MY DEAR SIR,

I have put off replying to your obliging letter till I could procure a frank; as I had little more to say than to thank you for your attention to Lady Winchelsea,[138] and for the extracts you sent me.

[137] Memoirs, ii. 278-81.

[138] i.e. To Mr. W.’s request that I would, if possible, furnish him with some particulars about her. A.D.

I expected to find at this place my friend, Lady Frederick Bentinck, through whom I intended to renew my request for materials, if any exist, among the Finch family, whether manuscript poems, or anything else that would be interesting; but Lady F., unluckily, is not likely to be in Westmoreland.  I shall, however, write to her.  Without some additional materials, I think I should scarcely feel strong enough to venture upon any species of publication connected with this very interesting woman, notwithstanding the kind things you say of the value of my critical remarks.

I am glad you have taken Skelton in hand, and much wish I could be of any use to you.  In regard to his life, I am certain of having read somewhere (I thought it was in Burns’s ’History of Cumberland and Westmoreland,’ but I am mistaken), that Skelton was born at Branthwaite Hall, in the county of Cumberland.  Certain it is that a family of that name possessed the place for many generations; and I own it would give me some pleasure to make out that Skelton was a brother Cumbrian.  Branthwaite Hall is about six miles from Cockermouth, my native place.  Tickell (of the Spectator), one of the best of our minor poets, as Johnson has truly said, was born within two miles of the same town.  These are mere accidents, it is true, but I am foolish enough to attach some interest to them.

If it would be more agreeable to you, I would mention your views in respect to Skelton to Mr. Southey:  I should have done so before, but it slipped my memory when I saw him.  Mr. Southey is undoubtedly much engaged, but I cannot think that he would take ill a letter from you on any literary subject.  At all events, I shall, in a few days, mention your intention of editing Skelton, and ask if he has anything to suggest.

I meditate a little tour in Scotland this autumn, my principal object being to visit Sir Walter Scott; but as I take my daughter along with me, we probably shall go to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and take a peep at the western Highlands.  This will not bring us near Aberdeen.[139] If it suited you to return to town by the Lakes, I should be truly glad to see you at Rydal Mount, near Ambleside.  You might, at all events, call on Mr. Southey in your way; I would prepare an introduction for you, by naming your intention to Mr. S. I have added this, because my Scotch tour would, I fear, make it little likely that I should be at home about the 10th September.  Your return, however, may be deferred.

                   Believe me, my dear Sir,
                    Very respectfully, your obliged,
                        W. WORDSWORTH.