ABSTRACT
Is the youngest of four maiden sisters, the daughters of a Clergyman, distinguished for his classical knowledge and goodness of heart. At an early period of life, she discovered a taste for literature, which she cultivated during her leisure hours; and she soon not only perused all the works in her paternal library, but all the books she could borrow from her friends in the village of Hanham, where her father dwelt. The sisters of this lady had opened a school in the neighbourhood of Bristol, which, after a short time, was patronized by persons of rank; and they were persuaded to remove to Park-street, in Bristol, in the year 1765. The subject of this Memoir accompanied her sisters, and assisted them in their laudable pursuit; where she became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. Stone-house, who not only encouraged, but improved her literary taste. The first work which Miss Hannah More presented to the public, was a poem, entitled, The Search after Happiness; which was corrected by Dr. S. and met with so favourable a reception, that she was induced to publish Sir Eldred of the Bower, and The Bleeding Rock. Her next essays were in dramatic poetry; and, through the interest of Dr. Stonehouse, Fatal Falsehood, Percy, and The Inflexible Captive, were favourably received by Mr. Garrick, and met with partial applause; but she completely succeeded in her attempts to improve the manners of the age; Sacred Dramas, published in 1782, Thoughts on the Manners of the Great, in 1788, and the Estimate of the Religion of the Fashionable World, in 1791, were not only universally read, but generally approved. About this period, Miss More devoted both her time and attention to a society established for instructing the poor in the duties of the Christian religion; and published a variety of small pamphlets, among others, The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, for their improvement, written in the most simple, yet most instructive style. The Sunday schools are likewise greatly indebted to the indefatigable endeavours of this lady for their success. In fine, whether viewed in public or private life, goodness of heart, and comprehensive powers of mind, characterize all her actions; and it may truly be said, that few females have held so respectable, so conspicuous a rank in the literary world, and that still fewer have the ability to render themselves so pre-eminently useful in society.
