Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from Rydal Mount, to Edward Quillinan (1791-1851), at No. 12 Bryanston Street, Portman Square, London, dated 12 April 1829. WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 19

Rydal Mount

Sunday April 12th 1829

My dear Sir -

The tidings from Whitwick have filled us with such joy & thankfulness that before I advert to the subject of this hurried letter I must tell you that yesterday's post brought us a letter from the dear Invalid's own dear self written on Thursday - she was then sitting by the fire side where she had been nearly 3. hours - & this morning we have received a long one from my Mother who arrived at 9 oclock on the evening of the day on which my Aunt wrote to us - She begins "All well as heart could wish" nevertheless we are happy she went as my Aunt will require great care & watchfulness for a long long time - she has had a most narrow escape, the inflammation was not subdued for forty eight hours - & all that time she was in torture.

And now for the why of my whipping a shilling out of your Pocket - I beg the Dead Dandy's pardon a thousand times A proof sheet & a Note this morning, in which he tells us "We have this Spring had a severe affliction, in the loss of a Brother, one I believe you did not know. He was a very eminent person, tho' he lived all his life much in retirement, having married early & withdrawn to plough his land & read his Homer. And now, my dear Wordsworth, I have to apologize to you for a seeming neglect on the subject of the Atheneum when I wrote last I was in a state of mind to forget every thing & I can assure you that I shall have the greatest pleasure in nominating Mr Quillinan & in rendering him every service in my

[page break (2)]

power. There are few for whom I feel a higher respect.

I am conscience stricken to an unpleasant degree and never will again judge harshly & unchristianly of anothers actions or motives You will now decide & let Mr Rogers know whether you need his services further than his vote & interest - Had you we not received this notice from Mr. R. the good news of my Aunt would have been conveyed to you thro' Mr Robinson to whom I was to have written today in my Father's name - Be so kind as to let him know how well she is going on.

My greatest anxiety now is for my dear Father's eye, which I am grieved to say is almost worse this morning than it has ever been - the inflammation seems to have moved from the lid to the eye itself - The not been able to read or write is bad enough but this is the least distressing consequence to him - He cannot amuse himself by any mental occupation - If he attempts to think or to compose the eye instantly suffers - But still I cling to the hope that the east wind at first brought on the attack & when it disappears & the air becomes genial & spring like he will shake it off -

You must forgive so short a scrawl & so stupid a one I had not the heart to request Father to dictate - as I wish to save him in every way I can

Love to the Darlings Ever your faithful & affte

Dora Wordsworth -

Mother talks of coming back to us in a fortnight -

We look for Sara & Mrs Coleridge on Tuesday -

[page break (3)]

Father who is just come in from a walk on the Terrace bids me transcribe a passage from my Mother's letter - which he says (indeed indeed not I) may be useful to you in your character of the Man of business -

"Mr Johnston (the Kendal Attoy with whom she journied as far as Kendal) told me Mr de Quincey is expected in a fortnight - he had received a letter from him in which he tells him he shall receive another letter by & by in answer to one sent some 1/2 doz: years before - that he is beginning to reply to letters received in 1812 - & his will come in due course" -

Mr de Q - has been in Edinburgh two years Father says; coming home every month, & then every week - at last (about 3 months ago) his wife went to see after him and now I suppose somebody must go to bring the pair home - Mr de Q. is about buying the Nab Estate

[page break (4)]

Edward Quillinan Esqre.

No.12. Bryanston St.,

Portman Square,

London.

---

Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 19