Writing from Keswick on November 7th, 1794, he announces to his friend Mathews, who was employed on the newspapers, his desire and intention of coming to London for the same purpose, and requests him to procure for him a similar engagement.  ’You say a newspaper would be glad of me.  Do you think you could ensure me employment in that way, on terms similar to your own?  I mean, also, in an Opposition paper, for I cannot abet, in the smallest degree, the measures pursued by the present ministry.  They are already so deeply advanced in iniquity, that, like Macbeth, they cannot retreat.  When I express myself in this manner, I am far from reprobating those whose sentiments differ from my own; I know that many good men are persuaded of the expediency of the present war.’  He then turns to domestic matters:  ’You would probably see that my brother [afterwards the Master of Trinity] has been honoured with two college declamation prizes.  This goes towards a fellowship, which I hope he will obtain, and am sure he will merit.  He is a lad of talents, and industrious withal.  This same industry is a good old Roman quality, and nothing is to be done without it.’[34]

14. Raisley Culvert’s last Illness.

‘My friend’ [Calvert] ’has every symptom of a confirmed consumption, and I cannot think of quitting him in his present debilitated state.’[35] Again:  ’I have been here [Mr. Somerby’s, at the sign of the Robin Hood, Penrith] for some time.  I am still much engaged with my sick friend; and sorry am I to add that he worsens daily ... he is barely alive.’[36]

[34] Memoirs, i. 85.

[35] Letter to Mathews, Nov. 9, 1794.

[36] Memoirs, i. 85-6.

15. Family History.

LETTER TO SIR GEORGE H. BEAUMONT, BART. 
                         Grasmere, Feb. 20, 1805.

My dear friend,

My father, who was an attorney of considerable eminence, died intestate when we were children; and the chief part of his personal property after his decease was expended in an unsuccessful attempt to compel the late Lord Lonsdale to pay a debt of about 5000_l._ to my father’s estate.  Enough, however, was scraped together to educate us all in different ways.  I, the second son, was sent to college with a view to the profession of the church or law; into one of which I should have been forced by necessity, had not a friend left me 900_l._ This bequest was from a young man with whom, though I call him friend, I had had but little connection; and the act was done entirely from a confidence on his part that I had powers and attainments which might be of use to mankind.  This I have mentioned, because it was his due, and I thought the fact would give you pleasure.  Upon the interest of the 900_l._, 400_l._ being laid out in annuity, with 200_l._ deducted from the principal, and 100_l._ a legacy to my sister, and a 100_l._ more which the ‘Lyrical Ballads’ have brought me, my sister and I contrived to live seven years,