Jewsbury, Maria Jane (1800-1833). - Letter, from an unstated address, to Dora Wordsworth (1804-1847), at Rydal Mount, Ambleside, dated 18 November 1828. WLMS A / Jewsbury, Maria Jane / 16.

<Nov. 18 1828>

My dearest Dora

Prepare yourself for a most explanatory letter - but as I have only half an hour to explain in - it is much if I do not leave out something. In the first place you are not to expect to hear from your Aunt until after next Sunday - because she only left Manchester yesterday. Friday was a very wet day, but this was not the reason why she delayed her departure - the reason was, that she could not go, because I would not let her go - & as I am most arbitrary in my own house, she had no resource but to write to your brother some days beforehand announcing that she should not reach him till today.

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I did most generously give her leave to add three days to the end of her visit to Whitwick in consequence of having subtracted subtracted three from the beginning. She left us yesterday - in excellent health & spirits - with a most lovely day for her journey. I hope she enjoyed herself tolerably whilst here - I think you would smile if you knew all she did & saw - "Panting Time" (that is myself) "toiled after her in vain." Churches - Museums - Factories - Shopping - Institutions - Company - at home & abroad - not that I attempted to compete with her, - no, I merely lay in bed & legislated - provided relays of friends & carriages - & had the pleasure of knowing that my visitor was pleased - & that she won all hearts before & round her. She is the very Genius of Popularity - an embodied spell.

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I should be jealous of her for a continuance - I should be dethroned even on my own sofa - amidst my own circle. Well she is gone. I hope I shall see her next year but I doubt - I go to Lancaster in May if all be well - & oh you do not know how I anticipate seeing you once more. Circumstances have enlarged the sphere of my acquaintance since I saw you - perhaps the sphere of my affections - but nothing has for one moment affected your influence. Your Aunt desired me to write you a very nice letter - but not being so well as usual, & having had my half hour cut down by a caller into a quarter - you must trust till another time. My kind love to all your circle & believe me Ever Your's, M.J.J.

I add a few lines addressed to you the other morning not good but true.

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To Dora Flowers of the fairest, And gems of the rarest, I find & I gather in country & town, But one is still wanting, Oh where is it haunting, The bud & the jewel must make up my crown? The Rose with its bright heads, The Diamond that light sheds Rich as the sunbeam, & pure as the snow, Oh wh One gives me its fragrance, The other its radiance But where dwell the Pearl & the Lily below? Tis years since I knew thee, But yet should I view thee, With the eye & the heart of my earliest youth, And feel thy meek beauty, Add impulse to duty, The love of the fancy, to old ties of truth. Thou Pearl of the deep sea That flows in my heart free, Thou rock-planted Lily, come hither or send, Mid flowers that are fairest, And jewels the rarest, I miss thee, I seek thee, my own parted friend. M.J.J.

Miss D. Wordsworth

Rydal Mount

Ambleside

Westmoreland.

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Object summary: WLMS A / Jewsbury, Maria Jane / 16