels ; but since it is your desire that I 

 should not have any I will submit to it, though I should prefer 

 having them continued, for though it is a great school, most of 

 the boys don't despise having wine, cakes, fruits, &c., sent them. 

 I have not bathed yet, for I do not think it warm enough. Please 

 to excuse the writing on account of my finger, which I find very 

 awkward still. I hope you, dear mother, sisters, and brother are 

 quite well ; and with my love to you and them, I remain, dear 

 father, your dutiful son, J. PRESTWICH. 



N.B. Please to answer this letter directly, if it is convenient 

 to you. Mr and Mrs Hornbuckle desire their compliments to you. 



