In 1823 Hogg's "quiet existence was perturbed by his passion for Jane Williams, widow of Edward Williams who had perished along with Shelley. After considerable delay his suit was accepted on condition that he should qualify himself by a course of foreign travel. He accordingly left England for a tour in Germany and Italy on 3 Aug. 1825, returning on 27 February following, 'having thus actually completed two hundred and nine days without having once had recourse to any one of three things, each of which daily habit had taught me to consider a prime necessary of life -- law, Greek, or an English newspaper.' The journal of his tour was published in 1827 under the title of 'Two Hundred and Nine Days,' a record of trivial occurrences, seasoned by the strong personality of the writer" (DNB).