Honora Sneyd

The Seward Home

Anna Seward 1799

Bishop's Palace, Lichfield

Honora Sneyd was born the third daughter to Edward Sneyd who lived in Bishton, Staffordshire[11] and Susanna Cook of Sible Hedingham, Essex, in Bath in 1751.[lower-alpha 3] Her father was a Major in the Royal Horse Guards,[12] with an appointment at Court as a Gentleman Usher.[13] her parents married in 1742[14] and she was one of eight children and the second surviving daughter of six, and only six years old when her mother died in 1757.[15][16] Her father found himself unable to take care of all of his children and various friends and relations then offered to take them in.[13][17]

Honora Sneyd, who was seven years younger than the thirteen-year-old Anna Seward,[17] moved into the home of family friends, Canon Thomas Seward and his wife Elizabeth and their family at Lichfield, Staffordshire, where they lived in the Bishop's Palace in the Cathedral Close.[18] The Sewards had lost five children after their first two daughters, and such fostering was not uncommon at the time.[19] There she was brought up by the Sewards as one of their own, being variously described as an adopted or foster sister.[13][20][21] Anna Seward describes how she and her younger sister Sarah first met Honora, on returning from a walk, in her poem The Anniversary (1769).[lower-alpha 4][22] Initially Honora was more attached to Sarah,[23] to whom she was closer in age, but Sarah died of typhus at the age of nineteen (1764), when Honora Sneyd was thirteen. Following Sarah's death Honora became the responsibility of Anna, the older sister.[24] Anna consoled herself with her affection for Honora Sneyd, as she describes in Visions, written a few days after her sister's death. In the poem she expresses the hope that Honora ('this transplanted flower') will replace her sister (whom she refers to as 'Alinda') in her and her parents' affections.[25] Throughout her life Honora Sneyd's health was fragile, experiencing the first bout of the tuberculosis that would later claim her life in 1766, at the age of fifteen.[26] However, Anna Seward believed she detected the first signs in 1764, at thirteen, writing presciently

This dear child will not live; I am perpetually fearing it, notwithstanding the clear health which crimsons her cheek and glitters in her eyes. Such early expansion of intelligence and sensibility partakes too much of the angelic, too little of the mortal nature, to tarry long in these low abodes of frailty and of pain, where the harshness of authority, and the impenetrability of selfishness, with the worse mischiefs of pride and envy, so frequently agitate by their storms, and chill by their damps, the more ingenious and purer spirits, scattered, not profusely, over the earth.[27]

At Lichfield Honora Sneyd came under the influence of Canon Seward, who raised her, and his progressive views on female education, which he expressed in his poem The Female Right to Literature (1748).[28] She was described as clever and interested in science,[29] From Anna she developed a great love of literature.[24]

Honora Sneyd was an accomplished scholar, attending day school in Lichfield where she became fluent in French, translating Rousseau's Julie for her older foster sister.[17] Though Canon Seward's (but not his wife's) attitudes towards the education of girls was progressive relative to the times, they were "by no means excessively liberal". Amongst the subjects he taught them were theology and numeracy, and how to read, appreciate, write and recite poetry. Although this deviated from what were considered "conventional drawing room accomplishments", he encouraged them away from traditional female roles. However, the omissions were also notable, including languages and science, although they were left free to pursue their own inclinations in this regard.[17] To that end they were exposed to the circle of learned men who frequented the Bishop's Palace at Lichfield where they lived, and which became the centre of a literary circle including, David Garrick, Erasmus Darwin, Samuel Johnson and James Boswell.[30] The children were encouraged to participate in the conversations, as Anna later relates.[lower-alpha 5][20][30][32]

Honora Sneyd and Anna Seward lived under the same roof for thirteen years and formed a close friendship which has given rise to much speculation as to its exact nature,[33] located as it was within the tradition of "female friendship", and forming the basis of a body of Anna Seward's poetical works.[34] Various authors differ in their interpretation of the relationship between the two women, with Lillian Faderman who first suggested that it was lesbian,[35] supported by Barrett[36] although the term relates more to twentieth- rather than eighteenth-century concepts of identity. On the other hand, Teresa Barnard argues against this based more on examination of the correspondence rather than poetry, which is generally based within the lesbian poetic canon, the relationship between these two women being frequently cited.[32]

