‘God bless you, my dear girl. I talk of your physician and your physic, but God forbid you trusted to either without asking His blessing regularly. You tell me that you always say your prayers; you cannot deceive God, and I hope you have a reliance on His blessing, which you cannot have if you do not ask it, and gain the habit of asking it.’ _From Bobbin to her Father_ ‘My dear Papa,—I received your letter yesterday. Thank you for your advice; I had taken the _steel_ and _draughts_ long before I received it, besides which I take some more stuff[171] ... and ask him [the doctor] likewise how long the steel, &c., must be taken before you feel any effect from it, for one might take physic for ever without receiving any benefit. Let not my giving you my opinion make you think that I do not take mine regularly; I assure you I do. My dear papa, how can you imagine that I should ever neglect my prayers? No! believe me, I know my duty too well for that. I believe _once_, the last time I was at the cottage, when I was too weak to say them out of bed, I then said them when Betty brought the asses’ milk. One morning I fell asleep and forgot them; I thought of it at night, and told her to remind me of them, which she did—this she can tell you. I thank you for some fine cod and lobsters, which came very fresh and good. ‘I am much the same as when I wrote last, my cough very troublesome still. I called on Mrs. Belgrave, she was gone to town. Adieu, my dear papa. Believe me ‘Your dutiful and affectionate Daughter, ‘M. YOUNG.’ _His Reply_ ‘Saturday. ‘My dearest Bobbin,—The moment your letter came I went to Dr. Turton, but he was, as I feared he would be, out. However, I shall call on him this evening and send you his answer by to-morrow night’s mail, if he is not gone to Kent, which I hope he will not be. If so, I cannot see him till Tuesday, as I shall be Sunday and Monday at the Duke of Bedford’s.... I am of opinion you should leave off steel till you have my answer.... It is to give you strength.... You are a very good girl for having taken it, and equally for saying your prayers. Always preserve the habit of doing so. God protect and bless you! ‘Two 64’s and fifteen merchantmen have left the mutineers under a heavy fine, and it is expected the rest will do the same very soon, and then Admiral Parker and Co. will swing. Great expectations of a peace. Tell Mary, St. Paul’s would come to B. as soon as Dr. T., but her thought was a good one. ‘Write me again soon. ‘Yours very affectionately, ‘A. Y.’ _To Bobbin from her Father_