Letters and Documents, 1819-1824
These were years of fame and (apparent) prosperity for Hone. While he seems to have undergone an episode of depression for some months after his trials, beginning in early 1819 Hone and Cruikshank began their remarkable collaboration with such publications as the Bank Note 'Not to be Imitated!' (1819), The Political House that Jack Built (1819), The Man in the Moon (1820), A Slap at Slop and the Bridge Street Gang (1821), and many others. In addition, Hone's antiquarian research began to be printed with the controversial Apocryphal New Testament (1820) followed by the still useful Ancient Mysteries Described (1823) and the polemical responses to his critics in Another Article for the Quarterly (1824) and Aspersions Answered! (also 1824). Remarkably, Hone was also producing a number of literary works including a mocking continuation of Byron's poem called Don Juan, Canto the Third! (1819) and The Right Divine of Kings to Govern Wrong! (1821), a revision and condensation of Daniel Defoe's Jure Divino.
Note: A narrative account of the initial letters between Hone and Childs is available in this Conversation.
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1819-01-08; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 109-10
Long, witty, personable letter with thanks for gift of celebratory/Christmas turkey. Hone depressed and in ill health.
Published: Kent & Ewen, 348-49. -
1819-01-28; John Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 113-14
Childs replies to Hone's letter of 8 January, encouraging him to get on with the Trials and inviting him to visit in Bungay. -
1819-01-29; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 115
Hone gratefully acknowledges Childs's letter urging him to complete the Trials and get them ready for publication. -
1819-02-01; John Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 116-17
Childs regrets that Hone cannot visit; offers some useful commentary on the Hone/Cruikshank Bank Note; mentions (and quotes from) Defoe's Jure Divino. -
1819-02-03; William Hone to John Childs;
Hackwood, pp. 211-12
Hone sends copies of the Bank Note, describes his own state of depression, mentions his fondness for Defoe and mentions as well a recent dinner with John Hunt and William Hazlitt (another "De Foeite").
Published: Hackwood, pp. 211-12. -
1819-02-10; William Godwin to William Hone;
Oxford, Bodleian Library MS. Shelley adds. c. 13, fol. 19
Brief, hand-delivered note from Godwin requesting the return of his collection of Morning Chronicle issues which Hone had apparently borrowed for Hazlitt's use. -
1819-03-15; John Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 118-19
Childs, still concerned about the state of Hone's health, offers to do any business Hone may have in Manchester; incidental comments on Hazlitt and the recent Westminster elections. -
1819-03-31; William Hone to Rev. Samuel Parr;
British Library, Add. MS 40108, f. 7
Hone had been in Warwick to assist in trial of Russell, a Birmingham printer. He had hoped to meet with Rev. Samuel Parr, but the latter was not at home. -
1819-06-05; "C. Fxxxx." to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 122-23
The writer sends an original poem celebrating Hone's courtroom victories. -
1819-08-27; William Hone to Thomas Shelton;
City of London Record Office (CLRO), Sessions Papers Printers' Certs, Bx 2, 221f
Formal letter in which Hone registers his press and types at 45 Ludgate Hill. -
1819-10-08; William Hone to Rev. Robert Aspland;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Box 1, Folder 1
Introductory letter to accompany R. L. Percy. The letter, rather formal in tone, is written in regard to "some particulars respecting my present situation." -
1819-10-15; William Hone to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle;
Huntington Library, RC544; clippling from Morning Chronicle.
In this published letter, Hone clarifies his role in the trial of Richard Carlile. In essence, Hone had collected some excerpts and loaned Carlile some books, but he did not contribute substantially to the defence.
Published: Morning Chronicle, October 1819. -
1819-12-25; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 1-2
Long letter thanking Childs for the "Alderman in chains"--that is, the turkey Childs sent annually to Hone to commemorate his courtroom victories in 1817 and the celebrate the Christmas season.
Published: Hackwood: pp. 186-87. -
1819-12-25; William Hone to "The Times";
The Times, 25 December, 1819
Published note announcing that Hone has withdrawn from publication a work entitled "A Letter to the Solicitor-General" and that Hone's anticipated Complete History of Parody would probably be published "in the course of February next."
Published: The Times, 25 December, 1819. -
1820[?]; William Hone to R. L. Percy;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 4
Comical, mock-biblical language regarding "George" [Cruikshank?] carousing about town. -
1820-00-00; William Hone to Robert Waithman;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 152
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1820-00-00; William Hone to Matthew D. Hill;
Pembroke College, Oxford, 63/12/3/89
Peculiarly emphatic, perhaps ironic letter of frustration about a late-arriving manuscript.
Published: Kent & Ewen, p. 349. -
1820-01-19; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 127-28
Hone informs Childs that, because he is superintending the publication of the Man in the Moon, he won't be able to visit or attend Fox Norwich Dinner. -
1820-02-00; William Hone to Rev. Robert Aspland;
Hackwood, p. 239.
Brief note lamenting the situation of Queen Caroline.
Published: Hackwood, p. 239. -
1820-02-06; William Hone to John C. Hobhouse;
British Library, Add. MS, 36458, ff. 95-96
Hone expresses his indignation over the treatment by "judges" apparently at Hobhouse's trial. (See Hobhouse's Recollections, v. 2, pp. 116-17.) Hone's brother very sick. - 1820-02-21; William Hone to R. L. Percy;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 4
Hone settles all accounts with Percy. - 1820-02-24; William Hone to John C. Hobhouse;
British Library, Add. MS 36458, ff. 148-49
Political intrigue involving "Mr. Percy" - Hone and Hobhouse clearly on close terms. [Note: The date coincides with the Cato Street Conspiracy; a diary entry from Hobhouse for this date explains how he heard of the affair. Recollections, v. 2, p. 120.] - 1820-05-00; William Hone to "Domine";
Ogden Manuscripts, Univ. Coll. (UnCol), Ogden 73(2), loose leaf
Comical, familiar note about a small loan. - 1820-05-09; William Hone to Planter, Joseph;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 138-39
Note about application to British Museum; Hone mentions the letter to Planter that Godwin had written on Hone's behalf in early 1818. - 1820-06-04; William Hone to E. J. Hogg;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
Having heard from his friend Alfred Fry that Hogg collects autographs, Hone encloses a letter from a daughter of John Wilkes. - 1820-07-30; Charles Phillips to William Hone;
Hackwood, p. 240
Phillips writes from Ireland to ask Hone to publish a pamphlet regarding Queen Caroline that he is currently writing.
Published: Hackwood, p. 240. - 1820-10-23; William Hone to Charles Phillips;
Hackwood, pp. 240-41
Hone expresses satisfaction at the verdict in favor of Queen Caroline and describes the publishing history of Phillips's pamphlet (see letter of 30 July, 1820, above).
- 1820-11-13; William Hone to George Cruikshank;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, f. 8
Printed card -- an invitation to tea in honor of Queen Caroline's victory to be held at Hone's rooms, 13 Nov 1820. - 1820-11-20; William Hone to George Lamb;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
An appeal to the Honorable George Lamb on behalf of a Mrs. Martha Welch, an actress. - 1820-12-07; John Childs to William Hone;
UCL, Ogden MSS, 73(3), f. 15.
Childs writes to inform Hone of a controversy in Bungay involving a poor Mr. Scraggs and Rev. Richard Dreyer. The controversy had been publicized in the Times under the heading "Political Persecution." See also Hone's reply, following. - 1820-12-08; William Hone to Vincent Novello;
Bryn Mawr, Adelman Collection, Papers relating to the Trials of William Hone, 1817-1818.
At Novello's request, Hone is seeking position with printer where an unnamed friend of Novello might learn the trade. - 1820-12-11; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 150-51
Long personable letter touching on Scraggs affair and George Cruikshank; talk of family and money; Hone encourages Childs's brother [Robert] to marry.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 350-51. - 1820-12-12; Henry Leigh Hunt to William Hone;
University of Iowa Digital Library, Leigh Hunt Letters, item: MsL H93h3
Brief note asking Hone about pamphlets or other documents that would be useful to John Hunt as he develops his legal case about corruption in government. - 1820-12-20; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37949, ff. 92-93
Hone is collecting instances of corruption in the House of Commons to send to John Hunt for use in the forthcoming libel trial against the Examiner.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 351-52. - 1821-01-15; John Childs to William Hone;
UCL, Ogden MSS, 73(3), f. 11.
Newsy and informal letter written on a printing sheet on which William (Hone's son) had been practicing his craft at Childs's press. (See linked facsimile image.) - 1821-03-16; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 3-4
Some comments and discussion of the Hone and Childs families; Hone is worried about his son William who was serving a kind of informal apprenticeship in Childs's printing house. The letter was enclosed with just-published copies of The Spirit of Despotism (Hone's republication of a work by Vicesimus Knox) and The Right Divine of Kings to Govern Wrong! (Hone's revised and rewritten publication of Defoe's Jure Divino).
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 352-53. - 1821-04-19; William Hone to John Childs;
William Hone Papers, Washington State University, Pullman WA, cont. 1, f. 4
The Political Showman at Home! had been delivered from the printer that morning; Hone's son William still with Childs. - 1821-05-04; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Hone has been ill and missed dinner at City of London Tavern yesterday (apparently an unusual absence). Now Hone is writing because he will also miss the "artists' dinner." Hone asks to be remembered to brothers Charley and Henry. Hone has been walking with Mrs. Hone. [A chatty and familiar letter; Hone and Behnes are clearly on good terms.]. - 1821-05-07; Henry Leigh Hunt to William Hone;
Leigh Hunt Letters, University of Iowa, item: MsL H93h3
Hunt is hoping to get in touch with Charles Pearson to help with legal arrangements for the forthcoming trial of Thomas Wooler and Major Cartwright. - 1821-06; John Hunt to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, f. 5.
Hunt, writing from prison, urges Hone to get some pamphlet printed to sell at the forthcoming Coronation. -
1821-10-08;
William Godwin to William Hone;
Oxford University, Bodleian Library, MS.Shelley.adds.c.13.
Brief, hand-delivered note from Godwin suggesting a change of plans for a meeting of the two. - 1821-10-25; William
Hone to The Editor of the Quarterly Review;
National Library of Scotland, Nineteenth Century Literary Society: The John Murray Archive, MS.42254.
In a tartly worded, cogently argued letter, Hone demands to know the author of a scathing review of his Apocryphal New Testament that had just been published in the Quarterly. - 1821-10-26;
William Gifford to William Hone;
National Library of Scotland, Nineteenth Century Literary Society: The John Murray Archive, MS.42254.
William Gifford's brief and vicious reply to Hone's query of the previous day. - 1821-10-26; William
Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37949, ff. 99-100
An embarrassed Hone returns borrowed books. - 1821-12-06; John Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 179-80.
Childs expresses his disappointment about the lack of reformist spirit among the local farmers; comments about a Mr. Brewer who had taken some part in the care of William (Hone's son); asks a series of questions about Hone's recent publishing and political efforts. - 1821-12-14; John Cam Hobhouse to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 10-11.
A brief note saying that Hobhouse will press Hone's case with his father, Sir Benjamin Hobhouse. A likely context is the savage review of Hone's Apocryphal New Testament that had recently appeared in the Quarterly Review. - 1821-12-18; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 181-82
Long, friendly discussion and advice for Childs in response to Childs's letter of 6 December. Lots of info on the Apocrypha, the Quarterly Review, book business, Hone's writing. - 1821-12-19; William Hone to William Upcott;
Huntington Library, UP 262.
Hone wishes to borrow an edition of Warton's poems with a preface by [Richard] Mant; discussion of autograph collections and of the forthcoming Christmas season. Comfortable, easy tone. - 1821-12-24; William Hone to John C. Hobhouse;
British Library, Add. MS 36459, ff. 189-90
A long familiar Christmas letter peppered with many jokes about Stoddart and about Byron's "Cain" and other publications. - 1822-05-01; William Hone to [William Behnes?];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
Hone is going to Hunt's office, probably in regard to a notice in The Examiner; material about a seven-foot giant. Then, "I am up to the ears in Stereotype Apparatus & quire books -- very busy --" Unclear to whom the letter is addressed, but Hone mentions "Charley" and "Henry"--names of two of the Behnes brothers. - 1822-06-19; William Hone to William Upcott;
Yale Beinecke, Osborne MSS Files 7524
Hone answers a request from Upcott for a George Cruikshank signature and asks Upcott to watch for a Defoe signature for which, Hone says, he will pay "any price you please." - 1822-06-24; William Hone
to William Upcott;
Yale University, Beineke Library, Gen. MSS., Grp 226, f. 1.
Hone, apparently at Upcott's request, has collected George Cruikshank's signature for the collection of Thomas Raffles. Brief notes aboout hot weather and book sales. - 1822-07-08; William Hone to Mrs. Mary Cruikshank;
Berg Collection, New York Public Library
Hone has apparently received a very insulting letter, blaming him for the wayward behavior of George Cruikshank. Hone offers a very firm but measured reply.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 353-54; Hackwood, pp. - 1822-07-17; William Hone to Walter Wilson;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff.
Hone sends catalogue; Wilson took a book on Education. Then "Your flight was quite unexpected--I had looked some things against you came a Defoeing." Hone was serving as Wilson's agent in London for the collection of materials on Defoe. - 1822-09-14; William Hone to William Upcott;
Huntington Library, UP 263.
Hone offers advice to his friend and fellow antiquary William Upcott regarding a published letter that discounts Upcott's contributions to the editing of John Evelyn's Diary. - 1822-11-22; William Hone to George Cruikshank;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Comical letter, fairly long, requesting image of "Giants" (most likely for Hone's Ancient Mysteries Described.) - 1823-01-04; William Hone to Mr. Rhodes;
Bath Central Library, AL 1948
Comical note regarding the return of a borrowed volume on the devil and St. Dunstan.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 354-55. - 1823-01-17; Walter Wilson to William Hone;
British Library, BL Add. MS 41071, f. 8.
Wilson writes to ask when Hone would find time to send along several Defoe-related items that Hone had been collecting for Wilson. - 1823-01-22; William Hone to Walter Wilson;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 187-88
Long answer to letter from Wilson. Hone is busy completing his Ancient Mysteries Described; also, Hone is very out of patience with Wilson for not doing adequate research on Defoe.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 355-56. - 1823-02-16; William Hone to unknown;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
Hone requests permission for friend to republish Hearne's Descent into Hell. [Date of letter obscure, but probably shortly after Ancient Mysteries in 1823?]. - 1823-04-22; William Hone to Thomas Sharp;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 191-92
Apologetic note about Hearn's Hell-Mouth plate; news aboout book sales Hone has handled recently. - 1823-05-14; William Hone to William Upcott;
Huntington Library, UP 264
Hone asks Upcott for short-term loan so that he can finish publication of Ancient Mysteries Described without having to dun booksellers. - 1823-07-31; William Hone to Sir John Bowring;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Two letters in one: The first is a very tartly worded, impatient letter from Cruikshank to Bowring regarding a deadline that Cruikshank missed. On next sheet, Hone advises Bowring not to rush Cruikshank--"You must let him have his own way or you will not have his style." - 1823-10-23; Joseph Hone (brother) to William Hone;
Published in Hone's Aspersions Answered, 1824.
Joseph Hone, on the verge of the departure of himself and his family for Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land (present Tasmania), writes to William in order to clear doubts about their brotherly relationship (despite William's reputation as an atheist). - 1823-11-05; William Hone to Francis Jeffrey;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 200
Draft of a letter in which Hone is seeking an apology from Jeffrey for aspersions about literary piracy in Edinbugh Review notice of Hone's Apocryphal New Testament and Ancient Mysteries Described. - 1823-11-11; William Hone
to Matthew Davenport Hill;
Matthew Davenport Hill Family Correspondence, C1256, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Hone asks Hill to intercede in his dispute with the Edinburgh Review. - 1823-11-15; William Hone to Matthew Davenport Hill;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 10-11
Hone thanks Hill for "interfering on my behalf" with Edinburgh Review writer. Hone forwards a diplomatic request for public disavowal of the claim of piracy. - 1823-12-09; William Hone to Francis Jeffrey;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 203
Draft of a letter expressing Hone's gratitude regarding the "unqualified and handsome admission of the error." - 1824-02-12; William Hone to Rev. Samuel Butler;
British Library, Add. MS 34585, f. 318
Diplomatic and courteous letter to accompany a pre-publication copy of Aspersions Answered. - 1824-02-12; William Hone to Rev. Thomas Rennell;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 206-07
A diplomatic and gracious draft letter in which Hone addresses "some animadversions" about himself in Rennell's "Proofs of Inspiration" [flip side is draft letter to Butler, 1824-02-12] - 1824-02-13; William Hone to John Scott;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Long letter to Scott (editor of The Champion newspaper) written the day before the release of Hone's rebuttal to the Quarterly, probably "Aspersions Answered." - 1820-12-12; Henry Leigh Hunt to William Hone;
University of Iowa Digital Library, Leigh Hunt Letters, item: MsL H93h2
Hunt explains what The Examiner has done already to promote Hone's recently published Aspersions Answered, then asks about further free-of-charge publicity. - 1824-02-21; William Hone to John Raithby;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 210-11
Reply to Raithby, explaining why he sent a copy of Aspersions Answered. Hone hopes Raithby can locate copy of book for his brother. - 1824-03-17; William Hone to Thomas Thompson;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
On autograph collections. - 1824-04-25; William Hone to Henry Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Box 1, Folder 1
Hone cannot visit at present because he is "in the hands of the Physician" -- he will write soon. Hone includes a brief note regarding a "picture in Exhibition" which the king bought. - 1824-05-14; William Hone to [unknown];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
Hone is preparing a catalogue for a sale and needs information. [Probably associated with Hone's occasional work as an auctioneer of private libraries.] - 1824-08-03; William Hone to Dene [?];
British Library, Add. MS 50746, ff. 9-10
Addressed to Dene from Hone at Peckham; Hone wants all business accounts concluded for big new project. [The timing would suggest that Hone is preparing for the Every-Day Book.] - 1824-10-04; William Hone to James Mill[?];
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 14-15
Hone, likely at the urging of Francis Place, encloses a copy of Another Article for the Quarterly and offers some background commentary on the conflict between himself and the Quarterly Review. - 1824-10-05; William Hone to John Childs;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Long, comical letter. Hone had been ill, but he has responded to his attackers with Another Article for the Quarterly. Mrs. Hone has also been ill over the summer, as have the children. - 1824-10-05; William Hone to Rev. Samuel Butler;
British Library, Add. MS 34585, f. 376-77
Hone, with notes about civility and "kindness," encloses copy of Another Article for the Quarterly. - 1824-10-06; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37949, ff. 144-45
Jocular opening--Place and Hone are clearly on very familiar terms still--leads to brief notes about Hone's ongoing battle with the Quarterly. Hone has also sent materials to the Westminster Review.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 357-58. - 1824-10-06; Rev. Samuel Butler to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 34585, ff. 378-80
A secretarial copy of a letter to Hone in which Butler warmly accepts Hone's good will and good intentions but nonetheless finds that his publication of the Apocryphal New Testament was ill-advised. - 1824-11-17; William Hone to W. B. Rhodes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Letter accompanying the return of a borrowed volume called London Pageant. - 1824-12-25; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37949, f. 148
Warm thanks to Place who seems to understand the design and purposes of the forthcoming Every-Day Book.; Hone's daughter is copying material from a publication Place had loaned to Hone; finally, a note regarding Journeymen Tailors of 1745 and Sr. Tullius's Speech. - 1824-12-25; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 225-26
Letter of thanks for the annual Christmas turkey; the letter is light on news, but Hone, in good spirits, includes a bad poem.