Hodson, Mr
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, January 16 1815
Adieu my dearest lady – I must end as I began – poor dear ! – When
you write tell me if Mr. Hodson is
at Cambridge
Your Ladyship's
obligd H More
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, February 22 1815
Tho I sent you a few days ago a longer letter than I write to any body else, yet I thought you would wish to hear from me on a Subject so interesting to you. The day after Mr. Hodson got my letter he and presented themselves in the morning and spent the day here. With the latter I had only general intercourse, my chief object with him being to make myself as pleasant as my state of health allowed, and to remove any prejudice he might have entertained of my being severe and dictatorial. While I sent him walking and talking with , I took the Tutor into my room for a couple of hours. I will as nearly as I can recollect, tell you our chief discourse. His first endeavour has been /not/ to give him any disgust, but to gain his affection. He finds him conformable and complying with his injunctions, but not in habits of application, or much given to reading He is more anxious at first to bring him to stated habits and a regular disposition of time than to force too much reading upon him till he discovers more liking to it. At half past 8 he gives him, I think about a dozen verse of the Greek Testament to study and meditate upon alone. At Nine he sets him to construe those passages to him and after they have discussed the Greek in a literary and grammatical point of view, he then expounds them to him spiritually and Theologically: then their devotions and a little walk before breakfast. I suggested that as he is inclined to sit over his Meals that a short thing, a medium sort of reading such as a paper in the Rambler* might be well taken up. His Mornings are at present engaged with Quintilion whom they study /both/ separately and together. I ventured to give my opinion that as he would fill a great station in the world, and was not much addicted to study it might be well to endeavour to imbue his mind with general knowledge such as would be useful in life, and to allure him to the perusal of history and Travels; to make him learn a passage from the Orations of Demosthenes or Cicero, in the Greek & Latin and then to translate and recite them in English, and to labour after a good manner of recitation. Mr. H. told me, and Mr. S. himself told that they had spent their time in the most trifling manner at Harrow, and that very little was required of them there. In consequence Mr. H says his habits of conversation are too frivolous, horses &c &c being the favorite theme. Before evening prayer Mr. H. reads and again expounds Scripture. This he says is all the formal religious instruction he gives, for he /is/ afraid to weary him, but he tries to make their walks, their common reading instructive. I insisted much on the necessity & importance of this, knowing it is the best way to mix up instruction with the common pursuits of life. They sometimes dine and drink tea out, but as it is in correct and pious company, I thought it better for his youth than to be confin’d to a tete a téte always with his Tutor. The latter likes his young friend who has yet given him not the slightest cause of complaint.
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 his Tutor and 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.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 March [1815]
Your dear spent the day with us on Wednesday. He came without his Mentor, who had a cold, but not without a wise and pious Guide. Our friend was of the party, who by the way has never bestowed a single night on Barley Wood, tho so long in our neighbourhood with friends quite new compared to me. I am not jealous however but glad he spent his time so much more pleasantly. I was much pleased with your Son whom I drew out to take a little more share in the conversation, as far as related to the present state of the world, and he expressed himself well, and with accuracy and pleased me by taking a lively interest in what is going on. Dear Mr. Dunn did not give a very good account of your health and your letter does not mend that account, which grieves me much. I think you have judged very wisely, as you are not very stout, to abridge your London sejour. Dunn gave me great delight in the report he makes of the progress of mind and growth in piety of . You have laid an excellent foundation, of which I trust the superstructure will be altogether worthy. She will, I am persuaded make a strong character. You have now had time to form her to good habits which will be of incalculable importance to her future character and happiness.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 April [1815]
I have been delighted to see the elegant in his character of Cicerone to the Saints. He one day came down with whom I never saw before and who is a most amiable /Man/ and another with an old favorite of mine. His Mentor of course accompanied. It is pleasant to see him easy and cheerful in such sort of company, and they exhibit religion to nam[tear] a pleasing form, without any of that alloy of coa[rse]ness [tear] which by assimilating itself with religion, makes the /young/ fancy that religion itself is worse. The Saints Jubilee at Bristol produced a great harvest.* About 800 to the Missionary only.* – The Jew business promises to revive these,* that I hope will give me a peep at – I sent him my book,* but know not if he has read it. It is a singular thing, that I have received more encouraging and flattering reports on that book from Bishops and the higher Clergy than from almost any others. I scarcely expected it
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]
This is the first letter I have written you for a long time without having for a topic. Is he returned to Clifton? I suppose Mr. Hodson is too modest to bring down his bride till the appearance of his pupil shall seem to furnish him with a justifying Motive. I heard with pleasure of the high satisfaction he afforded by his Sermon at the Charitable Clergy Meeting at Bristol. I heard it commended by different Classes of characters. He is sometimes said (but not on that occasion) to want a little energy of manner: but this objection [deletion] I believe is made by those who are accustomed to the vehemence of .
