Coleridge, Sara (1802-1852) & Coleridge, Sara (1770-1845). - Letter, from Hampstead (?), to Dora Wordsworth (1804-1847), at Rydal Mount, Westmoreland, dated July 1834 (from contents) WLMS A / Coleridge, Sara / 33

[July 1834]

My dearest Dora

I send you a lile book not worth printing perhaps but it was Henry's fancy and fancies - especially conjugal ones, wont bear criticising - He wished for a little record of some of my occupations during an illness which left so few in my power and in this point of view I dare say the booklet will have a interest to you. But don't fancy I think them real [pottery] - nor can they be to any other chick what they have been to Herby, when struck off for the occasion & inkprinted with mama's own hand on white or coloured cards: still though the market is so full of such productions - the main part of them so [[?]] much fitter for general reading than my [Redy] rhymes - I trust the publisher will not be out of pocket - as endless variety for young folks seems the order of the day. None but you & lile Coleridge ladies & lasses will know that they are by Aunt Henry -

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I should like to see Miss Howitts Sketches of N. History for children - I think Mr and Mrs: Wordsworth know that lady. Natural History is a pleasing & in all respects safe subject for children.

I hope ere you receive this we shall have heard fresh & good accounts of you all and that before I finish it - I may have something akin to news - the poorest relation in the world even - to add to it. "It's bad" as the old whist player said, "to have na trumps at aw". News is the trumps of a letter. I don't wonder that Miss Wordsworth suffered from the sudden heat - all invalids did I believe - my father among the rest. I am glad Mr: Wordsworth's eyes are tolerable.

I was much affected by reading of the death of Mrs: Fletcher: there are few persons

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whom I have not seen more of that I remember so vividly. But she had visited us both at Highgate and Hampstead and when she was on the eve of her exile I took it kind that she spared us a day or half a day. She then seemed so strong and cheerful and had such a notion that the climate would favour the weak side of her constitution that I had no sad [pre_ing] about her. I remember her ardent expressions concerning my father and her telling me that I was all happy tranquillity and like a green sunny gr bank. The bank has been sadly ploughed up since and the speaker's lively fancy will charm no more. How forlorn and exiled now her poor husband must feel! I fancy I see her walking on your terrace - that matchless terrace!

The Miss Richmans say they were disappointed in the Parsonage at Tarring:

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which had been overpraised to EMay : the drawing room they thought pretty - but the dining room inconvenient - bedrooms not large & the house cut up & wasted by numerous little unexpected break neck stairs. They saw it unfurnished however and a house of this description is more improved after the [rate] by being clothed than those of better proportions. The garden seems productive I think. I now go down daily & sniff the sweet peas from the open door. Baby has got before her mama in the art of walking. I had hoped to tell Miss Hutchinson that I had entirely taken leave of black drop - I still have good intentions which must not all go to pave a certain place But hitherto I have taken it two or three times a week - not a drop however without medical sanctions. It was because though those who saw me daily found that fatigue was not soporific to me as it is to the [healthy] - but on the contrary an irritant that they judged the dose the least of two evils. Whether I might not have

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been better for braving the misery I cannot say. But why don't you take sedatives? was the inquiry when I was doing without them & doing very ill. But I know that to abstain would be the safer side - or rather I conjecture so for the longer I am ill - the more puzzling my complaint is to me & the less I know how to act for the best. I am truly grieved to hear about Mrs Carr. Miss Cookson's being better than she was this time last year is some satisfaction - [[heavily crossed out words]]

I know you hate to hear about your own health & therefore I shall only just say how rejoiced I shall be to hear of your having change of air, & how glad I am that your spirits and activity can be supported upon airy diet.

The late weather has tried all invalids and I don't wonder that dear Miss Wordsworth has had a little fall back - but I hope she is advancing again. My kindest love & best wishes to her.

We were quite cheered & delighted to see Miss Hutchinson looking so well & so much like her old self in all ways. Henry was quite struck with her sma waist - and it is certainly agreeable to see ins & outs in a figure as they are generally a sign of health. My kind love to her also - as well as to your dear parents & your brother. I hope ere this letter is sent off I shall hear of Mrs: John Wordsworth - and you may imagine how anxious I shall be about Emay when her time arrives.

I am going to occupy John Coleridge's house during the absence of the children family by way of a change, but it will be a dull time without my mother & children nor any other friends. The comfort will be that I shall see rather more of Henry than at home. I am cheered by

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the accounts of Aunt Lovell & wish those of Aunt Southey were better. Mama is by no means well at present. General weakness & nervous sensations are her complaint. I can only pray that she may have a spring by & by - She varies as all nervous persons more especially do - Last week she seemed quite "noppy". She sends kindest love to all your house & thanks for Miss H's letter. Affectionate love to dear Hartley. I hope he will soon give you an opportunity of delivering it. We certainly will not send shirts merely to be "raffled amongst" - Mrs: Luff is kind. Regards to her & Mrs: Carr Miss Cookson and Mrs: Harrison - Also Mrs: Robinson - How near is her set to a score now? I should like to see Mr Quillinan if I were a little better. Sir Egerton's book must be interesting tho' eccentric. Believe me my dear Dora Your truly affectionate friend Sara Coleridge Miss P. Dowling must be very anxious.