Sneyd had a reputation for both intelligence and beauty,[13] as commented on by many, including Anna Seward[37] and Richard Edgeworth[38] (see below).[39][40] In 1764 Seward described Sneyd as "fresh and beautiful as the young day-star, when he bathes his fair beams in the dews of spring".[27] At seventeen[25] Honora Sneyd was briefly engaged to a Swiss born Derbyshire merchant, John André,[41] a relationship that Seward had fostered, and wrote about in her Monody on Major André (1781)[42][43] when André became a British officer in 1771 and was hanged as a spy by the Americans.[lower-alpha 6] The respective parents did not support this attachment for reasons of his financial status.[45]

Around Christmas 1770, Thomas Day and Richard Edgeworth, who like Thomas Seward were members of the Lunar Society that met in Lichfield amongst other places,[46] were spending increasing amounts of time at the Seward household and both had fallen for Sneyd, although Edgeworth was already married.[38] In 1771 she declined an offer of marriage from Thomas Day.[47] Edgeworth gives an account of her letter of rejection stating that it "contained an excellent answer to his [Day's] arguments in favour of the rights of men, and a clear dispassionate view of the rights of women". Edgeworth continues that Sneyd had very determined views on the role of women and their rights within marriage.[48]

Miss Honora Sneyd would not admit the unqualified control of a husband over all her actions; she did not feel, that seclusion from society was indispensably necessary to preserve female virtue, or to secure domestic happiness. Upon terms of reasonable equality, she supposed, that mutual confidence might best subsist; she said, that, as Mr Day had decidedly declared his determination to live in perfect seclusion from what is usually called the world, it was fit she should decidedly declare, that she would not change her present mode of life, with which she had no reason to be dissatisfied, for any dark and untried system, that could be proposed to her.[49]

However, Honora Sneyd's father moved to Lichfield from London in 1771, and reassembled his family of five daughters there. By now Honora was nineteen and Anna viewed her friend's departure with considerable dismay.[50] Although Day was much distressed by his rejection by Honora Sneyd, he transferred his affections to the fifth daughter, Elizabeth Sneyd, who had been in the care of Mr Henry Powys and his wife, Susannah Sneyd,[51] of the Abbey,[52] Shrewsbury, Mrs. Powys being Mr Sneyd's niece.[53][29][54][55][lower-alpha 7] However, Elizabeth Sneyd was not inclined to accept Day.[58]

Richard Edgeworth comments on how Honora Sneyd had affected him;

During this intercourse I perceived the superiority of Miss Honora Sneyd's capacity ... her sentiments were on all subjects so just and were delivered with such blushing modesty though not without an air of conscious worth as to command attention from every one capable of appreciating female excellence. Her person was graceful her features beautiful and their expression such as to heighten the eloquence of every thing she said. I was six and twenty and now for the first time in my life I saw a woman that equalled the picture of perfection which existed in my imagination.[38]

He continued, describing the unhappiness of his marriage, and how that made him vulnerable to her attributes, which were shared by all the learned gentlemen of his circle. He also believed that Anna Seward had noticed the effect her friend was having on him, and would regularly place her actions in the best light for his benefit.[43] The elimination of Day as a suitor for Honora Sneyd's hand placed Edgeworth in a difficult situation and he resolved to end it by moving to Lyons France, to work, in the autumn of 1771.[59]

On 17 March 1773, Edgeworth's first wife Anna Maria Elers gave birth to their fifth child, Anna Maria Edgeworth, at the age of 29. Ten days later she died from puerperal fever.[60][61][62][lower-alpha 8] Edgeworth was still in Lyon to avoid temptation[59] leaving his expectant wife in the care of Day. On learning of the death of his wife, Edgeworth travelled to London, where he consulted Day as to Honora Sneyd's situation. On learning that she remained in good health and unattached, he promptly headed to Lichfield to see Honora at the Sneyds, with the intention of proposing. His offer was accepted immediately, and there was no mention of the conventional waiting period before remarrying after widowhood.[66][67] Although Mr. Sneyd was opposed to his daughter's marriage,[68] the couple were married at Lichfield Cathedral on 17 July 1773, officiated by Canon Thomas Seward, Anna Seward being a bridesmaid.[69][70] After marrying, problems with the Edgeworth family estates in Ireland required the couple to immediately move to Edgeworthstown, County Longford in Ireland.[66][70][16]

