Page:Hannah More (1887 Charlotte Mary Yonge British).djvu/178

166 twenty pounds to our subscription and save ourselves so much trouble, but we take this trouble from a conviction of the contrary. The many young persons of fortune present, by assisting at this little festivity, will learn to connect the idea of innocent cheerfulness with that of religious societies, and may 'go and do likewise.' For no other cause on earth would we encounter the fatigue."

Indeed, all the four sisters were very ill that year, Hannah with what was then called a bilious fever, Patty with liver complaint, Sally with dropsy, and Betsy with paralysis, coming upon other troubles. After a fortnight of speechlessness, this good woman likewise went to her rest, and the three drew together again, feeling their ranks broken, but still brave, resigned, and cheerful.

The depression and discontent of 1817 set Hannah to work again, though "with a weak head and weak hand," after a bilious fever, at patriotic songs and leaflets, and at adapting Village Politics to the actual crisis. It came out again as Village Disputants, and six hundred were immediately bought by one person, and sent to Manchester for distribution. The songs too did good work. "I did not think to turn balladmonger in my old age, but I thought it my duty," said Hannah.

The distress fell heavily on two of the Mendip parishes, where the schools had existed for