Gatley March 24 1797
My Dear William
When I saw you at Rochdale I mention=
=ed sending you some Portugal Plumbs which we were
expecting; they are arrived but in {^so} bad a acondition
through the salt water having got to them they
are not fit to send; as a substitute, I have made you
a few Gingerbreads, I know your wont like them less
for your Mamma having made them. I woud have
you but them in your box & eat one now and then,
not too much at a time, least they make you ill;
if you like {^them} let me know and I will make you a
few more in a while. My Dear Will let these little
indulgences have their proper effect; think, to your
self what shall I do to return my Parents attentions?
All we expect from you at present, is that you mind
your Books and cheerfully obey your teachers;
never, thro’ bad advice from other Boys or from your own
inclination break thro’ the rules of your School:
they are good ones, and you cannot do yourself a
greater kindness not nor your Papa and I a greater
pleasure than by attending to them with cheerful=
=ness. Above all things remember to pray, if your
[new page]
Schoolfellows shoud laugh at you for bowing your
knees before God night and morning, still do not omit
it; remember that God says They that honour me I
will honour. But they that despise me shall be
lightly esteemed. Read the 22 Chapter of the 2 Book of Kings
and there you will {^see} that King Josiah at the age of eight
served the God of his Fathers he was younger than
you are & you will read in the 19th Verse what it was
in him that God was pleased with, ask then my
dear Child, a tender heart yourself, since it is that
which God is so much pleased with. I coud mention
many more instances of piety in youth, you know
you have read of Timothy when he was a Child
that he knew the holy scriptures and King Solomon
prayed to God when he was young and {^God} answered
him. Think upon these things and that they may
be impressed on your young mind effectually is
the prayer of
your affectionate
Mother R Bateman
[new page]
William Bateman

Gatley March 24 1797
My Dear William
When I saw you at Rochdale I mention=
=ed sending you some Portugal Plumbs which we were
expecting; they are arrived but in {^so} bad a acondition
through the salt water having got to them they
are not fit to send; as a substitute, I have made you
a few Gingerbreads, I know your wont like them less
for your Mamma having made them. I woud have
you but them in your box & eat one now and then,
not too much at a time, least they make you ill;
if you like {^them} let me know and I will make you a
few more in a while. My Dear Will let these little
indulgences have their proper effect; think, to your
self what shall I do to return my Parents attentions?
All we expect from you at present, is that you mind
your Books and cheerfully obey your teachers;
never, thro’ bad advice from other Boys or from your own
inclination break thro’ the rules of your School:
they are good ones, and you cannot do yourself a
greater kindness not nor your Papa and I a greater
pleasure than by attending to them with cheerful=
=ness. Above all things remember to pray, if your
[new page]
Schoolfellows shoud laugh at you for bowing your
knees before God night and morning, still do not omit
it; remember that God says They that honour me I
will honour. But they that despise me shall be
lightly esteemed. Read the 22 Chapter of the 2 Book of Kings
and there you will {^see} that King Josiah at the age of eight
served the God of his Fathers he was younger than
you are & you will read in the 19th Verse what it was
in him that God was pleased with, ask then my
dear Child, a tender heart yourself, since it is that
which God is so much pleased with. I coud mention
many more instances of piety in youth, you know
you have read of Timothy when he was a Child
that he knew the holy scriptures and King Solomon
prayed to God when he was young and {^God} answered
him. Think upon these things and that they may
be impressed on your young mind effectually is
the prayer of
your affectionate
Mother R Bateman
[new page]
William Bateman