Acland, Sir Thomas Dyke
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, August 1814
Are you not delighted with the Velvet Cushion*? I am extremely pleased with it; I expect it will have a great run. I was much amused at receiving an excessively pretty Epigram a high compliment to myself from a Gentleman who supposed me to be the Author.* Sir Thos. Acland who has been /here/ to take leave previous to his departure for Vienna told me that others had done me the honour to ascribe it to me. The sentiments are certainly in strict Unison with my own – kindly sent it to me – Is his name yet made public? I will send you the Verses another time.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 04 August [1817]
Last Week we had our Annual Bible Meeting. It was a very good one, good collection, & good speaking We had 29 Clergymen of the Establishment. Poor was not able to attend, but notwithstanding her bad health, we supported the good cause by inviting about 60 to dinner and 120 to tea. We had a good many Clifton friends. the ’s , (who looked woefully) and her brother who made a speech. I have had a very pious letter from poor Lord Edward* who feels his loss deeply, but submits to the hand which inflects [sic] it [tear] You will have felt for poor .* W[hat] [tear] good might she not have done with those super eminent talents! May she have found Mercy! Sir T. and came to us last week H[e is] [tear] a fine noble minded creature, and I hope will be an instrument of much good.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 5th 1823
I am /in/ daily expectation of /our/ darling of Killerton;* approaching accouchement has delayed him.*
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, August 5th 1824
We have had our Bible Anniversary at Wrington. It was held under a tent. There were some good men and good speakers. The élite of the assembly were invited to dine at Barley Wood to the number of 18. did the honours, poor I having my usual scrap sent up to my room. To this room the greater part came up in the afternoon. Among others were the Pakenhams from Ireland /excellent persons/ Sister and brother to the * (by the way she was here once and all the Langford family)* , dear Sir Thomas and and * &c &c For T. would not let us part without desiring this good Arminian to perform the family devotions, and it was really a very edifying Scene. The day before this, I had a visit from another dear friend the , and the day after a very agreeable one from the again, to introduce our .* Of the latter I was a little afraid at first, lest he should consider me a little unsound in point of orthodoxy as he is particularly strict and high Church. But I think I never met with so kind, I may say so warm and even affectionate reception from a total stranger. We are the best friends imaginable and he is coming again. I have not done with my Episcopal-ism yet. – For yesterday who should make his appearance but my and his .* Forster we had a sweetly comfortable day and these kind Souls were so full of feeling, thinking it likely that we should never meet again, that both of them actually shed tears at parting, after keeping their horses two hours at the door, God bless them! I think we are come a little nearer in sentiment, at least we agreed to differ. They were late in the evening to Wells to that . I cannot press my friends to stay all night, as I cannot see them late at night, nor before noon next day – But this exclusion will not extend to you and dear and when your Western excursion takes place. I shall rejoyce to receive /you/ for a night or two and shall turn you over to for supper and breakfast &c. – we talkd you over pretty well with the Limerick’s* yesterday. I believe they miss you full as much as you do them.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 3 July 1826
The foregoing scrawl was written near a fortnight ago, and I literally have not been able to finish it. Wrington Bible Meeting had its Anniversary on thursday last I have a large dinner on that day to the distant friend I invite and to the neighbours. Curates who cant afford half a guinea at the public dinner at the Inn. /Tho/ We were not so splendid this time, as at the last Meeting, when we had two Bishops dear Sir T. Acland &c &c yet it was very respectably attended one of the London Secretaries was among those who dined here; and not only the Clericals, but some Military Men are said to have spoken well.