John Childs to William Hone, 28 January, 1819

Tis true enough that "Procrastination is the thief of time" for I fully intended writing you immediately on rect of your letter of the 9th Inst.²

The purpose I wish to gain is to impress your mind with the importance of getting forward with the publication of your trials, for in proportion as I feel alarmed for the state of your health, so I see the positive necessity of your getting them into such a state that they may become an heir-loom to your family. For this purpose I think you should find some person capable of arrangement, to undertake the first part, and then your perusal would render the work complete— for I fear the laborious confinement necessary to complete such a work will be a serious injury to your health in your present nervous state—therefore my Dr Sir do adopt some plan without delay which may effectually bring the work to its termination.

I offer no apology beyond the motive, which prompts me, to give you this hint which is the anxious wish to see your Family in possession of what I hope will be to them equal in profit to a Freehold living their whole lives—

I can fully appreciate your feelings as a father in your present state of health, for altho' you are certain of immortal fame, yet the tenderest feelings of Nature, renders the path to it dark and dreary, even where it lays on the high ground of public & private integrity. May you still live however to see your Children happy, and your Country free!

Would not a few days of relaxation in the Country do you good? if you think it would, and could spare the time, do make the effort and come hither and spend a week with me. I will try to brace your nerves, and return you to the City of Infidels a new Creature—the expence will be little, "twenty shillings from Spread Eagle Gra Ch St every Morning at Six by the [two words][?] ³ to Scole, where I would meet you, and you would be at Bungay to Tea.

You know the proverb - "a stitch in time &c." & "don't lose a sheep for want of a little patch to mark it" - so if you find your health precarious, and a few days excursion would do you good and probably lengthen your life—say not I have no time!

What is this infamous Parody on the Bk Note? I wish I could see one.⁴