There is nothing so annoying as to be threatened with proceedings. Perhaps you have not replied civilly to your tradesman's demand for payment; generally speaking, if you do so, they are not pressing. I enclose you a cheque for 20_l._, and shall be glad if you will dine with me this evening. Bring your I. O. U. Yours ever, SAML. ROGERS. ---- _Reply to a Gentleman who wishes to claim an Estate in Chancery._ Strand, June 14th, 187-- DEAR SIR, In reply to your letter of the 11th inst. relative to the Pulwood estate, in Chancery, I think that your first step is to ascertain in whose Court the suit is pending. You can discover this by searching at the Record and Writ Clerks' Courts, in Chancery Lane. You must then ascertain by search in Chambers of the Judge to whose Court the suit is attached, to what stage the proceedings have advanced, and, if no certificate has issued finding the heir or heirs, you must make out your pedigree, by searching parish and other registers, old family Bibles, &c., and obtain also all the evidence you possibly can in support of it; but you had better employ a solicitor. I trust you will be successful. Believe me, Yours truly, JOSIAH WEBB. ---- _In reply to a Gentleman asking the Loan of a Book relative to German Spa Waters._ Harrow, May 4th, 187-- DEAR FRANCIS, I was heartily glad to hear from you again, as I was beginning to fancy you had forgotten me. So you are thinking of going abroad to try the German waters? I have a very useful book, called "The Baths of Europe," and also a small pamphlet on the "German Waters." I will lend them both to you. There are some others written by English physicians, but I forget their titles at this moment. Any bookseller, however, would supply you with the information; but let me advise you, if you intend trying a course of water-drinking or bathing at the foreign spas, not to select any particular place or bath merely from a description given in a book, however good or reliable it may be, so much depends on individual cases and constitutions. Consult first some physician who has made the foreign baths his particular study. Trusting you will derive benefit from the change, Believe me, yours ever, ---- _A Gentleman applying for a Loan on the Insurance of his Life._ Chelsea, S.W., May 14th, 187-- SIR, Having seen an advertisement in the _Evening Standard_, stating that advances are made by you on life policies at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, I should feel obliged if you would inform me what amount would be advanced on my life policy. I have insured in the G---- office for nearly eighteen years. The policy is No. 18,723. The annual premium is 50_l._ A reply at your earliest convenience will oblige, Yours faithfully, S. H. BOLT. To J. H., Esq., E. I. Office, Trade Street. ----