pg 102449. W. W. to ROBERT JONES

• Address: Rev. R. Jones, Plas yn Llan, Ruthyn, North Wales.
• Franked: Penrith August three 1829 W. Marshall.
• Postmark: 3 Aug. 1829.
• Stamp: Penrith.
• MS. WL. Hitherto unpublished.

• Patterdale
• August 4^th 1829¹

My dear Jones,

We had looked for you with a good deal of confidence, and were not a little disappointed in not seeing you. I am now on my way to Lowther, and should have written you from thence to inquire after you. It gives us much concern to hear of your Brother's illness, the more so as you speak of its having been a dangerous one; and I know well that under the most favorable circumstances the irritation causes great uneasiness.—

As you do not mention your own health, I hope it is pretty good. My excellent Sister you will be sorry to learn had in Spring a most dangerous sickness, an internal inflammation, which subsided after keeping her 48 hours in acute pain, I might use a much stronger expression, and this is the cause why we cannot visit Wales this summer; for though she is recovered almost from the extreme weakness the malady left, still a year's tranquillity at least must be tried, before she can safely be trusted to any extraordinary exertion or excitement. Pray thank your Brother Edward for his kind attentions, and express our regrets that this agreeable Excursion must be given up for this year.—

My Son John has been presented to a small Living by the Earl of Lonsdale. It is near Whitehaven—he is gone to take possession, and Mrs. W. will follow in a few days to see that he is comfortably established. There is no parsonage—so that he must lodge somewhere. My Daughter and I intend to follow in a few days; her Mother thinking that sea-air and perhaps Bathing may strengthen her against the Winter. She is, thank God, in pretty good general health; but far from being so strong as might be wished—in particular she has a weakness in the throat which is very liable to be affected either by damp, or very hot weather.

Moresby is the name of my Son's living, and it is very agreeably situated on the Coast, and as a Coach passes from Ambleside thither every other day, and the Mail Coach every day it is in very easy (p. 103) pg 103and expeditious communication with Rydal. This is very agreeable to both parties. My younger Son I have sent into Germany to pass there or in Switzerland where French is spoken, a couple of Years. He promises to be a very interesting young man, and is a favorite with everyone—but the dreadful illness he brought with him from the Charterhouse many years ago, so impaired his Constitution, that I fear it will be very difficult to find a situation for him in these times where he can get his bread: and I have sent him abroad to get information in German and French, etc., etc., seeing that he cannot bear confinement for severe study of any kind. Now my dear Jones, let us hope that another year we may have the pleasure of seeing you at Rydal; and that our brewing of Ale for you, will not be fruitless as it was this Spring—With kindest regards to you and all about you in which Mrs W. and my Daughter would unite were they here

• I remain ever faithfully your old Friend     
• W Wordsworth