56 LETTERS TO HIS BKOTIIEU 



LETTER XXVI. 



Oxford, October*. 



Dear Brother, 



Your letter of October 2d arrived just as I was prepared to 

 set out for this place, to which I was called a day or two 

 sooner than I intended on account of the Univ. election. I 

 left Bro. Thos. behind at my own house, and Bro. Ben. at 

 Newton, intending to club for a post chaise in a day or two, 

 and to return to town. Bro. Thos. has been bathing in the 

 salt water at Lymington for rheumatic complaints. Poor 

 Nanny White has been rather better for a day or two past, 

 and has rested, and shewed a little appetite, and slept a little ; 

 so that her friends were willing to flatter themselves that her 

 illness might take a better turn. She never had any cough. 



I heartily wish it was as much in my power as in my incli- 

 nation to assist you in the concern you mention. As to Mr. 

 Hill, I never heard of him but at Fyfield, and therefore can 

 only echo my Bro. Harry with regard to his business and 

 reputation. He has, it seems, a partner, concerning whom it 

 will be as needful to enquire as about the principal. There is 

 also a Mr. Baverstock at Marlboro' (one of the Baverstocks of 

 Alton), a man in a flourishing way, with whom Bro. Ben. is 

 acquainted, who should be asked concerning the circumstances, 

 temper, &c. of Mr. Hill ; and the common trite observation, 

 that there is somewhat of adventure and hazard when a man 

 strikes out into many businesses, should not be totally disre- 

 garded. The variety and extent of the business must more- 

 over occasion the absence of the Mr. and subject his people 

 to be left pretty much to themselves. These matters I have 

 thrown together as they occur, though no doubt they have 

 all been considered well by you before. 



As to the business of my journey I have carry ed it con- 



* [There is no date of the year in which this letter was written. — 

 T. 13.] 



