Samuel Rogers and his Contemporaries
Samuel Rogers to Martha Bowles Rogers, 25 May 1829
‘Many thanks for your kind letter and for all your
kindness ever since the happy days when we had no care and a long and a bright
prospect before us; when we went to the toy-shop together and played at
hide-and-seek in the hay-loft at Newington Green.1 Much
have we had since to be thankful for, as much, perhaps, as most people, for all
must have their afflictions. But they have come fast and thick upon us of late;
and yours have been the heaviest of all. That you may continue to support
yourself as you have done is our earnest prayer, and if the attentions of
affectionate children and the recollection
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| 28 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES | |
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of the many years you have devoted to them and their
father can give consolation under them, you must and will. We are all rejoiced
to hear of Sam’s success. He has excellent talents
and his good sense will no doubt lead him to avail himself of the advantage
thrown in his way. I wrote immediately to the Chancellor on receiving Edward’s
letter, and by accident saw him the next day—but I fear a day or two were
lost before the application was made, for the living was promised—in such
a case an hour is of importance. But to tell you the truth, I have little hope
of him. He is very smooth but very shuffling, and can have no motive to serve
me. Lord Lyttelton’s offer is a very
friendly one, and if the house was built, or certainly to be built, whether I
took it or not, I should not hesitate. But considering the contingencies in
this world, and our own sad experience just now shows how little we can trust
to the future, it may admit of a doubt how far it is wise to consent to a
scheme by which something of an engagement may be incurred which we may
afterwards find it expedient to shake off. For myself I will own that the
conviction that I ought to remain where everything was arranged by another for
my own convenience would, such is my perverseness, make me wish to go
elsewhere, as in a party I have always wished to escape when the chairs had
blocked me up; but I have no right to suppose others as wayward as myself. I
need not say how anxious we are that you should settle to your mind. That you
will determine wisely I have no doubt, and it is an offer not to be slighted. I
am hardly a fair judge, for, though I have been acquainted with your neighbour
near thirty years, and have really a great respect ![]()
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for many parts of his character, I am not sure I
should like to become his tenant on such terms. At all events, I should tell
him frankly that circumstances might induce me to go, I could not say how soon,
and that he must do nothing that would render it in the least ineligible for
another tenant. There is, however, no judging for others; and we are confident
you will decide wisely. We are very sorry that you are not to visit the sea in
our part of the world. But you must not forget us on your return. Remember, we
consider it as only a pleasure deferred.
‘Ever very affectionately yours,
John Singleton Copley, baron Lyndhurst (1772-1863)
The son of the American painter; he did legal work for John Murray before succeeding Lord
Eldon as lord chancellor (1827-30, 1834-35, 1841-46); a skilled lawyer, he was also a
political chameleon.
William Henry Lyttelton, third baron Lyttelton (1782-1837)
Whig politician and wit, son of William Henry, first baron Lyttelton of the second
creation; a noted Greek scholar at Christ Church, Oxford, he was MP for Worcestershire
(1807-20); in 1828 he succeeded his brother as baron.
Samuel Rogers (1763-1855)
English poet, banker, and aesthete, author of the ever-popular
Pleasures of Memory (1792),
Columbus (1810),
Jaqueline (1814), and
Italy (1822-28).
