Upon returning home after an absence of ten days, I have the pleasure of finding your obliging letter, and the number of the Ecclesiastical Gazette containing the ‘Ecclesiastical Duties and Revenues Act:’  for both marks of attention I beg you to accept my sincere thanks.  As soon as I can find leisure, I will carefully peruse the Act; at present I can only say that I look upon changes so extensive and searching with a degree of alarm proportionate to my love and affection for the Establishment with which they are connected.

As you have put me in possession of the Gazette, I can scarcely feel justified in looking to the fulfilment of your promise to send me the Act, separately printed.  Indeed, I feel that it would be giving yourself more trouble than there is occasion for.

[173] Memoirs, ii. 367-9.

It pleases me much to learn that Mrs. Murray and you enjoyed your ramble among the lakes.

Believe me to be, dear Sir, faithfully,
Your obliged servant,
Wm. Wordsworth.[174]

116. Samuel Rogers and Wordsworth together.

LETTER TO LADY FREDERICK BENTINCK.

Rydal Mount, Sept. 26. 1840.

DEAR LADY FREDERICK,

Mr. Rogers and I had a pleasant journey to Rydal the day we left all our kind friends at Lowther.  We alighted at Lyulph’s Tower, and saw the waterfall in great power after the night’s rain, the sun shining full into the chasm, and making a splendid rainbow of the spray.  Afterwards, walking through Mr. Askew’s grounds, we saw the lake to the greatest possible advantage.  Mr. R. left on Thursday, the morning most beautiful, though it rained afterwards.  I know not how he could tear himself away from this lovely country at this charming season.  I say charming, notwithstanding this is a dull day; but yesterday was most glorious.  I hope our excellent friend does not mean to remain in London.

We have had no visits from strangers since my return, so that the press of the season seems to be over.  The leaves are not changed here so much as at Lowther, and of course not yet so beautiful, nor are they ever quite so as with you, your trees being so much finer, and your woods so very much more extensive.  We have a great deal of coppice, which makes but a poor show in autumn compared with timber trees.

Your son George knows what he has to expect in the few sheets which I enclose for him.

With many thanks for the endless kind attentions which I received from you, and others under your father’s hospitable roof, and with my grateful respects to him, and a thousand good wishes for all, I remain, my wife and daughter joining in these feelings, My dear Lady Frederick, affectionately yours,

Wm. Wordsworth.[175]

[174] Memoirs, ii. 369-70.

[175] Ibid. ii. 370-1.

117. An alarming Accident, Nov. 11, 1840.