Jewsbury, Maria Jane (1800-1833). - Letter, from an unstated address, to Dora Wordsworth (1804-1847), at an unstated address, dated 30 July 1829. Incomplete. WLMS A / Jewsbury, Maria Jane / 25.

A full week old this first part. <July 30 1829>

I know not why, but tho' this will not reach you of a week I feel an impulse to write to you - thanks for your nice letter, tho' there was so little "Jug Jug" in it. Have I been separated from you only six three weeks! My heart feels it three months - What would I not give for one gleam of you tonight - for one laughing reproof - one caricature of wisdom - one imperious mandate - no matter whether it concerned my morals or wrapping up my gowns! And the evening is so lovely - a golden sunset all wasted on paved streets & tiles, & chimneys - Give my love to the Sun, for I have not seen him since I left Lancaster.

Your account of Lady B. touched me - I was just going to get you to transmit my thanks for the book she sent me - I shall value it now especially. Alas! Alas! golden sunsets & death! hopes, & affections, & pleasures & a day of doom approaching - "Multitudes - Multitudes in the valley of decision" - & that decision - Who shall help being sad - & fearful - & doubtful? - Fletcher's last was on this subject - he had just witnessed an awful death - & the grief of the survivors - & it had so harrassed him - he wrote

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to me - to me a death dreader - for "a gleam of sunshine." I replied by entreating him to face his feelings & begin the New Testament. He is going to London directly - stays here on his return - Surely you are not jealous really? Surely not! - Poor B - trembles at the idea of your influence - and alas - I see & shall see very little of her - an evening in a month perhaps - All is well now - I have given her a Benjamin's portion of scolding & good advice, & ended by giving her twice as much "Jug Jug." Certainly you two reign together in my heart. - May God bless you both - & make you far wiser & happier than the one whose friends you are! I have left you - & no object reminds me of the past - but my own heart is pregnant with remembrances, & of each you are part - near to me as ever - I dare not say how near - or you will think it needful to be wise & rebuke me! Your wise remarks touching my friendship for B - amuse me. Suppose any one who might hear me enthusiasticising (as is my wont) about you, [[-?-]] should say the same[[-?-]] - You would be a little Tiberiusly disposed I think. But

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"drop" on - the pearls & diamonds & roses of counsel & caution.

At Lancaster I proved the reverse of the fairy tale - for frogs & toads & serpents were there dropped - Fletcher writes me - "That you s have some enemies in this spiteful little town is almost certain." - Yet really I am, & have long been quite careless about it. I left a letter to be shewn about - disclaiming all the reports in toto - & expressing my determination not soon to revisit a town where "according to an ancient punishment, I had first been rubbed over with honey & then exposed to the stings of wasps." - The Son of [[?]] is I fear dying - he has long been delicate - consumptively disposed.

July 30th This was written a week ago - Yesterday I received your reply to my business letter - thanks for it. - I am glad to hear you think it probable yr father may give AAW something but I shall say nought about it. - I am sorry you are leaving yr. premises so soon - glad that you are going to Ireland - Pray let me have news of the "Enthusiast" & his sister. James Cookson took tea here on Saturday - & as I find Miss K. does not go by Ambleside, I commit my parcel to his custody

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& hope they will reach all in due time - before yr departure - I am quite sorry I sent the message to Sara - when you have read my note to her send it sometime - Poor dear little thing - Really I have nothing to tell you! except two things that are "no news" - that I love you - & that I am taking on fresh people - that I have got a new corresponding lover in Mr Pringle, not of the little Piggie - but of South Africa - the Ephemerides &c &c & that every body (my particulars I mean) think me more improved in mind & spirits than in body a little all in consequence of Rydal! - & that here it is "mad-dog time" & that unfortunate curs are dragged about the town with strings round their necks, to take the air - free from the fear of being shot - only exposed to that of being hanged! & that I am weary of the town - beyond expression - & that I gave yr love to Geraldine - which made her eyes bring [[?]] - & that my own (love not eyes) is now fixed for B - & that though she has sent me two notes sealed with wafers - (in reproof of which I mean to beg she will not again

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Object summary: WLMS A / Jewsbury, Maria Jane / 25