William Hone to Samuel Parr, 31 March, 1819

William Hone to Samuel Parr, 31 March, 1819.¹ — -TEI-

Black Swan Inn, Warwick

31st. March 1819.

Sir,

Believing it to be my duty to assist to the utmost in defending Russell, the Birmingham printer,² I arrived here on Monday to be present at his trial, and put into Mr. Denman's hands the most efficient of the materials I used in defending myself on each of my Trials in London.

Russell's affair having terminated by the Prosecutors withdrawing the Record this morning, my business here is ended, but I cannot be in the neighbourhood of Hatton without recollecting your public kindness to me, nor can I leave it without soliciting the honour of paying my respects to you personally, after my return to-day.³

I have the honour to be, Sir
Most respectfully and obediently your faithful servant,

W Hone

Notes

Hackwood, p. 215. I have not located the original copy of this letter; the version reproduced here comes from Hackwood's biography. There may, of course, be inaccuracies, but the date and location of the letter certainly accord with Hone's activities in March of 1819. [return]

For more on the trial of Russell, see note #5 to Hone's Don John. [return]

This letter likely marks the beginning of a relationship between Hone and Samuel Parr, the so-called "Whig Johnson." Hone was so impressed by Parr that he eventually named his last son (b. 1820) "Samuel Parr Hone." A rather detailed account of Hone and Parr's first meeting is available in a later letter from Hone to Dr. Samuel Butler, 4 April, 1825. [return]

UAB

English

William Hone to Samuel Parr, 31 March, 1819