Letter from William Wordsworth, Grasmere, to Sir George Beaumont, 1811 November 16 : autograph manuscript signed.

Thanking Sir George & Lady Beaumont for their letters; saying how sorry he is for Mr. Taylor's misconduct; saying he learned from Mrs. Coleridge, who had heard from Coleridge, that Allston the Painter had arrived in London, that Coleridge found him to be a very interesting person and said that in his opinion, "has not for colouring been surpassed since Titian;" adding that Coleridge is about to deliver a series of lectures on poetry in London, he is well but "For ourselves, we never hear from him;" adding that he pleased that the inscriptions pleased Sir George and discussing, at length, his views on epitaphs and memorials, "However, in respect to your scruples, which I feel are both delicate and reasonable, I have altered the Verses...But I never found anything more difficult. I wished to preserve the expression 'patrimonial grounds', but I found this impossible; on account of the awkwardness of the Pronouns he and his, as applied to Reynolds and to yourself;" describing the changes he has made to the verses and transcribing the changes to "Ye Lime trees"; hoping that this version "...will do, I tried a hundred different ways, but cannot hit upon anything better;" continuing to discuss additional alterations to the sonnets; saying how happy he was to hear that his mother was doing well; asking about Wilkie's health and about his progress in his art; discussing the art of Wilkie and Arnald; transcribing a poem that begins with "This Island, guarded from profane approach;" admitting that he is "...almost ashamed to write Letters at all, I am such a bad and impatient Penman. But I have apologized for this before;" adding that he intends to call on Lord Lonsdale to ask for his help in finding a position recognizing that "...a considerable portion of my time must in some way or other be devoted to money-making. The expences of living encrease so fast, and my family necessarily as the Children grow up requires more to support it;" sending his respects to him, Lady Beaumont and to his mother.