Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from Brinsop Court, to Edward Quillinan (1791-1851), at Bryanston Street, Portman Square, London (crossed out and 'Leigh Pryiory, near Wingham, Kent.]' added), dated 22 December 1827 (postmark). WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 10

Brinsop Court

Thursday Der. I know not what - 1827 -

My dear Mr Quillinan,

Your silence had long been a subject of wonder to us, but as you sent a John Bull here & a Kent Herald to Coleorton we knew you were in the land of the living tho' in what condition you left us to guess. I more than once thought of writing to enquire but your ingenious excuse for getting rid of so heavy a correspondence two or three years back occur'd to me, & I was e'en content to remain in ignorance - I can give you pleasant news of the Coleorton party - they reached Brinsop Saturday last - Father looking remarkably well & in charming spirits, & dear Uncle Dr Wordsworth is here too, not a favorite of yours, because you dont know him, but he is delightful. He brought along with him a continuation of his Icon, which he reads to us in an Evening for criticism & in which he grinds his Antagonists to powder. My Father has given him his promise to visit Cambridge in the spring, if therefore nothing arises to prevent this, it is more than probable we shall be in London, tho' I have heard nothing about it from him - & dare not dream of it lest I should be disappointed.

We heard from Rydal yesterday all well Aunt S- but just returned from Appleby - with Mrs Ellwood - Willy tells me Barber says his "Wig is the precise color but in size ! ------a perfect Bee hive" !!!

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how could you be so cruel to my Lover? but you were very good about the cap - it is the very thing he wanted, & he is charmed Mr Monkhouse too is much obliged to you - his wine reached him some time ago. Squire Dew is at present at Berkley Castle but your query & request shall not be forgotten - The Children's faces brighttened up when I gave them your kisses. They are affectionate little things more particularly Ebba - every day after dinner she comes to me "Please Cousin Dora will you please peal me this apple & be sure not to break the rind." (perhaps you dont know that if the rind be broken the charm shares the same fate) then with all form it is thrown over the left shoulder, & by hook or by crook made to assume the form of an E. or a Q. The delight that ensues, "O Mother indeed it is a Q- just look here -"!! & on a frosty morning the bed room & school room windows are scribbled over with the same letters. I trust your darlings have got rid of their colds - it has been uncomfortable weather:, since our visitors arrived gloomy with frequent tho slight showers yesterday when out riding Father in his pompous way said of it "I dont like this weather; it has none of the dignity of rain or the beauty of sunshine." & to be sure the country did look uninteresting - even that pretty spot the Grange, was robbed of all its beauty. You have probably heard of the distressing accident which befel the Heir to that Estate - he was killed by his most intimate friend whilst shooting - three weeks ago

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We expect Edith on Saturday - Mr Monkhouse meets her at Worcester we shall draw half the North round us in time - she is on her way to Bath where she winters - Sara Coleridge has reached Keswick, They give but dismal reports of her spirits; this was to be expected poor thing - for being the Idol of every one whilst in the South, & now only having her Mother to worship her, & that too in her fidgetty troublesome way - she must feel a strange difference Derwent is married so ends his flirting days - Fanny Barlow, the wood Partridge, is engaged to a Cheshire clergyman, John you see has lost his first Love poor Man, Father when at Manchester saw the young Man & liked him - They are to be married in August when she comes of age. Do you remember asking me if Miss Jewsbury liked me as well as ever? - I told her this & in a letter received from her the other day she says - no I am too modest to repeat what she says - but in my own hum.drum style she likes me as well as ever - some comfort at any rate, that I am not altered for the worse in every ones eyes - I must be candid enough however to allow that she has not seen me - since you saw her.

Father will be obliged to you to forward the wine by any conveyance you think best, Wine Merchants understand such things - that is my impertinence as you will guess - the books he received & with many thanks desires me to say that the money shall be paid in what manner you please - if you can wait until spring you

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he hopes to see you in town - Then he can pay you & by that time he expects to squeeze the money out of Barber's pocket for the wig &c You were kind enough to enquire about my health - now I am well though I have had a bad cold since you left us, & my eyes are better tho' not strong - Mrs Hutchinson too is suffering from cold, all else well - Aunt Monkhouse better - Father I suppose will remain with us a fortnight longer then goes home & comes for us in Spring -

With affectionate love to your Darlings believe me my dear Mr Quillinan your faithful & affete

Dora Wordsworth -

Fresh honors pouring in upon my dear Cousins John & Christopher each gained a prize last week & my Uncle today had a letter from Cambridge

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in which Chris: says his Brother Charles had that day received a letter from the Dean of Christ Church Oxford (Charles College) saying he was happy in having it in his power to shew his high sense of his conduct abilities &c - by pricking him down as a candidate for a studentship - & he is gone thither to be elected

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If you happen to see Crab Robinson, you might give the little parcel for Miss Lamb to him - when she is well enough to receive it, he will be able to forward it to her -

I had a letter from dear E. Cookson this morning, she has had a cold but writes in good spirits - is delighted with the hope I gave her of seeing you at Bristol - but I must release you or you will not honour me with a letter for, another three years justly dreading another endless dose of dullness

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All desire their particular remembrances to you - I hope your pretty little Dog was none the worse for its hard service in Herefordshire & that it has recovered its glossy skin (writing at 90 degrees)

Edward Quillinan Esqre.,

Bryanston Str.,

Portman Square,

London.

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Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 10