Letters and Documents, 1832-1842
The last decade of Hone's life was--with one noteworthy exception--marked by a retreat from public life, a religious conversion, and periods of ill health brought on by a series of strokes that often left him unable to stir out of the house and sometimes unable to write. Hone's tenure as the proprietor of a coffeehouse, "The Grasshopper," proved temporary as he shut up the shop in 1833, after having suffered a debilitating "paralytic stroke" in January of that year. At the end of 1834, Hone and many members of his family became full-fledged members in the congregation of the Reverend Thomas Binney's Weigh House Chapel, and this association led to a number of letters between Hone and Binney as well as to Hone's draft autobiography (written at Binney's request) and his frequently reprinted lyric entitled "Written before Breakfast, 3rd June 1834." During the mid- to late-1830s, Hone also secured work as a sub-editor of a dissenting newspaper called The Patriot. Hone was in this position during the Church Rates controversy in which his friend and fellow printer John Childs took a prominent public role. In effect, Childs would send materials favorable to the radical dissenters' cause to Hone who would in turn publish them in The Patriot. Hone himself remained in the background--even during Childs's imprisonment for failure to pay his church rates--but thanks to the Hone/Childs association, The Patriot became a prominent national mouthpiece for the dissenters during this tense episode of ecclesiastical politics. By 1840 Hone was unable to maintain his work as writer and editor, and he moved with his wife to "a little tot of a house" (as he put it in a letter to his daughter Alice on 30 November, 1840) near Bruce's Castle in north London. He died two years later (November 1842) and was buried in Abney Park cemetary where his funeral was attended by such figures as George Cruikshank and Charles Dickens.
- 1833[?]; WH to Grayson.
British Library, Add. MS 40120, f. 384
Fragment of a letter in which Hone compares two prominent preachers: Edward Irving and Robert Hall. - 1833-01-22; WH to John Childs;
William Hone Papers, Washington State University, Pullman WA, cont. 1, fol. 16
Brief note in which Hone thanks Childs for the annual Christmas turkey. - 1833-03-29; WH to Matthew D. Hill;
Somerville College, Oxford, Amelia B. Edwards Archive, 72.
Thanks for Hill's appeal to the Chancellor for a position in the British Museum[?]. Solicits a position for himself.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 378-79. - 1833-07-10; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 385-86
Hone hopes to meet with Childs; apparently he is about to shut up the Grasshopper; has been afflicted but now almost recovered; wishes to discuss who should publish a pamphlet in progress. - 1833-12-19; WH to
Charles Sturgeon;
Bath Public Library, AL 1951; Copy in WSU Archives, Cage 1580.
Hone, destitute and desperate for money with which to provide for his family, asks Sturgeon for assistance. - 1834; WH to Frances Rolleston;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Brief note regarding a borrowed book. -- [Date is surmise based on mention of Rye]. - 1834-01-23; WH to Frances Rolleston;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Thanks Rolleston for the loan of a book. - 1834-02-06; WH to John Scott;
"Friends of Lamb" Papers, Philadelphia, The Rosenbach, EL3 .L218 MS2, Letter #10.
Hone writes to ask Scott for a "testimonial" to accompany his application for financial assistance from the Royal Literary Fund. -
1834-02-13; WH to Thomas Rodd;
Letter for sale on eBay, 2011-01-14, now in Hone Collection, Adelphi University
Hone had received a £30 grant from the Literary Fund; spent night with Sturgeon; now he is on his way home. - 1834-04-22; WH to Joseph Hone [brother];
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 387-89
Long biographical account for Hone's brother, now resident in Tasmania. Acquaints Joseph of their mother's death and offers account of Hone's conversion to Christianity.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 380-82. - 1834-07-22; WH to Joseph Hone [brother];
State Library of Tasmania, "Two manuscript letters from William Hone," Shelfmark: #C12094.
Hone informs his brother about the financial state of their mother's estate and funeral expenses; considerable detail about Hone's "paralytic stroke" followed by a long illness and slow recovery
- 1834-08-16; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 389-90
Parkes is supporting Hone, who is hoping for 200 pounds/year annuity, but nothing but delays. Hone in limbo. - 1834-08-18; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 391-92
Discussion of Hone's spiritual concerns, with touching scene of Hone's children/grandchildren learning hymn downstairs as Hone writes his letter upstairs. - 1834-09-30; WH to William Behnes;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 1
Reply to Behnes' request for advice regarding a monument for a Mr. Newman[?]. Hone refers Behnes to a Mr. Southgate. (Likely has to do with Behnes' commission for a sculpture.) - 1834-12-24;
WH to Thomas Rodd;
Lehigh University Digital Library
Hone recovering from an accident in which he was trampled by a horse; declines invitation to Rodd's "Wedding Year day party"; verso has comic dialogue in which Hone teases Rodd about the formal language of his invitation. - 1834-12-24; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 395-96
Hone will write something for Binney; Christmas scene with turkey and jokes; dinner at Mr Hemsley's on Tower Hill; note about Samuel Parr Hone. - 1835-01-03; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
Hackwood, pp. 311-18.
