Stuk 24 - Letter from Joel Rowsell to Richard Monckton Milnes

1 folded sheet.

9 King William St, Strand, W. C. - The Secretary [of the Whittington Club] is out of town and will not return until next Tuesday. Regrets that the interest on the Walker loans have not been paid; £100 'would have been paid last year but owing to the plunder of the Club's funds by the Secretary & Mr Roberts to the amount of 250/- we we unable to do so'. The loss has 'very seriously injured us'. Hopes that an 'amicable arrangement' can be made to avoid the ruin of the Club. Believes the lease is worth at least five thousand pounds; nearly four thousand pounds have been raised by members and friends and spent on the premises.

Is sorry that the Club does not receive the 'general support' he believes it ought to; thinks that 'part of Mr Douglas Jerrold's scheme the admission of Lady Members has... retarded our progress'. It might be feared that 'seductions & all sorts of intrigues would be the result', but though he knows of a 'vast number of Marriages' among the members, he knows of none. However, thinks the 'Lady Membership has been injurious to the Club - it seems to be contrary to the habits & opinions of people in this Country'.

Regarding the loans, a meeting of the members will be called immediately, and the business put before them; the club does not currently have a solicitor but this matter will also be settled. Gives a summary of what has been done since the fire; it will be 'very vexatious to the Members who have invested nearly 5000/- to lose their Club and money on account of this loan'. Hopes Milnes will continue to support them. [Rowsell signs himself as Chairman of the Managing Committee].