This alteration does not quite satisfy me, but I can do no better. The word “_nest_” both in itself and in conjunction with “_holier_” seems to me somewhat bold and rather startling for marble, particularly in a Church. I should not have thought of any alteration in a merely printed poem, but this makes a difference. If you think the proposed alteration better, don’t trouble yourself to answer this; if not, pray be so kind as to tell me so by a single line. I would not on any account have trespassed on your time but for this public occasion. We are sorry to hear of Lady Coleridge’s indisposition; pray present to her our kind regards and best wishes for her recovery, united with the greetings of the season both for her and yourself, and believe me faithfully, Your obliged, WM. WORDSWORTH. RYDAL MOUNT, _December 23rd, ’43_. * * * * * TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, A MAN EMINENT FOR GENIUS, VERSATILE TALENTS, EXTENSIVE AND ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE, AND HABITS OF THE MOST CONSCIENTIOUS INDUSTRY. NOR WAS HE LESS DISTINGUISHED FOR STRICT TEMPERANCE, PURE BENEVOLENCE, AND WARM AFFECTIONS; BUT HIS MIND, SUCH ARE THE AWFUL DISPENSATIONS OF PROVIDENCE, WAS PREMATURELY AND ALMOST TOTALLY OBSCURED BY A SLOWLY-WORKING AND INSCRUTABLE MALADY UNDER WHICH HE LANGUISHED UNTIL RELEASED BY DEATH IN THE 69TH YEAR OF HIS AGE. READER! PONDER THE CONDITION TO WHICH THIS GREAT AND GOOD MAN, NOT WITHOUT MERCIFUL ALLEVIATIONS, WAS DOOMED, AND LEARN FROM HIS EXAMPLE TO MAKE TIMELY USE OF THY ENDOWMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD. * * * * * COPY OF THE PRINTED INSCRIPTION SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, WHOSE MORTAL REMAINS ARE INTERRED IN THE ADJOINING CHURCHYARD. HE WAS BORN AT BRISTOL, OCTOBER 4TH, 1774, AND DIED AFTER A RESIDENCE OF NEARLY 40 YEARS AT GRETA HALL, IN THIS PARISH, MARCH 21ST, 1843.