Thomas Dunscombe to John Rippon, care of Thomas Rippon, Drawing Office, Bank of England, London, postmarked 12 August 1795.

My dear Friend

         I feel deeply with you and for you in all your afflictions tho I am persuaded they will all work for good. I fear John’s employ is too sedentary & confining for his constitution, or that London Air to hostile to him. Should the Phisician think so too by all means let him change his Situation. If a few weeks of this air will do him good let him come down as soon as he is able.

         I am grieved by the distress Ben has given you. It is an unhappiness that he should have such a longing to live on horseback, would it be right to oppose it so perfectly as the you wod do it by putting him to a business that yields no riding? I have much confidence in him and Cherlock’s generosity or uniformity of mind. However I think I should make a partial Tryal, if I purposed sending him at all events, at Easter, if [?] 6 proves uniform. I suppose you request his taking Ben into the business, by way of initiating him, immediately, this will afford a tryal on all sides – I haven’t perfectly pleased myself by my Letter to B. And I have been from home ever since yrs came till to night, and I really hadn’t time to write a letter – I mean a shorter Letter to him – When the newsman comes for hay, have his address to send it to me, but say nothing about changing the Paper. I shall be uneasie till I know how John is; you ask for Texts for Bristol “the harvest is great &c.” “Instead of the fathers shall come up the Children &c.” “occupy till I come.” “Learn of me & ^none of us liveth to himself.”^ [?] you have rixed an evil. If I knew what it is I wod see & say if any texts[?] suggested themselves worthy of attention.

         Let me hear soon & be assured with our joint love to both, that I remain firmly & immovably attached by all the ties of Christianity & friendship

                                             Yrs T D.

Address: Mr Thos Rippon | Drawing Office | Bank of England | London | J R.

Postmark: A 21 95.

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25386, fol. 425.