[184] Memoirs, ii. 383-4.

125. Old Haunts revisited.

LETTER TO JOHN PEACE, ESQ.

Rydal Mount, Sept. 4. 1841.

MY DEAR PEACE,

* * * * *

Mrs. W. is quite well.  We were three months and as many weeks absent before we reached our own home again.  We made a very agreeable tour in Devonshire, going by Exeter to Plymouth, and returning along the coast by Salisbury and Winchester to London.  In London and its neighbourhood we stayed not quite a month.  During this tour we visited my old haunts at and about Alfoxden and Nethertowey, and at Coleorton, where we stayed several days.  These were farewell visits for life, and of course not a little interesting....

Ever faithfully yours,
W. WORDSWORTH.[185]

126. No Pension sought.

In the summer of 1842, Wordsworth resigned his office of Stamp Distributor; not, however, on a retiring pension, as has been sometimes asserted.  In a letter, dated March 2, 1840, and addressed to Lord Morpeth, he says, ’I never did seek or accept a pension from the present or any other administration, directly or indirectly.’  But the duties, and also the emoluments, of the Distributorship were transferred to his son William, who had for some time acted as his deputy at Carlisle.[186]

127. The Master of Trinity.

LETTER TO A NEPHEW.

Rydal, Nov. 5. 1841.

MY DEAR C——­,

Your father left us yesterday, having been just a week under our roof.  The weather was favourable, and he seemed to enjoy himself much.  His muscular strength, as proved by the walks we took together, is great.  One day we were nearly four hours on foot, without resting, and he did not appear in the least fatigued.

* * * * *

[185] Memoirs, ii. 384-5.

[186] Ibid. ii. 387.

We all thought him looking well, and his mind appears as active as ever. 
It was a great delight to us to see him here.

He was anxious to see Charles; he will reach Winchester this afternoon,
I hope without injury.  Yours, &c.

W. W.[187]

128. Of Alston’s Portrait of Coleridge.

Poor Mr. Wade!  From his own modest merits, and his long connection with Mr. Coleridge, and with my early Bristol remembrances, he was to me an interesting person.  His desire to have my address must have risen, I think, from a wish to communicate with me upon the subject of Mr. Alston’s valuable portrait of Coleridge.  Pray tell me what has, or is likely to, become of it.  I care comparatively little about the matter, provided due care has been taken for its preservation, and in his native country.  It would be a sad pity if the late owner’s intention of sending it to America be fulfilled.  It is the only likeness of the great original that ever gave me the least pleasure; and it is, in fact, most happily executed, as every one who has a distinct remembrance of what C. was at that time must with delight acknowledge, and would be glad to certify.[188]