While this document was posted to Binney as a letter, the document was actually prepared to be read during Hone's admission into the Weigh House congregation on 30 December, 1834. - 1835-01-28; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 397-98
Thanks Binney for pamphlet, intends to discuss it with "Miss Rolleston"; Hone recovering from attack on health; also, spiritual condition: "I have been in clouds and darkness for the last three weeks." Closing note about son Alfred possibly coming to Weigh House Chapel. - 1835-02-10; WH to Sarah Hone [wife] ;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 399-400
Hone is staying with Charles Childs in Denton; He remembers Sarah and kids in prayers, then "The pamphlet I have come hither to write,small as it my be, is infinitely more momentous than all I have ever done, or may perhaps live to do." This is to be some kind of religious work--likely the 'spiritual autobiography' requested by Binney--and Hone is in much doubt as to his ability. - 1835-02-23; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 401-02
Hone—devout, apologetic—encourages Childs to give up public life. — [Childs note on MS: "Before the end of this year (1835) this monitor was found conducting a Newspaper which before the end of 1837 had betrayed the principles of the Dissenters whom it pretended to represent. Note made Jan 25, 1838. J. C."]. - 1835-03-11; WH to Sarah Hone [daughter] ;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 403-04
Hone to return to London next day. ""In truth my coming hither and remaining at this place are blunders. It is far from anything in the least suitable to me. I have had not opportunity for an hour's unbroken retirement from the day I came." Hone irritated by the Childs' boisterous energy. - 1835-04-22; WH to Joseph Hone [brother];
State Library of Tasmania, "Two manuscript letters from William Hone," Shelfmark: #C12094.
A long letter introducing Thomas Little to Hone's brother Joseph. Hone greatly admires Little for his piety and respectability though he was being transported to Van Dieman's Land on a charge of forgery. Hone summarizes the case against Little and asks Joseph to grant clemency if it is within his power. - 1835-05-25; WH to Alfred Hone [son] ;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 407-08
"This morning Mr Binney has visited your sister Matilda here. Your mother and I visited Emma yesterday and dined with her, and she came with the little folks, her charge, to meet him." They showed Binney a bust of Hone that Alfred had done as a demonstration model--Binney volunteers to sit for a similar treatment. Hone hears that Alfred occasionally attends at the Weigh House; invites him to hear an American preacher on Thursday night. Some notes on church politics, and Hone wishes his son would seek God. - 1835-06-07; WH to Alfred Fry;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, ff. 22-23
Hone clears up some inaccurate info Fry had received from Mr Young and then provides a description of his and his family's acceptance into Binney's Church of Christ. He describes how Binney encouraged him to write the story of his conversion, his desire to join this religious community. Concluding paragraph is a rather evangelistic plea for Fry to join in the religious spirit. - 1835-06-10; WH to Alfred Fry;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, ff. 24-25
Hone again tries to convert Fry, then commentary about son Samuel Parr Hone who is about to enter the world having finished the "Blue-coat school" - 1835-08-07; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 414-15
Brief note to accompany an enclosed letter to Hone's son [Samuel Parr Hone] who was staying at Bungay. Hone asks for word from Childs, and adds a brief note about national politics. - 1835-12-16; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 41071, ff. 52-53
Warm and friendly note; Hone has seen Charles Childs; Asks for a word from John Childs; Samuel Parr Hone still working with Childs. - 1835-12-25; WH to John Childs;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Lovely letter begns with comic "Notice for Bungay Patriot" marked up in parodic imitation of copy text for the press. In mock-bureaucratic language the writer acknowledges having "received the communication" [i.e. the annual Christmas turkey] and the letter is signed by all "members of the committee."--the letter is signed in other words by Hone's whole family, including "Sarah Burn" "Fanny Hemsley" and others, grandchildren, etc. - 1836-02-22; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 418-19
Hone declines to do some work (editing) for Mr. Simpson because he is much occupied with "the Evidence before the Port of London Committee, for the Town Clerk." He hopes to get to "the Pamphlet" [?] very soon. - 1836-03-04; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 420-21
Continuation of previous day's letter--it looks as though Dr. Williams will edit Simpson's Plan. - 1836-10-14; WH to Henry Dunn;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Chiefly regarding business of The Patriot. - 1836-11-03; WH to John Childs;
Lowestoft Record Office, Lowestoft, Suffolk, Ref 995/1/5
