WCP3588

[1]

3 The Terrace,

Ladywell Park

Lewisham

M[ay] 12 [1872]¹

Sir,

Having, as you know, been swindled out of every fraction ^{I possessed} by that convicted knave and scoundrel, A. R. Wallace F[ellow] [of the]. R[oyal]. G[eographical]. S[ociety]., perhaps you will not be surprised to hear the subject [2] referred to at the discuss[ion] to take place next Monday. Perhaps you will [be] good enough to support an appeal for a subscription on my behalf, otherwise there may be a [3] less favourable opportunity of introducing the subject, which will never be allowed to rest as long as your society is in existence. It is a base and scandalous fraud and the exposure [4] of it, is more than enough to ruin a much more influential society than y[ou]rs. If the thief himself cannot pay what he owes, let his friends do so for him. For I am in the greatest distress, & will die before he shall hear the end of it.

Y[ou]rs respectfully | John Hampden [signature]

[5]^{2 3}