Through this marriage Sneyd became step-mother to Edgeworth's four surviving children by his first wife, Anna Maria, ranging from seven months to nine years in age; Richard, Maria, who became a writer in her own right, Emmeline and Anna Maria.[71][72] On encountering her new family she observed that Maria, then aged five, was exhibiting behavioural problems, and expressed her views that speedy and consistent punishment were the keys to ensuring good behaviour in children, a view she proceeded to practice. However, she believed that such discipline needed to be imposed "before the age of 5 or 6", and was therefore rather late in the case of the older children;[66] however, she imposed a strict discipline.[73] Following a period of ill health on Sneyd's part,[74] Maria Edgeworth was sent away to boarding school in Derby (1775–1781), and later London upon the death of Honora Sneyd (1781–1782).[75][76][77] Similarly, her older brother Richard was sent to Charterhouse (1776–1778) and then went to sea, and she never saw him again.[78] Later Richard Edgeworth would comment on how difficult the first two years were for Sneyd in her new role as stepmother to undisciplined children, a role her relatives had advised her against.[79][80][81]

Honora Sneyd was soon pregnant, giving birth to her daughter Honora on 30 May 1774, who died at the age of sixteen.[62] Her second child, Lovell, who inherited the property, was born the following year on 30 June 1775.[lower-alpha 9] The Edgeworth children were raised according to the system of Rousseau, as refined and modified by the Edgeworths.[82] Richard Edgeworth considered his early educational efforts a failure, the older children from his first marriage growing up unruly and then being sent away to school, and readily concurred with his new wife's stricter rules.[73] However, he had seen very little of them in their early years.[81]

After three years in Ireland, in 1776[lower-alpha 10] they moved to England again, taking up residence in Northchurch,[lower-alpha 11]Hertfordshire[88] Despite Anna Seward's despair at the loss of her friend, she and Honora had maintained regular correspondence and visits. However, these suddenly ceased, an event that Anna blamed Honora Sneyd's father for.[89] During a temporary absence of Edgeworth on business in Ireland in the spring of 1779, Honora Sneyd fell ill with a fever,[90] just as he was summoning her to let the house and join him there.[91] On his return they consulted Erasmus Darwin at Lichfield, who was of the opinion the illness was more severe than at first thought, being a recurrence of consumption (T.B.) from which she had had a brief bout at the age of fifteen.[92] He advised against returning to Ireland but rather, moving closer to Lichfield. For a while they stayed at the Sneyd house that was temporarily vacant while consulting a wide range of physicians including William Heberden (Samuel Johnson's physician), and even staying with Day near London to be close to medical care. but only received news of incurability.[90] Eventually they rented Bighterton,[lower-alpha 12] near Shifnal, Shropshire, closer to the Sneyds, Darwin and others of their circle,[94] where Honora Sneyd drew up her will in April.[95]

Four years after returning to England Honora Sneyd died of consumption at six in the morning[95] on 1 May 1780[lower-alpha 13] at Bighterton, surrounded by her husband, her youngest sister, Charlotte and a servant.[96] Honora Sneyd was buried in the nearby Weston church where a plaque on the wall (see box) bears witness to her life.[lower-alpha 14][98] Honora Sneyd died within eight years of her marriage to Richard Edgeworth, at almost the same age as her predecessor. The same disease which had taken the life of her mother and five maternal aunts[90] would soon claim the life of her young daughter, Honora Edgeworth (1790),[99] as well as her younger sister, Elizabeth, seven years later (1797), as well as at least two of Elizabeth's children, Charlotte (1807) and Henry (1813). Honora's brother, Lovell was also affected by the consumption.[100] At the time it was thought this was a hereditary weakness carried by the family.[74]

On Honora Sneyd's death, Edgeworth married her younger sister, Elizabeth Sneyd, stating that this had been the dying wish of Honora.[96] Uglow speculates that this was a marriage of convenience, for the sake of the children.[101] Although it was technically legal to marry one's wife's sister, the marriage was considered scandalous, and was opposed by the Sneyds, Sewards and Edgeworths as well as the Bishop.[102] The couple fled to London where they were married on Christmas Day with Thomas Day as witness, before proceeding to live at Northchurch.[63][102] The scandal may have given rise to less charitable interpretations of Edgeworth's actions, although there is no direct evidence to support or refute these.[103][104][105] Honora Sneyd's will, drawn up during the last month of her life refers only to "that Woman whom he shall think worthy to call his, for her to wear, so long as they both shall LOVE", referring to a cameo she owned of Richard Edgeworth.[95]

