"I am very happy indeed to say that I am promoted for I know it makes you happy. Let me come out next Saturday and come and see me to-morrow. I have no sealing wax or would not send the porter. "I hope you are quite well and Mamma and Old Camello and the little Baby Bunning the same "Your affectionate "Son "J LEECH." "DEAR PAPA "As I am rather short of money and want to keep my money I've got, I should be much obliged if you would give my ambassador 18 pence or so as I've promised a boy at school one of those small bladders to make balloons of, if you remember you bought me one once. I hope you are all well "I remain "Your affectionate son "J LEECH." "DEAR PAPA "Will you be so kind as to send me half a crown by the porter and allowence me every week "I was obliged to send the porter "I hope you Mamma Brothers and sisters are quite well. "Your affectionate son "J LEECH." [_No date._] "MY DEAR MAMMA "I understand that you came to see me yesterday, and me being in the green, you did not see me, so that made me still more unhappy, I beg you will come and see me on Saturday for I am very unhappy. "I want to see you or Papa very much indeed. "Your affectionate son "J LEECH." "MY DEAR PAPA. "You desired me to send you my report I have not had it since the last one. I went into be examined by Dr Russell yesterday but I did not get promoted but I did not lose more than one or two places. I will send you my next report. I hope you are quite well. "Mamma and Brother and sisters the Same "Your affectionate "Son "J LEECH. "I would have written to you sooner but _I had not time_." Leech made no way at the Charterhouse; never approaching the position held by Thackeray, who was four years his senior: indeed, I doubt that they saw, or cared to see, much of each other, little dreaming that they would ultimately become dear and fast friends till death separated them, only to meet again, as we believe, after the sad, short interval that elapsed between the deaths of each.