THE GENTLEMAN'S MODEL LETTER-WRITER. (continued 2)

Dear Madam,

You will of course have observed, by the announcement in the newspapers of this day's date, that the business we have been so anxious about is settled. I do not wish to enlarge on my own humble services in the cause; but I am sure you will admit that if a professional gentleman had been employed, the advice and services I have rendered during the last few years would have been made into a very lengthy bill, far exceeding the amount you promised me, whatever the issue of the negotiations might be. I am well assured that I am in good hands, however, and had I been called upon to render ten times the required services and advice, you would have found me as ready and willing as I have been. Your kind favour of the —ult., enclosing cheque, was duly received. I need not say how glad I shall be to hear again from you at your earliest convenience.

I remain,

Dear Madam,

Yours very faithfully,

Erasmus Jackson.

Letter from a Traveller at Manchester, to his Employers in London.

Manchester, January 18th, 187—

Dear Sirs,

During the week very little change has taken place in prices quoted in my last. Cotton was a shade better on Monday, which caused sellers of yarn and cloth in this market to ask rather more in some instances; but the improvement was quite evanescent. The market, however, has continued steady. Some buyers have made attempts to operate at rather lower prices, and offers have been freely made at 1/8d. to 1/4d. per lb. for yarns, but the offers have only been made in exceptional cases. For goods of all descriptions, notwithstanding some discouraging accounts from abroad, very considerable contracts for distant delivery in point of time could have been secured by making a very slight concession.

Madapollams, jaconets, and mulls are not in active request, but maintain last week's values. Printers T cloths and domestics meet with a fair consumptive demand, and orders can only be placed at the prices of Tuesday. Large importations of cotton, and lower prices, are causing buyers to operate cautiously, both in yarn and cloth. I leave this to-morrow for Macclesfield.

I remain, Gentlemen,

Yours obediently, ______

Relative to an Advertisement, requesting a copy.

Wareham, June 15th, 187-

Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure of forwarding you, on the fly-leaf, a copy of the order for the advertisement. We trust it was in conformity with your wishes.

Yours respectfully,

H. M. B——.

Application for a Debt some time owing.

Windsor Buildings, May 14th, 187-

Madam,

Mr. W. C. Durnford has placed his book debts in my hands to collect, and I shall be obliged by the payment of 1l. 18s. 6d., for which I find you are his debtor.

I am, Madam,

Your obedient servant,

J. I——.

Application for an outstanding Account.

London, May 4th, 187—

Mrs. ——,

Madam,

We beg to inform you that we are instructed by Messrs. B——n and C——n, of Duncan Street, who are desirous of clearing off several outstanding accounts which are considerably overdue, to make application to you for payment of an amount of £—18s. 4d. for articles supplied in July, 1868, and January, 1869; and to facilitate the next balancing of books, we ask you to kindly make it convenient to favour us with a cheque for the amount before the 30th inst.

We are, Madam,

Yours faithfully,

H. F. & Co.

Applying for an Account, and furnishing particulars.

Streatham, June 13th, 187—

Dear Sir,

On the other side I hand you particulars of Mrs. Soames' account, for which please send me cheque.

Yours truly,

W. W.

pro P. F. C.

A Gentleman's Servant, applying for a Situation.

Praetland Terrace, March 1st, 187—

"Valet Wanted."

Sir,

In reply to an advertisement in yesterday's Daily Telegraph, headed as above, I beg to offer myself for the situation.

For six years and a half I lived with the late General Aslett in that capacity; on his death the establishment was reduced, and I received my dismissal.

I enclose a copy of my character from my previous masters, and also one from the proprietor of the Great Northern Hotel, who has known me for many years. I am unmarried, 5ft. 10in. in height, and twenty-eight years of age.

I remain, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

James Field.

From a Coachman, requiring a place.

Croydon, October 2nd.

Sir,

Having heard that you are in want of a coachman, I respectfully beg to offer myself for the situation.

I have lived in my last place with J. G——, Esq., who will, I am sure give me a good character.

I remain, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

John James.

Reply.

Beech Park, October 4th.

John James,

I have received your application for my coachman's place, and should be glad to know of how many horses you had the care at Mr. ——'s; whether you had a groom under you; and if you can drive in London as well as in the country.

Let me know also if you are a married man, and, if so, whether you have a family.

Robert Bruce.

Coachman's Reply.

Croydon, October 6th.

Sir,

I had the care of three horses at Mr. ——, and he allowed me assistance in the stable.

I am a married man and have five children. I have been used to drive in London during the season. If you should be pleased to engage me, I shall endeavour to do my best to serve you.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

John James.

Applying for a Situation as a Gardener.

Snowdrop Cottage, June 1st, 187—

Sir,

Understanding that there will be a vacancy shortly in your establishment for a gardener, I respectfully beg to offer myself for the place. From boyhood I have been under the best of gardeners. I served my apprenticeship with, and have been from time to time improving myself under the direction of one of the most experienced landscape gardeners employed in the Crystal Palace Gardens. I enclose you a copy of the opinion formed of my capabilities by those under whom I placed myself, and assure you my whole time and study shall be devoted to your service.

I remain,

Yours obediently,

E. Gardner.

A Gentleman ordering a Set of Harness from a Saddler.

Edisbury Place, February 4th, 187—

Sir,

I send my coachman to consult with you as to the style and quality of a new set of double harness, which I shall shortly require. My own idea is that harness cannot be too light looking. I have also a great objection to a large amount of plating. My coachman will tell you the size of the horses; and please let me know by him the very lowest price.

Yours obediently,

James Heaton.

Saddler, in reply.

3, Tanning Road, February 1st, 187—

Sir,

Many thanks for your esteemed communication. From the description given by your coachman of the double harness required, I think I can supply you to your satisfaction for the sum of 24l., and everything will be of the best quality. Trusting that you will be satisfied with the quality and character of the goods,

I remain,

Sir,

Your humble obedient servant,

Joseph Tanner.

Gentleman in reply, objecting to Price.

Edisbury Place, February, 187—

Sir,

On my return I was much surprised to find that your prices were so very much above the sum I proposed to expend for a set of double harness: however, I will consider the matter. A friend of mine who lately ordered a set of harness much the same as that which my coachman described to you, assures me that the charge for it was between 5l. and 6l. less. I will see you on the subject on my return from Rome.

Yours obediently,

James Heaton.

Mr. ——

Saddler, in reply.

3, Tanning Road, February 1st, 187—

Sir,

As I am sorry at any time to lose custom, I take the liberty of requesting you to defer your decision until your return, and if you will then favour me with a call I think I can show you sets of harness at a price that you will find moderate. I enclose you a letter which I have received from a coachman, from which you will be able to judge for yourself of the pressure put upon us by servants.

I remain,

Sir,

Yours respectfully,

Joseph Tanner.

James Heaton, Esq. ______

Requesting the Renewal of a Bill.

Tipnor, February 4th, 187—

Dear Sirs,

Having had great difficulty in collecting my accounts during the last half year (although I have strict assurances that they will all, or nearly all, be settled by the end of this month), I find I am unable to meet in full my acceptance to you for 150l. 14s. 2d. Would you oblige me by holding it to the end of this month? I shall then be prepared to meet the same. An early reply will oblige,

Yours truly, ______

Messrs. Farren, Johnson, and Styles.