William Hone to John Childs, 7 February, 1832. British Library, Add. MS 40120, ff. 369-70

Grasshopper Hotel

Gracechurch Street, London

7 February 1832. My dear Childs,

I duly received a very kind letter from you dated 22 Dec. 1831 introductory to the annual Turkey, which as duly arrived, and which you will have pleasure in knowing was eaten in more comfort, with more of heart's-ease for sauce, than some of its predecessors. This perennial recollection of me and mine, the recurrence of it at a stated season, without one interruption, is an instance of continued desire to maintain an intimacy of feeling, to which the infrequency of our meeting has not seemed very favorable. I must add too, that there has been very little on my part, which, if you were an ordinary-minded man, would tend to perpetuate the remembrance of a promise you have so well kept—and I have not unfrequently endeavored to account for your constancy. I have looked at you as "a man of the world," or in other words, "a man of business," and in this light you would not object to be considered. But how, or why, a mere man of the world, a mere man of business, should, or could, think it his interest to bestow a thought or an acceptable token of regard upon one who is notoriously not much of either has occasioned me some perplexity—for, in the way of business, you could have no expectation of deriving anything from me, and I have made no return of the obligation, have not always, perhaps acknowledged it, and mostly, when I have, it has been at an over-due period of time. Then, again, when we have met, our conversation, as regards ourselves personally, has been usually in the tone of banter. I have sometimes endeavoured with some earnestness to get you, upon such occasions, into a serious and holding mood, but always to my discomfiture. Well then, coupling these matters & considerations, with our seldom seeing each other, I tell you that I begin to [one word] more closely how it is that you and I are still "friends," beyond the vulgar erroneous meaning of the term; and, in downright earnest, in plain truth and sincereity, I shall be glad if you will, as you can, assist me in answering the question. Now this letter, at so long a lapse from the coming of the "beast," cannot be any evidence to you, as a man of the world, or of business, that I have assimilated to you in either character, and yet I almost persuade myself that, apart from our joking, you will in sober earnestness, acquaint me with so much as will set me right upon the point. I know you are a close man. I wish you would open to me on the matter in question — if you do I know you will not deceive me, for I know you are not a deceiver. We are in many respects opposite, I want to know our points of junction. You are not a mere man of business, not a mere man of the world, what are you else though? Answer me that, John Childs, and, so far, I shall be satisfied.

In re Turkey. You intimated that "on Cmas day at four oclock" you should "fill a bumper" to our house & home. We did not dine till within a quarter of an hour of that four o'clock, and then, allowing for difference of clocks, at that number of starters upon the table, I and mine stood up with half empty mouths, and brimmers, and drank, to the founder of the feast and all around his table, health and happiness, and all that heart can desire that is good for it.

To your inquiry in matters of Politics I answer, what you know to be the fact, the potshards are striving with the potshards—in fact, though I cannot be indifferent to the result, I take little interest in the immediate strife. Whatever power rectitude may have in the political affairs of the world, will be after the battle has been fought between the conflicting parties—for this is not a mere adjustment of differences between men who think differently on points of policy, but it is a death-grapple between fiends, wherein the greater will destroy the lesser, and they who may be of less informed minds will assuredly perish if they enlist into the ranks. I care not for the seeming virtue of the "cause." I know that the real virtue will not be actively displayed during the onslaught without being trodden down into the filth & bloody mire of the furious combatants. The present is a mere affair of pickets, the driving of the outposts, the engagement is to come, and it will be between the Apollyons of Toryism and the Belials of Reform — then, and after they have destroyed each other, and Pride and servile baseness lie with death-wounds on the field of the unholy fight, then, and not till then, can the humble and the honest come forth with any chance of contributing to the freedom and happiness of human beings. I speak of no events that are likely to happen soon, but in my mind's eye I see a "dark hour coming."

I am, My dear Childs, Sincerely W Hone

[Addressed:] For: Mr. John Childs Bungay Suffolk