Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from an unstated address, to Edward Quillinan (1791-1851), at No 12 Bryanston Street, Portman Square, London, dated 19 December 1829 (date from postmark). Letter follows transcription of Wordsworth's 'Gold and Silver Fishes' and Hartley Coleridge's 'I mourn not that I cannot give thee gold'. WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 25

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My dear Mr Quillinan,

In reply to your obliging letter of the 14th of Decmbr. I have to request that the watch may be left to the care of your Housekeeper as probably my Revd Brother may be in Town & out again before your return thither - as it is his present intention to take his Master's degree at the end of this month & then proceed to London of course he will make his way to Bryanston St. not without a hope of finding you at home. I know not how long he thinks of remaining in Town, his time will be divided between an old school fellow & a College Friend - both of whom I believe reside in the Temple.

Aunt Wordsworth and I are taking care of each other a poor show for a Rydal Mount fireside! but we shall be rewarded before Xmas sets in - Father & Mother went over Kirkstone yesterday on a visit to the Wm Marshalls they return the beginning of the week, and Aunt Sarah bringing along with her Aunt Joanna, will joins our party on Xmas Eve - No Willy - to tease, & to make merry - but we shall have a second quiet John Wordsworth in the shape of cousin Johnny - and the real John will be here before Xmas is out -

I am sorry to say Father has not yet heard from Longman - Aunt & I are exceedingly anxious something were done about towards forwarding the printing of these small Poems, for till they are out of the way we feel convinced, his great work will never be touched

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every day he finds something to alter or new stanzas to add - or a fresh Sonnet - or a fresh Poem growing out of one just finished - which he always promises shall be the last - Two or three stanzas are added to the Ode on Sound - "After thoughts" to The Rock & Primrose Poem & so on - I send quite a new Poem which I hope will please you as much as it pleases the Poet's Ladies. Do you think it worthy of your Love? It is a fortnight since we lost the fair Edith - we hope soon to have this loss supplied by One nearly as fair E.Cookson - if the snow which is now falling in good earnest does not stop her - Aunt Wordsworth keeps quite well the daily drives she has taken in the poney Chair have strengthend her amazingly - If you chance to see The Henry Coleridges, pray remember us most affectionately to them I do trust dear Sara's face is better

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Our love & kisses to your Darlings & kind rememberances to their little Maid Eliza -

Mr Barber will be glad to receive your rememberances for everyday it is “where is Quillinan have you not heard from Quillinan” - all disinterested enquiries I assure you for he is not in the slightest hurry for the things - he requested you to get for him

Aunt joins me in love Ever you affecte & faithful

Dora Wordsworth

Again let me thank you for all the trouble you have had about the watch

Alas! alas! Kelkbarrow Castle is razed to the ground! not by the hand of Fairy or Giant not by the power of winds or of waters, but by it's own weight - as Mily Dickson the humorous village Architect & prime builder of the Castle said "Kehlbarrow's Cropen" (burst)

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Mr B- bears it like a Philosopher as he does all great vexations or misfortunes & is only truly thankful that it fell at night when neither man nor beast was near - We all mourn over the fall as the Tower was a very great ornament to the vale from all points

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I hope the business like style in which this letter is begun was not lost upon you

You cannot at any rate quarrel with it as you yourself are my model thus do you commence your letters, to my Aunts & my no small amusement & I may say satisfaction as we augur from it that the Militaire, the Homme des Lettres, &c &c are given way to the Man of business and the Wine Butts. Lucky for me three hundred miles are between us as at such a distance my impudence can escape unpunished -

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Pray send the Papist's Lays to Longmans to come in his first parcel to Mr Southey

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Edward Quillinan Esqre.,

No 12 Bryanston St.,

Portman Square.

London.

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Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 25