Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- General Editors’ Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- List of Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- Textual Introduction
- The Apprentice’s Vade Mecum (1733)
- A Seasonable Examination of the Pleas and Pretensions (1735)
- Preface to Aubin, A Collection of Entertaining Histories and Novels (1739)
- Aesop’s Fables (1739)
- Letters Written to and for Particular Friends (1741)
- Six Original Letters Upon Duelling (1765)
- Appendix: The Infidel Convicted (1731)
- Postscript
- Emendations
- Word-division
- Bibliographical Descriptions of Early Editions
- Explanatory Notes
- Index
Letter XXXVIII
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- General Editors’ Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- List of Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- Textual Introduction
- The Apprentice’s Vade Mecum (1733)
- A Seasonable Examination of the Pleas and Pretensions (1735)
- Preface to Aubin, A Collection of Entertaining Histories and Novels (1739)
- Aesop’s Fables (1739)
- Letters Written to and for Particular Friends (1741)
- Six Original Letters Upon Duelling (1765)
- Appendix: The Infidel Convicted (1731)
- Postscript
- Emendations
- Word-division
- Bibliographical Descriptions of Early Editions
- Explanatory Notes
- Index
Summary
From an Apprentice to his Master, begging Forgiveness for a great Misdemeanor.
Good Sir,
I am so asham’d of myself for the last Occasion I have given you to be angry with me, after my repeated Promises of Amendment, that I have not the Courage to speak to you. I therefore take this Method of begging you to forgive what is past; and let this Letter testify against me, if ever I wilfully or knowingly offend again for the future. You have Children of your own. They may possibly offend; tho’ I hope they never will as I have done. Yet, Sir, would you not wish they might meet with Pardon if they should, rather than Reprobation?——My Making or my Ruin, I am sensible, lies in your Breast. If you will not forgive me, sad will be the Consequence to me, I doubt. If you do, you may save a Soul, as well as a Body from Misery; and I hope, Sir, you will weigh this with your usual Goodness and Consideration. What is past I cannot help; but for what is to come, I do promise, if God gives me Health and Power, that my Actions shall testify for me how much I am, good Sir,
Your repentant and obliged Servant.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Early Works'Aesop's Fables', 'Letters Written to and for Particular Friends' and Other Works, pp. 368 - 369Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011