Conceiving that you will be glad to hear from time to time a word from me respecting your Son, I resolve to scribble a line, tho yesterday was a peculiarly bad day . M^r. Sparrow his Tutor and M^r. Hensman spent a long day here lately. I took M^r. H. as usual into my room; we had a very long discussion, and I required an explicit account of their goings on, which he very minutely gave me. I have the satisfaction of reporting that every thing seems very promising; if the improvements are not rapid they are at least progressive. At my request he has begun to attempt composition. He reads Watts’s Logic^[2] and M^r. H. makes observations on their joint perusal both of that and whatever else they read together. As the days lengthen he rises earlier which gives him more time for the Greek Testament before breakfast. He is translating some passages from Demosthenes^[3] which will help to form his Style. I suggested that here after he should learn and recite some fine passages in Burke’s Speeches.^[4] He reads by himself more than he did, and I lent for that purpose Plutarch’s Lives ;^[5] and Travels thro Germany .^[6] I have also presented sent him with the Saint Paul of Barley Wood ,^[7] which he has promised to read; I told him that being written by one who had the honour to be his Mother’s friend, it might interest him more. M^r. H. says that tho he cannot say he sees as yet any decided piety, yet he has great pleasure in seeing that he [has] not the slightest prejudice against religion or religious people. This is /a/ great point for ‘a Harrow fellow’.^[8] But what I rejoyced at as the most gratifying circumstance, was that he told me he possessed great purity of mind. This is a blessed thing at an age when boys have commonly their minds tainted. May God’s blessing preserve it to him! I think Clifton a very fortunate situation for him. I think now he is getting a step towards manhood he would hardly endure the dullness & total want of society of an obscure Village, where he woud probably be too solitary, or led into inferior company. Now at Clifton their little social intercourse is entirely among religious, and well mannered people, and his Sunday’s Instruction sound and good. It was Providential for poor distressed Hensman to get Hudson to fill at once the Niche so fortunately vacated by Cowan,^[9] or he might have forced himself into it again at his return. There appears to subsist a pleasant affection and confidence between the Tutor and Pupil and Hensman says the latter has easy access to his house where he often calls, and where he will get nothing but good. I have said so much about this interesting youth that I have left myself no room for other Subjects.

I have just got a long letter from dear Mary Gisborne replete with sorrow, affection and the deepest piety. How stupid, in Bowdler’s prejudiced bigoted father^[10] to obstruct the very desirable plans of L^d. Calthorpe and M^r. Inglis to write a Memoir of the dear departed! I have written to Harriet Bowdler to try to soften her brother Bartlett’s-Buildings heart. ^[11] Poor M^rs. Thornton I hear looks sadly, has a pain in her chest and drinks Asses Milk. I tremble for her life. Her letters rather increase in sadness, but it is a sanctified sadness. – I forgot to say that M^r. H. and I agreed that nothing would so much contribute to give M^r. S. a habit of application as to give him a slight tincture of Fractions, and Algebra; not to make him a Mathematician but to tie down his attention – I know of no person likely to suit Lady Gosford’s friend as a Governess . You ask how I like W. Scott’s new Poem.^[12] I have not seen it, but do not hear it thought equal to its predecessors. A friend has sent me Eustace’s Tour thro Italy .^[13] It is classical & elegant in a high degree – but has too much Republicanism too little of the Manners of the people, and I think a disposition to overrate their Virtues – God be praised for the peace!^[14] – but what Peace so long as the Witchcrafts of Bonaparte are so many. P. is in very poor health. We all join in kind remembrances to Y^r. Ladyship and Miss S.