MY ANTECEDENTS 29 



of my having visited him, I received an Invitation to attend his 

 Funeral on Tuesday, the 6th Instant, at half -past 9 o'clock, but 

 being unwell, I sent a note to the Executors (whose names I 

 at present know not) to desire they would excuse my absence, 

 for the above Reason. 



The Procession I viewed as it passed through this village to 

 the Church at Stanwick, the Place of Interment. There was 

 a great number of Carriages, and many of the neighbouring 

 farmers on Horse Back, in the Rear. 



I should be much grieved to hear that you have been deprived 

 (by the absence of an Invitation to the Funeral from your Relatives 

 at White House) from attending to pay your last Respects to 

 the memory of your Uncle. 



Whatever offence you may have given them, and I feel assured 

 you know of none, it would not justify them on this occasion 

 to prevent you from following the Remains of your dear Father's 

 Brother to their earthly Place of Rest. Such conduct on their 

 Part, if known to the public, will to them bring Disgrace but to 

 you, under such Treatment, it will gain you Sympathy as well 

 as Esteem. 



Let this be your consolation that you have endeavoured to live 

 with them on the Terms of brotherly Love, and if they think that 

 you have occasion for their Assistance, at any Time, to cause you 

 to submit to their ill Treatment, then, to convince them, by your 

 reputable station in Life, that you have no need of their Assistance, 

 but rather of their manifesting a more friendly Spirit to you. 



I was truly sorry to hear of poor Mrs Rhodes' sudden Death. 

 The Fit must have been brought on, I think, by her being agitated 

 at the parting with her son. She was an amiable and good 

 woman and I trust her soul is in the Fruition of Celestial Rest 

 and Happiness. 



It will give me great Pleasure to see you if you have business 

 which may call you this way. My Daughter begs to join me in 

 kind regards to yourself and Mrs Allison. 



I remain, my dear sir, most faithfully yours, 



WM. HESLOP. 



Within a year of the above letter my father obtained 

 advancement in his profession, as shown by the following 

 extract from a letter to my mother : 



THIRSK, 2nd Oct. 1854. 



The Magistrates have given me the appointment of Clerk 

 not the firm me alone. They all came to the office, and Lord 

 Greenock spoke for them. The duties to commence after the 

 next Quarter Sessions. J. P. A. 



