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Samuel Rogers and his Contemporaries
William Wordsworth to Samuel Rogers, [16 September 1822]
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Preface
Vol. I Contents
Chapter I. 1803-1805.
Chapter II. 1805-1809.
Chapter III. 1810-1812.
Chapter IV. 1813-1814.
Chapter V. 1814-1815.
Chapter VI. 1815-1816.
Chapter VII. 1816-1818.
Chapter VIII. 1818-19.
Chapter IX. 1820-1821.
Chapter X. 1822-24.
Chapter XI. 1825-1827.
Vol. II Contents
Chapter I. 1828-1830.
Chapter II. 1831-34.
Chapter III. 1834-1837.
Chapter IV. 1838-41.
Chapter V. 1842-44.
Chapter VI. 1845-46.
Chapter VII. 1847-50.
Chapter VIII. 1850
Chapter IX. 1851.
Chapter X. 1852-55.
Index
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‘Lowther Castle [16 Sept., 1822].

‘My dear Rogers,—It gave me great pleasure to hear from our common friend, Sharp, that you had returned from the Continent in such excellent health, which I hope you will continue to enjoy in spite of our fogs, rains, east-winds, coal fires, and other clogs upon light spirits
344 ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES  
and free breathing. I have long wished to write to you on a little affair of my own, or, rather, of my sister’s, and the facility of procuring a frank in this house has left my procrastinating habit without excuse. Some time ago you expressed (as perhaps you will remember) a wish that my sister would publish her recollections of her Scotch tour, and you interested yourself so far in the scheme as kindly to offer to assist in disposing of it to a publisher for her advantage. We know that your skill and experience in these matters are great, and she is now disposed to profit by them, provided you continue to think as favourably of the measure as heretofore. The fact is she was so much gratified by her tour in Switzerland, that she has a strong wish to add to her knowledge of that country, and to extend her ramble to some part of Italy. As her own little fortune is not sufficient to justify a step of this kind, she has no hope of revisiting those countries unless an adequate sum could be procured through the means of this MS. You are now fairly in possession of her motives; if you still think that the publication would do her no discredit and are of opinion that a respectable sum of money might be had for it, which she has no chance of effecting except through your exertion, she would be much obliged, as I also should be, if you would undertake to manage the bargain, and the MS. shall be sent you as soon as it is revised. She has further to beg that you would be so kind as to look it over and strike out what you think might be better omitted.

‘I detected you in a small collection of poems entitled “Italy,” which we all read with much pleasure.
THE WORDSWORTHS345
“Venice” and “The Brides of Venice,” that was the title, I think, please as much as any, some parts of the “Venice” are particularly fine. I had no fault to find, but rather too strong a leaning to the pithy and concise, and to some peculiarities of versification which occur perhaps too often.

‘Where are the Beaumonts, and when do they come to England? We hear nothing of them.

‘Lord and Lady Lonsdale are well, Lady Frederic is here, so is Lady Caroline; both well. Before I close this I will mention to Lady F. that I am writing to you. My own family were well when I left them two days ago. Please remember me kindly to your sister, and believe me, my dear Rogers,

‘Faithfully yours,
‘Wm. Wordsworth.

‘P.S. Lady F. says, if Holland House were but where Brougham Hall is, we should see more of Mr. Rogers. She adds that we have really some sunshine in this country and now and then a gentle day like those of Italy. Adieu.’