THE IMPERIAL MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1833.

MEMOIR OF MRS. HANNAH MORE.

(With a Portrait.)

DURING the last and present century, although many literary stars of great magnitude and brilliancy, have risen above our horizon, we are not aware of any one that has shone with more durable and steady lustre, than the venerable subject of this memoir. Throughout a long career, she has never sustained an eclipse from the sparklings of an aspiring rival; and, although a considerable portion of a century has elapsed since she began to attract attention, her fame remains undiminished; nor can there be any doubt that the productions of her pen will plant imperishable amaranth on her grave.

In the Writings of Mrs. Hannah More, we find a solidity of judgment, a depth of understanding, and a fervency of piety, which, encircled by a vast expansion of intellect, furnish the basis of their immortality. To these permanent and exalted qualities, she invariably rendered the creations of genius, and the excursions of fancy, subservient; and from the period that her mental energies acquired maturity, a strain of unaffected piety has pervaded all her compositions, which are richly imbued with the realities of the invisible world.

In a character, like that of Mrs. Hannah More, it would be exceedingly difficult to ascertain the birth of talent, or to trace the progressive steps, through which it has passed, in its varied march to the zenith it has obtained. It has been said, that at an early period of her life, translations from the German were extending their demoralizing influence among the inhabitants of her country, and that she conceived disgust at the sentimental axioms which were producing such pernicious effects. The reading of Pamela, is also asserted to have kindled incense in her bosom, and to have given a direction to her mind, from which it never afterwards deviated, although she was conducted into regions which this imaginary heroine of virtue never saw.

Mrs. Hannah More, whose venerable life is still preserved, was born at Stapleton, Gloucestershire, in the year 1744. Her father was a respectable schoolmaster, in the town which gave her birth; and, for some time, superintended the charity school, at the Fishponds, in the above town. thence removed to Bristol, where he opened a seminary on his own account. 2D. SERIES, NO. 25.-VOL. III.

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169.-VOL. XV.

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From this parent she received an education suitable to her station in life, and in conformity with the views and estimates of the times.

On reaching Bristol, this young lady was speedily noticed for her strong attachment to literature, and a superiority of mind, the powers of which, every occasion tended more fully to develop. In the indulgence of this laudable propensity, she was assisted by some ladies in the neighbourhood. Among her first productions, we find three tragedies: "The Inflexible Captive," "Percy," and, "The Fatal Falsehood." These compositions, particularly the two latter, were received by the public in so flattering a manner, that they at once extended her connexions, and increased her fame.

Among her early friends, was the late Dr. Stonehouse, of Bristol, who, in various ways, exerted himself to promote her interest. Through this gentleman, she was introduced to an acquaintance with David Garrick, who so far approved of her compositions, as to advise her to write for the stage. To this, however, she felt some repugnance; and mature reflection forbad her to pander to a corrupted age. In the preface to the third volume of her. works, she frankly declares, that "she did not consider the stage, in its present state, as becoming the appearance or countenance of a Christian; on which account she thought proper to renounce her dramatic productions, other light than as mere poems."

in any

But the same conscientious scruples which induced her to decline writing for the stage, enhanced her qualification for another station, which she subsequently filled with so much reputation and honour. Her friend, Dr. Stonehouse, in conjunction with some ladies of their mutual acquaintance, so successfully exerted themselves, as to enable herself and sisters to open a school for the education of young females, whose future movements would probably be in the more elevated walks of life. This plan succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectation. The character of the school was instantly established; and for a series of years it stood foremost among the feminine seminaries of the kingdom.

The duties of their school did not, however, detach Mrs. Hannah More's mind from the cultivation of letters, nor so far engross her time, as to prevent the composition of many valuable works. Among these, "An Estimate of the Religion of the Fashionable World," and, "Strictures on Female Education," excited great attention, and acquired deserved popularity. "Tales for the Common People," speedily followed; and, from the purity of the principles inculcated, the plain and familiar style in which it was written, adapted to the comprehension of those to whom it was addressed, its beneficial influence has been incalculable.