"I think 'The Patriot' of today will put you in good heart. Why, you rougue, there is your address at full length." Hone refers to the Church rates controversy; berates Childs for sending him an unsealed letter - "I don't believe however it had been looked into." (The letter especially important as it demonstrates that Hone and Childs surreptitiously collaborated in their strategy for attacking the Church rates.) - 1836-12-24; WH to Henry Dunn;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Complete letter: "No dinner. The hand of God is on me." - 1837-04-05; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 442-43
Regarding the church in Australia. - 1837-05-01; WH to Frances Wortley;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 5
Letter of introduction for a person named Robert Peirson. - 1838-01-28; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 451-52
A letter of consolation in the wake of Robert Childs's suicide. Hone's letter is full of biblical quotations, self-examination, and stoicism. - 1838-02-01; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 453-54
Hone writes in a cramped and tiny hand. He worries about another attack [probably a stroke], and feels himself overworked at The Patriot. Hone wants to see Childs, but "you must come to me. Mark—you must." Hone is afraid to go outside. - 1838-03-07; WH to George Dyer;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Hone offers tender thanks to Dyer for his "very kind mark of recollection." - 1838-05-12; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 455-56
Hone writes to tell of a mishap in which "Mr Thomas Alers Hankey was pitched from a Cab today and fell head-foremost." A post script: "My wife, I am happy to say, improves hourly. Surely God put it into my heart to send for Dr Farr." - 1838-05-31; WH to [unknown];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
"Regret that I can't see you." -- [brief, incidental note.]. - 1838-06-06; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 460-61
Hone has been ill and complains of--notes, rather--his own bad handwriting. "You cannot conceive how it is that the hand does not answer to the will, and you, and I am sure I, cannot tell how it ever did." Then, "Here I am, whatever I am--here are my remains--perched up, oberlin-like, on the highest part of Hampstead. Almost my first starting place in life is nearly within sight, and the church yard is about midway between the spot where I sit, and that of my earliest recollections, Belsize. You see the Moral." Hone goes on to describe his efforts in writing "the pamphlet"--it overcomes him both physically and spiritually to continue. - 1838-06-08; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 464-65
Hone thanks Binney for the letter and promises to do nothing. [Binney had written to suggest that Hone take a break from his autobiographical labors.] - 1838-06-17; WH to Rev. Thomas Binney,;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 467-68
A very pained letter. Hone is recovering physically but: "Animal life is strong in me, but the spiritual life in me is weak indeed," and "I am spritually paralyzed." Hone can't feel himself close to God--"I am soul-choked." -- considerable material on the travails of Hone's family. - 1838-10-12; WH to J[ohn[ Payne Collier;
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, FSL Y.d.341 (77)
Hone claims that he has "some intelligence" which might enable Collier (the Shakespeare scholar) "to work out, from a hidden vein, some new & genuine stuff repecting Shakespeare personally, as a man, & an author." Hone invites Collier to visit him at the ofice of The Patriot where Hone works by day (and lives upstairs at night) - 1838-10-20; WH to Frances Rolleston;
Indiana Univ.; Lilly Library; Rawson MSS.
Newsy letter regarding Rolleston's "Dream," which was published in The Patriot; other friendly, topical news—e.g. Hone disagrees with stance of The Patriot on the public argument between the Bishop of Exeter and the Rector of Feniton. - 1838-12-06; WH to Charles Severn;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 470-71
An autograph--Hone's own--for Severn's collection. Severn is identified as a "writer on Shakespeare." - 1839-04-12; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 479-80
The letter begins: "Hang "My Dear Childs," and "My dear Hone" too! I have done my duty, do you do yours. What! have we known each other twenty and odd years, and are we still to go on as vain fellows?" Hone compares himself and Childs to two parallel lines that are identical but go on forever without ever meeting. In an afterwards, Hone says "Will you bring Sam? Indenture to town when you next come up?" [Hone's son Samuel Parr Hone is indentured as an apprentice to Childs.] The letter exemplifies Hone's improvisitory writing style, with several joking allusions to current popular culture in London. - 1839-11-02; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 481-82
Another jocular letter; there has been, apparently, some rift between the two, but, as usual, Hone meets it with wit and humor—this time a fake etymology of "bother." Some additional comments on an apprentice printer who is living with Hones ("morally valuable, and pecuniarily") and an invitation for Childs to come to tea.
