that many a sorrowful feeling was wrought into
trammels and pothooks.

CHAPTER XIV.

_Bard_. On, on, on, on, on! to the breach, to the breach!
_Nym_. Pray thee, corporal, stay; the knocks are too hot; and
for mine own part, I have not a case of lives: the humour of
it is too hot, that is the very plain-song of it.
KING HENRY V.

"To Mr. Winthrop Landholm, Shagarack College.

"Dec. 10, 1810.

"My dear son,

"We received yours of the third, per Mr. Underhill, which was
very gratifying to your mother and myself, as also Will's of
the same date. We cannot help wishing we could hear a little
oftener, as these are the first we have had for several weeks.
But we remember your occupations, and I assure you make due
allowances; yet we cannot help thinking a little more time
might be given to pa and ma. This is a burdensome world, and
every one must bear their own burdens; yet I think it must be
conceded it is right for every individual to do what may be in
his power towards making the lot of others pleasanter. This I
am sure you believe, for you act upon it; and you know that
nothing so lightens our load as to know that Will and Governor
are doing well. It is a world of uncertainties; and we cannot
know this unless you will tell us.

"My dear sons, I do not mean to chide you, and I have said
more on this subject than I had any intention to do. But it is
very natural, when a subject lies so near the heart, that I
should exceed the allotted bounds.

"Winthrop, your mother is afraid, from something in Will's
letter, that you are in want of an overcoat. Tell us if you
are, and we will do our best to endeavour to supply the
deficiency. I thought you had one; but I suppose it must be
pretty old by this time. My dear son, we have all one
interest; if you want anything, let us know, and if it _can_ be
had you know enough of us to know you shall not want it. We
have not much to spare certainly, but necessaries we will try
to procure; and so long as we need not groan about the present
it is not my way to grumble about the future. We shall get
along, somehow, I trust.

"I shall send this by post, as I do not know of any
opportunity, and do not think it best to wait for one."

"Your loving father,

"W. Landholm.

"Winthrop and Will."

"My dear boys,

"It is very late to-night, and I shall not have any time in
the morning, so must scratch a word as well as I can tonight --
you know my fingers are not very wel