Wordsworth, Mary (1770-1859). - Letter, from unstated address, to (?), dated (Autumn 1846). WLL / Wordsworth, Mary / 2 / 156.

My dearest Friend

I do not know if Dora may not have written to you within the few last days but if she has not you will be wanting to hear of us. I have myself been very dilatory of late, having excused myself from time to time in the feeling of our plans being unsettled, & that I could not write satisfactorily. Now I think I may say that we are stationary for the winter; tho’ my husband still says “if the weather should become fine & he knew of a nice sea-side residence he should like us to go thither for a fortnight” - & perhaps it might be of use to quiet the irritation in his legs, which you will remember, he has before

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been subject to, & which now torment him a good deal - & we I at least have some inclination to comply with Willy’s wish, to pay him a visit of a few days. I suppose he wants the advice of either Dora or myself about preparing for the great event. You may not have heard that he has taken Miss Bonner’s Cottage – but it was not to be let with the furniture, so that he will be very busy – as the Marriage is to be early in the New Year. The rent of the Cottage is £30 – with the field he thinks about £35 – quite enough we think. But they are fortunate in being so readily accommodated for it seems both Willy’s & his Betrothed’s heart were set upon this said Cottage –

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which if it were not for the Rail-road, we should have thought it an inconvenient distance from Carlisle, in all weathers. I hardly think we shall any of us go to him, as the weather will not allow us to do so at once, & Mr Carter being only here for a very short time, Dora & he have so much to do together at Loughrigg Holm – she cannot leave home, And as after Willy’s business, as Receiver, is over, he will be coming over to us to meet his Love who is to pay us a visit of introduction early next month.

It was a great comfort to us my dearest friend to hear of your improved health thro Sara Coleridge – we have thought a great deal about you during this season of wet & heavy weather.

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We cannot persuade ourselves that either where you are, or London is the situation to suit you at this season. Yet it appears, tho’ this Village has been spared, that Fevers & sickness of various kinds have prevailed every where. – John gives direful reports of the state of his neighbourhood - & his Wife has been confined to her bed for many days – this by the old chest complaint – I fear she is in a sad morbid state; he says “She wants nothing but quiet, & cares for nothing else”. As soon as she is able I hope she will be induced to go to the Hall – they talk of Hastings – but how it will be they her parents must decide – Mr Bell tell John the airy rooms, & care of her Mother, at home would be much <(remainder destroyed)>

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I know Mrs Arnold is writing to you so I do not send news of our neighbours of whom she knows more than I do.

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Object summary: WLL / Wordsworth, Mary / 2 / 156