Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/174

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162
HANNAH MORE.

once been so happy. She writes to Lady Olivia, "That well-known spot recalled to my mind a thousand recollections, partly pleasing but more painful. The same feelings were excited in us as we called afterwards at Mrs. Garrick's (we did not find her). The library, the lawn, the temple of Shakespeare, all of which I would see for the last time. What wit, what talents, what vivacity, what friendship had I enjoyed in both these places? Where are they now?"

Soon after Hannah's return, Barley Wood was visited, after a seven years interval, by Mr. and Mrs. Wilberforce and their two daughters, and their stay was very much enjoyed by both guests and hostesses. Wilberforce writes in his diary:—

"October 18th.—Dean Ryder came from Wells in the evening, truly pleasing and much talk with him. 19th. The Dean and I walked before breakfast, which late because Lady Lilford and her family expected to it. Talked, walked, read to them Baxter's Life (the change of view and feeling). 20th. After breakfast Miss Patty showed me her book of handwriting of eminent men, many of them written on purpose and very curious. Edward VI., Queen Mary (William III.), Pope, Swift, Bolingbroke, and Atterbury. All the Admirals, General Wolfe, &c. All the politicians, Washington, Franklin, Prior, Priestley, Burke, Fox, Pitt, Sir Joshua Reynolds. A beautiful letter from Horsley. Voltaire, Rousseau, Blackstone."