Beschreibung:

COLERIDGE, SAMUEL TAYLOR. Autograph letter signed ("S.T. Coleridge) TO THOMAS DE QUINCEY, Grasmere, October 1809. 1 2/3 pages, folio, closely written on both sides of a sheet, a four-inch vertical tear (cutting across some words) skilfully mended with nothing missing. A lengthy letter in which Coleridge gives numerous reasons for discouraging De Quincey ("I am to plead in contra ") from travelling to Spain. "...It has always been my opinion, that you would do wisely in travelling on the continent some time or other. The question at present is whether you should do it at this time, and under the present circumstances. Independent of the temporary amusements, (which, I take for granted, will not weight much with you, [its?] balance over that which you would have at Grasmere being an uncertain thing, subject to the deduction of two Sea-voyages, & after all, only post-poned, not abandoned) all the reasons pro and con may be reduced to your Instruction (in which I include all your remembrances, whether of eye, heart, or understanding) and to you health...are you likely to be able to stay long enough to become master of the Spanish Languare, without which you can learn little more than the outsides of Things, here bustle, there quiescence? With two English Companions and two English Servants are you likely to acquire it conversationally ?...three of you together are far far too many and must -- I speak with confidence, for I tried it both in Sicily and in Germany -- exclude you from all particular conversations...Is not Spain at present too much unsettled [because of the Napoleonic Wars]...to permit you to see, hear, & acquire as much as you would do should you go at the close of next summer [when the political situation should be more stable]..." Coleridge closes: "...These are the [heads?] of what my Reason suggests to me, kept as much aloof from my fears & wishes as I can. You will doubtless talk on the subject with our dear & honored Friend, W.W. [William Wordsworth] -- I have never discussed the Subject with him -- but as I shall have more confidence in my arguments if they strike him too with the same force, so if the contrary should prove to be the case, I shall be inclined to think that my own bad health of increasing low spirits have been playing the Medler with my understanding. Go you [De Quincey didn't] or stay you, May God bless you -- & if you go, speedily & safely return you to your friends -- among which think with kindness of S.T. Coleridge."