Sparrow, Lady Olivia


To Lady Olivia Sparrow, January 7 1813

And now my dearest Madam, what can I say to you for this splendid present? You are so vigilant an Observer, that I find I must be on my guard what I say before you, for you watch my words, and anticipate wishes expressed at random, per maniere de parler [sic],* and without any definite design. You are really my universal purveyor; and not only provide for the Animal but the rational part of your undeserving, but not ungrateful friend.


To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 April [1815]

I was meditating a letter to you my dearest Lady Olivia just as your very kind one reached me; and ever since have been prevented by shoals of company succeding each other so quickly as to leave no interval for any thing I liked. Alas! Alas! I did hope our summer would not have begun so early. I take most kindly and so does your very feeling enquiries. She has had a very bad winter, her state is weak and I have had great apprehensions on her subject. Her spirits are sometimes depressed which is inseparable from bile and fever. I am however thankful to say that the last few days she is considerably better, so that I hope, if it be the will of God, she may rally with the Summer. We shall all I trust be better when we are blessed with a west wind.


Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 23rd 1816

We have been expecting Lady O Sparrow, but she is still staying at Sidmouth.


Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, November 1817

Dear Lady Olivia! She will I fear be a sacrifice to this hopeless case. I wish the Doctors would let poor suffering creatures, when hope is extinguished, die in their own beds, and not embitter their pains by the addition of wearisome journeys and inconvenient lodgings.* How fortunate, especially for poor , was your meeting. It must have cheered her heart.


To Lady Olivia Sparrow, Dec 1826 [incomplete]

I hear frequently from that most active and genuine Christian the * – She is the Lady Olivia of this part of the World. Three of her daughters, as you know, are most exemplary.* I trust you have read ’s Bible Speech,* he sent it me with [tear]ly pious letter. Tho not many [tear], not many noble are called, yet blessed be God some are, and the number is visibly greatly increased, and increasing.