Bowdler, John (the younger)

Hannah More to Marianne Sykes Thornton, 28 November 1814

Thank you for noticing my young friend . He writes with much gratitude at the kindness he has received, and the honour of being admitted to the Society of so much piety and talent. How did he come off at Clapham in preeching? Much condideration [sic] is due to him as he never before was in any /truly/ religious Society. Does Bowdler’s health stand this Winter?

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, February 17 1815

I hope you are still enjoying the profitable and very pleasant Society [deletion]. cribbed me sadly in the time he bestowed on us. If he has not left you be so good to tell him that I received his valuable present of Fenclon.^*It was indeed paying me for my Bristol Stones with Jewels of the first water. Pray tell him also that I was afraid, that thro the well meant folly of stupid he had not receved [sic] a copy both for himself and , but have at last the satisfaction to find that he did. I woud write to himself but from the fear that he has left you, and if not this will save him the trouble of a letter I hope to see him again. The loss of such friends as we have lost makes us cling still closer to those of the same class who remain to us – I am ready to exclaim with Wilberforce in his last letter – Who next Lord?

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 16 March [1815]

I have just got a long letter from dear replete with sorrow, affection and the deepest piety. How stupid, in Bowdler’s prejudiced bigoted ^* to obstruct the very desirable plans of and to write a Memoir of the dear departed! I have written to to try to soften her brother Bartlett’s-Buildings heart.^* Poor I hear looks sadly, has a pain in her chest and drinks Asses Milk. I tremble for her life. Her letters rather increase in sadness, but it is a sanctified sadness. – I forgot to say that Mr. H. and I agreed that nothing would so much contribute to give Mr. S. a habit of application as to give him a slight tincture of Fractions, and Algebra; not to make him a Mathematician but to tie down his attention – I know of no person likely to suit ’s friend as a Governess. You ask how I like W. Scott’s new Poem.^* I have not seen it, but do not hear it thought equal to its predecessors. A friend has sent me Eustace’s Tour thro Italy.^* It is classical & elegant in a high degree – but has too much Republicanism too little of the Manners of the people, and I think a disposition to overrate their Virtues – God be praised for the peace!^* – but what Peace so long as the Witchcrafts of Bonaparte are so many. is in very poor health. We all join in kind remembrances to Yr. Ladyship and .

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 March [1815]

^* declines interfering, but says /again/ the Gisborne’s^* are the proper people if any assurance is necessary, which she does not think will be the case; but she does not /see/ the strong prejudices of her brother as I, and others see them.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 March [1815]

More had contacted Henrietta Bowdler in order to elicit her support in persuading Bowdler’s father to allow the preparation of a memoir of his recently-deceased son, also John.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [20? October 1815] [incomplete]

has been staying here. She is going to meet dear at s the father of our lamented friend near Town. I fear, owing to the prejudices of this father, the much desired Memoir by and Mr. Inglis does not proceed.^* What a pity! Doubtless Mrs. Henry and Miss Gisborne had promised themselves a sadly pleasing meeting. But a higher interview I trust has taken place between our dear departed with her own husband and the lover of her friend.^*