182. To Josiah Wade Address: Mr. Wade | at Mrs. Wade's Pershore, Worcestershire (Readdressed] at Mrs. Cooper's Queen Square No. 48 -- Bristol Transcript Coleridge. family. Pub. E.L.G. i. 72. Stowey near Bridgewater March 16th 1797. My dear Friend If any set of circumstances can excuse me for suffering so kind, so very kind, a letter as your last, to remain so long unanswered, these circumstances are ready to plead for me -- In the first place, my review business had been suffered to accumulate so as to excite great discontent in my employers; for this last three weeks I have been compelled to devote great part of my time to it -- Secondly Cottle has been clamorous about my new Edition, and transcribings, alterations, &c, &c, have been forced on me by necessity -Thirdly Sheridan has sent to me to write a Tragedy, which he promises me to introduce on Drury Lane Theatre with every possible advantage, and wishes me to sketch out one immediately and send him the sketch, when he will give me his opinion of it. But fourthly poor Charles Lloyd has been ill indeed -- within these ten days he has had five fits, all of them followed by a continued and agonizing Delirium of five or six hours. -- So that what with bodily struggles and mental anguish and loss of sleep from sitting up with him, my temples ache, and my frame is feeble. -- My dear ____________________ 1 One sentence inked out in MS. -316- dear Wade! never believe so very ill of me as to suspect that my epistolary silence originates in want of affection. -- I detest profession, but it eases my heart to tell you, how often I think and talk of you and of the unwearied kindness you have shewn me: indeed it is a common theme after supper. I speak of you with both my eyes and heart full -- brimfull -- We are well -- the baby and Mrs. Coleridge remarkably so -- in my next, which I will write before I receive an answer to this, I will give you a minute account of our Cottage and mode of life. You are a good Prophet -- my God! into what a state have the Scoundrels brought this devoted kingdom -- If the House of Commons would but melt down their faces, it would greatly assist the copper Currency -- We should have brass enough. 1 Our love to Mrs. Wade -- I rejoice to hear that you are likely to settle in Bristol -- as then I shall hear from you and be more in the way of seeing you---- T. Poole desires his love -- be particular in your next about Ann Wade -- Our David Hartley is a very Seraph in Clouts -- and laughs, till he makes us cry for very overflowing joy and tenderness. God Almighty love you and | Your ever grateful Friend S. T. Coleridge You see in what a hurry I write.