Bellevue House, County Wicklow

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]

Jebbs Sermons^* are beautifully attractive, sweetly elegant and highly polished as to style, and exhibiting Religion in her most amiable dress, and her most lovely lineaments, but certainly not abounding in the prominent exhibition of certain important doctrines. They abound however with invitations and incentives to holiness and from a pleasing transcript of his own pure mind. They are, I think, best suited to those who have already made a progress in religion as they by no means take in its grand scheme and scope. I greatly love the Man, and was much disappointed that his sudden recal on the death of his brother stopped him on his journey hither.^* Pray see all the interesting Society at Bellevüe, especially Mr. Knox, but take especial care that your ears do not run away with your heart, for he has a most fascinating eloquence. With great mutual regard we disagree on some very momentous points. As a teacher of holiness, and an inspirer of contempt for the world he has scarcely an equal. He is a good deal of a Mystic. You see how openly I write to you even respecting my real friends and favorites. I know my confidence in you is not misplaced. Letters which are not written in that confidential skein are not worth having, but the general habit would be dangerous.

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

Yesterday was quite an Irish day as it brought me letters from the Archbishop of Cashel,^* Knox, Jebb and Lady Lifford.^* The latter was happy in the expectation of Lady O. Sparrow the next day. The Archp. gives but a gloomy picture of the state of his part of Ireland! I was sorry to see both Knox and Jebb date from or , as it makes me fear you missed them at Bellevue, but I hope not.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 13 December [1815]

I am sorry you saw so little of Mrs. La Touche I earnestly hope that visit will be yet made; to say nothing of her residence which I wish to see of all places, she is herself very interesting, and a character of inestimable value. (by the way) I am astonished at what you tell me of Mr. Knox, if there is any coolness it must be on his part. I am sure it has not been on mine. We have not indeed corresponded as largely as we used to do, but he himself has apologized for it, from his other pursuits. My esteem for his virtues and admiration of his talents are great and undiminished. We do not indeed think alike on certain religious points and Mr. Jebb (whom I also much love) had the candor to tell me that our difference in this matter was the reason why he did not write to thank me for my books. but I did not know why this should make any coolness among /Christian/ friends, I am sure it will make none in heaven, and I am the last person who would lower my regard for a friend on account of their opinion of my writings. I shall hope to see both Knox and Jebb next Summer.