The Edgeworths jointly developed the concept of "Practical Education", a principle that would become a new paradigm by the 1820s.[106] Having determined that after eight years, Richard Edgeworth's attempt to raise his eldest son Richard according to the principles of Rousseau was a failure,[107] he and Honora were determined to find better methods. After the birth of Honora's first child (1774),[lower-alpha 15] the Edgeworths embarked on a plan, partly inspired by Anna Barbauld, to write a series of books for children.[110][111] After trying many other methods, Barbauld's Lessons for Children from two to three years old was published in 1778, and the Edgeworths used it on Anna (5) and Honora (4), and were delighted to find that the girls learned to read in six weeks.[112] Now back in England, at Northchurch the Edgeworths were in closer contact with the intellectuals of the Lunar society.[113] Richard Edgeworth and Honora were determined to design a plan for the education of their children. They started by reviewing the existing literature on childhood education (including Locke, Hartley, Priestley in addition to Rousseau), and then proceeded to document their observations of the behaviour of children and then developed their own "practical" system. To this end Erasmus Darwin suggested they start by reading the work of Dugald Stewart. Honora Sneyd then started recording extensive notes on her observations of the Edgeworth children. These then became the dialogues in the final book.[111]

Richard and Maria Edgeworth state that "She [Honora] was of opinion that the art of education should be considered as an experimental science",[114] and that the failures of the past were due to "following theory rather than practice". Richard Edgeworth and Honora then set about applying the emerging principles of educational psychology to the actual practice of education. From their reading of theory they determined that the reason Barbauld was successful was that the child's reading was rewarded (thus departing radically from Rousseau),[106] because it was associated with pleasure.[115] Honora Sneyd conceived of the title of their work therefore as Practical Education.[116][107] With her husband, Honora wrote the first version of Practical Education as a children's book Practical education: or, the history of Harry and Lucy for Honora her daughter, which was begun in 1778 and privately published in February 1780 in Lichfield as Practical Education, vol 2.[117][63] The book tells a simple story of two parents and their two model children, Harry and Lucy, who carry out domestic chores and ask their parents many questions, the answers to which may be deemed educational. The children explain their discoveries and how they learn, the whole presented as nine forms of learning. As originally conceived it was intended to be the second part of a series of three books, but the remaining parts remained unwritten. The original plan had been for a collaborative work, contributed to by various members of the Lunar Society.[118] it was an ambitious project designed to fill what they perceived of as major deficiencies in the field of both technical and scientific education and to introduce early ideas on morality, science and other academic disciplines into the developing mind of the young child.[119] After Honora Sneyd's premature death, her sister Elizabeth continued the work,[120] in her role as the third wife of Richard Edgeworth.[121] The final version of the book was authored by Richard and Maria Edgeworth and published after both Honora and her sister Elizabeth's deaths, in 1798, and further revised under Maria's name as Early lessons (1801–1825).[122] In reality this was a family project contributed to by a number of their members that would extend over 50 years, beyond Richard Edgeworth's death in 1817 (c. 1774–1825).[lower-alpha 16][111][124][125]

Richard Edgeworth observed on his wife's death that being familiar with the experimental method in science, she was surprised to find that educational theory was based on very little empirical evidence, and set out to apply experimental science to child education and devised, executed and recorded experiments with children.[120][16][111] She conceived and executed a register (2 volumes 1778–1779)[126][83] of the reaction of children to new knowledge and experience,[119] given her interest in applying experimental science to the field of child education. She observed the questions that children asked, what they did, and how they solved problems. An extensive example of her recorded dialogue is given by Richard and Maria Edgeworth in "Practical Education".[127] This formed the basis of Richard Edgeworth's Essays on professional education (1809). In the Bodleian Library there is a short story in manuscript dated 1787 and other fragments attributed to Honora Sneyd.[lower-alpha 17][16][83] Her parents' principles of childhood education were to be a profound influence on Maria Edgeworth's own career as a writer for children.[118]

Honora Sneyd, through her early contact with members of the Lunar Society, had always taken a keen interest in science, an attribute that drew the intention of Richard Edgeworth who considered himself an inventor.[128] Following their marriage, she worked on his projects with him and in his words, "became an excellent theoretic mechanick"[129] herself.[130]