Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from Rydal Mount, to Edward Quillinan (1791-1851), at No. 12 Bryanston Street, Portman Square, London, readdressed to Leigh Priory, Wingham, Kent, dated 25 July 1829. WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 21

Rydal Mount

July 25th 1829

My dear Mr. Quillinan,

My Father bids me say that he has ordered Mr Reynolds to send a parcel of M.S.S. to you - will you take care of it for a short time? Mr. Gordon is now out of town; when he returns he will forward it to Rydal - but we were anxious to get it out of Reynold's hands as soon as possible - he is a pretty one - claims a right to spread a one years contribution over two or twenty if he pleases; Father will have nothing more to do with them - & has written to order, as I said, before, the M.S.S. to be sent to you. It is a long story, but if you are the least interested in the merits of the case you may see the whole correspondence when you come to Rydal - which we hope will be this shooting season we have an excellent pointer all ready for you, one that our houseless Rector has left us - he brought it with him out of Leicestershire - not greatly to his Papa's satisfaction, nor to Master Neptune's, nor to mine - the dogs are jealous of each other - have tremendous battles in the Kitchen & I am the only one who dare venture to try to separate the combatants; & no little nerve does it require - I am just now come from officating as Peace maker, & this makes me write so much about it -

And now to give you a history of ourselves - Father Mother & I are at home - Father's eyes very much better tho' yet he does not write at all - & reads only a short time at once, - Mother, I am thankful to say, is as usual, quite well, tho' varra thin - Aunt

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Wordsworth at Halifax gaining strength daily; we fully expected her home on the third of next month, but as usual finds a more than plausible excuse for putting off her return three weeks later Aunt Hutchinson as you know in Herefordshire - dear Willy writes us most delightful & entertaining letters from Bremen where he is exceedingly happy the only thing that does not quite satisfy us is, that he complains a good deal of head ache - but I hope the change of diet has to do with this; we mean to caution him against eating off many dishes: wh to be sure is not a little difficult to avoid at a German Table -

The Rector is at present at the Isle of Man but enters upon his duties next week, my Mother means to go over to Whitehaven to settle her Child - Father & I probably shall accompany her -

We were at Keswick on Wednesday - all our friends well but looking sadly pale & worn with pleasuring, they have so many friends about them - balls & plays & pic nickings & tea drinkings on the Islands &c &c. dear Sara is to be married on the third of September - they spend their honey moon in Grasmere. Mr Southey's summer cold has been much less severe this year than for a long long time - We are to have the "meeting of the Poets" next week I wish you & Rotha could be of the party - we shall make but a poor show from this side the "Raise" only three from Rydal Mount - There has been much travelling this year tho' we have seen few strangers - among these

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few one party was affectingly interesting -

A Mr & Mrs Gould from Boston - the Lady a sweet Elegant Creature Sister to poor Goddart, the American from whom my Father & Mother &c parted on the Rigi & who was drowned three days after in the Lake of Zurick - I dare say you know the "Elegaic Stanzas" composed on this sad event - Mrs G- told us they had not heard from their Brother for a month previous to his death - think then with what interest she listen'd to the account of the two days he travelled with my Father & how she treasured every word to send to the poor Mother who is still alive - He was her favorite Child because he was delicate from the cradle, & was sent to Europe for his health -

Doubtless you have seen by the papers that Lady Beaumont is gone to her rest - this was a sad shock to my Father & Mother - so sudden - she was out walking apparently quite well half an hour before her seizure. violent pain in the head - in twenty minutes was perfectly insensible & died next morning at 7 oclock - it is a sorrowful thing to be parted from a friend of seven & twenty years standing & they feel it deeply -.

Now I think it is time to ask where you & yours are? & what ye are about? Holiday time is it not for your Darlings? & perhaps they are tumbling about in the hay field at Lee? Does Jemima return to Miss Boothe - by the way if the newspapers say true she & the Earl of Roscommon are in no comfortable situation I think - You are very sparing of your letters do write & tell us when we may look for you & our GodChild.

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I have had "another verse jobation" ready to send you for the last month or more. & now I shall keep it till you come for it -

I have not told you a word about your friend Barber's improvements you must come & see them he always enquires most particularly after you. Now you must be thoroughly wearied of my everlasting histories so with best love to your Darlings I release you & believe me Ever

Your affte & faithful

Dora Wordsworth

Father's & Mother best & kindest rememberances -

Postscript : Professor Wilson & Mr de Quincey are both in the country (writing at 90 degrees)

Edward Quillinan Esqre.,

12. Bryanston St.,

Portman Square,

London.

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Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 21