Coleridge, Sara (1802-1852). - Letter, from Greta Hall, to Mary Stanger (1804-1890), at Selaby, dated 11 August 1824 (1824 in Mary Stanger's hand). WLMS Moorsom / 55 / 1 / 2

Greta hall

Aug.11

My dear Mary

The opportunity of a frank is not to be resisted although my eyes, which are particularly uneasy this morning, would fain have me defer writing till I had received your promised letter from Selaby, & my almost vacant news list strongly supports their argument, which though not powerful enough to prevent me from writing altogether, will serve as an excuse for this scanty sheet. My mother & Aunts thank you for the wedding cake; they did not send a formal note of congratulations on the fateful day, but desire me to send you their sincere good wishes now. As soon as I got home on Tuesday I had what we call at our house a good cry:- but they were not bitter tears which I shed: they refreshed me very much;- I paid a charitable visit to Miss Christian the other day to talk over the wedding, I have been a most welcome visitor at every house since I have had this precious piece of news to discuss:- yet I generally find that your cousin in law has forestalled me in some particulars, & then I say "Mary never looked so well or so interesting in her life a she did on that mor

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ning," the answer is "Yes,- so Mr Wilson told us."

I have lately received a long letter from Edith:- She was going to stay a day & night at Lady Rennavay's, then a few days at Exeter, & then most probably go back to Seaton, which she has not had half enough of- Her visit to Crediton is not yet arranged. I hope the Coleridges and she will meet during her stay in those parts. She thinks Devon a lovely county. In the beginning of October she goes with Lady R. to Saunton, & after staying there returns with her, paying a number of visits by the way, to town. If she does not come home till Spring I shall have a most lonely winter to spend here, as my visit to Highgate is deferred till next summer. Mrs. G. is going to the sea, there to stay till the close of the Autumn, & is in such very precarious health that she cannot at present receive any one stranger under her roof, but must have her sister to occupy her spare bed, & relieve her of her household cares and duties. I might go to Dublin if I liked, & Mrs. Reenan wishes me to spend the winter with her in France, but I shall never have courage to go to either place. We were engaged to Miss Bristow's this evening to meet the [Contacts] but to my joy the rain furnishes a decent

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excuse for staying at home. The [[?]] want me to go to their farewell dinner party on thursday, but I have spent one quiet day with them lately, & that must suffice. They set out for Newcastle th. 1st of Oct. The Rydalians urge me to join their summer gaities, but I had much rather visit them when they are what people call dull in the winter. I have given up the idea of receiving instructions in dancing:- my own graceless unsteady amble will do well enough to run down to the Lake of a cold winter's morning. Pray tell me in your next how I am to direct to you in town- must I direct to the Ordance Office? & what weight the said Office can frank. Mind you never shew my scrawls to any one: - not even spousy: Fanny never shews mine to Mr. I. I have not heard from her since you went, but have received a kind note from her brother John: his wife is gone to Stamford Hill for 5 weeks, but you had better leave the parcel as we agreed upon. Miss F. made a mistake about the lilac handkerchief- it was 3/6 not 5/6. I shall hardly be able to write to you again till you get to town, having a number of letters on hand, & my eyes in the state you know. I am most eager to hear from you. Pray remember me very kindly to your happy consort & to all the circle at Selaby: tell the Bride elect that I should

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like to have an enchanted telescope, through which I might see her on a certain occasion, though I do not wish ever to be at another wedding- I think they are melancholy things, whatever shew of gaiety may be put on. Believe me your most affectionate friend Dinsinalia Coleridge.

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I hope that your dearest friend is as well in health as you could wish him- what did you think of Richmond. I wait with impatience for your letter dearest. Adieu.

To Mrs. J. Stanger Selaby

Aug.t 1824 Marriage

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Object summary: WLMS Moorsom / 55 / 1 / 2