"8. St. James's Street, Jan. 21. 1812.
"Though I have no objection to your refusal to carry _letters_ to
Mealey's, you will take care that the letters are taken by _Spero_
at the proper time. I have also to observe, that Susan is to be
treated with civility, and not _insulted_ by any person over whom
I have the smallest control, or, indeed, by any one whatever, while
I have the power to protect her. I am truly sorry to have any
subject of complaint against _you_; I have too good an opinion of
you to think I shall have occasion to repeat it, after the care I
have taken of you, and my favourable intentions in your behalf. I
see no occasion for any communication whatever between _you_ and
the _women_, and wish you to occupy yourself in preparing for the
situation in which you will be placed. If a common sense of decency
cannot prevent you from conducting yourself towards them with
rudeness, I should at least hope that your _own interest_, and
regard for a master who has _never_ treated you with unkindness,
will have some weight. Yours, &c.
"BYRON.
"P.S.--I wish you to attend to your arithmetic, to occupy yourself
in surveying, measuring, and making yourself acquainted with every
particular relative to the _land_ of Newstead, and you will _write_
to me _one letter every week_, that I may know how you go on."
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