John Childs to William Hone, 6 December, 1821: An Electronic Edition An Electronic Edition William Hone Kyle Grimes

For publication in the Hone Correspondence section of the William Hone BioText, http://honearchive.org. The letter is published under a Creative Commons license, details of which are accessible from the BioText homepage.

Transcribed from the original in the British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 179-180.

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John Childs to William Hone, 6 December, 1821.British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 179-80. — -TEI-
Bungay
6 Decr 1821 Dear Hone,

I was in hopes the Farmers & Landlords of this district had suffered enough to bring them to consent to attend a proposed Reformers meeting in this town projected for Monday next. Bunbury & five or six of his clan had promised to attend it, but just as the real arrangement was taking place, I recd a letter from them to wit—that they thought the times inexpedient, that they would meet me at the Fox Dinner at Ipswich (which I don't believe, as I shall not be there) to make arrangements on the subject of Reform and assured me the present abandonment does not arise in any way from the slightest deriliction in principle, (Conscience [ascent?]!) So much for the Suffolk Reformers, who altho they are beggared ruined past redemption still hope by patience & submission to the will of their oppressors to have something given them, poor [rogues?] they deserve all they will get.

I was lately in Norwich where I saw my friend Mr Brewer, who was lamenting that he should never have had an opportunity of seeing you when he has been in London, twice each time he called unsuccessfully & as he is a Man with whom I am confident you would be much pleased I am very sorry also, he wondered too, that during the time William"William" is Hone's son who had been living in Suffolk with Childs and (apparently) Brewer. [return] was with him & up to the present time, you should never have found leisure to write him. There is a little Money matter also which I promised him I would mention to you & it will be enough for me, to convince you of his necessities to say he has 9 children — how he gets on with them I do not know seeing he has no dependance but on his own exertion. I hope therefore you will be able to do something for him in the way of [Hunt?]. Money truly is the Devil, and a short supply thereof Hell, which being interpreted signifieth torment——

The worthy alderman,The "alderman" is the Christmas turkey which Childs gave to Hone each year beginning in 1818. See Hone to Childs, 8 January 1819. [return] intended for a visit to your Spit on Christmas Day thrives wonderfully, the low price of Grains suits him well & like the Farmers, when in their glory, with three Sabres bright and buckled on their thigh, he seems disposed to Gobble up every one who comes in his way. His martial appearance is wonderful, but like his prototypes the Land tillers, his time is fast approaching, when he will be devoured by those who have long foreseen the consequences of his present situation.

How have you succeeded with the Reviewers? What became of Nero? Did Ross of the Times write it? Has he got it back? & will it never be published? These are some questions which may answer as soon as you shall judge proper — Will you come & see me during the Xmas vacation? do.

Yours Sincerely, John Childs

[Addressed:] Mr. W. Hone 45 Ludgate Hill London