Harford, John Scandrett
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 April [1815]
The Harfords spent a couple of days with us last week; from them I learnt that you do not go to Town. I could hardly believe it, till your kind invitation to us seems to confirm it. The only concern it gives me is, that I fear you do not judge yourself stout enough even for a short London campaign for that I thought was your plan. Pray be specific on this head when you write
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 2 October [1817]
I think you would be pleased with Buchanan’s Life.* I have the satisfaction to hope that is a little better. She is a decided Invalid, but I am thankful for any improvement. The Harfords have been to us since their return, overflowing with accounts of His Holiness, and their friends the Cardinals &c. I hope they will now after two years wandering sit down quietly and become a blessing to their neighbours, to the rich by their example and to the poor by their bounty.* Not a day of so uncertain a thing as life is to be lost. May the Holy Spirit quicken us all in our respective duties, support us under our respective trials, and direct us to look for peace and rest where alone it is to be found. You my dearest lady have been deeply exercised; God gives to you the same tokens of his love in a /great/ degree which he gave to the Saints of old, exercises of patience, submission and holy acquiescence in his Will. Kindest love to your dear Companions
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 August [1816]
spent a day with us lately with and Mrs. Hodson.* 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, [28? October 1819]
My health improves a little, but I still chiefly confine myself to my chamber for a pretence to avoid an influx of company. In my room I receive my particular friends. Yesterday and her excellent daughters came.* spoke with delight of her visit to Brampton – Dear made me a long visit. He was delightfully entertaining with his Imperial communications,* his sanguine, not hopes, but certainties, of the near approach of the last days. While he is talking in his heaven /ly/ anticipations, sanguine as he is, one cannot help adopting his views, and hoping as he hopes. He has preached twenty Sermons and Speeches within a week or two!! At Bristol my friends say he was almost superhuman.* He kindly pressed me to go and spend the Winter at Stanstead,* as Mr. Harford has done to pass it at Blaise Castle – but for old age sickness and sorrow there is nothing like home – Every paper I open of raises my ideas of her piety.* It is plain that she had expected her great change, for in her Pocketbook for this year,* she writes, 'this is the last account book I shall ever want'! she also says, – 'May every Year’s charities increase as becomes a Christian woman'! A few hours before her death when in exqui[site] [tear] pain, she said, on some one pitying her – [tear] I love my sufferings, they come from the [tear] and I love every thing that comes from him’. In her delirium she was always giving away cloaths or Shoes to poor Men and Women; tho this was in her wanderings, it showed the habit of her mind. I never knew a more devoted self denying creature.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 3 July 1826
We had yesterday a most interesting party among whom was The very learned Missionary from Serampore he writes I think in 13 Dialects of the East, besides the Shanscrit, their ancient and Sacred language. It was quite delight[ful] [tear] to hear him tell the glorious works [tear] Country in that distant one [tear] are proud of being English. [tear] that the excellent Sir Robert [tear] [p]arliament; not merely for the [tear] and More, but as he is the [tear] of Protestantism [tear] best regards to him and Lady [tear] You and the dear [deletion] // have [tear] your intention of coming to see [tear] before Summer is over. I shall re[tear] to see you as I dare say Mr. Harford [tear] when the Tropical weather is over [tear] the mean do let me know /how/ affairs are settled, and if all terminated favourably as your last letter gave me reason to hope. Love to all the dear girls – When you come I shall hope to see if you can sleep together.