the
greater the sale the larger would be the number of workmen required.
Hence the sale of goods, the appointment of agents in country towns, and
the sending out of price lists, were important matters.

She received help and encouragement from many friends. Letters, which
came from those who had known and loved her as a child, gave her great
pleasure, and were carefully preserved.

The following is from a former fellow of Brasenose, the Rev. J. Watson:

OXFORD, _2d June 1856_.

MY DEAR BESSIE--I fear I shall not quite respond to your wishes
exactly in the way you desire. But I will do something; I am not
fond of annuals, I forget them; and arrears are discreditable. Nor
indeed am I sure but that the enclosed (L10) may be more effectual
than an annual L1. _Vita brevis._

All nations have some prudential maxims about present possession.
La Fontaine has a fable to the point, but I cannot call it up.
There is our own famous English proverb, the very Magna Charta of
prudential security. A bird actually in grip is worth the more
abundant but doubtful contingencies of the distant bush. I am glad,
however, of the opportunity of being able to do so much in the way
of donation, following in a modest way the example of our most
gracious Queen and governor.

Thankful too I hope that, being reduced myself to almost a state of
helplessness by the same calamity, I am not obliged to appeal to
the charity of others; and have even something to give to relieve
the necessities of fellow-sufferers.

So much for request second. As to request first, I will do what I
can. But I am a bad beggar, and people are not very easily
persuaded (far from it); 6d. in the pound property tax, poor rates,
champagne, lighting, anything will do to stop the mouth of a
petitioner. I doubt not in the range of your philanthropical
experience you have met with many a cold shoulder. I believe you
might disperse a mob more effectually by the exhibition of a
subscription list than by reading the Riot Act. It is very useful
in clearing your room of officious visitors. Produce a list for the
conversion of somebody to some thing which he was not before (to
wit, the Pope to a coadjutor of Dr. Cumming or Lord John Russell to
an honest statesman), and, presto! the whole scene