William Hone to John Childs, 3 November, 1836

1.1.1.

I got both your letters, but that of Monday came upon me on Tuesday, when I was striving might and main to get enough copy for the printer, for his supply of that day, before the meeting of the Committee at five o'clock when the "Address" was to be produced, and read, and considered, and passed. I knew it would occupy much time to get through all this, that skill would be required to get it preserved in its integrity, and I anxiously desired to aid in that, by being present from the beginning to the end of the business. I could not get through my Patriot-work until after the Committee had assembled, and I had been called repeatedly, and, in the hurry I [one word][?] forgot to send out for the Sun — I have not seen it — I could not get it the next morning — they were all gone. Last night I went to Pauls', where I reasonably imagined it would be filed — they did not file it, but sent it off regularly earlier in the morning. Then, I went to the Chapter Coffee house, where also they do not file it. Well, to get a sight of it was impossible; and, hence, I know not what the article was, that you refer to. My full purpose was to have had it according to your suggestion. I have told you the fact, and now let me say to you, arrange, if you can, with Farmer, that when an article appears there he shall send the paper, addressed to me, personally, and I will pay for it (from Patriot funds). This is the only mode I know of, by which my seeing it can be insured.

But I think the Patriot of today will put you in good heart. Why, you rogue, there is your address at full length, and I inserted a bit of leader which I think is not devoid of life, that must remind every reader of Bungay, and the Childs of that ilk. Bungay and Childs, and John Childs and Bungay, are triplicated in the same paper with the Address from the Committee, and the notification of the County Meeting in Berks — a bit of congregationalism in that county which is getting up by that honest Baptist J. H. Hinton of Reading.² Then, too, there is the Times article, enough of itself to make Dissenters heave against a Church which abets such foul gladiatorship — and then too—too—why there are two or three, or more, heavy flings, which singly, would make hierarchists wince, and which, taken together, are ammunition enough, judiciously used, to last a month in a pell-mell onset against the whole army of militant churchmen.

I am anxious to keep from the papers, while we fight the Church-rate fight, every topic of magnitude that tends to divide attention from the conflict. Hence, although other matters press upon us, I have put aside, as much as possible, everything likely to absorb. This is all I can do, while I work hard, and out of heart, to get up the papers. Nothing sustains me under the labor, the intolerable grievance, of struggling to get a little done for resistance, in our paper, to Church Rates, but the consciousness that even that little may do good. I am sickened however to loathing, by the profligate insensibility I have had to contend against, and, except for your Address coming up this morning, which I hurried down to the printer instantly, I should not have written a line. The labour of [flogging my] work, in addition to my over task of mechanical labor, in order to get anything with the columns, that can wear the likeness of thought, or the sewing of spirit, I am not equal to. My last effort, in that way, was used up last night and this morning. What he will do henceforth, or not do, I know not. I am quite willing that the indifference should be so manifest, as to settle the matter speedily. My own department shall be faithfully, and spiritedly executed, as far as materials present themselves to my use — beyond that I purpose not to go. I am wearied out.

I should much like to hear from you respecting the Committee's Address. I do not expect you will think of it as highly as I do. Its real object is to awaken all Dissenters, and enlist them for the warfare—hence, some points which you and I are quite prepared to claim and insist on, have not been mentioned. Keep that object in view, and see if it is not calculated to put the "hunt" up.

But John, my good fellow, why how came you to put your letter up last night into the post without sealing it — the paper was innocent of either wax or wafer. Well, it's all right, as it happens — it brought your bit of print, and it is reprinted — but how I laughed at the inviting openness of the tuck. I don't believe however it had been looked into. Well, that open letter from you was, and is, and I believe will be, the oddest thing of that sort, I ever did, or can know of you.

Give my love to Samuel,³ and let him see the Patriot of today; and I say, John, if he is a good lad, give him an invitation, should he deserve it, to a cup of tea with you, and tell him you have [one or two words][?], and soon. Will you? No you won't till Church Rates are over. Ah well, I see how it is, the poor boy will never have a cup of tea with you —till next year. God bless you my friend. Remember me to all.