Coleridge, Sara (1802-1852). - Letter, from Keswick (?), to Elizabeth Wardell (nee Crumpe), at Bank, Chester, dated 30 August 1829. WLMS A / Coleridge, Sara / 25.

August 30- 1829

My dearest Mrs: Wardell

When you may receive this note I know not but I wish you to see when you do that though I would not trouble you with a letter by post I thought of you & dedicated a little of my now precious time to you a few days before the interesting event at which I wish that you could be present. Not that on the day I shall be able to enjoy the society of my friends much, but in after years it would have been pleasant when memory pictures the scene to have seen your face

[page break (2)]

amid the group; with that face I associate the most genial & pleasurable ideas: our intercourse my dear Elizabeth has often been tinged with melancholy but soothing sympathy [has] softened our saddest conversations and in more cheerful hours our mirth was unalloyed by a grain of uncongeniality much less of envy ill will or any of those unhappy [passions] which; more than any thing else, mar our welfare in this world. You were ever friendly & affectionate and I think we understood one another. I trust that now you are a mother, & know all the deep entrancing interests of a mother, your ardour toward friends, and your

[page break (3)]

taste for sentimental & intellectual gratifications are not extinguished or damped: if this be so I shall indeed despair of finding a good wife & a mother with an unmonopolized heart & mind.

Apropos to pleasures of mind I return you the "Prometheus" with many thanks for the loan of it. it has been vastly admired by good judges since you sent it on a visit to the north: I hope you have found the "Tea Table". I do not remember taking it from any of your [sancturns], & in the resolution & emigration of my books and papers occasioned by the prospect

[page break (4)]

of marriage it has not turned up. You may imagine my dear Friend, how much I have suffered with the thought of leaving all here - my dear mother in particular: she however will I trust ultimately settle near me & is about to spend the winter with my brother Derwent at Helston. After our union Henry & I propose returning to Keswick for a month or five weeks. I wish that on our return we could avail ourselves of your kind wish to see us at Chester, but we shall be in haste & I fear that would

[page break (5)]

be out of the question. Dear Dora has perhaps told you of our marrying schemes & will I dare say tell you about it afterwards. Otherwise I could break through my economic rule & write to you by post; for I cannot affect to look upon the approaching event as one of great interest & near concernment to me, & as such I ought not to be silent upon it to a friend like you. Hartley will I hope be present on the occasion. I wish the wedding could have been more private, but at this time of year it was almost impossible. Edith manages the whole matter, & invites whom she likes: I thought it delicate and proper to leave the arrangements entirely to her.

Mr Wordsworth is now upon his Irish tour: I hope he may enjoy it. He says your brother & sister are delightfully settled at Arkham lodge - the views are delightful - the rooms spacious & handsome & fitted up in a style of grave elegance which he admires very much. We had a peep at Mr. & Mrs William Jackson the other day; I thought them both looking well, though I believe they are far from strong. I trust however they will improve in health. They seem perfectly happy in each other.

[page break (6)]

I was rejoiced to hear that Mr Wardell had got over the troublesome complaint in his teeth. I am still afflicted with it. Give my best regards to him & kisses to the twinlets, whom Hartley would like to hug, when they are at a huggable age & size. I wish I could hear better accounts of poor dear Louisa. I hope Miss Green will be completely restored in time With kind regards to your family when you write I remain dearest Elizabeth your ever affectionate friend

Sara Coleridge

[page break (6 crossed writing)]

I believe I thanked you before for your kind & long letter in which you so kindly complied with my request in regard to House-keeping hints. I wish I could ever be as clever a house keeper, as you. But I must be content with just saving my credit I fear.

Mrs: Wardell

Bank

Chester

---

Object summary: WLMS A / Coleridge, Sara / 25