John Wesley, the founder of Methodism had a brother names Charles and it is Charles who died on March 29, 1788. Charles is famous for the hymns he wrote and in an excerpt of a letter 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. Charles cannot be better. 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, to keep the windows open, and to lie in the beds. 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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