Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from Sea View, Whitehaven, to Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), at an unstated address, dated 27 August 1829. WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 22

Sea View

Whitehaven

Augst 27th

My dear Chris:

My Father and Mother beg me to say that they will be very happy to see any friends of yours whenever they have a corner to put them in, and Mr Frere for his own sake as they have the pleasure of knowing him.

You are aware of the unceremonious style in which things are conducted at Rydal Mount and must prepare your friend accordingly. Let us know about the time we may look for you; if you find one end of the house down you must not be alarmed. it is something in that state just now I believe, & if this weather continue the workmen cannot get on with it - Your letter was forwarded hither where we have been above a

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fortnight - & have had four fine days - Tho' shut up in a lodging we have enjoyed ourselves much as our sitting room commands a fine view of the harbour & sea - not a vessel can come in, or go out, without our seeing it, and to the Inhabitants of Idle Mount this novel scene is highly entertaining - We have witnessed one or two splendid sunsets, & one or two stormy seas, this morning it is quite awful: two small sloops were driven on shore during the night within a mile of the Town - I am happy to say only one life lost -

My Father left us the day before yesterday: today he is to meet Mr Marshall & his son at Kendal proceed with them to Ireland by Holyhead - They pretty confidently calculate at on being at home the first

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week in October - Now were I not quite sure that had I not told you this you would have heard it from other quarters - I should have said nothing about his going or at any rate of the time of his return fearing it might be too late for you; & the grand attraction of the Mount being absent you might find some excuse for passing us by this year or going making a shabby visit -

So my dear stay at home Uncle is turned Rambler & off again to the Continent! this rejoiced us all we only regret his absence must be so short. he was good enough to write my Father a long letter the very day of his departure - the report he gave of his health was very cheering -

Aunt Wordsworth I am grieved to say had a severe tho' short attack of illness about three

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weeks ago. I am thankful to add she tells us she is now quite strong and well. She has been with her old Friend Mrs Rawson on a visit to a Mrs Saltmarsh who resides near Hull. they are now returned to Halifax where my Aunt waits my Mother's summons to Rydal which will be sent next week - If the weather allow we leave Whitehaven on Monday I stop on my way at Keswick where I am to officiate as one of the seven Bridesmaids to the beautiful Miss Coleridge - Perhaps our Rector may have the honor of tying the knot - if he do not, poor fellow! he will be a solitary Bridesgroom's man. Seven Ladies are too much for the most accomplished beau to take care of. I wish you could come and help him, tho' I suspect you would be as much out of your element as he.

(cetera desunt)

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