‘Many and sincere thanks, my dear Friend, for your grand present of Watkins’s Gray, which reached me a few days ago. I have already skimmed the second volume, which was new to me; and I hope for much pleasure and profit from the perusal of most of it at leisure. This last word, by the by, reminds me of a reference I found to Oldham, for the words—
‘I have not yet leisure to be good. |
‘You recollect that long ago I said to you I was sure the line would be found somewhere, and if I am not mistaken you told me, some time after, you had met with it in Owen Feltham’s prose. Is this so?
| WORDSWORTH | 145 |
‘I shall greatly value these two superb volumes, and more for your sake than for their own, and I hope that they of my family into whose hands they may pass will also prize them as a memorial of our friendship.
‘I have not forgotten that I am in your debt for a letter received many months ago, and for which you would have been thanked long since if I could have added anything respecting myself or family which it would have gratified you to learn. We struggle on, bearing up under our trials and afflictions as well as with God’s help we can. My daughter is something better, though not able to exert herself, but for my poor sister, though her bodily health is better upon the whole, this blessing is more than counterbalanced by a disorder of the mind, obviously proceeding from some inflammatory action upon the brain. Mrs. W. continues pretty well.
‘Last summer I saw a good deal of our excellent friends both at Lowther and Whitehaven. Lady Frederick was there, and you were often talked about. At Whitehaven I had frequent walks upon the cliffs, which were not unproductive of poetic suggestions, I do not presume to say inspirations. Possibly, and even probably, T may visit London before the spring is over; if so, how happy shall I be to renew my conversations and walks with you. These are (truly may I say it) among the principal attractions London has for me. With kindest remembrances to yourself and sister, in which my own poor dear sister is still able to join with us all, I remain, my dear Friend,
| 146 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES |
‘P.S. Be so good as to say to Moxon that I wish him to present you, as from me, a couple of copies of my verses upon Lamb—one for your sister. I should have expressed this wish to himself upon the slip on the other side had there been room.’
