“Your letter has given me great pleasure, and I should not forgive myself if I did not tell you so. You have received admonition as considerately and as kindly as it was given. Let me now request that, if you ever should come to these lakes while I am living here, you will let me see you. You would then think of me afterwards with the more good will, because you would perceive that there is neither severity nor moroseness in the state of mind to which years and observation have brought me.
“It is, by God’s mercy, in our power to attain a
degree of self-government, which is essential to our own happiness, and
contributes greatly to that of those around us. Take care of over excitement,
and endeavour to keep a quiet mind (even for your health it is the best advice
that can be given you): your
| Ætat. 63. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 331 |
“And now, Madam, God bless you!
