Highbury Place
Dec^r 10^th 1792
My Dear M^rs Bateman
Had you proposed conditions of hearing
From you more difficult than that of beginning the correspond=
dence, I should hardly have been induced to deny myself that
pleasure – You will not be surprised that no letters have
arrived lately from my Sister, when I tell you that Rebecca
has been very ill – She came here well last Monday & would
have returned on Sat^y; but was then under the care of our
Apothecary; & so little better that it was not thought prudent
to remove her – but the Lord seems to have lent her a little
longer; she mends as fast as possible, & I hope will soon fill
up her clothes again – My dear Sister has been in a great
deal of trouble, of which we have all partaken: for besides
that affection which Grand-parents & Uncles & Aunts generally
have, she has found out those corners of our hearts which we
did not know ourselves – you would laugh to hear us tell
her the truth; but when she is capable of understanding
it, I hope we shall be wise enough to hold our tongues;
or she had better {^be deaf} & not hear it – Indeed this little creature
is a great tempter –
What a mystery is Man! When I think of Infants,
[new page]
how weak & helpless, & how much care is necessary to preserve
life, I wonder there are any Men & Women in the world –
And to how ill purpose do most of us live! Some reward their
parents care with gross disobedience & wickedness: others, ignorant
of their own weakness, despise Christ & have no regard to his
merit or commandments; but what is still more grievous,
such as have professed subjection to him, are too often rebelling
against him – How hard it is sometimes to ‘part with all
the joys of sense, to gaze upon his throne’! to have no God besides
him – I see a beauty in Holiness which I cannot attain –
When you have an opportunity, I should be thankful
to you for the notes of that tune “Blessed Morning, whose
young dawning says &c – If I had not been very stupid, I should
have learnt it coming from Woolwich; but when you come to
London again, I will try & brush up a little that I may gain
more from your society –
So our Quondam Beau is going to be married! I am
very glad he has made a choice so likely to promote his happi=
ness – M^r John Wilson’s family are removed to their new
house, but I fear they have been too hasty: the workmen
not being out, keep them in disorder & Julia is very unwell.
We remain as usual, quite contented with our lot in the
World, & only dissatisfied with our attachment to it.
My Sister sends her Love & Respects to all her friends,
& hopes that they will write to her & trust for answers
[new page]
till she can be more disengaged from Miss Rebecca, who
is quite the Lady of quality among us, I assure you.
Let me trouble you also with m best respects to all
my friends; they are too numerous to mention; I mean
to include all those who have favoured me with their
acquaintance; yet I will say particularly M^r Bateman
& M^r & M^rs Clegg – I rejoice with you in M^r Clegg’s recovery
& I hope that many useful years will be added to his life –
Really my pen is tired: do excuse it to night, & make
yours return the compliment as soon as convenient.
Believe me to be with the greatest sincerity
& affection
Yours &c
Mary Wilson
[new page]
M^rs Bateman
Levers Row
Manchester

Highbury Place
Dec^r 10^th 1792
My Dear M^rs Bateman
Had you proposed conditions of hearing
From you more difficult than that of beginning the correspond=
dence, I should hardly have been induced to deny myself that
pleasure – You will not be surprised that no letters have
arrived lately from my Sister, when I tell you that Rebecca
has been very ill – She came here well last Monday & would
have returned on Sat^y; but was then under the care of our
Apothecary; & so little better that it was not thought prudent
to remove her – but the Lord seems to have lent her a little
longer; she mends as fast as possible, & I hope will soon fill
up her clothes again – My dear Sister has been in a great
deal of trouble, of which we have all partaken: for besides
that affection which Grand-parents & Uncles & Aunts generally
have, she has found out those corners of our hearts which we
did not know ourselves – you would laugh to hear us tell
her the truth; but when she is capable of understanding
it, I hope we shall be wise enough to hold our tongues;
or she had better {^be deaf} & not hear it – Indeed this little creature
is a great tempter –
What a mystery is Man! When I think of Infants,
[new page]
how weak & helpless, & how much care is necessary to preserve
life, I wonder there are any Men & Women in the world –
And to how ill purpose do most of us live! Some reward their
parents care with gross disobedience & wickedness: others, ignorant
of their own weakness, despise Christ & have no regard to his
merit or commandments; but what is still more grievous,
such as have professed subjection to him, are too often rebelling
against him – How hard it is sometimes to ‘part with all
the joys of sense, to gaze upon his throne’! to have no God besides
him – I see a beauty in Holiness which I cannot attain –
When you have an opportunity, I should be thankful
to you for the notes of that tune “Blessed Morning, whose
young dawning says &c – If I had not been very stupid, I should
have learnt it coming from Woolwich; but when you come to
London again, I will try & brush up a little that I may gain
more from your society –
So our Quondam Beau is going to be married! I am
very glad he has made a choice so likely to promote his happi=
ness – M^r John Wilson’s family are removed to their new
house, but I fear they have been too hasty: the workmen
not being out, keep them in disorder & Julia is very unwell.
We remain as usual, quite contented with our lot in the
World, & only dissatisfied with our attachment to it.
My Sister sends her Love & Respects to all her friends,
& hopes that they will write to her & trust for answers
[new page]
till she can be more disengaged from Miss Rebecca, who
is quite the Lady of quality among us, I assure you.
Let me trouble you also with m best respects to all
my friends; they are too numerous to mention; I mean
to include all those who have favoured me with their
acquaintance; yet I will say particularly M^r Bateman
& M^r & M^rs Clegg – I rejoice with you in M^r Clegg’s recovery
& I hope that many useful years will be added to his life –
Really my pen is tired: do excuse it to night, & make
yours return the compliment as soon as convenient.
Believe me to be with the greatest sincerity
& affection
Yours &c
Mary Wilson
[new page]
M^rs Bateman
Levers Row
Manchester