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March 29, 1788.

 

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism had a brother named Charles and it is Charles who died on March 29, 1788. He is famous for his hymns. In an excerpt of a letter Charles wrote to his wife, we see his concern for the family cat. The subject is moving the family from Bristol to London, in 1771. (I cannot resist adding a little context):

"May 16th. I want country air to perfect my recovery... We rejoice in hope of seeing you all next week.

"Mrs. Ashlin thinks the person now employed in airing the beds, &c., would be a very proper servant. She is cleanly, sober, diligent, a hearer of the word, though not in society. We shall keep her, to keep up the fires, [and] to keep the windows open,... When you come, you will do as you like.

"Give our love to dearest Mrs. Vigor, and her sisters, and her blessed, disconsolate friend. I nothing doubt our meeting again, unless I escape first.

"Morse will take care of the harpsichord; but who of the cat? If you cannot leave him in safe hands, Prudence must bring him up in a cage; and if I finish my course here, I may bequeath him to Miss Derby..."

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