R 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]

129. _Of Southey's Death_.

The papers will have informed you, before you receive this, of poor dear
Southey's decease. He died yesterday morning about nine o'clock. Some
little time since, he was seized with typhus fever, but he passed away
without any outward signs of pain, as gently as possible. We are, of
course, not without sadness upon the occasion, notwithstanding there has
been, for years, cause why all who knew and loved him should wish for
his deliverance.[189]

130. _Tropical Scenery: Grace Darling: Southey, &c._

LETTER TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR WM. GOMM.[190]

[187] _Memoirs_, ii. 385.

[188] Extract of letter to John Peace, Esq., Dec. 12, 1842: _ibid._ ii.
390-1.

[189] Extract of letter to Nephew, March 22, 1843: _ibid._ ii. 391.

[190] The venerable and illustrious soldier has on