The course of public affairs being what it is in respect to the Church, I cannot reconcile myself to delay from a hope of succeeding at another time.  If we can get a new church erected at Cockermouth, great will be the benefit, with the blessing of God, to that place; and our success cannot, I trust, but excite some neighbouring places to follow the example.

The little that I can do in my own sphere shall be attempted immediately, with especial view to insure the cooperation of the societies.  Happy should I be if you and other gentlemen would immediately concur in this endeavour.

I remain, &c. 
WM. WORDSWORTH.[153]

98. Of the Same.

Rydal Mount, Jan. 1836. 
MY DEAR C——­,

Now let me tell you, but more for your father’s sake than yours, that in a letter which I received from Lord Lonsdale yesterday he generously proposes to endow a new church at Cockermouth with 150_l._ per annum.  From a conversation with him in the autumn, I expected he would do as much, though he did not then permit me, as he has done now, to mention it publicly.[154]

99. Classic Scenes:  Holy Land.

We often think with much interest of your sister Eliza, and with a thousand good wishes that her bold adventure may turn out well.  If she finds herself at liberty to move about, her sensitive, imaginative, and thoughtful mind cannot but be profitably excited and substantially enriched by what she will see in that most interesting part of the world (Smyrna, and the coast of Asia Minor).  How should I like, old as I am, to visit those classic shores and the Holy Land, with all its remembrances so sweet and solemn![155]

[153] Memoirs, ii. 296-7.

[154] Extract:  Memoirs, ii. 298.

[155] Extract of letter to Sir W.R.  Hamilton, Dublin, Jan. 11, 1836.  Here first printed.

100. American Edition of Poems, &c LETTER TO PROFESSOR HENRY REED, OF PHILADELPHIA.

London, August 19 [1837].

My Dear Sir,

Upon returning from a tour of several months upon the Continent, I find two letters from you awaiting my arrival, along with the edition of my Poems you have done me the honour of editing.  To begin with the former letter, April 25, 1836:  It gives me concern that you should have thought it necessary (not to apologise, for that you have not done, but) to explain at length why you addressed me in the language of affectionate regard.  It must surely be gratifying to one, whose aim as an author has been the hearts of his fellow-creatures of all ranks and in all stations, to find that he has succeeded in any quarter; and still more must he be gratified to learn that he has pleased in a distant country men of simple habits and cultivated taste, who are at the same time widely acquainted with literature.  Your second letter, accompanying the edition of the Poems, I have read, but unluckily have it not before