The exalted character which this lady had meritoriously acquired, did not escape the notice of Bishop Porteus, who strongly recommended her, as every way qualified to superintend the education of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Charlotte. This, however, was thought, by those in power, to be a trust of too much importance. They were willing to engage her services in a subordinate capacity; but this she declined, and here the negociation ended. But, although no engagement was ever likely to take place, a subsequent publication, entitled "Hints towards forming the Character of a young Princess," sufficiently evinced that the momentous subject had very deeply engaged her attention; and the talents which it displays, demonstrate her superior qualification for the arduous task.

Having acquired a decent competence from the profits of her seminary, Mrs. Hannah More retired to a beautiful retreat, named Barley Wood, which her taste embellished, and her application enriched. Of this delightful

spot, and its amiable inhabitant, we transcribe the following account, from the letter of a friend who visited Barley Wood during the winter before its occupant took up her residence at Clifton :

"Before we came in sight of the little town of Rington, we entered an avenue, thickly bordered with luxuriant evergreens, which led directly to the cottage of Barley Wood. As we drew nearer to the dwelling, a thick hedge of roses, jessamine, woodbine, and clamatis, fringed the smooth and sloping lawn on one side; on the other, laurel and laurestinus were in full and beautiful verdure: from the shrubbery, the ground ascends, and is well wooded by flowing larch, dark cyprus, spreading chesnut, and some lordly forest trees. Amid this melange, rustic seats and temples occasionally peep forth; and two monuments are particularly conspicuous-the one to the memory of Porteus, the other to the memory of Locke. As the latter was an inhabitant of Rington, Hannah More, with her usual good taste, erected the memorial within sight of his native village.

"I was much struck by the air of affectionate kindness with which the old lady welcomed me to Barley Wood-there was something of courtliness about it, at the same time the courtliness of the vielle cour, which one reads of, but so seldom meets. Her dress was of light green Venetian silk; a yellow, richly embroidered crape shawl enveloped her shoulders; and a pretty net cap, tied under her chin with white satin riband, completed the costume. Her figure is singularly petite; but to have any idea of the expression of her countenance, you must imagine the small withered face of a woman in her 87th year; and, imagine also, (shaded, but not obscured, by long and perfectly white eyelashes,) eyes dark, brilliant, flashing, and penetrating; sparkling from object to object, with all the fire and energy of youth, and smiling welcome on all around.

and her family were

"When I first entered the room, Lady Sthere; they soon prepared to depart, but the youngest boy, a fine little fellow of six, looked anxiously in Mrs. More's face, after she had kissed him, and his mamma said, 'You will not forget Mrs. Hannah, my dear,'he shook his head.

"Do not forget me, my dear child,' said the kind old lady, assuming a playful manner- but they say your sex is naturally capricious-there, I will give you another kiss, keep it for my sake, and when you are a man, remember Hannah More.' 'I will,' he replied, remember that you loved children.' It was a beautiful compliment.

"After a good deal of conversation on indifferent topics, she commenced shewing us her curiosities, which are numerous and peculiar: gods, given up by the South Sea Islanders to our missionaries-fragments of Oriental manuscripts-a choice, but not numerous, collection of books, chiefly in Italian, English, and French, (for she speaks all those languages with equal fluency,) and, above all, a large collection of Autographs, containing her correspondence with Garrick, Johnson, Burke, Reynolds, Porteus; and manuscripts also in the hand-writing of Lord Chesterfield, Chatterton, Addison, Swift, Atterbury, Sir R. Steele, &c. &c.: one that particularly interested me, was, a letter from the little prince Edward, to our Queen Elizabeth, written in French.

"I will now,' she said, 'shew you some monuments of the days of my wickedness;' and she produced a play-bill, where Miss More's New Tragedy of Percy' was announced, exactly fifty-two years ago! She looked to me, at that moment, as a resurrection from the dead- —more particularly when she added, Johnson, Burke, Garrick, Reynolds, Porteus-all-all the associates of my youth, are gone; nor is there one amongst them,