GROWING TALLER. [TO THE EDITOR or THE "SPZOTATOB.1 Ssit,—In your
issue of the 5th November, you drew attention to an advertisement offering to help people to grow taller if they wished. You did not say you thought it could not be done; and so I hoped, Sir, that notwithstanding that disheartening sugges- tion of yours, that if it applied to short people, it would apply equally to tall, and thus not change the relative height of the former, tall people might not care to notice the advertisement, and that, thus, short people might benefit ; besides, the process might require patience, and others might not be so persevering as myself ; so, Sir, for certain reasons in connection with my own insignifi- cant dimensions and other matters of a similar nature—shall I con- fess the stature of my son and heir ?—I hoped you would not take it amiss if I did just drop a single line to Captain Stafford. He wrote a kind note in reply asking me for 5s. 8d., which I thought moderate ; but I am naturally cautious, and as he enclosed for my perusal a number of testimonials from persons who had grown from one to two inches in incredibly short times, and without apparent effort, I thought I would just ask one or two of them whether it was all right, though I felt a little uncomfortable at suspecting the gallant Captain, when he promised so fairly to show me the autograph letters of which he sent me the printed copies. You will be surprised, Sir, to learn that both my letters came back to me from that praiseworthy institution the Dead-Letter Office. Mr. Digby was "not known at Welbury," Yorkshire ; and Mr. James McLewis, of Bank Street, Dundee, was " not to be found."
I naturally boil with indignation when I think how my confi- dence was betrayed and how nearly I lost 5s. 8d.—besides, I have lost 2d. and the paper and envelopes—though the stamped envelopes directed to myself came safe back, and I can get the stamps off with a little cold water or warm.
I trust, Sir, you will expose the Captain, as you have led me into trouble and expense.—I am, Sir, &c., FIVE FEET FOUR-AND-A-HALF.
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