Having such reason to expect Coleridge at present (were we at liberty in other respects), I cannot think of taking my family on tour, agreeable to your kind suggestion.  Something has, however, already been added by your means to our comforts, in the way of Books, and probably we shall be able to make an excursion ere the Summer be over.

By the bye, are you possessed of Houbraken and Vertue’s Heads of Illustrious Persons, with anecdotes of their Lives by Birch?  I had an opportunity of purchasing a handsome copy (far below the price at which it now sells, I believe, in London) at Penrith, a few weeks ago; and if you have not a copy, and think the work has any merit, you would please me greatly by giving it a place in your Library.

I am glad you like the passage in ‘Madoc’ about Llewellyn.  Southey’s mind does not seem strong enough to draw the picture of a hero.  The character of Madoc is often very insipid and contemptible; for instance, when he is told that the Foemen have surprised Caer, Madoc, and of course (he has reason to believe) butchered or carried away all the women and children, what does the Author make him do?  Think of Goervyl and Llayan very tenderly forsooth; but not a word about his people!  In short, according to my notion, the character is throughout languidly conceived, and, as you observe, the contrast between her and Llewellyn makes him look very mean.  I made a mistake when I pointed out a beautiful passage as being in the beginning of the meeting of the bards; it occurs before, and ends thus: 

                —­His eyes were closed;
    His head, as if in reverence to receive
    The inspiration, bent; and as he raised
    His glowing countenance and brighter eye
    And swept with passionate hands the ringing harp.

The verses of your ancestor Francis Beaumont, the younger, are very elegant and harmonious, and written with true feeling.  Is this the only poem of his extant?  There are some pleasing Verses (I think by Corbet, Bishop of Norwich) on the death of Francis Beaumont the elder.  They end, I remember, thus, alluding to his short life: 

            —­by whose sole death appears,
    Wit’s a disease consumes men in few years.

I have never seen the works of the brother of the dramatic Poet; but I know he wrote a poem upon the Battle of Bosworth Field.  Probably it will be in the volume which you have found, which it would give me great pleasure to see, as also Charnwood Rocks, which must have a striking effect in that country.  I am highly flattered by Lady Beaumont’s favourable opinion of me and my poems.

My Sister will answer her affectionate letter very soon; she would have done it before now, but she has been from home three days and unwell, or entirely engrossed with some visitors whom we have had, the rest of her time.

The letter which you will find accompanying this is from an acquaintance of ours to his wife.  He lives at Patterdale, and she was over at Grasmere.  We thought it would interest you.  Farewell.  I remain, in hopes of good news of your health, your affectionate and sincere friend,