[f.29vb]
Liv. 12 Jany 1798
Mrs Shepherd, Gateacre
My dear Cousin,
The melancholy tidings are at length
but too soon, arrived. Our dear friend my beloved sister
Hatfield was removed from this anxious busy world yester:
day ab^t 9 o’clock in the forenoon, easily as^{was wished & as} might be ex=
=pected (xxxx to be wished) from the very weak state of her
existance. How much are we all obliged to y^r good Mo:
ther for her kind attention in the chamber of sickness and
distress! But it was for this very purpose she possesses
talents so conveniently fitted to be useful. In her terror
may she enjoy the consolations of sympathy & cheer:
:ful assiduity.
It is a great satisfaction that my good little nephew
is under y^r roof & care. I hope he will conduct himself
so as to be worthy the affection of Mr Shepherd & yourself
He feels sensibly & will, under the pressure of this sad
event, lean to you for comfort. What you can, I as-
-sure you will administer. My own opinion is that he
will suffer least by continuing at school – but if you
think otherwise & that he would be better here a while
I shall willingly receive him. I hope always to feel
increasing interest in his behalf & I believe I shall always
recommend to him a strict attention to Mr Shepherds’
rules while ^{he may be} occasionally with me. Doubtless he will
receive the intelligence Directly from home & you will be desired
to put him in suitable Mourning: I do not feel much afraid
of this being consider’d as improper interference on my part.
If I needed any apology for it I should quote your own action ?ac:
:tions in y^r arduous business & the anxious solicitude of our dear
departed friend to similar objects of pursuit. That Mr Shepherd’s
& y^r valuable life may be long preserved is the sincere wish of
My dear Cousin y^rs affectionately Mas^ter Nicholson

[f.29rb]

P.S. I shall inclose a Letter for my Nephew which
if you please you may give him when you have
acquainted him with the Lamentable Event.
Upon consideration ^{of which I am ?very little capable} think it is possible I
may go to Manchester.

13^th I am so unwell this Morning that I give up the
going to Manchester

[f.29vb]
Liv. 12 Jany 1798
Mrs Shepherd, Gateacre
My dear Cousin,
The melancholy tidings are at length
but too soon, arrived. Our dear friend my beloved sister
Hatfield was removed from this anxious busy world yester:
day ab^t 9 o’clock in the forenoon, easily as^{was wished & as} might be ex=
=pected (xxxx to be wished) from the very weak state of her
existence. How much are we all obliged to y^r good Mo:
ther for her kind attention in the chamber of sickness and
distress! But it was for this very purpose she possesses
talents so conveniently fitted to be useful. In her terror
may she enjoy the consolations of sympathy & cheer:
:ful assiduity.
It is a great satisfaction that my good little nephew
is under y^r roof & care. I hope he will conduct himself
so as to be worthy the affection of Mr Shepherd & yourself
He feels sensibly & will, under the pressure of this sad
event, lean to you for comfort. What you can, I as-
-sure you will administer. My own opinion is that he
will suffer least by continuing at school – but if you
think otherwise & that he would be better here a while
I shall willingly receive him. I hope always to feel
increasing interest in his behalf & I believe I shall always
recommend to him a strict attention to Mr Shepherds’
rules while ^{he may be} occasionally with me. Doubtless he will
receive the intelligence Directly from home & you will be desired
to put him in suitable Mourning: I do not feel much afraid
of this being considered as improper interference on my part.
If I needed any apology for it I should quote your own action ?ac:
:tions in y^r arduous business & the anxious solicitude of our dear
departed friend to similar objects of pursuit. That Mr Shepherd’s
& y^r valuable life may be long preserved is the sincere wish of
My dear Cousin y^rs affectionately Mas^ter Nicholson

[f.29rb]

P.S. I shall enclose a Letter for my Nephew which
if you please you may give him when you have
acquainted him with the Lamentable Event.
Upon consideration ^{of which I am ?very little capable} think it is possible I
may go to Manchester.

13^th I am so unwell this Morning that I give up the
going to Manchester