Royal British Female Orphans Asylum [&c]
Devonport
May 15 1855
Sir
In again soliciting your kind assistance on behalf of this Charity, I can only plead a great desire to relieve, as far as we can, the misery caused by the present war<1>
The result of the Photographic Stall was so successful last few years [sic] since,<2> that we are induced to hope that it may be equally, or even more so, on the present occasion, when the object is to relieve the orphans of the brave men who have fallen so nobly in the Crimea.
The enclosed list of the Candidates at the last election will shew how many and urgent are the cases seeking admittance into this truly National Asylum
I have the honor to subscribe myself Sir Your most obedient Servant
L. Tripe <3>
Hony Secy
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Athenaeum Club
Pall Mall
London
[wax seal on flap with 'M' under a crown]
Notes:
1. The Crimean War.
2. In 1853, WHFT had donated photographic engravings in support of the Bazaar, which was hosted at Mt Edgcumbe by his half-sister, Lady Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding (1808-1881); Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, 1840–1854 & 1863–1865. See Doc. No: 06670; Doc. No: 06846; Doc. No: 06939.
3. In 1863, Tripe changed his name to Metham. He was the brother of the well-known photographer, Linneaus Tripe.