[125] Memoirs, ii. 257.

[126] Ibid. ii. 258-9.  Y

79. Family Affliction and State of Public Affairs.

LETTER TO THE REV.  DR. WORDSWORTH.

Rydal Mount, April 1. 1832.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

Our dear sister makes no progress towards recovery of strength.  She is very feeble, never quits her room, and passes most of the day in, or upon, the bed.  She does not suffer much pain, and is very cheerful, and nothing troubles her but public affairs and the sense of requiring so much attention.  Whatever may be the close of this illness, it will be a profound consolation to you, my dear brother, and to us all, that it is borne with perfect resignation; and that her thoughts are such as the good and pious would wish.  She reads much, both religious and miscellaneous works.

If you see Mr. Watson, remember me affectionately to him.

I was so distressed with the aspect of public affairs, that were it not for our dear sister’s illness, I should think of nothing else.  They are to be envied, I think, who, from age or infirmity, are likely to be removed from the afflictions which God is preparing for this sinful nation.  God bless you, my brother.  John says you are well; so am I, and every one here except our sister:  but I have witnessed one revolution in a foreign country, and I have not courage to think of facing another in my own.  Farewell.  God bless you again.

Your affectionate Brother,
W.W.[127]

[127] Memoirs, ii. 259-60.

80. Illness of Sister:  Reform:  Poems:  Oxford and Cambridge, &c.

LETTER TO PROFESSOR HAMILTON, DUBLIN.

Moresby, June 25. 1832.

MY DEAR MR. HAMILTON,

Your former letter reached me in due time; your second, from Cambridge, two or three days ago.  I ought to have written to you long since, but really I have for some time, from private and public causes of sorrow and apprehension, been in a great measure deprived of those genial feelings which, thro’ life, have not been so much accompaniments of my character, as vital principles of my existence.

My dear sister has been languishing more than seven months in a sick-room, nor dare I or any of her friends entertain a hope that her strength will ever be restored; and the course of public affairs, as I think I told you before, threatens, in my view, destruction to the institutions of the country; an event which, whatever may rise out of it hereafter, cannot but produce distress and misery for two or three generations at least.  In any times I am but at best a poor and unpunctual correspondent, yet I am pretty sure you would have heard from me but for this reason; therefore let the statement pass for an apology as far as you think fit.