Inglis, Mary
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [20? October 1815] [incomplete]
I have delayed writing from day to day till it should please our gracious father to determine the fate of our beloved . That afflicting event has now taken place near a week, and yet I have not had the heart to write.* You doubtless have been informed by with myself, of the fatal progress and final termination! God’s will be done! This we must not only say but submissively assent to under dispensations the most trying. And surely the removal of our dear friend is a very trying as well as Mysterious dispensation. To herself the charge is most blessed. To her children the loss is most irreparable. Poor dear Orphans! little did we think a year ago of this double bereavement! but let us bless the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he enabled this suffering friend to bear her dying testimony to his faithfulness and truth. Never was a sweeter death than that so feelingly painted by Mr. Wilberforce How strong must have been that faith which not only lifted her so much above all worldly considerations /but/ which enabled /her/ to commit her beloved children, about whom her anxiety had been so excessive, to the father of the fatherless. It has pleased God to raise them, among many friends, and Mrs. Inglis to whose care she consigned, and who have generously accepted the charge. They are peculiarly fitted for the purpose, sensible, pious, amiable, strongly attached to the Thorntons and without children of their own. Thus is the saying illustrated that the Seed of the Righteous shall never be forsaken.* My opinion is that Mrs. T is dead of suppressed grief. She reminds me of part of an Epitaph I have seen, only changing the word day for Year
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, October 11th 1819
Your extreme true kindness in writing me so affectionate a letter, when dear was so ill was gratifying to me. I have now heard from that she is doing well, but that you are under some anxiety for the valuable health of Mrs. Inglis. This gives me great concern which I am sure you will remove, if you can, by informing me that she is better. Her life is so important not only to the more intimate companion of her joys and sorrows, but to all that I cannot think of any serious illness befalling her without taking the deepest interest in it. I have frequently lamented that one of the worst effects of sickness or sorrow is, that it is apt to induce selfishness, but on this occasion I have not realized my own idea.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, October 11th 1819
Assure and Mrs. Inglis of my most cordial esteem and attachment. –
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, December 4th 1819
Take notice I write upon your information for I have not yet seen the Sermon in question. I have had much anxiety on the subject of Mrs. Inglis. Her life is so valuable that one cannot think without deep concern of any thing likely to affect it. I beg my kind regards to them both, and tell how much I felt the sympathizing kindness of his affectionate letter. I am now beginning to answer with my own pen a few of the overflowing number I have received. I have deeply felt the affectionate kindness of many though I have not been able to acknowledge it. My eyes are better, but I am not yet able to use them by candle light, which now fills a large portion of ones time. and her daughter* who have been with me near a Month have most kindly supplied my lack of sight. Alas! it is Newspapers that now fill too much of ones time and thoughts. I tremble for our country politically and morally. I do not know my own nation we certainly are not that England I once knew, and must always love. I look to the death of the king as the completion of our calamities. has asked leave to collect into a [tear]le cheap book the Tracts and ballads agai[nst] [tear] Se[dition] [tear] and blasphemy I wrote in the last year or two, as they will now come from the Organ of Orthodoxy, I hope they may make their way, you must recommend the dispersion of them to all who come in your way I shall order one to be sent to .*
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 5th 1823
My most affectionate respects to and Lady Inglis, and my love to all the Thornton’s in the world, not forgetting who I hope goes on with tolerable health.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, August 5th 1824
We have had our Bible Anniversary at Wrington. It was held under a tent. There were some good men and good speakers. The élite of the assembly were invited to dine at Barley Wood to the number of 18. did the honours, poor I having my usual scrap sent up to my room. To this room the greater part came up in the afternoon. Among others were the Pakenhams from Ireland /excellent persons/ Sister and brother to the * (by the way she was here once and all the Langford family)* , dear and and * &c &c For T. would not let us part without desiring this good Arminian to perform the family devotions, and it was really a very edifying Scene. The day before this, I had a visit from another dear friend the , and the day after a very agreeable one from the again, to introduce our .* Of the latter I was a little afraid at first, lest he should consider me a little unsound in point of orthodoxy as he is particularly strict and high Church. But I think I never met with so kind, I may say so warm and even affectionate reception from a total stranger. We are the best friends imaginable and he is coming again. I have not done with my Episcopal-ism yet. – For yesterday who should make his appearance but my and his .* Forster we had a sweetly comfortable day and these kind Souls were so full of feeling, thinking it likely that we should never meet again, that both of them actually shed tears at parting, after keeping their horses two hours at the door, God bless them! I think we are come a little nearer in sentiment, at least we agreed to differ. They were late in the evening to Wells to that . I cannot press my friends to stay all night, as I cannot see them late at night, nor before noon next day – But this exclusion will not extend to you and dear and Lady Inglis when your Western excursion takes place. I shall rejoyce to receive /you/ for a night or two and shall turn you over to for supper and breakfast &c. – we talkd you over pretty well with the Limerick’s* yesterday. I believe they miss you full as much as you do them.
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 21st November [in or after 1817]
We both write in kindest respects to and Mrs [superscript needs to be checked here] Inglis and in love to dear and all the young things. Pray tell that goes to school by day, and talks of Articles and Pronouns, and [unclear] and [unclear], and [unclear] and [unclear], with much of her profound learning Your kind present of History* she can nearly repeat all the Stories, and if she could help it woud read no other book, except indeed Black Giles and Tawney Rachel*
Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 1816
And now let me thank you cordially for the pleasure I received from your interesting letter. Those little domestic details are quite to my taste, when I love the detailer and the persons who make the subject of the Narrative. Frequently do I thank the great disposer of events who after the heavy and successive /storms/ which have passed over your head and half broken your heart, has mercifully placed you in such a state of comfort and repose, /&/ has, by an extraordinary interposition of his Providence raised you up such stedfast, zealous efficient friends, as in the common course even of favourable events could not be reckoned upon. Such losses as you have sustained can never be repaired, but surely never were such losses so softened, so mitigated.* I long to see your delightful Establishment, and Mrs. Inglis presiding in her department, a situation which brings her talents into full action. When she was acquiring her various accomplishments she little suspected what would be the objects which should call them into exercise. May God reward her generous exertions and bless her little pupils with his best blessings!