THE WORKER IN CHRIST'S VINEYARD. now retired, to pray, to diligently study the Scrip- tures, and to zealously endeavour to extend the sphere of her duties. But no taint of ascetism embittered her retirement ; she continued to taste with moderation of the pleasures of society, visiting London at intervals, and receiving those friends who sought her in her retreat. Such was her reputation at this time, that, in 1787, the ninth edition of her early drama -" The Search after Happiness "-was published, ten thousand copies having been previously sold. This year, having entirely givenup attending theatrical perform- ances, she was asked one day at a dinner, by Reynolds, Burke, and some other eminent persons, " Were you not delighted with Mrs. Siddons last night, in ` Percy,' 2" She replied, " No ! for I did not see her." " They would not believe me guilty of such insensibility," she says, for she had never seen that clever actress, and they added, " She did it exquisitely, as the tears of Mr. Fox, who sat with us, testified." Neither the fascinations of wit and talent, nor the splendour and affluence of those by whom Hannah More had been flattered, courted, and caressed, had blinded her to the fatal levity and indifference to religion which pervaded the ranks of the gay and courtly who, flocking to Reynolds' studio to see the fashionable picture of " The Infant Samuel," asked " Who was Samuel 2" Anxious if possible to stem the torrent of folly and irreligion, 30
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