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 assist 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.