The Gentleman's Model Letter-writer Part 13

I have always leisure to give a friend a hint if I think it possible to be useful, so I lose no time in replying to you about your pup and the distemper. I have tried vaccination and found it a perfect fallacy, and many of my friends, real judges of dogs, and one of whom is frequently appealed to on matters of dispute with regard to their treatment, decidedly says he has no faith in it, and that the effects are nothing. One of my friends had some dogs which all escaped distemper, but that was attributed to his never giving them any animal food. I rarely have a case (among my dogs) of distemper, and if I do it is generally very mild, and I account for it from my mode of feeding them. Until they reach the age of twelve months I keep them entirely, or nearly so, on bread and milk, potatoes, cabbage, meal, and milk, with the very slightest quant.i.ty imaginable of flesh food. Do not keep your dog too closely confined; feed him as I advise, and he may escape distemper altogether. Should he not, it will not be so severe as if you had fed him entirely on meat. I shall be coming into your neighbourhood shortly, and will pay you a visit.

Believe me,

Yours sincerely,

H. M. FOX.

_In reply to a Gentleman inquiring for a Solicitor who may be moderate in his charges._

Sheffield, December 29th, 187--

MY DEAR SIR,

When I retired from business I relinquished my connexion in favour of my former partner, Mr. ----, and I have much pleasure in giving you his name and address:--4, Boland Street, close to the newly erected Sessions Hall. He will, I am sure, be glad to attend to your friend's business, and make only fair charges.

I am much obliged for your kind inquiries, and am happy to say my wife and children are all well, and unite with me in kind remembrances. When you write to your sister-in-law, will you be so good as to present our kind regards to her? If you find time and opportunity to come so far north as this, we shall be extremely glad to see you.

Thank you very much for your kind offer of a welcome, and believe me to be,

Yours truly,

H. F.

_Application for a House, Furnished, desiring Lowest Terms._

The Limes, Hampstead, May 1st, 187--

SIR,

Being in want of a furnished residence, the enclosed order to view yours has been sent to me. Please let me know, before I go to view it, what will be the lowest rent. Please return the order.

Yours faithfully,

H. D. T.

_To a Relieving Officer, by a Neighbour of a Poor Woman taken Ill._

Tapton, March 17th, 187--

SIR,

Mrs. Waterson, a neighbour of mine, whom I have known for more than fifteen years as an industrious woman, is now ill and unable to work. She has no relations who can a.s.sist her in any way. Would you, next Thursday, on your way to the board of guardians' meeting, call and see her? Her house is at the corner of Sedgwood Lane. I will see that her wants are attended to until then.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

GEORGE NEWNS.

_Reply to a Gentleman recommending a young Man for Employment as a Porter._

Hitchin, June 12th, 18--

SIR,

I have received your communication relative to John ----. From the accounts you give of his general good conduct, his honesty, and the respectability of his family, I think he will be just the person I require to take the place of the porter I have lately lost by death.

If the young man will call to-morrow, he can commence his duties.

I remain,

Sir,

Yours obediently,

J. D. S----.