920. W. W. to ELIZABETH HUGHES³

• MS. WL transcript. Hitherto unpublished.

• Rydal Mount
• August 16^th [1835]

Dear Mrs Hughes,

Your letter containing so many sad particulars has remained too long unanswered; I deferred writing at first from a hope that I might be able to let you know that the Book which I am anxious to receive as a memorial of my departed Friend had reached me. M^r Bolton has been some time at his Residence in this neighbourhood, but it has not been sent to me yet. In a few days I shall go to his house when I will make inquiries after it.

Be assured, my dear Madam, that we truly sympathize with your second grievous recent loss, in the decease of your only surviving Brother. He was a man, I doubt not, esteemed wherever he was known, by me he will always be remembered with lively interest. The consolations of religion which you (p. 87) pg 87feelingly speak of are the only ones capable of supporting human nature under such afflictions as your family has had to endure in such near succession. We also in this family have been severely tried.

M^rs Wordsworth's Sister, who has lived with us during much the greater part of her life, died a few weeks ago under our roof, after an attack of rheumatic fever, from the effects of which she never recovered. My Sister, the only one I ever had, has been languishing for upwards of four years, and is confined to her room and almost to her bed, without the least prospect of recovery. My only Daughter has for some time been suffering from a spinal complaint which was preceded by much weakness and disorder in the digestive organs which still continue weak and liable to frequent derangement, though, thank God, the pains in the back and arms have been much alleviated by frequent bleeding and blistering.

In addition to these distresses a faithful servant who has lived with us twelve years has been very ill, she however, is recovering; so that out of a small Household of eight, four have been disabled from assisting the others. Under these circumstances we have felt not the less, but the more for the Friends who have been visited in a similar way, and especially for your family. Though your Brother Robert and I had not been in the way of much personal intercourse with each other for many years, the hope of meeting him again was always dear to me; we loved each other with a faithful affection, and that mutual respect which gives a strength to friendships formed in early life, which none of more recent origin can have. But I must not indulge in melancholy reflections; let me hope that your own health and spirits and those of your excellent sisters may improve; with a prayer that God may continue his blessings to you all, in which M^rs W. joins, as would my sister and Daughter if they knew that I was writing to you; I remain dear M^rs Hughes

• yours very faithfully        
• W^m Wordsworth