This collection, MA 1849, is comprised of forty-six autograph letters signed from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to his wife, Sara Coleridge, written between 1802 and 1824.
This letter is from the Joanna Langlais Collection, a large collection of letters written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge to various recipients. The collection has been divided into subsets, based primarily on Coleridge's addressees, and these sub-collections have been cataloged individually as MA 1848- MA 1857.
Address panel with postmarks and fragment of a seal "For England / Mrs. Coleridge / Keswick / Cumberland."
Describing his visit to Sicily; saying "I returned or rather was abruptly recalled from Syracuse, Nov. 7th, just as the Carriage was at the door in which I was going to Messina, & thence to circle the Island / I was there about 3 months, chiefly at Syracuse or within forty miles of it / but I have been twice at the Top of Mount Etna, & if I had gone on to Messina, I should have been just in time to have seen the Eruption of Vesuvius. The fatigue of ascending Etna is the only thing that has not been exaggerated in it - & of Sicily in general all is exaggerated grossly except the abominableness of the Government, & the vice & abject wretchedness of the people. I have been strenuous in awakening our Government to the true charter & views of the Court of Naples, for the last 4 months; yet still I have reason to fear, that the cowardice & ignorance of Ministers, their improper choice of foreign agents, & a sort of stupid personal feeling for the King & Queen of Naples will throw Sicily into the hands of France / if even at this moment it is not done;" discussing his health, his living situation at the Palace, his finances and a possible trip to Greece, Constantinople, into Crimea and possibly "...into the Heart of Russia" on behalf of Sir Alexander Ball to purchase corn; discussing his possible income if he were to stay in Malta with Sir Alexander but adding "...how gladly would I prefer the mere necessaries of Life in England, & these obtained by daily Effort! But since my Health has been restored to me, I have felt more than ever how unalterable it is! Whatever & where ever I am; be assured that my first anxiety & prominent Duty will be to contribute every thing in my power to make you as happy as I can, compatibly with the existence of that Health & Tranquility (joyless indeed both) on which the very power of doing any thing for you must depend. I hope however to see more clearly the way before me in less than a fortnight. - How I long for letters from Southey & from Grasmere. O my children! my children! I cannot write their names / even to speak of them thus is an effort of courage;" asking to be remembered to Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Wilson.