Letters and Documents, 1825-1832
The latter half of the 1820s made up another period of fame for Hone as he began, on January 1, 1825, to publish the weekly installments of his very popular and influential antiquarian volume, The Every-Day Book. As the sole editor and chief writer of this weekly publication (later indexed and bound into two large volumes), Hone worked feverishly to maintain the production, but despite his best efforts the publication of the numbers soon fell increasingly behind schedule. Hone was soon beset with other problems as well: in April of 1826 he found himself bankrupt once again, and, though he was able to put the Every-Day Book itself out of his creditors' reach, he spent much of 1826 and 1827 within the Rules of King's Bench. Then, adding to the Hones' misfortunes, the younger William Hone (b. 1807) was found dead in his bunk on his Navy ship in December of 1827. Hone continued his efforts to lift himself out of debt, writing and editing antiquarian works (e.g. The Table Book, Strutt's Sports, and The Year Book) for the Thomas Tegg publishing house (which had also acquired the copyright for The Every-Day Book.) In late 1829, Hone toured through the Midlands, visiting friends and trying to garner enough financial support to enable him to open a Coffeehouse called "The Grasshopper." This was a frustrating, dispiriting effort, but eventually Hone met with some success and the Grasshopper opened in June of 1830. Luckily, Hone maintained a number of strong friendships--most notably with the artist William Behnes and the Bungay printers John and Robert Childs-- and these relationships, along with a newly rekindled interest in formal religion, seem to have sustained Hone through financial difficulties, family tragedies, and even his own episodes of illness and depression.
- 1825-00-00; William Hone to Thomas Sharp;
British Library, Add. MS 43645, f. 376
- 1825-01-12; William Hone to J. W.
Southgate;
British Library, Add. MS 70926, ff. 42-43
Hone requests short-term loan of £25 for some immediately pressing business, most likely the ongoing printing and distribution of the Every-Day Book. - 1825-01-14; William Hone to Augustus Applegath;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, ff. 13-14
Hone, desperate because he is running out of printed stock, writes to Applegath, the printer of the Every-Day Book to try to meet the demand for the new publication. - 1825-03-13; William Hone to "Δ" Behnes
;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Hone asks Behnes for the loan of a head of Mr. West for an artist to outline and include in Every Day Book. -- [addressed to "Δ" Behnes which is most likely William]. - 1825-03-16; William Hone to Leigh Hunt;
Leigh Hunt Digital Collection, Iowa City, IA, MsL H77h
Warm and familiar letter discusses sending Every-Day Book to Hunt in Italy; requests info about Hunt.
Published: Leigh Hunt Letters, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa. - 1825-04-04; William Hone to Rev. Samuel Butler;
British Library, Add. MS 34586, ff. 4-5
Long and grateful letter thanking Butler for copy of eulogy for Samuel Parr and expounding on Hone's relationship with Parr. - 1825-04-12; William Hone to James Montgomery;
Guildhall Library, MS 14,592
Hone writes Montgomery to request chimney sweep materials for May 1 number of the Every-Day Book.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 358-59. - 1825-05-00; William Hone to Charles Lamb;
William Hone Papers, Washington State University, Pullman WA, cont. 1, f. 6
Tender note of thanks for Lamb's poetic tribute to Hone. The poem, entitled simply "Quatrains," was published in the May issue of the London Magazine and later republished in the 9 July number of the Every-Day Book. Hone goes on to announce visit that afternoon. -- [dated "Sunday"]. - 1825-08-31; William Hone to William Hone
[father] ;
Ogden Manuscripts, University College, London
Context unclear, but Hone asks his father for advice regarding the number of copies to print. (Perhaps refers to numbers of the Every-Day Book). - 1825-10-05; William Hone to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 19-20
Hone thanks Robert Childs for sending along an account of Hannah Want for the Every-Day Book, then follows with a number of more particular questions about her. The account appears in the October 2 number.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 360-61. - 1825-10-09; William Hone to [unknown];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
An incidental note from Hone who "cannot get to you before Thursday." Context is unclear. - 1825-10-10; William Hone to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 21-22
Hone thanks Childs for Hannah Want. A long and friendly letter in which Hone includes queries about "Jack Baker" and about Robert's brother John Childs. - 1825-10-29; William Hone to Matilda Hone [daughter] ;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
Hone is going for a walk on this fine day. - 1825-11-23; William Hone to William Paxon;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 4
Thanks for facsimile autographs which Hone will likely use in the Every-Day Book. Thanks too for an invitation to tea. - 1825-11-28; Leigh
Hunt to William Hone;
Leigh Hunt Letters, University of Iowa, item: MsL H93h2
Incidental note. Hunt is trying to locate some published copy for Hone to include in an ongoing publication (likely the Every-Day Book). - 1825-12-[?]; Rose Hone
[daughter] to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 231
Rose Hone (age 7) has been staying near Bristol with "Miss Hazlitt." She writes home in her first letter. - 1825-12-22; D. B. Curwen to William Hone;
WSU, Hone Papers, Box 1, Folder 7, Item 1.
Curwen admires the Every-Day Book and recommends that Hone write a prospectus for the forthcoming second volume. - 1826-02-06; William Hone to unknown ;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
Letter regarding "enclosed sketch of the Suffolk monument to Dr. Tayler which you were so obliging as to give me." Hone is embarrassed because he can't recall the name of the recipient of this letter. - 1826-02-21; William Hone to John Wilson
Croker;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Hone asks, rather obsequiously, for a few minutes interview, for which he waits nearby. - 1826-03-25; William Hone to George Cruikshank;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, f. 18
The £30 Hone owes to Cruikshank is not sufficient so he adds another £20, noting "it shall not be used except in the event of its being indispensible." - 1826-04-24; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 25-26
This long note, written shortly after Hone's 1826 arrest for debt, explains his financial situation to Childs; Hone needs help with wedding of his daughter Fanny, but has no resources.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 361-63. - 1826-05-05; William Hone to Charles Lamb;
Letters of Charles and Mary Lamb, III. 65
Lamb's editor Lucas describes the Every-Day Book which is now printed in a two-volume edition, with the first edition dedicated to Charles and Mary Lamb. Lucas reprints Hone's dedication letter, dated 5 May 1826.
Published: LCML; EDB. - 1826-06-03; William Hone to W. J.
Fox;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
Long, detailed letter of biographical interest. Hone numbers Fox among few friends, claims the world has been hard on him, and is especially interested at the moment to forward the case of Thomas Hemsley (Fanny's husband), an optician. Then Hone describes his current situation: "for the last two years, I have been secluded in the midst of the world, and during the last summer, and even into the present year, have had so much of mental infirmity, as to be unable to see any one without communicating pain, and inflicting greater on myself." - 1826-06-22; William Hone to Parker
(engraver);
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 4
Hone gives instructions to engraver regarding the actual size of an image. - 1826-08-11; William Hone to William Behnes;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 275
Hone returns a book which he had borowed from Behnes who had borrowed it from someone else. Hone drafts also an apology for this third party. - 1826-11-17; William Hone to W[illiam] T[homas] Moncrieff;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 4
Friendly, personable letter written, apparently, in response to a request for information about Bath—"I was born in a two pair of stairs room at the corner house of Horse Street, being the last on the right hand side of the way, going toward the bridge out of Bath, which I deem it my duty to acquaint you with and further, that I saw Bath (for the first time after I was removed from it at three years old) in December 1818, and from what I was enabled to observe of the people never desire to see it again." - 1827-02-27; William Hone to Darlington;
As published in the Every-Day Book, volume II, 1827.
Hone's printed dedication of to Darlington. - 1827-03-09; William Hone to Darlington;
William Hone Papers, Washington State University, Pullman WA, cont. 1, folder 14, item 6.
Rose Hone's copy of a letter to Darlington expressing gratitude for past attentions and informing him of the dedication to the second volume of the Every-Day Book. - 1827-04-11; William Hone to Joseph Hone [brother];
State Library of Tasmania, Two Manuscript Letters from William Hone, shelfmark: #C12094, ff. 2-3.
Hone, having missed communications with his brother, apprises Joseph of his bankruptcy and of the declining condition of their father. -
1827-08-10; Charles Lamb to William Hone;
Robert H. Taylor Collection of English and American Literature, RTC01, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Lamb expresses sympathy regarding Matilda Hone's illness; makes plans for contributions to the Every-Day Book. - 1827-10-19; William Hone to [Unknown];
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 22-23.
Hone writes (apparently) to a country bookseller, explaining the economic difficulties of his trade. - 1827-12-13; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Touching note announcing son William's [Hone's son_'s] death. - 1827-12-25; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 307-08
Sad letter on the loss of son William; on Alfred's recovery; and on the annual turkey which had been purloined somewhere between Bungay and London; also informs Childs of the end of the Table Book. - 1827 or 1828; William Hone to "Δ" Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Request of a sketch from Behnes's bust of the Duke of York -- [dated because the Table Book is still in progress. Addressee is almost certainly William Behnes.] - 1828-00-00; William Hone to J. Winston;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 318
Hone declines a gift of theatre tickets; Winston is seeking some papers, but Hone is slow to respond on account of Mrs Burn's domestic troubles. ["Mrs. Burn" is Hone's oldest daughter Sarah.] - 1828-02-25; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
The printer is late with Strutt, so Hone is late with his delivery. He has engaged the assistance of his daughter Matilda and son Alfred. -
1828-12-20; John Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 316-17.
Childs offers some friendly advice to Hone; he also encloses a £5 note and encourages other well-to-do patrons to do the same. - 1829-01-17; Topographical Dictionary Contract;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 321-22
A contract undertaken between Hone, Samuel Lewis, and others for editing and correcting Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England which appeared in four volumes in 1831. - 1829-03-07; William Hone to Alfred Hone, [son] ;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
A long letter full of fatherly advice to his son Alfred as he commences a career in the arts. Hone also sends lots of prints, and makes others available to Alfred through Matilda's print shop. Notable quotation: "The misery of debt is the greatest misery I ever experienced never while I live will I, if possible, owe a shilling to a human being." - 1829-04-08; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37949, f. 233
A brief note accompanies print materials sent to Place. - 1829-04-22; William Hone to Samuel Lewis;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 327-28
A brief note to accompany return of loaned books. - 1829-04-23; William Hone to Robert Southey;
Huntington Library, RB 131334, v. 2, p. 14.
Hone offers items that might be helpful to the Life of Bunyan which Southey was writing. - 1829-04-23; William Hone to Alfred Hone, [son];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 3
A fatherly invitation to come talk--warm and friendly note. - 1829-05-03; William Hone to "Δ" Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, folder 1, 1a
Likely written in the context of Hone's straitened financial circumstances: "On writing this date I perceive it is the anniversary of my arrest twelve years ago, and my purpose now is to say I hope most anxiously that it may be in your power to save me from being again arrested not by law legal, but law circumstantial, the stern law of necessity." An apologetic Hone asks Behnes for some assistance. - 1829-05-07; William Hone to Charles Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Box 1, Folder 1
Warm, amusing invitation in verse to visit the Hone family for a Sunday meal. Includes verse invitation; also Hone wishes to discuss "matters of importance to us" -- though the jocular tone suggests this may not be entirely serious. - 1829-05-21; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
--Hone asks for Behnes's advice regarding Hone's son Alfred, who is apparently debating between going to sea or going into a career as a sculptor. The letter is very personable, familiar in tone. - 1829-11-06; William Hone to Dr. Thomas Raffles;
Huntington Library, HM 7196
Detailed appeal for funds(?); Hone is trying to raise money to open the Grasshopper Coffeehouse. "[Y]ou may have some acquaintance with the "Every Day Book," wherein you must have perceived my earnest exertions to socialize the feelings of my readers, while I aimed at amusing and informing their minds." - 1829-11-16; William Hone to Matilda Hone, [daughter] ;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 331-32
Hone, travelling in the Midlands, gives an account of his trip; wishes to be home; deafness; wondering about family issues. - 1829-12-17; William Hone to John
Shuttleworth;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Hone is travelling; he has visited Shuttleworth (in Manchester) and now sends this warm, friendly note. - 1829-12-26; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 26-27
An account of his trip; Hone had returned to London yesterday; dined with Mr. William Strutt; plans for Grasshopper Coffeehouse; interested in selling autographs. - 1829-12-28; John
Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 333-34
Childs replies to Hone's letter of 26 December with good-humored advice and an account of the annual turkey. - 1830-02-05; William Hone to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 335-36
Semi-comical note to be left for R. Childs; Hone has been visiting at Bungay and has resolved to return to London. - 1830-02-06; William Hone to John Childs, Robert Childs, and Charles Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 337-38
Comical note to Childs brothers regarding Hone's coat which he apparently left behind in Bungay. - 1830-02-11; William Hone to Charles
Kirkpatrick Sharpe;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 339-40
A heavily edited draft letter; Hone is hoping to sell autographs largely to defray eldest daughter's expenses on separation from husband (J. H. Burn). - 1830-02-20; William Hone to Charles
Kirkpatrick Sharpe;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 340-41
A draft of a letter accepting Sharpe's offer of 15 pounds for Hone's autograph collection. - 1830-03-19; Hone's Appeal for donations;
British Library, Add. MS 37950, ff. 80-81
A document listing persons who have given donations to help Hone open the Grasshopper Coffeehouse. A copy of this document was enclosed in the letter to Place dated the next day, 20 March, 1830. - 1830-03-20; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 37950, f. 79
Letter explains Hone's financial arrangements for Grasshopper Coffeehouse. - 1830-04-23; William Hone to Robert Southey;
National Library of Scotland, MS. 2528, f. 71
Hone opens communications with thanks to Southey for kind notice in his recent Life of Bunyan; discussion of Hone's tattered fortunes.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 363-64. - 1830-04-26; Robert Southey to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 345-46
Southey replies to Hone's letter of thanks. He is sorry to hear of Hone's financial straits and sorry as well to hear than Hone is no longer pursuing his antiquarian research and publication. - 1830-05-05; William Hone to Walter Wilson;
Bodleian Library, Oxford, Bod 25445, MS. Montagu d. 21, ff. 140-41
Detailed letter appealing to Wilson for funds to allow Hone to establish the Grasshopper coffeehouse.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 364-66. - 1830-05-10; William Hone to Basil Montagu;
Pforzheimer Collection, NYPL, New York, Misc 263
Long & detailed letter explaining Hone's recent circumstances and financial issues with the Grasshopper. Letter begins, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,' and, out of that abundance, addresseth those with whom it hath no claim to discourse." - 1830-05-10; Robert Southey to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 37-38.
Southey grants permission to publish his earlier letter as part of a fundraising campaign for Hone's still-unopened Grasshopper coffeehouse. - 1830-06-02; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1a
Long and detailed letter re: Hone's desperate financial situation. Contains long and revealing note about the fate of the Every-Day Book: "All admire the Every Day Book, every family it has gone into is recreated and benefited by it, and few, very few have stepped forth to help me "in my utmost need." This is the last effort I can make in life for a standing place in the world. There must be hearts among so many who have purses if not I have written in vain. I know that my book has largely made its way among the opulent if they feel not what I have written, then, I say, I have written in vain. I am heart-sore with striving for a little of 'the mammon of unrighteousness' to complete the means which will enable my family by industry and attention to obtain a comfortable maintenance. For three months the cup has been close to our lips our hands have not strength to raise it to our taste." - 1830-06-18; William Hone to Henry Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Hone announces the opening of the Grasshopper Coffee House the next morning at six o'clock. - 1830-06-25; William Hone to James Knowles;
Pforzheimer Collection, NYPL, New York, MISC 4061
"The satisfactory answer to your note of yesterday will be, I presume, the accompanying parcel with the old Admiralty Commission." The context of this note is not clear. - 1830-09-23; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 27808, ff. 314-15
Detailed letter about Place's work on Spence; Hone supplies his own recollections of Spence.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 366-67. - 1830-10-18; William Hone to Francis Place;
British Library, Add. MS 27808, f. 316
Hone sends along the "Newcastle Memoir of Spence" - 1830-11-24; William Hone to Robert Southey;
Curry Collection, University of Tennessee, MS 2052, Bx 1, f. 57
Letter to Southey regarding the unrest in the country having to do with the "Swing Riots" of 1830. Hone's economic thinking differs from Southey's, but the two on good terms. - 1830-11-25; William Hone to Robert Southey;
National Library of Scotland, RP5191, iv
Interesting appeal to Southey regarding Hone's analysis of labor relations, particularly with respect to landowners, tenant farmers, and common laborers.
Published Kent & Ewen, pp. 368-69. - 1830-11-26; Robert Southey to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 31-32
Southey responds to Hone's letters of the previous two days. While they differ somewhat on the remedies, the two writers are largely in accord in their analysis of the Swing riots—" there is I believe very little difference (if any) between us." - 1831?; William Hone to [Unknown];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
Invitation to recipient to dine with 12 people, including "my friend Mott" and "other intellectuals." - 1831-04-04; William Hone to J. Fuller Russell;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Hone responds to a note from Russell regarding an article on chess that Russell had submitted to the Year Book.
Published: Notes & Queries, v. s6-11, no. 41, 1880, pp. 283-84. - 1831-06-04; William Hone to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 353
Comical letter accusing Childs, an amateur phrenologist, of stealing Hone's head.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 369-70. - 1831-06-04; William Hone
to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 354
Continuation of long letter of the same date, this time with mock-formal request for the return of Hone's head.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 371. - 1831-06-04; William Hone to J. Fuller Russell;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
A long irritated letter in which Hone answers to Russell's claim that his earlier letter had been unreasonably neglected; Hone's testy reply offers significant insights into the practice of editing such antiquarian compliations as the Year Book
Published: Notes & Queries, v. s6-11, no. 41, 1880, pp. 283-84. - 1831-06-13; William Hone to Robert Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 355-56
Hone declines invitation; must work; offers spirited criticism of pamphlet by Mr. Beverley.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 371-74. - 1831-06-24; William Hone to S. Parsons;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 357-58
Very cold letter replying to Parsons' wrong assumptions about Hone. - 1831-08-10; William Hone to Burlowe [Henry Behnes];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Hone is interested in an application to the Literary Fund. - 1831-09-27; William Hone to D. C. Clipsham;
Bath Central Library, ALS 1949; copy in Washington State University MSS, Cage 1580
Largely a matter of renewing a friendship and soliciting antiquarian materials for the Year Book; amusing recollection of a hunt in bad weather for Roman relics.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 374-75 (attributed to Charles Sturgeon rather than Clipsham). - 1831-10-07; William Hone to Charles Mott;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 363-64
Hone, in Birmingham, describes lecture he had attended on the previous night with Joseph Parkes--about theory, morals, Reform. - 1831-10-14; William Hone to Charles Mott;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 365-66
On local politics in Birmingham; uneasy about the Reform Bill & potential violence; business with Parkes not going well, requests some books from Matilda (including Clare's poems).
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 375-76. - 1831-12-06; William Hone to J.
F. Russell;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Hone has been in Warwickshire during the last three months. This brief letter uses the discontinuation of the Year Book as an occasion to discontinue communications with Russell.
Published: Notes & Queries, v. s6-11, no. 41, 1880, pp. 283-84. - 1831-12-22; John
Childs to William Hone;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 367-68
In a cheerful letter commenting on the advancing age of the correspondents and touching somewhat on the politics of Reform, Childs presents Hone with his annual gift of a Christmas turkey. - 1832-00-00; William Hone to unknown ;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 384
Hone praises Edward Irving as a preacher. - 1832-01-12; William Hone to Thomas Tegg;
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 46-47
Hone refers Tegg to a Mr Gould for information regarding a Year Book frontispiece. - 1832-02-07; William Hone to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 369-70
Hone Comments on nature of their friendship; unusually bleak view of politics; pithy stuff about the political battles—Apollyons and Belials and a "dark hour coming"—this on the eve of the Great Reform Bill of 1832.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 376-78. - 1832-09-27; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Brief note of introduction for a Mr. Turnbull. - 1832-12-20; William Hone to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Invitation in mock-legal language requesting that Behnes come and tune the pianoforte at the Grasshopper. -- [Behnes' father was a musician and piano tuner.].