1048. W. W. to HIS FAMILY

• MS. WL. Hitherto unpublished.

Saturday 2 o clock [25 June 1836]²

My dear Friends,

I am writing in Mr Marshall's room, John³ opposite me, copying a form of letter kindly sent me by Mr Courtenay to be addressed to Mess^rs Bell⁴ requesting an account of the Government Annuities, what sums have been received upon them and to whom and where paid. This morning I met John at Breakfast at Strickland Cooksons, that he might receive instructions from him, John has got a paper, which he will take down in July, and proceed to settle his affairs.—On my return here, I found your Letters. Glad I am of such favorable accounts; but dearest Dora we cannot go bleeding for ever; I am now as much afraid of carriage exercise for you as before. I wish and pray from the bottom of my heart that you may not be so much hurt by your intended journey to the sea-side as to require bleeding again. Let pg 261every possible precaution be used. A few mornings ago I called on Mrs Graves, she not there, but almost the first word Miss Graves¹ spoke, when she had enquired after you was a dagger to me. She said her Brother told her that bleeding in spinal cases was quite exploded; it had harmed the patient so much, and it does seem reasonable to bear in mind that ease must not be procured by bleeding and merely to be thrown away, long exertion, there again, cannot be accused of this fault. But take more and more care, if it were not that I thought it right that I should go abroad, as a thing which if [not done]² will never be done, I should most certainly go down to Westmorland—to be with you by the Sea side following W^m Crackanthorp's³ example, who will leave London the moment he hears that his Sister is strong enough to be moved. I saw him yester-evening at Mr Hallams.—Be not alarmed about my speculating turn. I have resolved not to venture the £100, nor even a sixpence, in the way I talked upon the suggestion of Horace Twiss,⁴ and I have no money to provide except for my teeth, beyond what Mr Carter knows and a trifle for John's pressing expenses.

Now dearest D—for your questions. Captⁿ Elliot⁵ is of R. N. and a brother of Mr Elliot formerly of the Colonial Off. whom you dearest Mary will remember we often saw at Miss Fenwick's with his Wife a Daughter of Mr Perry⁶ formerly Editor and proprietor of the Morning Chronicle. Mr Taylor⁷ was directed to have the tea sent, by a conveyance which Mr Marshall always employs, Pickfords most likely, he is not in the House or I would ask. I shall also ask Henry Taylor.—I have pg 262seen Mr Westall¹ twice—told him you owed him £10—but I had not wherewith to pay him. He was quite easy about that; and begged, dearest Mary, you would ask T. Troughton² to send him his account, and what No. of Engravings he had on hand. Have seen Boxall³ twice, at his own house, but only for a few moments, shall see him again in the course of next week. Mr Harness⁴ walks well, and was improving daily after his 2^nd accident, I have seen him several times, he contrived to use a stick.—Alas! I have not yet seen Mr Aders,⁵ shall, when Mr Robinson returns from Bury where he has been upwards of a fortnight. Have not seen Derwent's wife⁶—they did not come on account of the Baby's illness, who I learn from the News papers is since dead. Pick's Picture⁷ is to be twice engraved, first the head and upper part as vignette for the new Edition, and the whole length for sale. About Chris's marriage intentions⁸ I know nothing—nor am I likely to see Charles and his Bride, or to have time to see D^r Watson.⁹ The Master of Trinity passed through London on Tuesday, but I had no notice of his intention and of course saw him not as he did not call. It is Chris: who means to travel during his Holidays. You may depend upon having his Book.¹⁰ Constable's India paper Proof prints,¹¹ a pg 263handsome Present, will go down with the Marshalls. I thought Cordelia would like to see them at leisure perhaps, copy some of them or parts of them. I will see Mr Twining,¹ I hope the tea will soon reach you. Mr Quillinan and Brother will both be at Mr Moxon's today, I go there on Monday.² I had no business with Mr Addison but to request a statement of John's accounts, Receipts and payments, as far as he had himself been concerned with them. Copley Fielding³ has just this moment sent back the album, with a very nice drawing in it. He said it would have been much better but that [the] Paper was too soft. Love to Kate S.⁴—sorry I cant see her sweet face at Rydal. I promise you, my legs shall never save my purse⁵—but I am a little sorry that Mr Robinson is so fond of diligences for economy and gossip's sake. I have told him I never will travel in one or in the night through a beautiful country; this I have expressly stipulated for.—And now my dearest Sister, let me thank you for your delightfully pg 264penned Letter; how shall I rejoice were you well enough to go to Rome with me, but I go now least¹ I should soon be as disabled as you are. This London life wears me out—these long tete a tetes with strangers, and late dinners and in the morning hours would soon make an end of me. My right hand is almost as numb as Mrs Hardens,² and my left little better, and with night I perspire as much as you will remember I did in that close room at Calais.³ I have thrown off my breast plate, my [?]⁴ Belt, and my Leather-waistcoat. Apropo of dress, I ordered a plaid jacket and waistcoat, and by a stupid error of Mr Courtenays eldest son I have got two, costing together above sixpound—the poor Taylor was so dismayed when I told him I had only ordered one that in pity to him I took the other. And now my dearest dearest Sister Goodbye—how pleased I am to hear you are so much out. Yesterday I called at Lambeth, did not see the Archbp⁵ but left a message with Mrs H. commending W^m to her, and speaking warmly of his anxiety to prepare himself for any duty to which through his Grace's goodness, he might be called. This is all I could do, but probably I shall write to the Arch^bbefore I leave England. Mr Watson⁶ I saw yesterday, he is better but prohibited from talking. I found Cambridge John⁷ had been there—he is at Hampstead—he has not called here. My heart is aching sadly but I go on, depend upon it my dearest wife that I will not forget our Son, I will do all that is possible for him. Yesterday I dined at Lord Liverpools—a most splendid and beautifully situated house;⁸ saw Lady Catharine⁹ and her unmarried Sister,¹⁰ both enquired dearest Dora particularly of you. The Botched Ivy Cot.¹¹ is just what I expected. The answer pg 265to my letter to the Bells,¹ and Mr Courtenay's statement by which it will be followed, will shew what funds we have at command—demands for travel will be upwards of £100, teeth 50, so that the Yarrow² will be swallowed up by these personal expenses. There remains I hope about 300 due from Longmans for the Poems….

[cetera desunt]