492. To Thomas Wedgwood Address: [T. Wedge]wood Esqre | Cote House | Bristol MS. Wedgwood Museum. Pub. with omis, Tom Wedgwood, 137. Stamped: Bridgewater. Poole's, Thursday, Feb. 17. 1808 My dear Wedgewood) I do not know that I have any thing to say that justifies me in troubling you with the Postagé & Perusal of this Scrawl. -- I received a short & kind Letter from Josiah last night -- he is named the Sheriff -- Poole, who has received a very kind Invitation from your Brother in a Letter of last Monday, and which was repeated in the last night's Letter, goes with me, I hope, in the full persuasion, that you will be there before he is under the necessity of returning home. He has settled both his Might-have-been-lawsuits in a perfectly pleasant way, exactly to his own wish. He bids me say, what there is no occasion of saying, with what anxious affection his Thoughts follow you. -- Poole is a very, very good man. I like even his incorrigibility in little faults, & deficiencies -- it looks like a wise determination of Nature 'to let well alone.' -- Are you not laying out a scheme that will throw your Travelling in Italy into an unpleasant & unwholesome part of the year? From all, I can gather, you ought to leave this country in the first days of April, at the latest. But no doubt, you know these things better than I. -- If I do not go with you, it is very probable that we shall meet somewhere or other / at all events, you will know where I am / & I can come to you if you wish it. And if I do go with you, there will be this advantage, that you may drop me where you like, if you should meet any Frenchman, Italian, or Swiss, whom you liked -- & who would be pleasant & profitable to you --. -- But this we can discuss at Gunville. As to Mackintosh, I never doubted that he means to fulfil his engagements with you; but he is one of those weak-moraled men, with whom the meaning to do a thing means nothing. He promises with 99\100 of his whole Heart; but there is always a little speck of cold felt at the core, that transubstantiates the whole Resolve into a Lie, even in his own consciousness. -- But what I most fear is that he will in some way or other embroider himself upon your Thoughts; but you, no doubt, will see the Proof Sheets, & will prevent this from extending to the injury of your meaning. Would to Heaven, -931- it were done! 1 I may with strictest truth say, that I have thirsted for it's appearance. -- I have written to Captn Wordsworth, by the yesterday's Post. His address is 'Mr Wordsworth, Staples Inn, Holborn, London. For Captn J. Wordsworth.' His own Lodgings were, & probably are, No 9 Southampton Buildings; but the former Address is sure to find him. -- I remain in comfortable Health. Warm Rooms, an old Friend, & Tranquillity, are specifies for my Complaint. -- With all my ups & downs I have a deal of Joyous feeling, that I would with gladness give a good part of to you, my dear Friend! -- God grant, that Spring may come to you with healing on her wings! -- My respectful remembrances to your Brother, and Mrs J. Wedgewood -- & desire Mrs J. Wedgewood, when she writes to Crescelly, to remember me with affection to Miss Allen, & Fanny, & Emma -- & to say, how often I think with pleasure on them & the weeks, I passed in their society. When you come to Gunville, please not to forget my Pens. Poole & I quarrel once a day about Pens. / God bless you, my dear Wedgewood! I remain with most affectionate esteem & regular attachment & good wishes Your's ever, S. T. Coleridge If Southey should send a couple of Bottles, one of the red Sulfat, & one of the Compound Acid, to Cote for me, will you be so good as to bring them with you to Gunville. -- If Poole goes with [me to Gunville, we will hire a one] 2 horse chair -- -----