Macaulay, Zachary
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, December 10 1812
I feel that I am assuming a new and a false character – that of an eager and punctual correspondent. I should not however have followed your traces to Brampton so soon, but that I wish to clear in your opinion, and to take upon myself the fault of indiscretion. He did write to Mr. Macaulay what I read, and what I ought not to have read without finishing the sentence, which was ‘this must be entirely a secret.’ It woud grieve me if I am not in time to prevent your naming it to Mr. C – He, you see, trusted it to his confidential friend, and M. in the same confidence trusted it to me, with whom it remains, tho in the openness of my heart I read it to your Ladyship.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, January 16 1815
Tho I have nothing /to say,/ and am not well enough to say it if I had, I cannot forbear writing a line to unite in sympathy with you, on the, I fear hopeless, state of our dear invaluable *, a letter from * and another from the Macaulays last night, leaves us little or nothing to hope. Oh! what a chasm will his death make in the world! It will not only be irreparable to , and poor children*, but to multitudes of the poor and the pious. May God comfort us all, especially his own family, and sanctify to us this heavy loss, by quickening us in our preparation for our own great change! For my own part, my hopes have been long very faint, tho in opposition to the declaration of his eminent Medical Attendants* I shall always think /entre nous/ that corroding grief for preyed on his vitals, and laid his weak constitution open to any disease which might attack it: I dread that every post may bring us the final issue of this long disease!
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 9 October 1815
I was prepared for your truly afflicting intelligence by a preparatory letter from Mr. Macaulay, our most kind and considerate friend in both the calamitous events of the present sad year.* It would be difficult to say whether I mourn most deeply over the state of the body, or rejoyce most triumphantly over that of the mind of my . I will not add to your sorrows by dwelling on my own, but I will say that no one out of her own family can feel deeper sorrow than myself. I know I ought not to dwell on this distressful side of the question, but keep my eyes more intently fixed on that bright side to which your piety points my attention. May God’s holy name be praised that in this second conflict she is enabled by his grace so to glorify her Redeemer. My prayers for her are fervent and frequent. She is much on my mind in my long nightly vigils. But I feel that I stand more in need of her prayers than she of mine; Her purified spirit is ascending to her God and Saviour She must be lifted by a mighty faith, to manifest such serenity and resignation under circumstances so peculiarly trying to her affectionate maternal heart. Some months ago, before her illness, (from whom I have not since heard) put me in mind of an expression of mine on my first acquaintance with your dear Mother nineteen Years ago – ‘that she would make a good Martyr.’ I did not think I had so much penetra /tion/
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 23rd 1816
It was so long since I had heard any thing of you that it gave me particular pleasure to receive your letter, and to hear such pleasant Accounts of yourself and friends. What a delightful Society to have so many kind Aunts Uncles and Cousins within a ring fence. you know was always a favourite with me. I know less of the others. You have drawn an interesting portrait of .* She must be a fine creature. I have answered her letter which is what I cannot always do. The keen Northern air* is I trust bracing your body, while so many affectionate friends cheer your mind. I too have suffered most truly for Mr. Macaulay,* and am still not without anxiety for him. and we had invited to spend a fortnight with /us,/ and it did her good after the fatigue of nursing her .* He met them half way back and by that means confirmed his cold and cough into a fever. I sent by a certain pacquet of letters which are waiting your return in a little box.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, December 4th 1819
I expect your friend Zachary this day; from him I expect to hear a great deal about you all. I hope dear has quite recovered her strength. My love to the [sic] all, and to the when you see him. I hope she continues staunch. Do let me hear from you sometimes – a letter costs you little or nothing and it is great pleasure to me – I owe some expression of love and gratitude to almost every Grant. I do love them all cordially.*
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 29 October 1822
I will not touch on the many painful topics which have lately occurred – I rejoyce to find however that tho his loss can never be supplied, dear ’s family are left in comfortable circumstances. I had feared the contrary. – Mr. Macaulay has lent me for a short time in the absence of . She leaves me to morrow. I have always some inmate to receive my company below, write my letters and carry on the family devotions, and read to me
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 5th 1823
Our most excellent Macaulay I really fear will work himself to death. It is indeed in the best of causes; but we cannot afford to lose such an instrument. I have grieved much for him.*
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 28 May 1823
I have truly about Mr. Macaulay, am still so tho he is better
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, August 5th 1824
I feel very deeply for poor dear Macaulay His is a long and living Martyrdom. I see by the demeanor tho I dont understand the form /to/ which side the Chancellor incloses!! And the poor Victim bears his persecution with such resignation and even chearful submission Yet my heart /aches/ for him and his family.*
Hannah More to Thomas Babington Macaulay, 14 October [no year]
I must write one line to thank for your two letters, which I do with the more pleasure because they were written in so good a hand, so neat and free from blots. By this obvious improvement you have intitled yourself to another book. You must go to and chuse. I think we have nearly exhausted the Epics. What think you of a little good prose? – Johnson’s Hebrides* or Walton’s Lives* – unless you would like a neat Edition of Cowper’s Poems* or of Paradise Lost* for your own eating* – In any case chuse something which you do not possess. – I want you to become a complete Frenchman that I may give you Racine the only Dramatic Poet I know in any modern language that is perfectly pure and good.* On second thoughts what say you to Potter’s Eschylus* on attendant that you are a complete Grecian? – It is very finely done and as heroic as any of your Epics. If you prefer it Send for this to neatly bound. I think you have hit off the Ode very well, I am much obliged to you for the Dedication. I shall reserve your translation to see how progressive your improvement is. Next Summer if it please God I hope We shall talk over some of these things. Remember me kindly to Your Pappa and tell him I cannot say how much I am obliged to him for his kindness to poor Shepherd*. He has made the Widow’s heart to sing for joy* – O Tom! that is better, and will be found so in the long /run/ to have written as good an Ode as himself*.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, Thursday, unknown date
Let our excellent Mr. Macaulay know when you come in case he has any thing to send
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 1816
writes a letter most days to . My love to all the dear children. Remember me to the Macaulay’s. He is a noble character said you had been so kind to invite her, at which she was much pleased.