Lines wrote to my daughter Jennie While lying in the bay or port of Smyrna 1865 1 A few verses to my daughter to read at her leisure Her father now writes them with the greatest of pleasure When them she read (hope) she will then at once see By following advice given a happy girl she will be. 2 Time fly my dear daughter you have (now) sense for to see It seems but other day when you was nursed on the knee We then prayed you be good when from childhood did grow Never forget before your maker on your knees for to bow. 3 As from childhood dear jennie when you first rise from bed On your knees say your prayers that from evil may be led Have no secrets from your mother throughout the whole day Always ask her advice then attend what she says. 4 When school days are over then some business must learn In your travels through life (perhaps) some money must earn Whatever business you chose then learn it with a will So your work if inspected no one can speak ill. 5 If other girs at the shop (of course) with them you must mix But keep in your memory whats said in the verse six Any time they should try what is right for to smother And you have doubts in there logic then at once ask your Mother. 6 When on an errand you go or for a nice little walk Never stop by the way for to laugh and to talk Let me warn my dear daughter against one greatest sin By speaking with bad girls or naughty young men. 7 A companion which I know the young crave Hope the one you do chose good morals he will have And if you have got such a one as I have here named Then be truthful to each other my dear daughter Jane. 8 When to church you do go from your heart hope you pray And pay all attention what the minister does say When service is over and from church you are walking Remember what you have heard and shun frivolos talking. 9 Every night of your life and before thinking of undressing Read the bible say prayers and with faith ask blessing If throughout the whole day commited any little sin Pray god to forgive you before the bed you get in. 10 Any time want advice when your ma is away Then haste up to your aunts without any delay Whatever they advise then you must follow the same In our absence shes a mother to our dear daughter jane. 11 Your sisters and brother hope will never once forget Such kindness from them you always have met If they should live to old age then assist where you can You girls are as women and your brother a man. 12 And please would you say to Mr Plunacre I am Before leaving Smyrna a few lines I will pen And you thank him for me the first time you meet For his kindness to you, Nellie, boy Jack and miss Kate. 13 If yoc attend to these verses our dear daughter Jane Will give your mother great pleasure your father the same Then happiness there be between sisters and brother To see the whole household loving one another. 14 Tell your mother as shes fond of nice scented poses I brlng her some bottles of otto of roses Also I will have when home I do come For you a large bottle of eau de cologne. 15 Likewise tell Miss Kate also laughing Nell I Have something for them but at present wont tell As to the boy Jack your young rogue of a brother Must serve him the same as your selves and your mother 16 My love to your aunts be sure that you give And be kind to them dear as long as you live They have been dear aunts to you while all living there When your mother been away many months in the year. 17 Good bye my dear daughter good-bye my dear lass This year 1 do hope to be home at Christmas Shall think it a treat to meet all together But it depends on almighty the wind and the weather. 18 1 Have bought you all in friends children and mother And must not forget if you please my love to my father And remember me kindly to all uncles and their wives And may we all meet in heaven at the end of our lives. 19 So now my dear daughter bring this to a conclusion Hope you follow advice given with a good resolution To save post must away so in haste I am rather Now excuse the bad writing also the bad grammer .