_Letter in reply, enclosing a Donation._
Hampton, December 4th, 187--
SIR,
I am much pleased to find the interest you take in the suffering poor at this inclement season is so great. Your prospectus is very satisfactory; but as I am well a.s.sured that all cases of a really deserving nature must be fully known to you, I must request you to distribute as you please the number of tickets to which I am ent.i.tled for the cheque for 10_l._ which I enclose.
I remain,
Sir,
Yours obediently,
_Reply, unfavourable, to an application for a Donation._
Belfield, January 1st, 187--
DEAR SIR,
In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 22nd, soliciting a subscription to a.s.sist you in your charitable efforts for relieving the many distressed poor in your neighbourhood, I regret extremely to have to reply that it is out of my power to help you.
Prior to the receipt of your application I had made arrangements to supply some poor families with soup three days in each week for the next six weeks. I cannot afford to devote more money to this object.
I remain,
Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
JOHN ELLIS.
_A Gentleman to a Friend, speaking of kindness received in another friend"s house._
Stalybridge, May 1st, 187--
DEAR GEORGE,
You will, I am certain, be very sorry to hear that for the last six weeks I have been confined to the house with a severe attack of rheumatic gout. You, who so well know my active habits, can thoroughly enter into my feelings at being a prisoner for so long a time. The agony I have suffered has been excruciating; I was unable to move without a.s.sistance, and was as feeble as an infant, being unable to do the most trifling thing for myself. But you will be glad to hear that I received the greatest kindness and attention from our friends. I was unable to hold a book or a newspaper, but every morning one or the other of this kind family with whom I am staying tried to relieve the monotony of my life by reading to me; in the afternoon some of them would come and tell me the news; and in the evening, whilst I sat propped up on a sofa, the charming daughters would sing and play. I feel grieved to remember the inconvenience and annoyance I must have been to them all, and shall be happy indeed when I can be moved; as, although they are so extremely kind, I feel what a tremendous amount of additional labour I must cause to all the household. Never can I forget the attention and kindness shown me. I shall be very glad to see you when you come home. Have you had much civility shown you at P----? It used to be a very nice place when I lived there.
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
JAMES TURNER.
_Gentleman in reply._
Preston, May 6th, 187--
DEAR JAMES,
I am sorry to hear you have had such a severe attack. Nothing is so trying to a man of active habits, like yourself, as confinement to the house. It was fortunate for you that you were not laid up during the best part of the hunting season, as I am afraid your patient spirit would have utterly rebelled against your privation from one of the only things you really enjoy. We are very snug indeed here, and are made a great deal of. We need never be at home unless we choose. Your friends the Ducrows have a very nice house near, and they have introduced me to some very pleasant people. One of their daughters is a very charming girl. We sing duets together; and as we have to practise for some musical parties, I see a great deal of her. You would like her, I think. I hope we may remain here some time longer, as it is not often one meets with such real friendship as the people here have shown us. I send you a few papers which may amuse you. I hope to hear soon that you are better. When you are able to travel I shall be glad to see you here; I can put you up very comfortably.
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
GEORGE MILNER.
_From a Gentleman to another, explaining the cause of not replying to a Letter from a Gentleman Abroad._
Poonah House, December 14th, 187--
MY DEAR JOHN,
You must not measure the real pleasure and gratification it afforded me to receive your letter by the time I have taken to answer it. I have meant many times to sit down and write to you, but one thing or the other has prevented me. The chief cause of my silence, I grieve to say, has been the fresh sorrows we have lately had, in the loss of our dear little pet, a boy of nearly one year old, during teething, and then the break-up of our little comfortable home in consequence of this--for my dear wife was quite broken by it, in health and spirits; and requiring change of air, I sent her and our eldest girl to Dawlish, where they are now comfortably established with my brother"s family, and I sincerely hope the change will prove beneficial to them both. There are many of our old Durham friends residing there, which will be pleasant for her. I shall be so completely tied by business here for some weeks, or it may be longer, that I can scarcely fix the time I shall join them. I shall be dull enough alone, you may well imagine. Forgive my apparent neglect, and if you should be pa.s.sing near be good enough to give me a call. We are a party of about seven in this boarding-house. The terms are very moderate, and if you know any friend requiring accommodation in one, I can vouch for their being comfortable here.
Best regards to your wife and daughters.