Such a letter as your last should not have been unanswered a day, if I could have commanded my time, but in different ways I have really been working double tides. So much company, such an over-flow of letters, to say nothing of a presumptuous book of between 5 and 6 hundred pages hurried over in a few Months. ^[2] – It will be abused, and I am prepared for it. I hope Hatchard has by this time sent it you as I directed before publication Professor Farish who was here the other day gave us an interesting account of your Bible Meeting. I rejoyce that Episcopal tyranny could not defeat your pious labours. I have heard such stories lately from that quarter, as I had rather repeat than write.^[3] – We too in our little way had a most prosperous Meeting^[4] 40 Clergymen &c – 120 dined at Barley Wood in the Garden chiefly, and 200 drank tea – I shall thankfully forwards your kind Subscriptions to the French Translation, as soon as I am informed that my former one was received. ^[5] They frightened me by calling the Tracts Contes Moraux, that Rogue Mamontal’s Title I have as I think I told you prefixed the Epithet Nouveaux which I think will obviate it.^[6] The priests are very watchful and we must be prudent. I have got in the Conservateur, as well as the News papers of Paris, such abuse of the Bible Society!^[7] – Poor D^r. Hamilton! his society was rather too much for you! Painful recollections must have been inseparable from the sight of him. – And there is no hope!^[8]

I cannot express to you how much I was gratified with the long, interesting and very pleasant journal with which Miss Sparrow favoured me . But though the letter in itself was in high degree pleasing yet the circumstance of a very young lady situated as she is, and occupied as she was finding time and disposition, and will, and kindness to bestow so much attention on an old friend, merely because she knew it would give /pleasure,/ is a trait of character truly delightful; the kindness was not lost upon me, and if I could I would love her better than I did before. I will not keep back, as I had intended, my letter for a cover tho’ we are expecting within a few days, three frankers, and also dear friends in succession; for our small Accommodations do not extend to many guests at once – These are the Secretary for Ireland,^[9] the Bishop of Gloucester and M^rs. Ryder, and the Bishop of S^t. Davids - I woud have waited to tell you about them, were I not desirous to answer the private part of your letter which indeed I ought not to have delayed so long.

On the first reading, this confidential part of your letter was perfectly unintelligible to me, but on considering it repeatedly, I found the suggestion could Only have reference to one person, as that person is the only /one/ I have seen who has been much in your way, either personally or in correspondence – I can then truly say I heard nothing from that person in the slightest degree derogatory, or disadvantageous to your so deservedly beloved daughter. If I had it must have made an impression on me; but no such impression more or less remains on my mind. She did say she was admired and sought, and named one or two young Noblemen who were said to admire her; but this was all natural, and I should have wondered if they had not. She regretted not being able to see more of her. I alleged the shortness of your stay, and the restrictions which your wisdom had suggested, and I do not remember the slightest hint that might be construed into disapprobation. Your intimations grieve me, tho they rather tend to justify, what will be thought by many, my [tear] severe animadversions on foreign Associations. They do entirely as I have found in many instances, induce a lowering of strictness, and a restlessness at staying at home.^[10] I hope what I have said will quite relieve your mind, and remove the apprehensions your delicacy might have entertained

Your situation respecting this important child is instead a most delicate one. But I know you have long been accustomed to cast your care in Him who careth for you; at the same exercising the nicest discretion, most wakeful discernment, and most tender vigilance. Your having accustomed her to make accurate observations, and to live in the exercise of her own excellent and highly cultivated understanding was the dictate of sound wisdom; and her own highly principles, and tender affection for the parent from whom she has imbibed them, will I doubt /not/ insure the blessing of God, and her own comfort here, as well as her eternal happiness hereafter.