Wilberforce, William (Jr)

Hannah More to William Wilberforce

and all of you must have thought me if not “rather a kind of imposter”, yet rather a kind of a brute not to have written a word since we parted, so kind as you all were to me! But I know how you are overdone with writing and I spare you every unnecessary line. To speak the truth I have been a little worked myself and for the few last days have been confined to my bed by one of my feverish colds; I am sitting up a little to day but not in very good writing plight having a blister on my back as broad as little William’s face. I wonder if I shall ever see that said little William? – To thank you over-warmly for your feeling and affectionate letter would be to imply that it was possible I coud have suspected your large liberality and considerate kindness. I shall obey you by dedicating kind legacy to the purchase of a post Chaise, and her Annuity to the maintaining it. I hope I shall keep within the limits of your allowance. Any two periods of the year it will be the same to me to receive it. Christmas and Midsummer are my usual grand seasons, but if a Month or two or three later will suit you better, I can manage as I shall have some money of my own to take.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]

If this were a world in which every one had their due, you would long ere this have received my cordial thanks for your truly kind letter, a letter so interesting in a variety of ways! I read good part of it to dear who was here when it arrived he was shewing his eldest son^* the West of England. He slept here a night or two both going and coming [deletion]. But his visits were in that hanging way which diminishes the pleasure of seeing him so that the chief comfort I had was that of finding him, for him, very well in health to which I hope the relaxation from business and constant change of air much contributed.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, [March 1820]

at K. Gore^* wrote on his Son’s marriage desiring me to invite them both to Barley Wood, as he said he and had come hither immediately after their wedding 22 years ago.^* I could refuse nothing to such a petitioner So they came from Bath and staid a day and night. He is gentlemanly and agreeable in his manners, mais, voila tout. She is handsome but I thought her vapid and uninteresting. It is /all/ very well now that they are visiting about, and the days are all halcyon; but what is to become of them I cannot guess, nor can their dear father. Il faut manger dans ce pauvre Monde. And how that father is to provide a separate Establishment for one, /who/ neither can, nor probably will do nothing I cannot guess.^* It goes to my heart as I know he has nothing to spare, and even the youth’s education is not finished. I shall be agreeably disappointed if he ever takes to business. When he returns to town too he will meet with his old associates, Alas!!