“Give my love to Miss Buss, and tell her not to lose heart. But it is trying and uphill work! Only her example strengthens others in all ways.” “Selwood Park, Sept. 3, 1871. “DEAR MISS RIDLEY, “The enclosed letters will show you that I have not forgotten that poor Mr. Ruskin was to be my main hope. His illness has been very serious, and I know not at this moment where he is. I shall certainly see him when there is any chance of his being able to take thought of anything. I know how much interest he would have taken in the schools, and, I hope, will take in them yet. “The lady in whom I most trusted to give me money has given me _just_ nothing, and no promises even, nor expression of interest, and the aggravating thing is the _reasons_ she gave! She has anticipated for _two_ years the sum she gives to charitable objects or social progress to—the Society for Advancing Female Suffrage!!! “I have been entirely unsuccessful so far, but am not going to lose heart nor hope; for success does not depend on whether an object is supported by many or by few. And I feel that these schools are just the most important step that has yet been taken for women, giving a solid foundation of good training, and Miss Buss has been raised up and trained for the emergency. She is doing the real needful work without minding the clatter of nonsense that is being talked about Woman’s Rights, and all the rest of it. The waste of _money_ is the least part of one’s regret. “My counsel and advice is, first, to write to the Lord Mayor and tell him that his example would be readily followed, and entreat him to lead the forlorn hope and give a small sum of money. I would write the letter gladly, only _you_ can do it better, and are in the midst of the business of the schools. “I will write to Mr. Roebuck, and see if he can rouse any interest. Do you also write to Mrs. Newmarch. Tell her the urgency of the matter; write such a letter as she can give her husband—not too long, but urgent. Write to Miss Cobbe, and beg her to make an article of appeal in the _Echo_, and at the same time interesting. Shoot all these arrows _at once_, and some of them will hit.