I have had several letters from people, Alice Bective amongst the number, asking me if you had become professional, and so I say ‘I am sure I don't know what new freak you may be up to’, but I am sorry since I said that to see your name in the Times advertisement among second-rate artistes. Why don't you take another name? I heard at Liverpool you were placarded about the town in red and green letters (alternately) on large boards – with Arabella Goddard, and some others. I know with you it is no good saying anything, but poor Mama is awfully worried about all this, tho’ I have told her, what is the good, and the best is to try and not care and not think about it.

I made up my mind to do what I have been told all my life I ought to do, and determined to earn the money myself with which, without being indebted to anyone but my own exertions, I hope to carry out my plan for the complete education of a certain number of young girls. Entering the profession is the most disagreeable and humiliating thing you can possibly imagine, but it is not more humiliating, in my opinion, than the way people fight to get to one party and the other in Society, and the way dukes and duchesses are run after for no reason or object in life that I can see. I always hated Society and its mean ways, and never have I asked to go to a party in my life. Whatever I go through now is for a purpose, and in my opinion, as well as that of many persons, a good one.