Thornton, Marianne

Hannah More to Marianne Sykes Thornton, 1814 [copy, presented to EM Forster by his great aunt, Marianne Thornton]

Your last joint kind & interesting letter was so full of encouragement that we lived contentedly for a week on the good hopes it held forth. But we have just heard with the deepest concern that things are not so promising. I cannot bear to tieze you or Marianne who has her hands full as well as yourself – but let one of the younger children write constantly I would not let any one write but myself tho’ my eyes are nearly gone, but my own cannot tell you how tenderly I feel for you, & how very very deeply we are interested in the cause of your anxious cares God grant that your dear may be speedily restored to your prayers, to my prayers to the prayers of the poor & of the Church

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]

Poor and five of her children spent ten days with us. We would gladly have kept her longer as it seemed to do her good. She tries to be cheerful, and exhibits a striking evidence that Christianity is indeed a reality. Nothing short of this divinely powerful principle could thus tranquillize a spirit so deeply wounded.^* Marianne is a charming girl, frank, lively, sensible, and to her poor Mother tenderly affectionate.

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

Marianne’s behaviour is angelic. God has put great honour on that dear Girl by making her, at such an early age an example of heroic piety.^* May this event be sanctified to us all!