The curious thing about these parcels was that more than half the clothes were absolutely new. People had gone to shops and bought five or ten pounds’ worth of goods in reply to my appeal “in kind.” A large number came from gentlemen’s clubs or chambers. These usually arrived anonymously, with a touching little bit of paper inside, “God bless you,” or “An unknown admirer of your books,” or “My interest in Sicily was first awakened by your book on that country.” A pair of baby’s socks came from a poor woman who wrote she was sorry she could not send more, but still she wanted to send something. Another workman’s wife offered a week’s time, as she had formerly been a shirt-maker and could get through a lot in the time, and that right willingly “for them poor things.” A poor old governess wrote from a seaside town: “DEAR MADAM,—When I read about your starting a Relief Fund for the poor darlings—the sufferers in Messina—I prayed for God’s choicest blessing to rest on you. Next came a wish to do something myself, and a mournful inability presented itself unless _this_ attempt may be of some use. I am an invalid—almost a martyr to bronchial asthma, and I am oftener in bed than out of it. “I am 70 years of age and am being maintained by a sister or the workhouse would be my portion. I am a Board School teacher, and at different times I tried my hand at composition. In the year 1902—I think it was—I tried for the £100 prize for a story. If you can make any use of the MSS., please apply the money to your fund. “In conclusion, I pray again God will prosper you in all your way. We want more of such _real_ Christians as you have proved yourself to be. I wept when I first read of your grand work. “With kind regards, yours very sincerely, “(Mrs.) M. A. C.” The address was rather touching: “The Lady Authoress, “Sending garments, etc., “To MESSINA, “London.” Another was poor; but had a pair of old ear-rings valued about £2, which she offered to send me for sale if I would apply the money in buying clothes. Some of the parcels contained several hundred things—often newly bought and beautiful—many were accompanied by complete lists of the contents. Another letter came from a Home, and was signed by a row of Nurses on the Staff, each sending a contribution. A charming lady sent an odd shoe, and explained that the fellow shoe was in the parcel she had sent off the day before! A man sent a coat, and the next day followed the waistcoat which he had just found! One more practical gentleman sent twenty-four pairs of beautiful new white blankets, done up in sacking; another thoughtful person sent six dozen new hair-brushes. Numbers of people came to talk to me, shake hands with me, interview me, until I had to beg my friends to say I was engaged and invisible.