Warthill, 14 September 1838

My Dearly beloved George

I hope you have been sometimes thinking, already, of the cautions, admonitions & recommendations contained in a letter addressed to your Brother Patrick, when similarly situated as you now are. They will be found generally applicable to your own case, and the copy you have taken, will save me the pain & trouble of addressing you & Dear Walter on the same subject, amidst the hurry and bustle of parting with you both. You will soon, my Dearest Boy, be far removed from the personal superintendence, & watchful care of your affectionate Parents, - but, while you continue to discharge your duties aright, the Great Parent of all will be ever ready to point out the paths wherein you ought to walk, & to afford you not only his merciful protection but also the gracious assistance of his Grace & Holy Spirit, in all the various vicissitudes of life -

I can form but a very imperfect idea of how you will be situated upon your arrival in N.S.Wales, but I am certain Dear Patrick will not be wanting in doing his best for you both. - Most probably, you will, in the first instance, be employed in such departments of his concerns, as he may see fitting for you, however irksome the labour & drudgery may appear to be, rest satisfied that it is all for your future good; & ever have in mind that, to young beginners, no profession is without its drawbacks, and that independence is not to be won but after years of toil & trouble - Considering the comforts you have enjoyed in your early days, the privations, & hardships of a Settlers life may, at first, appear difficult to contend with; but you must never give way to the still more uneasy feelings of despondency, should your outset prove more trying than you may have anticipated. - On the contrary, you must boldly, and steadily encounter every obstacle that may come in your way, and depend upon it, independence & ease will afterwards follow in due time. -

Combined with a very amiable disposition, I know you may Dear Dod, to be possessed of business talents & attention, which, if properly applied will, under the blessing of Heaven, soon render your services useful both to yourself & others - and when opportunity occurs for their being employed on a larger scale, they will, I doubt not, insure perfect success in all your undertakings. I must remind you, however, that business and pleasure have ever been found incompatible companions, - more especially in the heyday of youth - the one or the other very quickly gains the ascendancy, & many a promising youths fate has been sealed, by thoughtlessly allowing the latter to predominate.

...

Your truly affectionate & devoted Father

W. Leslie