William Hone to Frances Rolleston, 29 January, 1840

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1. William Hone to Frances Rolleston, 29 January, 1840.1 — -TEI-

1.1.

5 Bolt Court,
Fleet Street.
 29 Jany 1840
My dear Miss Rolleston

1.1.1.

I think of you, often & much. Writing bcomes more than ever painful to me. Bear witness this, that I have not forgotten you. The enclosure mentions one of your old & dear friends—a departed one—Mr. Edward Smedley.

May I ask where do you live? where do you stay? Anywhere?

Well, where is, or is to be, your "whereabout"?

Do you know a greater moral act than the Penny Postage Act?2

If you are a "Truepenny" you will answer.

Oh! Have you read Sartor Resartus

My dear lady
Yours, [one word scratched out] what shall I write?
W Hone

I never thought to use an envelope — cut & snipped — and artificial wax — but anything for a penny.

Notes
1
Indiana University, Lilly Library, Rawson MSS.[return]
2
The Penny Postage Act of 1840 reduced the cost of postage to one penny. Prior to the Act, the cost of postage varied quite widely and could be prohibitive for people without ample means. Hence, Hone's enthusiasm about the Act is founded in the very real democratization of discourse that it made possible.[return]
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