From the same to the same

Wroote, April I, 1726.

Dear son John,—­I had both yours since the election.  The last
12 pounds pinched me so hard that I am forced to beg time of
your brother Sam till after harvest to pay him the 10 pounds
that you say he lent you.  Nor shall I have so much as that
(perhaps not 5 pounds) to keep my family till after harvest; and
I do not expect that I shall be able to do anything for Charles
when he goes to the University.  What will be my own fate before
the summer is over God only knows. Sed passi graviora. 
Wherever I am, my Jack is Fellow of Lincoln.  All at present
from your loving father,

          
                                                          Samuel Wesley.

From John Wesley to his brother Samuel

Lincoln College, Oxon.,
April 4, 1726.

Dear Brother,—­My father very unexpectedly, a week ago, sent me a bill on Dr. Morley for 12 pounds, which he had paid to the Rector’s use at Gainsborough; so that now all my debts are paid, and I have still above 10 pounds remaining.  If I could have leave to stay in the country till my college allowance commences, this money would abundantly suffice me till then.

I never knew a college besides ours whereof the members were so
perfectly well satisfied with one another, and so inoffensive to
the other part of the University.  All the Fellows I have yet
seen are both well-natured and well-bred; men admirably disposed
as well to preserve peace and good neighbourhood among
themselves as to preserve it wherever else they have any
acquaintance.  I am, etc. 

          
                                                              John Wesley.

The next, addressed also to Sam, shows him making provision for Charles’s entrance at Christ Church: 

My mother’s reason for my cutting off my hair is because she fancies it prejudices my health.  As to my looks, it would doubtless mend my complexion to have it off, by letting me get a little more colour, and perhaps it might contribute to my making a more genteel appearance.  But these, till ill health is added to them, I cannot persuade myself to be sufficient grounds for losing two or three pounds a year.  I am ill enough able to spare them.

Mr. Sherman says there are garrets, somewhere in Peckwater, to be let for fifty shillings a year; that there are some honest fellows in college who would be willing to chum in one of them; and that, could my brother but find one of these garrets, and get acquainted with one of these honest fellows, he might possibly prevail on him to join in taking it; and then if he could but prevail upon some one else to give him 7 pounds a year for his own room, he would gain almost 6 pounds a year clear, if his rent were well