Autograph Letter Signed ('W. E. Norris') from the Victorian novelist William Edward Norris [to the father of Stephen John Aldrich], apologising for being unable to assist the recipient in settling his son.

2pp., 16mo. Twenty-two lines of text, written in small, neat style. From the papers of the subject of the letter, Stephen John Aldrich. In an era when the making of such an appeal as Aldrich's father's was commonplace, this is a remarkably well-written response: a model of tact and consideration. It reads: 'My dear Sir, | I most sincerely wish that I could be of any use to you in finding some opening for your son, but I fear that it is out of my power to help you. I will, of course, bear him in mind; only I cannot honestly say that I think there is the least prospect of my being able to do him a good turn. I have no commercial interest, and even for those who are engaged in my own pursuit of literature (and whom I am asked almost every day to assist) I can do very little indeed - practically nothing, in fact. | Has your son every thought of trying the colonies? It seems to me that a young fellow has far more chances there than in this country. I am very sorry to be obliged to reply in so discouraging a manner; but I cannot do otherwise. | Please give my kindest remembrance to Mrs. Aldrich, and | Believe me | Very faithfully yours | W. E. Norris'