Memoirs of William Hazlitt
Ch. VI 1822
Sarah Stoddart Hazlitt, Journal; 29 June-6 July 1822
Saturday, 29th June, 1822.—Sent
the child’s letter to his father
with a note, telling him that I was just returned from Dublin with four
shillings and sixpence in my pocket, and I wanted more money. He came about two
o’clock, and brought me ten pounds, and said he did not think he was
indebted to me my quarter’s money, as he had supplied me with more than
was necessary to keep me. . . . . He had been uneasy at not hearing from the
child, though he had sent him a pound and ordered him to write. I remarked that
the letter I sent him was addressed to him, and I supposed the child did not
know how to direct to him. He said he would if he had attended to what he told
him. That he wrote to Patmore, and
desired him to see for the child, and convey him to Mr. John Hunt’s, and that in his answer he said,
“I have been to the school, and rejoiced the poor little
fellow’s heart by bringing him away with me, and in the afternoon he
is going by the stage to Mr. Hunt’s.* He has
only been detained two days after the holidays begun.” . . . .
That Mr. Prentice had told him last night it [the
business] was again
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put off another
fortnight; requested me to write to Mr. Gray, to know
whether I should be called on next Friday, and if it would be necessary for me
to remain in Scotland after that time; if not, he thought I had better go on
the Saturday by the steamboat, as the accommodation was excellent, and it was
very pleasant and good company. That he intended going by it himself, as soon
as he could, when the affair was over, and therefore I had better set out
first, as our being seen there together would be awkward, and would look like
making a mockery of the lawyers here. Wished I would also write to the child in
the evening, as his nerves were in such an irritable state he was unable to do
so. Both which requests I complied with.
Monday, 1st July.—Received a note
from Mr. Gray, to say I should not be called on for two or
three weeks, but without telling me how long I must remain in Scotland.
Saturday, 6th July [1822].— . . .
. Met Mr. Hazlitt and Mr.
Henderson, who had just arrived [at Dalkeith Palace] in a gig.
Mr. H. said he had heard again from Patmore, who saw the child last Tuesday, and
that he was well and happy. I told him of my last letter and its contents. . .
. . [He] adverted again to the awkwardness of our going back in the same boat.
I told him I had some thoughts of going by boat to Liverpool and the rest by
land, as I should see more of the country that way; which he seemed to like.
Asked me if I meant to go to Winterslow? Said, yes, but that I should be a week
or two in London first. He said he ![]()
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meant to go to Winterslow, and try if he could write,* for he had been so
distracted the last five months he could do nothing. That he might also go to
his mother’s† for a short time, and that he meant to take the child from
school at the half-quarter, and take him with him; and that after the holidays
at Christmas he should return to Mr. Dawson’s again.
Said he had not been to town [London], and that we had better have no
communication at present, but that when it was over he would let me have the
money as he could get it. Asked if I had seen Roslin Castle, and said he was
there last Tuesday with Bell, and thought
it a fine place. Mr. Henderson shook
hands, and made many apologies for not recollecting me, and said I looked very
well, but that from my speaking to Mr. H. about the
pictures, he had taken me for an artist. . . . . The two gentlemen passed me in
their gig as I was returning.
John Robertson Bell (1784-1822 fl.)
The son of Adam Bell, master cooper, he was a government contractor who worked with
Joseph Hume of the Victualling Office; he and his wife Mary Ann (née Tebbut) were friends
of the Hazlitts.
William Hazlitt (1778-1830)
English essayist and literary critic; author of
Characters of
Shakespeare's Plays (1817),
Lectures on the English Poets
(1818), and
The Spirit of the Age (1825).
William Hazlitt Jr. (1811-1893)
The son of the critic and father of the bibliographer William Carew Hazlitt; he was
registrar of the London court of bankruptcy and editor of his father's works.
Alexander Henderson (1791-1832)
A corrupt officer of the Edinburgh Post Office, he supplied information to Archibald
Constable and William Blackwood before being dismissed in 1822. He was an acquaintance and
betrayer of William Hazlitt.
John Hunt (1775-1848)
English printer and publisher, the elder brother of Leigh Hunt; he was the publisher of
The Examiner and
The Liberal, in
connection with which he was several times prosecuted for libel.
Peter George Patmore [Tims] (1786-1855)
English writer and friend of Charles Lamb and Leigh Hunt; an early contributor to
Blackwood's, he was John Scott's second in the fatal duel, editor of
the
Court Journal, and father of the poet Coventry Patmore.
