UAB

English

Walter Wilson to William Hone, 23 August, 1813

[1780-1818] - [1818-1824] - [1825-1832] - [1832-1842] - Hone Correspondence

Walter Wilson to William Hone, 23 August, 1813.1-TEI-

Margate
August 23d 1813
Dear Hone

I duly received both of your letters, & am greatly obliged by the kind attention you have paid to the subject that was the unfortunate occasion of them.2 The arrangement you have made meets with my entire approbation, & I think myself fortunate in having applied to a friend, who has investigated the matter much more fully than I should in all probability have done it myself. I must confess I was greatly imposed on by David's letter, as I did not suspect the youth to be capable of so much folly. Henceforth shall entirely [renounce?] him for his ingratitude, in betraying my confidence upon a point on which he knew me to be so tenacious -- that of admitting strangers into my house without my knowledge. It was only during my illness that I forbid him my house for staying, himself, one night without my knowledge; & it was upon his expressing what I thought sincere contrition that I re-admitted him. After the good opinion I have entertained of him, how great must be my surprise at reading your account of his gambols? Methinks he has set out upon his travels to see the world right early enough! From your representation I think "Dainty Davy" more to blame than Sarah, who, however, hath sufficiently transgressed. Should it fall in your way to hear of a good steady servant who you think will suit, perhaps you will remember me.

Margate is now very full, & there is plenty of amusement as you've seen yourself to be already acquainted with. Broadhurst of Covent Garden & his sister have been down here for some time entertaining the folks with their notes at one of the Libraries every evening. The weather has been very fine till yesterday, since which has been very bositerous, & I am fearful of a long passage should I return by the ["vessel?" one word illegible]. It is my purpose to be at home by the latter end of this week, of which I will give you early notice, & shall be glad to welcome a friend for whom I have so great an esteem. My ire has been raised this morning by a paragraph which I have seen in the Post, & another in the Examiner, relating to a lecture on the Millenium which was delivered here ten days ago. O how I long to scourge these writers! What pity it is that independent people will not encourage some publications that shall correct the impertinencies of such scribblers!

I wish you would see Bone3 & relieve his mind by informing him that I have written to Conden & Jones. I have heard nothing of the schools he mentions, though I see the papers daily; but shall be very glad to lend a helping hand towards so christian-like a design as that of educating the poor. Tell him I am glad to hear that he is employed so successfully, & will cheerfully become a fellow worker with him in so good a cause.

I know not that I have any thing further to add, unless it be to admire your patience in perusing so long a letter, which I assure you has afforded some present entertainment. I longed greatly for a station behind the door when you was seated in the elbow chair, & in your magisterial capacity calling the culprits before you; also, when with tremulous steps you descended the lower regions, & measured your paces before a harmless goose, whom you mistook for a monster of the deep. If you [torn, one word missing] Mr Webb make any best respects to him, & believe me to be

Dear Hone
Yours very truly
W. Wilson

[Addressed to]
Mr. Hone,

Ivy Lane,
Pater Noster Row

Notes
1
British Library, BL Add. MS 40120, ff. 18-19. [return]
2
Exactly what incident was the occasion for this letter can be deduced by the content. Apparently, "David" and "Sarah" were servants in Wilson's household. An earlier letter (Adelphi, Series 1B, Bx 3, f. 11) sufficiently explains Wilson's concern: "my maid Sarah, alas I fear no longer a maid! For I understand that she has had a young man to sleep with her in my house during the past week." Wilson, who was ill, asked Hone to act as his agent in London to sort out the matter. [return]
3
John Bone, Hone's former business partner. [return]
Walter Wilson. Date: 2012-07-03