‘My dear Rogers,—The papers record the death of your, and let me add
my, long-known and long-valued friend Richard
Sharp. Sincerely do I condole with you, and with his nearest
connections upon thia loss. How a thought of the presence of living friends
brightens
| 118 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES |
‘The papers also tell us that you have suffered a serious loss of property by a robbery committed in your house—the offender one of your own servants. Was it the footman? I remember being a good deal startled by your telling me that that servant took the liberty of being absent as much as four hours at a time. I made some observation upon what you said, but not in such strong terms as would have been used had I not been in the habit of placing reliance upon your discretion. You expressed dissatisfaction and talked of dismissing him. After all, this may not be the man. Have any valuable pieces of virtù been taken? If not I shall be glad, and also to hear both that the value of the property, viz., 2,000l., has been exaggerated, and part of it, at least, recovered.1
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1 In the Times of the 2nd of April, 1835, is the following account of this robbery:—‘On Tuesday last [31st March] several friends of Mr. Rogers were invited to partake of a breakfast, and a quantity of plate, which had not recently been used was desired to be got ready on the occasion. Just before the arrival of the company, the footman, Thomas Sims, left the house. Not being in attendance, and the plate not being ready, his absence excited suspicion, which was further corroborated by the keys of the plate-chests being removed from their usual place. After the lapse of a few hours Mr. Rogers sent for Plank, the officer, |
| WORDSWORTH’S ’UNCHANGEABLE ATTACHMENT’ | 119 |
‘Pray write to us at your early convenience. The great public unsettling with which we are threatened unsettles my little plans also, causing me to doubt whether I shall return to London or not. Whatever may be shaken or altered, be you assured of my unchangeable attachment, and that I am, and ever shall be,
‘Kindest regards from Mrs. W. and myself to your sister.’
