William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
In this letter, William Wordsworth, English Romantic poet, discusses his favorite landmarks in Ireland and compliments Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd (sergeant-at-law) on his choice of residence. He offers publication advice and discusses his health concerns, namely inflammation of the eyes. Talfourd was part of an impressive circle of authors whom also have letters that appear in collections at the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center including Charles Dickens and Charles Lamb.
My dear Sir. Talfourd
You have chosen a residence most delightfully situated & heartily do I wish yourself & family every possible enjoyment of it.
I hope, if we live, you may be tempted to pass sometime among our mountains. Very pleasant residence is here if looked for in time. I need not say how truly happy should we be shd. your scheme take effect of coming home from Ireland this way. The objects which pleased the most in Ireland were of course Killarney Lake & their neighbourhood including Glen Gary, & the ascent of Carran Tual & the coast of Anterim - not so much the Giant's Causeway, which has had more than its fair share of praise - as the promontory of Fair head & its neighbourhood of Coast. The ruins at Adair are worthy of a visit shd. they lie in your way.
Many thanks for your letter, & your account of the thus far unfortunate Bill - your intended publication cannot but have a good effect & you are quite right in delaying its issue till just before the time of action. If it should be printed a week or two before I should like to be favored with a sight of it - you might depend upon my discretion.
You kindly express a wish about my health & that I may be turning my time to account - Alas! This my general health has been as usual, most
trouble from the old enemy, inflammation in the eyes has again attacked me, thank God I am recovering, gradually if slowly - but for 6 weeks passed I have not dared to write or to look into a book & which is unfortunate & more distressing the effort of thinking out any composition, while the irritation continues is tenuous. So that I am obliged to respond both and what is perhaps worst of all I cannot find out what is that brings on these attacks - being so regular in my way of life as I am.
Do let me hear from you at your leisure, notwithstanding what I have said of my eyes I think that on such a fine Autumned day as this I could venture with you to the top of your neighbour [Cader] Idris, which would present to me a new scene, from the top of Snowden I have been a witness to the Sun's rising, & never shall I forget that night & morning.
With a thousand good wishes to yourself Mr. T. & y. family, in which Mrs. W. joins, I remain my d. Sir truthfully yours
Wm. Wordsworth
