HANNAH MORA, The settlement was accordingly made ; but, when Hannah was informed of it, she was resolute in declining the gift, until told that to refuse it would be to show a resentful spirit. Mr. Turner always retained his affection for her ; his constant toast was " Hannah More ;" he heard of her increasing celebrity with interest and pleasure, and used to say " Providence had overruled his wish to be the husband of Hannah More for her good, and that she was intended for higher things." Twenty years after, they met by a curious acci- dent. Mr. Turner, in the course of a tour, passed Cowslip Green, where the sisters then lived, and being struckwith the extreme beauty of the grounds, asked permission to see the garden. On entering, he was introduced to a group of ladies, one of whom was the then celebrated Hannah More. The meeting must have been a singular one. But the friendship, thus renewed, lasted till his death ; Hannah would send him her books as they were published, and, as a testimony of his regard, he bequeathed her a thousand pounds. Not long after the rude termination of this ro- mance of her ,youth, Hannah's hand was again solicited ; but she refused to enter into any further engagements of a matrimonial nature ; her former bitter experience having made her resolve to dedicate her time and attention exclusively to the cultivation of her mind. As with Mr. Turner, this attachment was succeeded by a cordial respect, which termi- 17
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