In consideration of Thirty Pounds per Month, to be paid, as hereafter mentioned, during the progress through the Press of “A Topographical Dictionary of England, from a personal Survey through every Parish in the Kingdom,” now preparing for publication by S. Lewis & Co, in Four Volumes in Quarto, and also of Two hundred Pounds to be paid on the completion thereof, William Hone of Newington Green undertakes and agrees, to and with Samuel Lewis, George Pringle Jun. and Thomas Bensley That he the said William Hone will carefully examine the Surveys and other Articles written for the said work and correct the same according to the best of his skill and knowledge; and, as far as he may be enabled thereto, by such books of reference and authority as may be furnished to him: And will compile and arrange the same to the best of his judgment, so as to render the said work conformable to the plan prescribed by the printed Prospectus: And will correct and revise the proofs and printed sheets as they may be sent to him: And will conduct the work to the utmost of his ability, as Editor thereof, until it is thoroughly completed for publication.
And, in consideration of such editorship and services, the said Samuel Lewis, George Pringle Junr. And Thomas Bensley fol 321v jointly and severally undertake and agree, to and with the said William Hone, as follows, that is to say, to pay him the said sum of Thirty pounds per month on the Monday—in the fourth week, from the Twenty sixth day of January instant until the completion of he said work. The first payment to be in advance; And, on the cessation of the said monthly Payments by such completion, to pay him the sum of Two hundred Pounds over and above the said regular payments of Thirty pounds per Month by a Bill of three months after date; And from time to time to supply him with such books as the said Proprietors may be satisfied are requisite for the Editorship, the same to be returned by him when this agreement shall cease: And that he shall not be at the expense of letters or parcels either to or from him, during its continuance.
And it is mutually agreed between the agreeing Parties, that this Argument may be ended by either giving to the other Two Months Notice in writing. If the notice should be given to William Hone, then, that, in addition to such Monthly sums, he shall be further paid, at the expiration of such notice, so much of the said Two hundred Pounds as will be proportionate to such portion of the work as he shall have corrected from its commencement. If William Hone shall give the notice, and it be before the completion of the first volume, the, that he shall not be entitled to any payment beyond the thirty pounds per Month: but, if the first volume shall have been concluded, he shall be entitled to, and be paid, on the publishing of the said work so much of the said Two hundred pounds as he would have been entitled to, had the notice been given to him instead of by him. As witness our hands the day and year first above written.