Convent, Baggot Street
[c. November 18, 1840]1
Sister M. Catherine Meagher
Naas
My Dear Sister M. Catherine
I am very happy to receive a note from you and regret exceedingly that it is impossible to admit the young person. We are always crowded to excess at this season – so many leaving Dublin, dismissing servants and few engaging any, we have every day most sorrowful applications from interesting young creatures, confectioners and dress makers, who at this season cannot get employment and are quite unprotected. I am sure I spoke with two yesterday who were hungry, tho’ of nice appearance.
Their dejected faces have been before me ever since. I was afraid of hurting their feelings by offering them food and had no money. The poor law Tax has deprived us of much help. We find it very difficult to keep up the poor Institution.
My best love to all – believe me
Your ever affectionate
M. C. McAuley
1 The autograph of this undated letter was once in Naas but currently cannot be located. The Photostat of the letter in Mercy Congregational Archives, Dublin is dated “July 1841” in the index to the bound volume of Photostats titled Letters of Mother McAuley 1841, but that date cannot be correct. Neumann dates this letter “[November 18th, 18]
