The Eton boy was “indignant, and wrote back to Leech returning the money,” to which Leech replied as follows:
“32, Brunswick Square,
“November 8, 1859.
“Dear Sir,
“No, no; it must be as it is; besides, the order is made out in your name, and can be used by no one else. After all, your contribution was very amusing, and pray consider yourself as quite entitled to the sum offered. If you have any doubt as to how you should spend the money, why, then, buy some gloves for the young lady who said the smart thing to the Oxford man. As to my being offended, dismiss the notion from your mind at once. Your first note I consider perfectly good-natured, and your second as frank and gentleman-like. I hope you will do me the favour to accept two volumes of my sketches, in which I hope you will find some amusement.
“I will direct the volumes to be sent to you this afternoon.
“Believe me, dear sir,
“Yours faithfully,
“John Leech.”
Encouraged by Leech’s kindness, and being, as he says, “a born caricaturist in the opinion of his friends,” the Eton boy sent some sketches for Leech’s opinion. To this application he received the following reply:
“32, Brunswick Square,
“June 11, 1859.