L E T T E R S

384Letter Nr. 76Paris, November 24, 1833Honorable Council of the Society for Educational Assistance!I am writing this appeal to the Honorable Council in the name of a youngfellow-exile who does not know to write - Dyonisius Wysocki. He is seventeenyears old today; but he has already served in the regular army, during the last war,as the certificate from the commander of the battalion which I have included testifies.He served in the 10 th infantry regiment of troops of the line, under MajorWitkowski. Wysocki finds himself in a very sad situation today, due to his ageand lack of education, and is unable to manage for himself. He will waste hisyouth passing from one service to another, unless he is saved by the gracious helpof his compatriots.If he could obtain such assistance, he has an opportunity at present to learna craft which we hold in high regard, that of a gunsmith. The enclosed lettershould convince you, my dear compatriots, that Mr. Monvier, a gunsmith in Paris,rue des Magasins Mr. 8, testifies that he is willing to accept Wysocki into hisshop. He even promises that within two months, or even sooner, he will be ableto teach him enough about the craft that he will be able to earn something forhimself.But this is all under conditions which Wysocki cannot fulfill without thegracious favor of your Honored Society. Mr. Monvier wants 60 francs as aguarantee against what the apprentice might break while he is learning, as well asan assurance that once he has learned, he will work in the shop for some time.Besides, he needs 20 francs for tools. Moreover, Wysocki receives no salary, andhas no other income; he lives only from his service. He could not enrol as anapprentice unless he had 20 francs a month for food assured.I present this matter to the Honorable Society, certain that if funds and thepresent procedures of the Society permit a grant of assistance to the suppliant, hewill not be rejected. At the same time, I ask you to accept the assurance of myown true respect. I remain your honorable benefactors most humble servant,