You will [find] Parker is treated like an infant. Poor fellow! I
trust, he will get well, and take possession of his room at the farm.

Ever your affectionate,

NELSON & BRONTE.

LETTER XVIII.

Amazon, September 26, 1801.
Eight o'Clock.

MY DEAREST EMMA,

Your kind letters came on board about six o'clock.

You may rely upon one thing, that I shall like Merton; therefore, do
not be uneasy on that account. I have that opinion of your taste and
judgment, that I do not believe it can fail in pleasing me. We must
only consider our means; and, for the rest, I am sure, you will soon
make it the prettiest place in the world.

I dare say, Mr. Hazelwood acted, like all lawyers, whose only
consideration was for their client: but, I am sure, you will do, for
me, all the civil things towards Mrs. Greaves.

If I can afford to buy the Duck Close, and the field adjoining, it
would be pleasant; but, I fear, it is not in my power: but, I shall
know, when my accounts are settled, at New Year's Day.

To be sure, we shall employ the trades-people of our village, in
preference to any others, in what we want for common use, and give
them every encouragement to be kind and attentive to us.

From my heart, do I wish that I was with you: and it cannot be long;
for, to-day, I am far from well; violent head ache, and very cold;
but, it may be agitation.

Whatever, my dear Emma, you do for my little charge, I must be pleased
with. Probably, she will be lodged at Merton; at least, in the spring,
when she can have the benefit of our walks. It will make the poor
mother happy, I am sure.

I do not write to her to-day, as this goes through the Admiralty; but,
tell her all I would say. You know my unchangeable thoughts about her.

I shall have the child christened, when I come up.

Have we a nice church at Merton? We will set an example of goodness to
the under-parishioners.

Would to God, I was with you at Laleham. I shall never forget our
happiness at that place.

Mr. Davison will pay Mrs. Nelson fifty pounds, October 1st. I dare
say, Mr. Shakespeare has some orders about it.

I had, yesterday, a letter from my father; he seems to think, that he
may do something which I shall not like. I suppose, he means, going to
Somerset Street.

Shall I, to an old man, enter upon the detestable subject; it may
shorten his days. But, I think, I shall tell him, that I cannot go to
Somerset Street, to see him. But, I shall no