The Charles Dickens Letters Project

Period: 
1841-1850
Theme(s): 
charity

To J. HOSKINS,1 18 NOVEMBER 1842

Text from Part Five: English and American Writers, Rare Historical Americana…catalogue, 24-25 Nov 1924 Address: J. Hoskins. Date: 18 Nov 1842.

 I very much regret that I was from home when you called yesterday. Mr. Cruikshank2 will be happy to consent to the publication of his name as a member of the committee, but not as a receiver of subscriptions.3 

  • 1. Possibly John Hoskins (b. 1796), bookbinder of Brunswick Place, St James’s, Clerkenwell.
  • 2. George Cruikshank (1792-1878; Dictionary of National Biography), artist, caricaturist, and illustrator: see Pilgrim Letters 1, p. 82n.
  • 3. Almost certainly the attempt to provide for the widow and family of William Hone: see To Black, 15 Nov (Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 373 & n.). Hone (1778-1842; Dictionary of National Biography), radical author, publisher and bookseller, produced The Every Day Book (1825-6), of which Cruikshank was an illustrator: see further Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 337n. Hone had died 6 Nov.