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [20? October 1815] [incomplete]
is in perfect health, and I believe going on as well as can be. I have seen him twice lately. I never saw him appear to such advantage as on his last visit. He was without his Mentor, and obliged to take an equal share in the conversation, which he did with spirit and good sense and modesty on general topics.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 April [1816]
I have not seen Mr. Hodson since his illness. He now only waits for fine weather. dined here some time ago. He was in good health, and very open and frank, and bore his part in conversation extremely well. Mr. H wrote me he was applying mine diligently. I expect them both every day. I feel what you say on this subject, and think you judge perfectly right. Another long interruption just now might be unfavourable. If Mahomet does not go to the Mountain I trust it may bring the Mountain to Mahomet. – Shall you be in Town at the Saint’s Jubilee,* which I think includes most of the Month of May?
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 04 August [1817]
How my heart thanks you for your considerate kindness, (under such accumulated anxieties) in remembering me and causing me so frequently to hear of your goings on. I received Mr. Hodson’s letter from Falmouth very soon after that from dated Gibraltar. But tho to hear of you was a great comfort to me, I lament that no account of comfort to yourself has reached me. Mr. Hodson’s report indeed of dearest Millicents Attack was a fresh source of regret and sorrow. Most heartily do I beseech our Merciful Father that the occasion of this additional affliction may be totally removed, /&/ that you may not as the Apostle says, have sorrow upon sorrow.* To the all Wise Dispenser of our sufferings as well as our blessings, I am however deeply thankful that ‘your Soul prospers and is in health.’* May the Holy Spirit the Blessed, indeed the only Substantial Comforter, continue to support, console, and strengthen you. These troubles tho not joyous but grievous, will I trust multiply upon you the peaceable fruits of Righteousness. In the mean time your health is the Object of my extreme solicitude. Be as careful of it as you can, for you have much more to do in this world. Did I mention in my last that our dear friend , with and two converted Jews spent a day here lately on their road to Petersburgh where this noble, romantic, heroic being is going on a Jewish Mission with the above named Companion* The Polish Jew had been ordained the day before by our beloved the other Jew a German, the next day sent me a very pretty English Sonnet, correct and rather elegant.* Way proposes shutting up these Converts for six Months to study the Russian and other Northern languages that they may preach in those frozen climates. generously consents to this Crusade. Before we parted Marsh concluded the visit with a very fine affecting prayer. May God bless them and their enterprize! The amiable Enthusiast has heard of some little /white/ stone Church in the Crimea in which he has set his heart on preaching.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 August [1816]
spent a day with us lately with Mr. and .* 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. 8-11 October [1815]
Mr. Hodson came here last week on a Visit with that delightful Man , nothing passed with an expression of my regret that You were prevented from coming here with the , as I had been led to hope. How glad I am that you will have the comfort of his Society. Do let me hear from you soon. Kindest regards to your young companions. I hear dear is at Bath
To Lady Olivia Sparrow [incomplete]
and Mr. Hodson dined here not long since. I heartily hope that any little disagrémens may be got over. I hope to see them soon again, with a confirmation of the favourable appearance things then were which Mr. H. hoped would be permanent. May your prayers for this amiable young Man be heard!, and may he escape the pollutions of a World which will be throwing /out/ all it [sic] baits to allure him into the broad way. To I send my best love. (who desires all that is kind) and I mourn over poor ’s solitude How he must miss you!
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, September 1815
I hear is got back to his Mentor. I dare say I shall soon see them. spoke kindly of him in his letter to me. I presume you have lost both him and :* but Mr. Dunn will repair the loss. I am sorry to hear that excellent and amiable Man a little too /much/ vindicates some of the peculiar opinions of our friend . You must combat them if you find them carried a little too far. Of course you will not drop what I have said