Scarcely had Mrs. More recovered from this accident before she had an attack of ophthalmia, which consigned her to darkness and idleness for a time. However, her Essay on St. Paul came out, and was accepted as usual, so that the entire first edition was disposed of in one day.
In spite of years and declining health, the sisters were as energetic as ever in making the round of their schools, whenever they were capable of the exertion, and in getting up festivals when they had a cause to serve. In the summer of 1816, they had a great anniversary meeting of the Bible Society in their grounds. Here is the description given to Mr. Wilberforce:—
"The meeting was the most genteel and numerous we have had. If our oratory was not of the first brilliancy, it had good sense and good temper to recommend it. We had near forty clergy of the Establishment. When the meeting was over, which was held in a waggon yard, as there was no room for them in the inn, all the superior part of the company resorted by previous invitation to Barley Wood. A hundred and one sat down to dinner, and about one hundred and sixty to tea. Happily, it was a fine day, and above fifty dined under the trees, the overflowing from our small house. They all enjoyed themselves exceedingly, and it had all the gaiety of a public garden.
"Some may think that it would be better to add
