10, BOUVERIE STREET, WHITEFRIARS, E.C.

February 10th, 1874.

WE are induced to appeal to you, on behalf of the Widow of the late EDWARD MOXON, Publisher, of Dover Street, Piccadilly, who died in 1858, leaving his Wife and Family solely dependent upon the income derived from his business.

The embarrassed state of Mr. Moxon's affairs at his death rendered necessary an appeal to the Creditors, in whose interest the business was successfully carried on under inspection for three years, when his Widow again took possession of it. But want of capital and the youth and inexperience of her Sons, obliged Mrs. Moxon to seek elsewhere for assistance, and in 1864 Mr. J. B. Payne, her managing clerk, joined her in partnership.

Unfortunately, this arrangement, involving a sacrifice of nearly half her property, did not secure the advantages it promised, and ultimately, in 1871, under the management and superintendence of Mr. Payne, the business in Dover Street entirely ceased. The copyrights, however (with the exception of those of Mr. Tennyson, who had withdrawn the publication of his works), were transferred by the Creditors to a publishing firm in Paternoster Row, who undertook to satisfy all just claims in full, and at the end of a term of years were to receive a half share of the remainder.

These successive misfortunes have left Mrs. Moxon in an almost destitute position, and the chances of her regaining any of her former property have been placed at a still more remote distance by an expensive lawsuit (Moxon v. Payne)—rendered imperative by the demands of her late partner—the costs of which, although decided in her favour, will chiefly fall upon the estate.

It may be observed in conclusion, that Mrs. Moxon was the adopted daughter of Charles Lamb, and is often mentioned by him, in his correspondence, with the greatest interest and affection. The statement of this fact may tend to strengthen the sympathy of all lovers of literature for one whose straitened circumstances are well known to us (her five daughters are nearly all in delicate health), and for whom we venture therefore to solicit your kind assistance.

We remain,

Yours respectfully,

WILLIAM H. BRADBURY.

FREDERICK LOCKER.

Subscriptions may be paid to Messrs. GLYN, MILLS, & Co., to the account of the "Moxon Subscription Fund."

February 10th, 1874.

WE are induced to appeal to you on behalf of the Widow of the late EDWARD MOXON, Publisher, of Dover Street, Piccadilly, who died in 185, leaving his Wife and Family solely dependent upon the income derived from his business.

The embarrassed state of Mr. Moxon's affairs at his death rendered necessary an appeal to the Creditors, in whose interest the business was successfully carried on under inspection for three years, when his Widow again took possession of it. But want of capital and the youth and inexperience of her Sons, obliged Mrs. Moxon to seek elsewhere for assistance, and in 186 Mr. James Bertrand Payne, her managing clerk, joined her in partnership.

Unfortunately, this arrangement, involving a sacrifice of nearly half her property, did not secure the advantages it promised, and ultimately in 187, under the management and superintendence of Mr. Payne, the business in Dover Street entirely ceased. The copyrights, however (with the exception of those of Mr. Tennyson, who had withdrawn the publication of his works), were transferred by the Creditors to a publishing firm in Paternoster Row, who undertook to satisfy all just claims in full, and at the end of a term of years were to receive a half share of the remainder.

These successive misfortunes have left Mrs. Moxon in an almost destitute position, and the chances of her regaining any of her former property have been placed at a still more remote distance by an expensive lawsuit (Moxon v. Payne)—rendered imperative by the unjustifiable claims of her late partner—the costs of which, although decided in her favour, will chiefly fall upon the estate.

It may be observed in conclusion, that Mrs. Moxon was the adopted daughter of Charles Lamb, and is often mentioned by him, in his correspondence, with the greatest affection. The statement of this fact may tend to strengthen the sympathy of all lovers of literature for one whose straitened circumstances are well known to us (she has five unmarried daughters to maintain), and for whom we venture therefore to solicit your kind assistance.

We remain,

Yours respectfully,