191. To John Prior Estlin Address: Revd J. P. Esilin | St Michael's Hill | Bristol MS. Bristol Central Lib. Pub. Letters to Estlin, 38. The upper half of pages I and 2 of the manuscript has been cut off. Stamped: Crewkhern. [ 9 June 1797] . . . of this month -- I wished to have written you when it was decided. -- These causes dissolved in that universal menstruum of apologies, my indolence -- made me delay my letter, till, I fear, I write at a time, when even a letter from a friend will intrude on your fears & anxieties. Believe me, I share them -- no hour passes, in which I do not think of, with an eagerness of mind, -- dear Mrs Estlin. I feel, at times, sad & depressed on her account -- on mine own, I might have said. For, God knows! these are not the times, when we can fear for a dear friend with a moderate fear! -- I am at present sojourning for a few days with Wordsworth, at Racedown Lodge, near Crewkherne: & finishing my Tragedy. Wordsworth, who is a strict & almost severe critic, thinks very highly of it -- which gives me great hopes. . . . . . . I have been led to believe. -- Where there are two ministers, they ought to be either as Brothers -- one soul in two heads -- or as Father & Son. -- I breakfasted with Dr Toulmin last Monday -- the more I see of that man, the more I love him. I preached for Mr Howel the Sunday before -- My sermon was admired -- but admired sermons, I have reason to think, are not those that do most good. -- I endeavored to awaken a Zeal for Christianity by shewing the contemptiblenqss & evil of lukewarmness. -- T. Poole gives me notice that you have, a midsummer's 20 guineas for me, which those have contributed who believe that they are enabling me to benefit my fellow-creatures in proportion to my powers. -- Will you be so kind as to call on Mrs Fricker, and give her five guineas in my name -- and to transmit five guineas to Mrs Coleridge. -- I hope, & trust, that this will be the last year, that I can conscientiously accept of those contributions, which in my present lot & conscious of my present occupations, I feel no pain in doing. -- If this Mr Reynell settles with me, 1 it will at least provide my immediate household expences -- &, if my Tragedy succeed, Io triumphe! -- ____________________ 1 Richard Reynell, who paid a visit to Stowey in Aug. 1797, did not settle with the Coleridges. See Ill. London News, 22 Apr. 1896, for his letter describing Wordsworth, Burnett, the Coleridges, and the cottage. -326- Give my heart-felt love to dear, dear Mrs Estlin -- and kiss dear Anna, and Alfred & Caroline for me. My kindest remembrances to Mr & Mrs Hort -- & believe me your obliged, & truly affectionate Friend S. T. Coleridge