William Hone to Charles Sturgeon, 19 December, 1833

1.1.1.

My visit to you on Tuesday evening I had not purposed when I left home. I had been to the [Kent?] Street Road, expecting to receive as a loan a couple of sovereigns from a friend of former years, whose means are adequate, and whose disposition I doubt not — but alas! the disclosure of the fact that except a few pence I had left with my wife, I had no more than a single shilling then in my pocket, and know not where to turn for another, so astounded him, that he declared his determination never to lend a shilling, and I left the house not knowing what to do, nor whither to go. I at length felt persuaded that could you have spared me a trifle you would, and that you would have endeavoured to devise with me how the family could be subsisted for a few weeks until something I am maturing for the press should be before the public, and turn in a few pounds. I had not the courage to speak to you at parting, and indeed it seemed to me that I ought not. But, however, I am now so unwell from the late hour at which I got home, and the effect upon my infirm health, of the storm of wind and rain through which I passed, that I am incapable of again getting to town by walking, and I am without the means for stage hire. If in this state I had a trifle for the necessities of the family at this season, it would be of the utmost service. I have a couple of Charters to copy for the Corporation Commission, but the mechanical use of my pen in copying one for which I have been paid, and the slow progress I can now make in such a way disheartens me: the pay you know is a starving one under such disadvantages, and such as it is I could not earn it in time for our wants. The one copy which I made was done when I was better, and then my right arm was partially re-paralyzed by the constrained position. Thus there is a cheerless prospect, and nothing but reliance upon Him, who hitherto has helped me, sustains me in this careworn condition. I dare not urge anything further. If under Him you are enabled to the means and power of rendering us assistance, in soever slight a degree, to Him will be my gratitude for so merciful a help, and to you, as his instrument, my thanks for the timely relief. I have not until now ventured to write, and now only because I see no other probable way open. The direction to me simply as above is the plainest because it is known to the Peckham Coachmen and Postman as that by which they readily find me. Lastly, I cannot pay this postage, having only three-pence, which is reserved lest a letter should arrive. To you I cannot conclude in a form of mere politeness, or worldly friendship.