Sir,

I beg to apologize for troubling you, but I feel sure you will excuse me when I tell you I am writing on behalf of the Widow of the late D^r. Charles Beke, whose sad case, & claims are so well known. & for whom much sympathy has been expressed. Her trials & troubles for the past 8 years since the death of her husband have indeed been very great, & to add to them she has of late partially lost her sight, so that she has been, & is quite unable to pursue her Literary occupations, & her home has had to be broken up.² The many powerfully signed Memorials which have been presented, amply testify that it is the sincere wish of all her Patrons & friends, that she should obtain the continuation of her Husband’s “Civil List Pension” but in this she has not been successful, so that her extreme need of help, makes me the more urgent in trying to get her a Permanent Annuity of not less than £50.

Towards this object I will gladly contribute £300 myself provided she can succeed in getting the remaining £500. necessary to effect this object. the value of which Annuity is about £800. I am happy to say from a letter received from the Premier I have reason to hope for assistance from “Royal Bounty Funds” so soon as I am able to submit to the Premier the amount I have collected.³ The proposal happily meets with the entire approval of the following Noblemen & Gentlemen who have promised me their assistance & support. As of course I shall have a great deal to do to get up the money—I shall be most thankful if you will benevolently send me a kind contribution out of sympathy for the Widow of one, whose Public Services in respect of Abyssinia, as well as his Literary, Scientific & Philanthropic Labours in which his wife so ably assisted him claim your sympathy & support.

I am, Sir, | Y^rs. very faithfully | Agnes Taylor

Contributions Received

The Duke of Wellington⁴ £10.

The Earl of Malmesbury⁵ £5

———–

Contributions Promised

Myself——————–£300

Sir David L Salomons⁶ 5

The Duke of Devonshire⁷ ?——–

The Duke of Bedford⁸ ?———–

P.S. | Permit me to beg that contributions be sent direct to M^rs. Beke’s account with

Mess^rs. Hammond & Co.

Canterbury Bank

Canterbury