7 Devonport Street, Hyde Park. - Returned from the Continent to find that Ferdinand Freiligrath had lost his job on her account; he was upset by reading disparaging comments about himself in a German newspaper, and she is to blame; would like to make amends in spite of scorn she feels towards fellow German townspeople. Freiligrath left Germany with his family and cannot support them by poetry alone; can Milnes suggest a way in which she might assist him?
Clapton Pond, Clapton (at Mrs Leigh's). - Milnes knows his circumstances from Mrs Howitt and Mr Chorley; as a political refugee did not wish to depend on writing but on commercial clerical work; came from Zurich separately from his family, avoiding German territory; sold his library; arrived to find promised situation was taken. Asks if Milnes can help him to a secretaryship or library post until a business one offers; does not feel a literary subscription is justified as his need is temporary, but a loan would be acceptable; thanks for translation of his 'Old Frederick in Heaven', and sends a volume containing translation of Milnes' 'Venetian Serenade' in return.
'Saturday morning', 11 Grey Coat Street, Westminster. - Is in depths of poverty; his book has been held back; he is owned £9 by a newspaper; needs £2 to take up offer to edit a paper in Somerset; could not meet Milnes or Freiligrath owing to seedy attire; bearer of letter is his landlord who demands two weeks' rent; can Milnes help?
6 Alfred Place, Blackfriars. - Knows the Howitts, W. S. Landor, Macready and Freiligrath; has no means to support his invalid wife, though has been helped by Disraeli and Peel; gave up tutorship in classics last year to edit a 'new London Weekly Newspaper' which made him ill with over-work and failed; is ineligible for Literary Fund aid as he has not yet published anything independently; poems contributed to Howitt's Journal have been published in America but are delayed here owing to depression of the times; will resume teaching but needs funds; encloses letters [return requested]. Mr Howitt has been ruined by a literary speculation.
Including subscription form.
Clapton. - Thanks Milnes for his interest in [Ferdinand Freiligrath]; some City businesses would gladly employ him despite his poor standing with foreign governments, but there are no vacancies at present. Freiligrath will not yet accept a loan: he is not merely a poet but a real man of business. He has included one of Milnes's poems in a new book of translations. Postscript: a private donation might serve.