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 382-83. - 1839-11-05; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 483-84
Verse invitation for Childs to come to tea. - 1839-12-16; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 485-86
Context unclear, but the letter refers to some business involving Joseph Sturge, Rev. Thomas Binney, and perhaps Alfred Fry. - 1840-01-29; WH to Frances Rolleston;
Indiana Univ.; Lilly Library; Rawson MSS.
Very brief note, mainly to keep communications open. Hone clearly fond of Rolleston, though comments on the difficulty of writing and the value of the Penny Post Act. - 1840-02-06; WH to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 488-89
Very brief: "I am past writing. The hand will not answer to the will." [Hone's handwriting, by the way, has gotten progressively smaller--this is tiny.] - 1840-08-03; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 2.
Hone and Dr. West are assembling an application to the Literary Fund for a grant to support Hone now that his physical infirmities have forced him to give up his position at The Patriot. - 1840-08-05; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 4.
Hone sends West a brief note explaining some of his financial debts, clearly with the purpose of disclosing this information as part of the application to the Literary Fund. - 1840-08-19; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 6.
A playful, improvisatory letter in which Hone describes plans for an excursion to Ripley (Hone's father's birthplace) and requests information about the fate of the Literary Fund application. - 1840-08-24; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 8.
Hone recounts his excursion to his father's birthplace and announces his return to London. - 1840-08-26; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 10.
The expected return to London is delayed by another week, and Hone seeks guidance regarding his "shillingless" situation. - 1840-09-28; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 12-13.
A cryptic note idenitifying persons who might write in support of Hone's appeal to the Literary Fund. - 1840-09-30; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 14.
More on Hone's financial situation and a rather catty set of questions regarding the death of "Secretary Black." - 1840-11-25; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 16.
Hone appeals to West to come for a talk with himself and Woolaston; Hone suggests that the fate of his application to the Literary Fund hinges on this meeting. - 1840-11-27; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 18-19.
More, and more urgent, preparations for the Literary Fund application—in the present case, Hone is making final preparation for "testimonial" letters. - 1840-11-28; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Philadelphia, The Rosenbach, EL3 .L218 MS2, Letter #11
Hone again asks Dr. West for assistance with desperate financial matters; the letter includes interesting, sentimentalist commentary on Charles Lamb's essays "The Old Margate Hoy" and "Captain Jackson." - 1840-11-28; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 20-21.
further directives and strategizing about the Literary Fund application. - 1840-11-30; WH to Alice Hone [daughter];
British Library, Add. MS 40856, ff. 50-51
A detailed an personable letter in anticipation of Alice's visit; offers a long description of Hone's house near Bruce's Castle in north London (Tottenham).
Published: Kent & Ewen, pp. 384-85. - 1841-02-05; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, ff. 22-23.
Continuing efforts on behalf of West and Joseph Parkes to find financial support for Hone. - 1841-09-06; WH to [unknown];
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 6
In response to a request from a person he does not know, Hone provides some personal details and supplies a copy of his short poem called "Lines Written before Breakfast, 3rd June 1834" ("The proudest heart that ever beat.") - 1841-09-25; WH to Dr. Charles West;
Wellesley College Library, Special Collections, Last Days of William Hone, f. 24.
A brief, almost stream-of-consciousness account of a clearly failing Hone's life and thought. - 1841-10-11; WH to Rose Hone [daughter];
British Library, Add. MS 50746, f. 35
"You are coming tomorrow I find--you will be most welcome--but we shut up at 9 o'clock. I have been ill but am better & go to bed at 8 o'clock. -- but the old lady is wonderfully well & refactory." - 1842-01-10; WH to Hyde Clarke;
Hone Collection, Adelphi University, Series 1A, Bx 1, f. 2
Letter regarding Hone's daughter Sarah ("Mrs. Burn") who is apparently seeking a job at a Hospital. -- [The letter may be in someone else's hand--perhaps dictated?]. - 1842-10-18; Ellen Hone
[daughter] to Rose Hone
[daughter];
British Library, Add. MS 50746, f. 39-40
Brief sisterly letter expressing alarm at Hone's declining health. - 1842-12-03; Sarah Hone [wife] to John Childs;
British Library, Add. MS 50746, ff. 43-44.
Hone's wife responds to a letter of condolence from John Childs.