"The editor of _Punch_ is the person who should be addressed upon all money matters connected with that periodical. However, in the present instance, perhaps it will answer every purpose if I adopt the suggestion of your 'great _friend_ and _confidant_,' and '_do the handsome_ and send a _tip direct_,' which I do in the shape of a post-office order for one guinea; or, as your 'entirely _disinterested_' young friend is to have half of what you get, it will be even better if I make the order for two guineas instead, as I do, only you must not look upon this as a precedent. I am afraid Mr. Punch would have considered that the trouble and expense he was at to have an original design made to your few lines would have been ample recompense. In future send to the editor your notion of what you expect for any contribution, and he will accept or reject accordingly, I dare say. "Yours faithfully, "JOHN LEECH." 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. "MY DEAR SIR, "I am very busy, so you must excuse a rather short note. Your sketches I have looked at carefully, however, and I have no hesitation in saying that they show a great perception of humour on your part. They seem to me to be altogether very good; and I have no doubt that with practice you might make your talent available in _Punch_ and elsewhere. I don't know about your taking lessons, except from Nature, and learn from her as much as possible. Try your hand at some initial letters--if drawn on the wood clearly, so much the better--and I will, with great pleasure, hand them to the editor of _Punch_. 'The Pleasures of Eton' is capital; the style, I take it, founded a little upon Doyle's works. I would not do that too much. You have quite cleverness enough to strike out a path of your own, and with my best wishes for your success,