1262. W. W. to EDWARD MOXON

• Address: Edward Moxon Esq^r, 44 Dover Street.
• Postmark: 10 July 1838.
• Stamp: Charles St.
• MS. Henry E. Huntington Library.
• LY ii. 932.

July 4^th [1838]

My dear Sir,

Thanks for your last Letter, announcing the despatch of the parcel, and telling me that you would endeavour to serve Mr Shand.¹ It gives me some pain to have to let you know, that yesterday, when I was passing through Keswick, Mr Southey shewed me a Letter from the Landlord of the Head Inn Carlisle, the Bush,² in which he stated that Mr Shand after staying some days in his House went off leaving a Bill of £7 6s. 0d. or thereabouts unpaid. I hasten to tell this to you, in order that if he should call you may be prepared to act as you think proper. I feel much obliged by your meeting my wish by an assurance that you will make an attempt to serve him, but dismiss that promise entirely from your thoughts. The worst part of the transaction, bad enough in all respects, is that being poor and needy, as he probably is, he should have gone to the most expensive Inn in the Place. This admits neither of excuse nor apology; had he been pennyless or nearly so and gone to a public house suitable (p. 618) pg 618to his condition, and even left his bill unpaid, from sheer necessity, that would have been an action much to be blamed, but still pity and compassion might have qualified one's censure, and would have done so. But in this case I cannot find an excuse. To save you the disagreeableness of any explanation, or even interview with him, unless you think proper to see him, I have enclosed a note which may be given to him. How long he may have continued such practices cannot be learned, and could one be sure this is his first performance one might still with caution try to serve him.

I shall be absent three weeks upon a Tour in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham.¹ I write from a Lady's house three miles from Carlisle. I am accompanying Miss Fenwick. Tomorrow we start by the rail way from Carlisle to Newcastle, we have most beautiful weather.—

I am afraid what with the Coronation and the long Vacation, our Vol: of Sonnets will have a poor chance of attracting the least notice.—

With kind regards to Mrs Moxon and your Sister and remembrance also to your Brother believe me faithfully yours

Wm Wordsworth