[162] Memoirs, ii. 351-4.

[163] Extract:  Memoirs, ii. 357-8.

108. New Edition of his Poems.

LETTER TO EDWARD MOXON, ESQ.

Rydal Mount, Dec. 11. 1838.

DEAR MR. MOXON,

I am in hopes that my nephew, Mr. John Wordsworth, of Cambridge, will correct the proofs for me:  he promised to do so, when he was here a few weeks ago; but I grieve to say he has been very unwell since, and may not be equal to the task; but I shall write to him on the subject.  He is the most accurate man I know; and if a revise of each sheet could be sent to him the edition would be immaculate.

W. Wordsworth.[164]

109. Death of his Nephew, John Wordsworth.

LETTER TO LADY FREDERICK BENTINCK.

Rydal Mount, Ambleside (not Kendal), Jan. 3 [1840].

MY DEAR LADY FREDERICK,

Yesterday brought us melancholy news in a letter from my brother, Dr. Wordsworth, which announced the death of his eldest son.  He died last Tuesday, in Trinity College, of which he was a fellow, having been tenderly nursed by his father during rather a long illness.  He was a most amiable man, and I have reason to believe was one of the best scholars in Europe.  We were all strongly attached to him, and, as his poor father writes, the loss is to him, and to his sorrowing sons, irreparable on this side of the grave.

W. W.[165]

[164] Memoirs, ii. 358.

[165] Ibid. ii. 360.

110. Of the Same.

LETTER TO THE REV.  THE MASTER OF TRINITY COLLEGE.  CAMBRIDGE.

Friday, Jan. 3 [1840].

MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,

It is in times of trouble and affliction that one feels most deeply the strength of the ties of family and nature.  We all most affectionately condole with you, and those who are around you, at this melancholy time.  The departed was beloved in this house as he deserved to be; but our sorrow, great as it is for our own sakes, is still heavier for yours and his brothers’.  He is a power gone out of our family, and they will be perpetually reminded of it.  But the best of all consolations will be with you, with them, with us, and all his numerous relatives and friends, especially with Mrs. Hoare, that his life had been as blameless as man’s could well be, and through the goodness of God, he is gone to his reward.

I remain your loving brother,
Wm. Wordsworth.[166]

111. On the Death of a young Person.[167]

Rydal Mount, Ambleside, May 21. 1840.

MY DEAR SIR,