Will separate for your welfare and future prospect.
You advent in a very different manner to what I turned out with the salary and here has such emoluments as might cause to you from the several situations that were crowded upon you. I'm certain you would not have been able to support yourself in this Colony on the most economical scale of living being allowed. And from the fact of no clerks or assistants for you, it would be incredibly impossible to have continued your duties, especially during the heat of the summer months, even if your health had continued robust. I feel also confident that not a cent less than £6000 per annum would have enabled you to support your position with comfort and anything like ease to yourself. I have been a resident here for 11 years and speak from experience as to the expenses of living.
Wishing you a favourable voyage to your native land and every success for the future, believe me to remain,
My dear Sir,
Most sincerely yours,
James I. Hickson
Engineer Mr. Gaskell
Copy of a letter from My dear Sir,
Stace, Solicitor to Peninsular and Oriental St. J. Consch,
Hong Kong, 10 Feby 1857
Having been in practice in this Colony in my present profession of a Solicitor for about four years, I am well acquainted with the price of rent and provisions, and I have no hesitation in saying that they are very high. The salary allowed for the business practice, the profession, and the Colony thought is utterly inadequate. As for obtaining private practice to support you here, your chances are nearly, if not three times those there.
I am sorry that you were misled. Some one at home must have sadly not well secured the business of the firm before you arrived. I cannot see what could have spared towards inviting you and observations of the duties of the offices to before your arrival. Besides, from my knowledge of Stickton's large practice, I am confident that you are necessarily compelled to return home. But I trust that we shall soon hear of your having obtained a position in your family and friends in the old country.
With best wishes for your safe arrival amongst them, and disparity between work and remuneration,
My dear Hickson,
You have been compelled to resign your office of ...
I cannot but regret that...
Edwards the State
I remain yours sincerely,
Lust M41 Suzy Grops