Powys, Emily

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]

I congratulate you on your very triumphant Bible Meeting, and subsequent festivity. I had a very satisfactory account of it in a letter from Miss Powys to ,^* who came down here on purpose to bring poor [sic] children,^* whom she was very desirous I should see as was at home and she was too ill to come herself; she seems to be very suffering in body, but more cheerful in spirit. I grieve that the fine little boy is to leave ’s^* – some Calvinistic counsel I fear.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 04 August [1817]

Last Week we had our Annual Bible Meeting. It was a very good one, good collection, & good speaking We had 29 Clergymen of the Establishment. Poor was not able to attend, but notwithstanding her bad health, we supported the good cause by inviting about 60 to dinner and 120 to tea. We had a good many Clifton friends. the Powys’s , (who looked woefully) and her brother who made a speech. I have had a very pious letter from poor Lord Edward^* who feels his loss deeply, but submits to the hand which inflects [sic] it [tear] You will have felt for poor .^* W[hat] [tear] good might she not have done with those super eminent talents! May she have found Mercy! and came to us last week H[e is] [tear] a fine noble minded creature, and I hope will be an instrument of much good.

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.^* Miss Emily 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 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.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [March 1820]

I have the kindest message to give you from Miss E. Powys who was here the other day with , daughter of my old friend .^* [As] [tear] far as I can judge both Mother and daughter [are] [tear] become religious in earnest. The latter is mod[est] [tear] and diffident, but ’s family to whom I introduced her at Clifton think very well of her. She takes kindly to the husband and daughter of her late unfortunate Sister, who lived and died a fine Penitent.^* She gave what is to me the most unequivocal sign of repentance, that of never desiring to be received or to come into the world.