Wordsworth, Dora (1804-1847). - Letter, from Rydal Mount, to Rotha Quillinan (1822-1876), at Wyndham Place, dated 23 March 1833. WLL / Wordsworth, Dora / 1 / 47

Rydal Mount

March 23d

As I have again an opportunity of sending you a few lines my very dear little girls, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of doing so more especially as I have nothing but good news to communicate; my dear Aunt is very much better yesterday she sat up full two hours & will do the like today - she can again amuse herself with books & we read to her every evening a long time which she much enjoys. She cannot yet attempt to stand but her progress has been so great the last ten days that we [[-?-] [-?-]] hope in a short time she may be able once again to move

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about as she did last spring. My Father left us yesterday for a few days; on a visit to whom do you think - you cannot guess - to his Grand-daughter - yes indeed his Grand daughter - little Jane Stanley Wordsworth who appeared at Moresby on the 7th of this month - your friend sweet Mrs John Wordsworth is the happiest of Mothers, her husband the proudest of Fathers, & your plague Dora no little pleased with the dignified title of Aunt to give a dignity to the "Do old Maid" - the little Darling is to come to see her great Aunt Dorothy in June if all be well. & we are looking forward to this visit with deep feelings of joy & thankfulness.

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my brother was with us this week, & my Father returned with him, his Child was a fortnight old yesterday, he thinks it the prettiest little thing that ever was seen but if the truth were known I dare say it is a perfect little fright.

I had a letter from "London John" this morning who tells me Papa is not yet returned to town, we trust his health may be greatly benefitted by country air - I hope your colds are better. here they are all the fashion & till the sharp east wind, wh. has blown for many days, departs I fear we must not expect to get rid of them - our dear Invalid has hitherto escaped &

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we care not much for others -

Mr. Hamilton is returned to his pretty cottage looking remarkably well & right glad to be again in Westmoreland - Mr. Archer still in the neighbourhood, tho' threatening to leave for some time back. Cousin Caroline Wordsworth is with us at present & we hope to keep her a few weeks longer but I think Rotha you scarcely saw her.

I wish I could have sent you a more favorable account of your garden; there are plenty of flowers in it but poor things they all "sit like beggars in the cold" shivering & miserable & it looks anything but bright joyous & spring-like however they

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they have no reason to be jealous of their neighbours as all are in the same condition - My Father has planted a beautiful Cedar near to Miss Wordsworths rock & another at the end of the Terrace - & he has made quite a gay little garden (or rather what in time will be gay) among the rocks near to your pretty seat in the cherry tree - & we call it "Rotha's garden".

Miss Hutchinson is at present staying at Keswick with Mr & Mrs Southey who are well - so are the young Ladies & Cuthbert who is grown so tall you would scarcely recognize him. Mary Hutchinson comes to us tomorrow & will remain till Monday morning this is her first visit since school began, she too has had a wretched cold but is better - I dont think George is quite as fond of Sedbergh as Tom - poor fellow he is younger & therefore may be excused for pining a little after his Mother and home. this too is the first time he was ever separated from them for any length of time. it is an age since we have had letters from Brinsop

Do you remember Miss Cookson's sister Sarah she is the bearer of this to town where she is going on a visit to her eldest brother. Miss Cookson is pretty well - she never stirs out of her steaming room

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I think I have already written to you of a little friend I have lately made - Jane Pasley; who comes to see us very often & is an amusing creature, I am sure you would like her - she is not quite six years old - & she has too a dear little brother three or four years younger than herself whom she sometimes brings up with her they are to dine with us tomorrow, if wishes could avail I know two other friends who would join the party - Love & kisses from my Mother & Aunt to you both & a double portion from your faithful & loving friend Dora Wordsworth

If you wont tell me how the mark in the nose

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goes on (or rather off as I hope ) I wont write to you -

Little pet Robin all your play fellows are merry & well You would be charmed with Isabellas Dog it accompanied his its Master to Rydal the other day - An Italian grey hound mouse colored the most elegant thing I ever saw. Should either of you write to Papa or see him pray let him know how much better our dear Invalid is - & also say that my sister & her babe are going on well as possible.

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Saturday Evening – Mary is sitting at my elbow darning her Aunts stockings which it was agreed was a more charitable occupation than writing to you as one letter was going from the house she begs me to tell you this with her affectionate love - she is quite well & very happy at school – she has received no letters from home or from her brothers for a long time

Again God bless you Darlings! -

Miss Rotha Quillinan

Wyndham Place

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