Our work on the Curiosities of Street Literature soon ran out of print. But we continued to gather from time to time fresh information on the subject of the “Two Catnachs—John and James,” and in the early part of 1876 we determined on publishing a work, to be entitled “The Life and Times of James Catnach—late of Seven Dials—Ballad Monger.” And for the purpose of obtaining the verification, amendment, or denial to the several scraps of information we had obtained, we wrote to our old friend, Mr. John Morgan, on the subject, and from him we received the letters that follow:—
No. 1, Model Cottages, Little St. Anne’s Lane,
Great Peter Street, Westminster,
London, S.W.
16th February, 1876.
Sir,
I received your Letter this Morning: I have removed to above address two years and seven months, I have been in Bed seven weeks suffering from Bronchitis; but am now recovering and shall get up to-day, but the Doctor will not permit me to go out.
Whatever you may require I am ready and willing to do to the utmost of my abilities, and be happy to serve you, and much regret I have not the strength to venture to —— Street. If anything can be done by Letter or otherwise, I will willingly attend to your request, your reply will greatly oblige,
P.S.—Please excuse the illegible scribble as I write this in Bed.
Charles Hindley, Esq.,
76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton.