Siddons, Sarah

Hannah More to Marianne Sykes Thornton, 28 November 1814

How our young friends are marrying away! I wish you could see Mr. Stephens excellent letter on the marriages in his family. So much wit! – delighted me in hers by an honest and frank confession of her happiness That Match was made in heaven. But in this chequered life all [deletion] are not rejoycing or marrying. Our friend is coming to us to day for a few days, as soon as he deposited the remains of a young creature his adopted daughter aged Nineteen on whom he doated; and over whom he has watched with fond Solicitude for a year and a half in a dropsy – She was an amiable girl and piously inclined, but he had dragged her so much into the great and gay world, that it impeded her progress. I hope this privation will have a good effect on his own mind. He loves religion and religious people, but then he dearly loves the world and after having laboured hard to make both loves agree, I trust this blow will shew him the vanity of that attempt. [sic] will be good sympathizing company for him, as they are expecting to night to hear of the death of a Niece past nineteen also, but are of the most matured Christians I have heard of; her sweet and extraordinary piety has made a considerable impression on her own family, and many who knew her.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, March 18 1813

I also wish not to delay giving the opinion you have the goodness to ask respecting your endeavouring to get Mrs. S ––s. I will speak frankly. As the thing appears to me, I think you had better not – There are several reasons against it, in my judgment. I ought not to notice that she is /tho sensible/ , rather a heavy companion, as an inmate because, if we could be of use to her, that should never be put into the scale – but I feel if we did not turn the time to a religious account, it would be of no benefit – if we did, she might be apt to suspect us of a stratagem Then I am a little jealous for your fame. As people would not know your pure, pious motive, one of two reports would possibly prevail, or perhaps both; those who suspect you of Saint hunting would be likely to accuse you of Saint making, and a malignant laugh would be cheaply raised; on the other hand those who are trying to sustain your worldly reputation – those who report in the Morning Post^* and other papers, what 'a splendid dinner' or 'fashionable party' Lady O. Sparrow had such a night on Bruton Street, would not fail to report that Mrs. S –– was gone to B. Park to read Plays to a select circle of Modish Friends. – My dear Lady O – these remarks singly are frivolous but perhaps all together are not unworthy of Notice – You must expect on your charge of habits to be narrowly watched, a Providential hint perhaps for increased circumspection. Not with standing what I have presumed to hazard I hope you will push the matter as far as prudence permits, when you meet in town. Pray forgive all this freedom which proceeds from zeal for the maintenance and extension of your very important influence.