Sparrow, Robert
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 16 March [1815]
Conceiving that you will be glad to hear from time to time a word from me respecting your Son, I resolve to scribble a line, tho yesterday was a peculiarly bad day. Mr. Sparrow and spent a long day here lately. I took Mr. H. as usual into my room; we had a very long discussion, and I required an explicit account of their goings on, which he very minutely gave me. I have the satisfaction of reporting that every thing seems very promising; if the improvements are not rapid they are at least progressive. At my request he has begun to attempt composition. He reads Watts’s Logic*and Mr. H. makes observations on their joint perusal both of that and whatever else they read together. As the days lengthen he rises earlier which gives him more time for the Greek Testament before breakfast. He is translating some passages from Demosthenes* which will help to form his Style. I suggested that here after he should learn and recite some fine passages in Burke’s Speeches.* He reads by himself more than he did, and I lent for that purpose Plutarch’s Lives;* and Travels thro Germany.* I have also presented sent him with the Saint Paul of Barley Wood,* which he has promised to read; I told him that being written by one who had the honour to be his Mother’s friend, it might interest him more. Mr. H. says that tho he cannot say he sees as yet any decided piety, yet he has great pleasure in seeing that he [has] not the slightest prejudice against religion or religious people. This is /a/ great point for ‘a Harrow fellow’.* But what I rejoyced at as the most gratifying circumstance, was that he told me he possessed great purity of mind. This is a blessed thing at an age when boys have commonly their minds tainted. May God’s blessing preserve it to him! I think Clifton a very fortunate situation for him. I think now he is getting a step towards manhood he would hardly endure the dullness & total want of society of an obscure Village, where he woud probably be too solitary, or led into inferior company. Now at Clifton their little social intercourse is entirely among religious, and well mannered people, and his Sunday’s Instruction sound and good. It was Providential for poor distressed Hensman to get Hudson to fill at once the Niche so fortunately vacated by ,* or he might have forced himself into it again at his return. There appears to subsist a pleasant affection and confidence between the Tutor and Pupil and Hensman says the latter has easy access to his house where he often calls, and where he will get nothing but good. I have said so much about this interesting youth that I have left myself no room for other Subjects.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 March [1815]
Your dear Robert spent the day with us on Wednesday. He came without , who had a cold, but not without a wise and pious Guide. Our friend was of the party, who by the way has never bestowed a single night on Barley Wood, tho so long in our neighbourhood with friends quite new compared to me. I am not jealous however but glad he spent his time so much more pleasantly. I was much pleased with your Son whom I drew out to take a little more share in the conversation, as far as related to the present state of the world, and he expressed himself well, and with accuracy and pleased me by taking a lively interest in what is going on. Dear Mr. Dunn did not give a very good account of your health and your letter does not mend that account, which grieves me much. I think you have judged very wisely, as you are not very stout, to abridge your London sejour. Dunn gave me great delight in the report he makes of the progress of mind and growth in piety of . You have laid an excellent foundation, of which I trust the superstructure will be altogether worthy. She will, I am persuaded make a strong character. You have now had time to form her to good habits which will be of incalculable importance to her future character and happiness.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 April [1815]
I have been delighted to see the elegant Robert Sparrow in his character of Cicerone to the Saints. He one day came down with whom I never saw before and who is a most amiable /Man/ and another with an old favorite of mine. of course accompanied. It is pleasant to see him easy and cheerful in such sort of company, and they exhibit religion to nam[tear] a pleasing form, without any of that alloy of coa[rse]ness [tear] which by assimilating itself with religion, makes the /young/ fancy that religion itself is worse. The Saints Jubilee at Bristol produced a great harvest.* About 800 to the Missionary only.* – The Jew business promises to revive these,* that I hope will give me a peep at – I sent him my book,* but know not if he has read it. It is a singular thing, that I have received more encouraging and flattering reports on that book from Bishops and the higher Clergy than from almost any others. I scarcely expected it
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]
This is the first letter I have written you for a long time without having your son for a topic. Is he returned to Clifton? I suppose is too modest to bring down his bride till the appearance of his pupil shall seem to furnish him with a justifying Motive. I heard with pleasure of the high satisfaction he afforded by his Sermon at the Charitable Clergy Meeting at Bristol. I heard it commended by different Classes of characters. He is sometimes said (but not on that occasion) to want a little energy of manner: but this objection [deletion] I believe is made by those who are accustomed to the vehemence of .
