The stings of my conscience get the better of all impediments to writing, and
while I am constantly
eating you at breakfast, and drinking you at dinner
I can no longer
rest under the load of ingratitude of not cordially thanking you for the
affectionate interest you take in my health by your kind present of
Arrow Root
[1]
– I must just observe by the way that it would have been more speedy as well as safe
had both been directed to me at
Mr. Adorns’s Wine Street Bristol.
But among all the sensual gratifications
with which you furnish me, I must not forget those of the intellect. Your
pleasant letter was a treat to me.
I felt inclined, but I resisted the
inclination, to envy your
Bible
feast[2] at
Cambridge
I am astonished how
Mr. Cunningham continues to rise
upon himself every time he speaks; but on this awakening Bible business, the heart
helps out the head. It gives birth /to/ a joint production; piety as well
as talent animating the piece Our County project for a Bible Society[3] is very
uphill work. The Bishop against it[4] . The Aristocracy friendly. I have been charmed
with a letter I have just read on the occasion from Lord
Egmont, manly decision and deep piety were strongly expressed.
The noble and Royal Meeting at
Westonmister
[sic], headed by five Princes of the blood, will I trust
give a new impulse to the Provincial Societies[5] . Mrs.
H. Hornton who was present, gave me an
interesting report of the day.
I hope your holidays go on prosperously and that
you have an improving as well as a merry Christmas
. By the
way that epithet has done infinite harm. I can only account for its introduction by
the supposition, that it had not then the meaning we now annex to it. I have
observed that some of the Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation are said to have
been merry under their trials, which could only mean
cheerful the sense in which the word was then used; but it has
unhappily apologized for increased dissipation among the higher classes, and revelry
and drunkenness among the poor. I know Clergymen who shelter their practices under
the term.[6]
Tell dear Millicent, with my best love /I thank
her/ for the honourable fidelity of her attachment to me But that the heart
of a Christian is large, and his affections liberal, all his delight is in such as
excel in Virtue and in this excellence I bow down before Mr. Whalley.
Entre nous he wants nothing but a little of that
merry-ness or cheerfulness of which I have spoken, to captivate
young people. I have failed in my introduction of some of them to him; as he does
not present the exterior of that happiness of which however his heart
is full. I never saw the power of generous Christianity more exemplified than in
this Saint.
When I get a good day, which is not often that [tear] fair and alluring
vision of
Brampton Park dances before my
eyes and P. and I actually ta[lk] [tear] of
plans and measures.
Should this favorite pray[er] be realized I
think we should, with submission to /the will of/ a higher power manage to be with
you the middle of May at farthest. Remember that I Visit you on an
Apostolic principle
seeking not
yours but you[7] . So dont be anxious about company.
I had almost forgot to say that
‘Christian
Morals’
was sent to
Bruton
St.
ten days ago. There are sad typographical errors; of which I sent a
list, but the Printer would not stay to insert it, a new Edition having been called
for,
on the day this came out of the Press. I shall get into sad disgrace about it. Lord Gambier sent a kind Note with your letter, as this is
single I will not trouble him with this. If Mr. T.
Cunningham is with You I beg to be kindly remembered to him. – How go on
your polemical Neighbours. You are really odly situated
[1]Arrowroot was thought to help
soothe and relieve the symptoms of stomach and bowel complaints.
[2]The Bible Society feasts were social get-togethers and
also money-raising events. They were usually held in the summer, in the
open air, and food and drink was served.
[3]The
British and Foreign Bible Society was founded in London on 7 March 1804, and
many prominent evangelicals were amongst its supporters. The Society’s
single aim was to promote ‘the circulation of the Scriptures’ amongst all
Christian denominations, regardless of language, origins, or liturgical
differences. The broad membership, which included some high churchmen as
well as dissenters, attracted some hostility from those who felt the Society
endorsed the ‘heresy’ of varying Christian worship.
[4]The Bishop of Bath and
Wells, Richard Beadon had supported More during the Blagdon Controversy, but
was High Church.
[5]Considerable efforts were
made during 1812 and 1813 to promote the formation of ‘Auxiliary Bible
Societies’ in various districts of London. The Dukes of York, Kent,
Cumberland, Sussex and Cambridge (George III’s second, fourth, fifth, sixth
and seventh sons) were heavily involved in the establishment of these
‘Auxiliaries’, in which work they were supported by several prominent
members of the aristocracy.
[6] More is incorrect in asserting that there had been a shift in the
meaning of ‘merry’ in recent years. From the fourteenth century onwards a
common meaning of ‘merry’ was to be ‘boisterous or cheerful due to alcohol’,
and ‘Merry Christmas’ had been a greeting from the early sixteenth century.
See ‘merry, adj.’ OED Online.
