No schools of science open’d to my youth;
No learned halls, no academic bowers;
No one had I to point my way to truth,
Instruct my ign’rance, or direct my powers:
Yet I, though all unlearned, p’rhaps may aid
The march of knowledge in our “purer age,”
And, without seeming, may perchance persuade
The young to think,—to virtue some engage:
So have I hoped, and with this end in view,
My little Every-Day Book I design’d;
Praise of the work, and of its author too,
From you, friend Lamb, is more than good and kind:
To such high meed I did not dare aspire
As public honour, from the hand of Allworthy Elia.
As to the message from your friend above:—
Do me the favour to present my best
Respects to old “Dan Phœbus,” for the “love”
He bears the Every-Day Book: for the rest,
That is, the handsome mode he has selected
Of making me fine compliments by you, ’tis
So flatt’ring to me, and so much respected
By me, that, if you please, and it should suit his
Highness, I must rely upon you, for
Obtaining his command, to introduce me
To him yourself, when quite convenient; or
I trust, at any rate, you’ll not refuse me
A line, to signify, that I’m the person known
To him, through you, friend Lamb, as
Your Friend
William Hone
[208] “Memoirs of the Life of Benj. Starkey, late of London, but now an inmate of the Freemen’s Hospital, in Newcastle. Written by himself. With a portrait of the Author and a Fac-simile of his hand writing. Printed and sold by William Hall, Great Market, Newcastle.” 1818. 12mo. pp. 14.
July 10.
The Seven Brothers, Martyrs, and St. Felicitas, their Mother. 2nd Cent. Sts. Rufina and Secunda, V. A. D. 257.