A small collection of the political squibs and pamphlets published by Wm.
Hone about 1820, has lately come into my possession. An advertisement in
several of these announces that the large material collected for his
defence had induced him to prepare, and "very speedily" to publish, _A
complete History of Parody_, "with extensive graphic illustrations." This
on March 20. Again, on October 2, same year, he says: "I take this
opportunity of announcing that the work will appear in monthly parts, each
containing at least five engravings, and that it will probably be completed
in eight deliveries at 5s. each. I pledge myself that the First Part shall
be published, without fail, on the 1st January next, and respectfully
invite the names of subscribers. The money to be paid on the delivery of
each Part."
Lastly, in an "Explanatory Address," appended to No. 1. of his _Every-Day
Book_, dated 31st Dec., 1824, Hone says: "_The History of Parody_, with
enlarged reports of my three trials, a royal 8vo. volume of 600 pages,
handsomely printed, and illustrated by numerous engravings on copper and
wood, plain and coloured, is in considerable forwardness. The price will be
2l. 2s., in extra cloth boards," &c.
Thus, though advertised more than four years previously, this work had not
yet come out, and indeed, if not mistaken, I think it never appeared at
all. Will some of your bibliographical correspondents inform me if my
surmise is correct? and if so, what has become of Hone's MSS., and the
large collection he made on the subject of parody?