Ireland

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 August [1815]

I was indeed surprised at this sudden journey to Ireland: but the motive was too good not to be approved. I take a warm interest in your account of Lady Gosford. If ‘this vile body’^* some times presses down the Soul, it does also some times exalt and ennoble it, and leads its immediate companion to look down with more indifference on whatever is perishable. My judgment of Lady G. was always a favourable one, her strong sense, her willingness to read awakening, and heart-searching books; her sincerity in fearing [deletion] to be thought better than she was, and therefore affecting to make light of things which I at the very time believed she was seriously weighing – altogether led me draw conclusions which her present turn of mind fully justifys I heartily bless God for a state so decidedly pious as you give me reason to believe is the case. I hope it may please the Almighty to grant the restoration of her health, for the sake of her children; and I trust she may become a powerful instrument in a still more extended Sphere by employing the influence which her rank and /fine/ understanding give her, in bringing others to see the same great truths in the same clear light. May God strengthen, comfort, direct, sanctify her!

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

I spent a few days with the Bishop of Gloucester who is going on like an Angel. We are expecting him here. Has Mr. Gisborne’s Letter to said Bishop on the Bible Society yet reached Ireland?^* It is a Master piece, for argument for eloquence truth and Spirit. It will make some people wince

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 13 December [1815]

At length I have to thank you for a most interesting nice long letter, written on respectable whole sheets of Paper not crammed and stuffed by scraps into corners hardly decypherable for want of space, but ample and liberal as to paper, as well as delightful as to matter and manner. Whether this one only symptom of good which your letters ever wanted be acquired by your writing from the large-hearted and liberal minded country you now inhabit (for such I have always conceived Ireland with all its faults to be) or whether your desire of increasing my pleasure has generously increased with your distance from me I shall not enquire: in any case as I have the benefit so you have the praise –

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 23 April [1816]

We have lately had a visit from Mr. Wm. Parnell,^* a most sensible and I believe pious Man; he seems to have taken a deep interests in the improvement of Ireland, and to be thoroughly acquainted with the existing state of things. I am expecting him again before he returns. He speaks most highly, that is more justly, of our friend Daly. I hope e’re this you have made your visit to and the Environs. I want you much to see my very interesting friends in that district. Pray my kindest remembrances to Mr. Dunn when you encounter him either by pen or person. My poor Sister Sarah we fear is far gone in a dropsy! the others poor invalids. I think I am rather the best of a bad bunch. Love to dear Millicent. I commend you to God and the word of his grace the Apostolic benediction.^*