The publication of Hazlitt's series of essays on the distresses of the country and the plight of Europe in August 1819 owed much to a dinner attended by William Hone, John Hunt and himself at the end of January that year. The three were bound together by their compassion for humanity and love of Liberty. This volume, though written wholly by Hazlitt, was published by William Hone, and dedicated to John Hunt whom Hazlitt respected as " a patriot without an eye to himself, who never betrayed an individual or a cause he pretended to serve."