It may be that you have been endeavouring to keep pace with some young man of greater fortune than your own. Be not led away by such absurd vanity. The largest income will be and has been squandered, unknown as it were to its possessor, solely from the crime (and a great one too it is) of running into debt. I regret that I cannot assist you at present with the loan you request, and remain Your affectionate uncle, T. H. P. ---- _Acknowledging a Letter of Congratulation on the Birth of a Child._ Duke Street, St. James's, Dec. 24th, 187- DEAR ----, Thanks for your kind letter and good wishes. I am happy to say that my wife and the baby are going on well. I have told Mrs. Compton about Mr. Denville; she is glad to hear so good an account of him. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Believe me, Yours sincerely, D. W. ---- _From a Child, acknowledging the receipt of the Present of a Book._ Ramsden Hall, January 18th, 187- MY DEAR MRS. ----, Thank you very much for the beautiful book you have sent me. It is very pretty and nice, and I like it very much. I long to see you again. I have been out driving this morning in the pony carriage. There is a hard frost. With best love to Dr. G. and yourself I remain, Your most affectionate little friend, R. D. A. ---- _From a Father to a Son, relative to his Expenditure._ Hackney, March 5th, 187- MY DEAR SON, Your last letter gave us pleasure not unmixed with pain: pleasure to learn that you were well, and held in esteem by your superiors, and on friendly terms with those of your own standing; and pain from the request which it contained. Your mother, like myself, feels grieved that you should ask for an additional allowance. You should consider that you have brothers and sisters for whom I have also to make a provision, and that if the allowance I now give you (which is considered large) be increased, it must deprive us all of some of our necessary comforts. You must reflect on this, dear boy, and then I am well assured that you will not urge your request. I will, however (for this once alone, understand me), make you a present of Thirty Pounds. Your own good sense, I am certain, will show you the necessity of retrenchment, so I shall not allude to the matter further. The presents you sent us each by last mail are much appreciated and treasured by us. We are going to move from this neighbourhood, as we find it too expensive; when next you write, therefore, address to Durnford Street. Your brother Fred is going to be married, but will live near us. His future wife is a daughter of Mr. Passmore, and at his death she will have about 2000_l_.; at present he will make her an allowance of 80_l_. per annum.