Letter from William Wordsworth, London, to Joseph Henry Green, 1834 September 18 : autograph manuscript signed.

Acknowledging receipt of a copy of Coleridge's will and agreeing to look over the letters he has from Coleridge "...& if there be any, likely to prove of general interest & not of a domestic character the originals, or extracts shall be sent to you - as also any marginal notes. Among my own books I know but one (Dr. Donne's Sermons) with notes from our friend's pen - I have put the Book into his son Hartley's hand, & he will transcribe them - & they shall be forwarded to you together with a few pages of Memoranda - from a common-place book - & any other M.S. that may be found;" expressing his concern that poems and "scraps of verses" ascribed to Coleridge and published in the Carlisle Patriot are, according to Hartley Coleridge "...not his Father's, tho' ascribed to him, but his own [Hartley's] compositions. I hope he has by this time written to the Editor of the Paper, to set him right;" expressing his deep frustration over an article written by deQuincey on Coleridge; saying "In a matter of much more importance I take leave (tho' it is probably unnecessary) to direct your attention - viz, to an article upon our Friend that appeared in the last no. of Tait's Mag: written by Mr. deQuincey. This notice is, in most points, relating to Mr. C's personal character, highly offensive, & utterly unworthy of a Person holding the rank of a Gentleman in english society. It is not to be doubted that the writer was honoured by Mr. C's confidence, whose company he industriously sought, following him into different part of England : & how he has abased that confidence, & in certain particulars perverted the communications made to him, is but too apparent from this obnoxious publication. The Article in question is one of a promised series; & upon this account more particularly, & as holding our Friend's memory dear, I venture to submit, whether or no, it would be advisable for you, in the capacity of Executor, to address to Mr. deQ., or to the Ed: of the Mag: a letter of caution, or remonstrance, as in your judgement may seem most likely to put a check upon communications so injurious, unfeeling, & untrue. Much indeed of this notice is false in its statements, & unjustifiable in its inferences to that degree, that I should have been sure the writer was not in intimate connection of friendship with Mr. C, had I not personal knowledge, & proofs from Mr. C's own letters, to the contrary. In justice to Mr. deQ., who was an Inmate during the space of 7 months in my own house, I must say that I did not observe any traces of malevolent feeling towards Mr. C., & that the writer extols his intellectual powers as much as the most ardent of his admirers, if discreet & judicious, would do. You will, my dear Sir, consider this letter strictly confidential, & believe me to be with high respect, faithfully yours, / Wm. Wordsworth."