Hensman, John

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, February 17 1815

I hear has quitted Clifton, after having perfectly /mobbed/ the Audience at a Sermon he preached for some Charity, for putting their shabby pound Notes into the plate If the report I heard was not exaggerated there never was such exhibition of imprudence rashness and violence in a regular church. His departure must be a great relief to good sober Hensman whose church was nearly deserted by the more sober-minded residents.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 16 March [1815]

Conceiving that you will be glad to hear from time to time a word from me respecting , I resolve to scribble a line, tho yesterday was a peculiarly bad day. Mr. Sparrow and Mr. Hensman 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.