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July 16 Our poor nurse is in trouble about her daughter who is in ill state of health and must be moved from a school at Cheltenham where she was placed by the interest of [[-?-]] former master: we have sent our cook to fetch her - but we cannot but feel anxious lest her journey in this weather should be one of great suffering. I hope it will not at any rate be injurious. When those who have to earn their living lose their health how grievous it is! It seems wonderful that they ever get well with such a care on the mind. I have lately heard of a poor young creature who is just in my state and is wretched lest she should be a wretched burden upon her poor parents.

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The draught I took every night was a very harmless & useless affair which I have left off - I know dear Miss H. - indeed all of you are kindly interested about my little health concerns. How I wish I could write like you - or rather that I could teach Herby and Edy to do so! We have had an elegant specimen from dear Hartley in his usual playful strain. He proposes sending prose and verse for Henry to dispose of - but the latter has no contact with Annuals & magazines. Other influence than Hartley's own name I hope is not needed. How glad I should be to welcome the [[heavily crossed out words]] Mrs: & Miss Hoare will have an enviable sojourn at Rydal. Mama is sadly teased with her old cough. I hear her [darling] now.

Have you not been pleased with "Van Artevelde?" I was so much so that I began comparing it with your father's poems That I found would not do - and I desisted thinking it unkind to place a young author in a killing light even in one's own mind. I can't help thinking that if Mr Taylor were a more loving natured person he would have written still more interestingly. There is a great deal of thought and yet - (I may be expressing myself inconsistedly) - but it seems to me that there is not an equal proportion of what is called in the strictest sense imagination. More glow & richness might be compatible with sound sense and acute thinking. Still it is a fine drama immeasurably beyond the praised productions of the day. The Publisher says this is such a dead dull time that he will not bring out the rhymes till after the Autumn vacations.

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21. July. Yesterday we had a very alarming account of my father & Henry went twice to Highgate His difficulty of breathing & articulation was most oppressive & his weakness extreme. He left him last night a shade better - but this morning he is worse & we have not much hopes though he has often rallied from a state that appeared near to death. It is the extreme general weakness that makes Mr G. think ill of him, not any particular affection. Had it been God's will we should have rejoiced in his living some years longer - for he was not altogether without enjoyment in the midst of weakness and frequent suffering - & he was anxious of being useful to others as long as he had strength & breath to speak. Many indeed are they who will testify to this when he is gone as they have done during his life time. He did not wish to see either Henry or Mr Green fearing the agitation - but Henry did see him for a minute and he sent his blessing to my mother and me. When you next see dear Hartley you may as well give him this letter to read no. I was to have left home tomorrow. I cannot of course go in this uncertainty. I had [[-?-]] written to Hartley before this happened but the letter is yet in my portfolio. 22. We have scarcely any hopes now. the pain does not abate except for a very short time. I know it is useless to go to Highgate - if there were the slightest chance of seeing him I would go. Henry will write to Derwent to prepare him - I think Hartley should be apprized too though if we had any hopes we would spare him the anxiety. I am very glad that Miss Hutchinson saw him when she did. And also Edith & Mr Poole who expressed himself in the warmest terms about him. Thursday Evening. Henry's account tonight of my father's state is most distressing - his bodily pain is so great - but his head continues quite clear & he told Harriet, who feels for him as for a father, that he feared the struggle would be a long one as he had no feeling of dissolution upon him. God grant him relief and compensate all his sufferings in this life! He sees no one but Harriet and Mr Taylor, the Assistant: the sight of other friends agitates his nerves and disturbs his meditations. May he be made happy through our blessed Redeemer!

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23rd. I have no better news to add my dear Dora. This morning my poor father was easy for an hour and a half, but after that the pain returned. I am anxiously waiting now for Henry's report, but he thinks we must not [[?]] any hope of his recovery. The Cessation of the pain or mitigation at least is all we can expect.

This letter will go by Miss Spedding but you will hear from Henry. God bless you my dear Dora and all your dear circle.

Coleridge, Sara (1770-1845). - Letter, from Hampstead (?), to Dora Wordsworth (1804-1847), at Rydal Mount, Westmoreland, dated July 1834 (from contents). Appended to a letter from her daughter Sara Coleridge to Dora Wordsworth. WLMS A / Coleridge, Sara / 33

Thursday. 24 as Sara doubtless has told you all the little concerns of our goings on, I shall only thank dear Miss H. for her kind letter - and send best remembrances to all our dear friends at [] M. with [] one to my poor friend who has suffered so much since I parted fr[] years ago. I hope and trust a few years of her usual enjoyments [] store for her. She, and all of you, will feel much for your[]

God grant that we may hear this morning that he has pass [] of less acute suffering that he had during the greatest part [] night. Mrs Gillman can hear him during the night which [] very anxious. She does not see him, nor does any one except the nurse and medical men - he cannot bear to be seen, or spoken to.

Miss Hoare will take the 3 Vol: of the Poems I daresay.

God bless You! Believe me dearest Dora Yours very sincerely and affectionately S. Coleridge.

Thank you for yr nice little note. Will you have the kindness to prepare Hartley for the sad tidings we fear must soon reach you: Henry has written to Derwent, but as his father can see no one, and this house is not what could be wished at present we hope he wont come up, so long a journey his school on the eve of re-opening. Sara was getting better, she walks down stairs several times.

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Miss Dora Wordsworth

Rydal Mount

Westmoreland

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Object summary: WLMS A / Coleridge, Sara / 33