Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel Parr
Ch X. 1816-1820
Samuel Parr to Hannah Edwards, [1813]
“Dear Mrs.
Edwards,—This is written by B—, whom I
detain in London, that he may see some
1 “Gray’s
Works, edited by T. J.
Matthias.—Presentation Copy.—No editor ever surpassed
Matthias: whom I consider one of the most
accomplished scholars of the present day. S.
P.”—Bibl.
Parr. p. 520. |
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of the fine sights, with an account of which he may
regale your itchy ears, when he gets into the murky air of Warwickshire. I
never was so dissipated, or so happy; and you shall hear some very fine things
when I get home, if you behave prettily. On Tuesday, Lord Moira was of our party. When I saw his ingenuous
countenance and majestic air, the tears came into my eyes. There were besides,
two earls, one viscount, one baronet, three countesses, Mr. Coke of Norfolk, three ladies, one plain
miss, and one grave doctor. Yesterday I was in company with Lord Byron: his manners are amiable, and his
genius is exquisite. It was a delightful day: though the company consisted
of—whom? Why, nothing but lords and authors; and one man of merit, poignant
wit, and a very good scholar. Would you not consent to dress as we males do,
for the pleasure of dining with Mr.
Grattan, Lord Donoughmore,
Lord Hutchinson, and other folks, who
have brains as well as titles? God bless you and Mr. E. I
am, &c.—S. P.”
Hannah Edwards [née Wilson] (1764 c.-1841 fl.)
Of Teignmouth, a friend of Samuel Parr who was twice married, to a Mr Bellamy of Hazeley
House, and to John Edwards of Stankhill. At the time of the 1841 Warwickshire census she
was again living with the Bellamys.
Henry Grattan (1746-1820)
Irish statesman and patriot; as MP for Dublin he supported Catholic emancipation and
opposed the Union.
John Hely- Hutchinson, third earl of Donoughmore (1787-1851)
The eldest son of Francis Hely-Hutchinson (1759-1827), he served in the Peninsular War,
fought at Waterloo, and was a Whig MP for co. Tipperary (1826–30, 1831–32) before
succeeding his uncle in the title.
Thomas James Mathias (1755-1835)
English satirist, the anonymous author of
Pursuits of Literature
(1794-98) and editor of
The Works of Thomas Gray, 2 vols (1814).
From 1817 he lived in Italy, where he translated classic English poets into Italian.
