As to public affairs, I have no hope but in the goodness of Almighty God.  The Lords have recovered much of the credit they had lost by their conduct in the Roman Catholic question.  As an Englishman I am deeply grateful for the stand which they have made, but I cannot help fearing that they may be seduced or intimidated.  Our misfortune is, that the disapprovers of this monstrous bill give way to a belief that nothing can prevent its being passed; and therefore they submit.

As to the cholera, I cannot say it appals me much; it may be in the order of Providence to employ this scourge for bringing the nation to its senses; though history tells us in the case of the plague at Athens, and other like visitations, that men are never so wicked and depraved as when afflictions of that kind are upon them.  So that, after all, one must come round to our only support, submission to the will of God, and faith in the ultimate goodness of His dispensations.

I am sorry you did not mention your son, in whose health and welfare, and progress in his studies, I am always much interested.  Pray remember me kindly to Lady Caroline.  All here join with me in presenting their kindest remembrances to yourself; and believe me, dear Lady Frederick,

Faithfully and affectionately yours,
WM. WORDSWORTH.[120]

[120] Memoirs, ii. 242-4.

74. Sir Walter Scott.

EXTRACT OF LETTER TO MRS. HEMANS.

Rydal Mount, Aug. 20. 1833.

The visit which occasioned the poem [’Yarrow Revisited’] addressed to Sir Walter Scott, that you mention in terms so flattering, was a very melancholy one.  My daughter was with me.  We arrived at his house on Monday noon, and left it at the same time on Thursday, the very day before he quitted Abbotsford for London, on his way to Naples.  On the morning of our departure he composed a few lines for Dora’s Album, and wrote them in it.  We prize this memorial very much, and the more so as an affecting testimony of his regard at a time when, as the verses prove, his health of body and powers of mind were much impaired and shaken.  You will recollect the little green book which you were kind enough to write in on its first page.

Let me hope that your health will improve, so that you may be enabled to proceed with the sacred poetry with which you are engaged.  Be assured that I shall duly appreciate the mark of honour you design for me in connection with so interesting a work.[121]

[121] Memoirs, ii. 244.

75. Of Advices that he would write more in Prose.

LETTER TO REV.  J.K.  MILLER, VICAR OF WALKERINGHAM.

Rydal Mount, Kendal, Dec. 17. 1831.

MY DEAR SIR,