Wordsworth, Mary (1770-1859). - Letter, from an unstated address, to Thomas Monkhouse (1783-1825), at an unstated address, dated [September 1822]. WLL / Wordsworth, Mary / 1 / 45.

<Sept 1822>

My dear Cousin,

I write Thinking you will be desirous to know how your affair with Mr Fleming stands, therefore, and having the further inducement of wishing the enclosed letter to Mrs Gee Miss Lockiers Hendon to be franked (as it relates solely to Wm's business, & is in other respects a very megre one) I am tempted to write without having much to say that will interest you, or without being in a humour to make up a letter.

On Monday Morg Wm presented your bill to the great Man, which as he had before done he rejected, unless it were left as in part of payment- which this of course was not done - F. repeated what he before had said, about Dr W. & my oath &c - the bill therefore lies in my desk - what is to be done with it? On Monday Even I condescended, with a view to save further trouble, to write a note, stating to F. "That I was present at the conclusion of the agreement betwixt himself & you", & repeating what that agreement was -

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-"that after you & he had finally settled- I asked him if, should you quit the house during the period of the agreement, he F would have any objection that it should be turned over to Dr W. provided he came into the Country & was in want of a residence at the time you might leave it"- that "I distinctly stated this to be conditional", not then knowing, nor until many weeks after that Dr W. would be in the Country this Summer"- which was the fact, as the first decisive information that he would come was given by him in a letter to Dr. [S.] received when we were at Lowther in answer to one the Dr wrote informing Dr W. of his Brs. accident. I added that he "chearfully" agreed to my conditional arrangement & that I hoped he would not doubt the accuracy of my statement, but if he were not satisfied, I was ready to tender my oath & told him that Mr Jones, a Magistrate, was now at Rydal Mount in whose presence it might be be conveniently settled." This John Carter, to whom he had complained of your conduct took to him - but tho' he waited for some time F. did not open the note nor advert to the Subject. So the matter stands for I have had no answer - The windows

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were one day opened & I believe people [cleaning] the house which he, or someone has proclaimed thro' the village, to have been left shamfully dirty as Joanna hears at [Mary] Lancaster's. I believe he was applied to, to let it, but he would not shew the premises. He is a stupid Brute -

Wm Jackson before now will have told you we are all well - Mr Jones left us on Thursday to our great disappointment - as in his letter he told us he meant to stay 3 weeks with us - which was his intention until he engaged to convey his Friend's Gig & 'to deliver it in Wales the beginning of next Month - this hurried him before his time - Strickland Cookson leaves us on Monday & the Dr & Charles the Monday following - so we shall reduce very fast Miss [Taylor] gave a Ball which Sarah Dora & Strickland attended, where were all the Grandees - the Young ones also were at one on Thursday Eveg at Brathay Hall - so the gaieties are not yet quite over - To day a Cart Load are gone in Troutbeck - & whether this beautiful weather will tempt the Party to Wastdale or not next week, or not I do not know - but it is now delightful & I hope it will continue & that the [Guild] may go off triumphantly. Let us hear something of you - how you all performed your journey &c &c

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I trust the little Darling will continue to thrive as well as she did among the [Mountains]. Love to your wife & best regards to all around you especially to Miss Horrocks - truly & sincerely yours M. Wordsworth

Saturday

My Aunt is quite well - The Nicholson, that is Mary Dawson’s Sister, whom I promised to serve if it was in your power, with the charity called the day you went away- I wish you could get it for them - they are exceedingly deserving. Pray to send the letter as soon as you can conveniently.

To

Thos Monkhouse Esqre

<Sept or Oct 1822 M.W. about Mr Fleming a quarrel over the house>

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Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Mary / 1 / 45