Chapter 31

"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."

* * * * *