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William Hone to John "Toussaint L'Ouverture," 23 October, 1810

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

William Hone to John "Toussaint L'Ouverture," 23 October, 1810. 1-TEI-

331 Strand

My Dear John,2

I send you enclosed in this Letter "La Feuille Indicatrice des Tempéramens," and I wish you and your companions much amusement from the Temper telling Fish.

Do not return them until they cease to give you pleasure and by that time my little girls3 will be very glad to see their old friends move about again—as you can keep them as long as you please they will be of as much use to you as if they were bought with your own money.

I hope you will soon let me have the still greater pleasure of lending you some books, for from books you can gain more amusement than you can get from all the toys you have ever seen, and more instruction than you have had from all the people you have ever talked with.

After you begin to read you will soon be able to understand many things which you now only wonder at, and speedily be convinced of this grand Truth, delivered by one of our greatest Philosophers, that "Knowledge is Power."

I told Mr. Mercier to-day I was going to write to you, and he wished me to tell you that he was very glad to hear of your progress at Mr. Dalton's. Mr. Bone and all friends beg to be remembered to you, and we all most certainly send you the best of good wishes for your health and improvement.

I am, Dear John,
Your true Friend,
William Hone
Notes
1
Hackwood, pp. 83-84. Location of the original is unknown. [return]
2
"John Toussaint L'Ouverture" was a young boy said to be the son of the revolutionary hero. He spent some time in Hone's family before travelling to France in 1810. [return]
3
At the time of this letter, Hone had three young daughters: Sarah (b. 1801), Fanny (b. 1803), and Matilda (b. 1805). There were also two younger sons: William (b. 1807) and Alfred (b. 1810).
William Hone. Date: 2012-03-17