William Hone to Francis Place, 20 March, 1830 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 British Library, Hone Papers, Add. MS 37950, ff. 79.

 Transcribed and encoded Word copy from BL
William Hone to Francis Place, 20 March, 1830. BL, Hone Papers, Add. MS 37950, f. 79. At the time of writing, Hone was trying to reestablish a professional standing following a long period of bankruptcy and insolvency. His plan was to open a coffeehouse called "The Grasshopper" which would provide a living both for himself and his daughters. The effort was eventually successful; The Grasshopper opened in June of 1830. Included with this letter to Place is a separate document that states the progress of Hone's appeal for subscribers and a listing of all those who have already contributed. This document, dated 19 March, 1830, is presented as a separate item in this collection. [return] — -TEI-
13 Gracechurch Street
20 March 1830 Friend Place

With this you will receive two copies of the Statement which I submit in applying for assistance, to enable me to open this place, in conjunction with my family, as a Coffee House. The last paragraph relates the immediate exigency – there might be a few words in it underlined with a view to impress the fact that, with the means sought the business might instantly commence. I have omitted this marking however, for why should “pepper be added to cayenne”? Besides, your “words that burn” will do more in such a matter than anything I could write however marked – and so I would add of Colonel Jones to whose kindness in behalf of Matilda I am so greatly indebted. She will be a chief officer here, in conjunction with another of my daughters. My wife will be manager of the “Sleeping Lodgings.”

You have also Mr Sedgwick’s “word of Remark” on Sir Charles Wetherall’s Speech – the part I would particularly direct your attention to is from p. 40 “On defending the Liberty of the Press” &c, to “The End,” on Mr. Bentham’s “Safety Lamp.” Hone refers to James Sedgwick's "A Word of Remark to Sir Charles Wetherell" (London, 1830) which takes Wetherell to task for a speech delivered on 2 March, 1830 in which he advocates for restrictions on the free press. [return]I do not remember to have seen so comprehensive an eulogism on Mr Bentham’s labours.

Further you have, in return for Mr [Detraisurs?] “Address,” a copy of the Life of William Hutton of Birmingham. This is my contribution to the library of the Institution at Manchester – my friend Fry will send you a book on his own account – as soon as I can get afloat, which, with your assistance, I hope to do, I will turn to in our friend Hardy’s affair, & assuredly shall compel several hands to open into your Treasury.

Yours sincerely W Hone