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [20? October 1815] [incomplete]
Your dear Son is in perfect health, and I believe going on as well as can be. I have seen him twice lately. I never saw him appear to such advantage as on his last visit. He was without , and obliged to take an equal share in the conversation, which he did with spirit and good sense and modesty on general topics.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 April [1816]
I have not seen since his illness. He now only waits for fine weather. Mr. Sparrow dined here some time ago. He was in good health, and very open and frank, and bore his part in conversation extremely well. Mr. H wrote me he was applying mine diligently. I expect them both every day. I feel what you say on this subject, and think you judge perfectly right. Another long interruption just now might be unfavourable. If Mahomet does not go to the Mountain I trust it may bring the Mountain to Mahomet. – Shall you be in Town at the Saint’s Jubilee,* which I think includes most of the Month of May?
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 2 October [1817]
You have I presume already been some time at Sea, exposed to an element which whatever benefit it may afford to your beloved patient is not I fear good for your own delicate health. An Object which it is more than ever your duty to consult and of which I hope your [sic] are very careful. I shall feel anxious to know the result of this new Voyage on the beloved Object of your attention* You did right not to delay your setting out, as it is at present extremely cold here; but blessed be the giver of every good gift the weather is very dry and has been so for near a Month. I say we ought to live upon our knees in continual praises for this seasonable relief. The fruits of the earth are abundant, and trade reviving every where but in my two poor Mining Villages* whose very existence depends on the Brass Trade, the only species of Commerce which is totally dead.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [23 March 1818]
To that blessed inheritance, my very dear Lady Olivia is the Son of your love, of your cares, of your fervent and accepted prayers, now admitted! He has been graciously spared the corruptions of sinful examples, the temptations of an evil world, the multiplied snares of high fortune, and has obtained the prize without running the hard and laborious race. I know that it is very easy for those on whom the trial has not fallen, to talk of the duty of resignation and to offer all the ordinary topics of comfort to the aching heart. This is not my case, I know too well the abundant sources of true consolation from which you have so long been deriving support /&/ which have sustained you in so wonderful a manner during your long preparation for a calamity which you saw to be inevitable The blessed reward of this resigned Spirit, of this prepared state of mind has not been withheld from you in the depth of your affliction. You had the unspeakable, and to all but a Christian Mother, the inexpressible happiness, of seeing the beloved object of your solicitude become all you could wish, a convinced, sincere, devoted submissive Christian! I know you so well as to be assured that when you had a full conviction of the change in his mind, from that moment the bitterness of death was past. The joy must have been more compleat from its being gradual. Such a progressive change is in my opinion generally more deep and rooted from its being a progressive work. What a blessedness to know that when your own summons comes – (May that day be distant!) you will be reunited, for ‘them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.’
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 August [1816]
Mr. Sparrow spent a day with us lately with and .* I had never seen her before, she is a pretty pleasing Woman. Mr. S. called on us again on Saturday in his return from their Devonshire Tour, in high health and Spirits; his beauty rather increased than diminished by having ridden so long a journey in the Sun, for thank God, (who has not forgotten to be gracious) we have Sun at last, and I trust, thro his mercy in time to save the harvest
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, September 1815
I hear Mr. Sparrow is got back to . I dare say I shall soon see them. spoke kindly of him in his letter to me. I presume you have lost both him and :* but Mr. Dunn will repair the loss. I am sorry to hear that excellent and amiable Man a little too /much/ vindicates some of the peculiar opinions of our friend . You must combat them if you find them carried a little too far. Of course you will not drop what I have said