Bruton St
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 June [1819]
I think your three Rules for your London residence were framed with great wisdom, and observed with great fidelity. Health as well as higher things have been promoted by this measure I hear there are many Candidates for the favour of your dearest daughter. May Divine Providence direct her in her selection! It is an object of unspeakable importance not only to herself but to many. We must pray that she may be rightly guided, and I know she prays for herself. I wish the opportunity could occur for discussing some of those points which are too delicate for any thing but personal communication. She is so superior to others in /all/ the good points, even among the best; so superior in the cultivation of her mind as well as her principles, to the foremost, that she has a higher standard to act up /to/ and I trust a higher destination to fill. At the same time her attractions of a worldly and popular kind, makes her situation require all the prudence and discrimination and piety of her wise and tender Mother. Her example will be looked up to, and the conduct of many may be determined by hers. I confidently trust her high tone will never be lowered to theirs; but that by her influence she may lead theirs to be raised to hers.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, January 1813
I this moment receive your too kind letter, and tho it is late, and tho it is not a writing day,* and tho I have been so unusually ill the whole week, I could not sleep if I did not send you a line. I cannot express the vexation the mortification, I feel at your not having got the book from me.* I directed not Hatchard, but Cadell the Publisher who is always the dispenser of presents because they are sent a few days before publication to send one the very first hour to Bruton Street – and you have not had it – I should have ordered it to with the Bishop's but you my dearest Lady preferred your town House. Such a thing ought not to vex me so much as it does. If you do not find it in Bruton Street – which you will be charitable enough to tell me, I will order Hatchard /Cadell/ to send you the very first of the 2d. Edition, which as the delay has been already so great will I hope put you in possession of a more correct copy. Believe me, it is not that I overrate the Book, by laying so much stress on this disappointment, but that I cannot bear the suspicion of neglect, where both my affections, my esteem and my gratitude are equally concerned.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, January 7 1813
The books are arrived. Inclosed were some Reviews &c. which I shall send to Bruton Street by the Coach as the loss of them would break the regularity of your numbers.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, March 18 1813
I also wish not to delay giving the opinion you have the goodness to ask respecting your endeavouring to get Mrs. S ––s. I will speak frankly. As the thing appears to me, I think you had better not – There are several reasons against it, in my judgment. I ought not to notice that she is /tho sensible/ , rather a heavy companion, as an inmate because, if we could be of use to her, that should never be put into the scale – but I feel if we did not turn the time to a religious account, it would be of no benefit – if we did, she might be apt to suspect us of a stratagem Then I am a little jealous for your fame. As people would not know your pure, pious motive, one of two reports would possibly prevail, or perhaps both; those who suspect you of Saint hunting would be likely to accuse you of Saint making, and a malignant laugh would be cheaply raised; on the other hand those who are trying to sustain your worldly reputation – those who report in the Morning Post* and other papers, what 'a splendid dinner' or 'fashionable party' Lady O. Sparrow had such a night on Bruton Street, would not fail to report that Mrs. S –– was gone to B. Park to read Plays to a select circle of Modish Friends. – My dear Lady O – these remarks singly are frivolous but perhaps all together are not unworthy of Notice – You must expect on your charge of habits to be narrowly watched, a Providential hint perhaps for increased circumspection. Not with standing what I have presumed to hazard I hope you will push the matter as far as prudence permits, when you meet in town. Pray forgive all this freedom which proceeds from zeal for the maintenance and extension of your very important influence.