Edward Taylor an Louis Spohr in Kassel

D^r. Louis Spohr
Hesse Cassel
Germany

via France


Gresham College
London_ Jan 30„ 1847

My Dear & honoured Friend

I doubt not that Madame Spohr has heard from Margaret that it has pleased our heavenly Father to take unto himself my dear Wife¹. Our feelings under this event can be no other that those of devout gratitude: for selfish indeed would be the love which could desire a prolongation of life under circumstances of such suffering as she had to endure. In a state of hopeless, nameless anguish – every limb distorted² & every muscle quivering with pain, incapable of motion & insensible to every thing but acute anguish. Death was, indeed, a welcome visitor. ”Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they not from their labours, & their works follow them.“ The Christian‘s consolations are with him dening every affliction dispensation: he knows that every event of life is ardened by infinite wisdom, and in the hour of earthly separation he looks forward to that blessed state where the good & virtuos shall meet again, & when ”sorrow, pain & death shall be known no more.“
Dear Margaret has had a long & severe, though a benificial trial to go through. I have often found for her strengh & spirits; but she has been crucifully supported through it, with the grateful conciousness of having well performed her duty. She will remain, for the present, with M^r. & M^r. Whittle at Harpford.
Let me now turn to the gratifying subject of your visit to England. One condition of it I hope it is scarcely nessessary for me to name. I look forward to the great pleasure of you again being my visitor. This is a gratification which, under no cirumstances, I could have consented to surrender, but now that Margaret is quite free, and, of course, will be in London during your & Madame Spohr‘s stay, it is one to which I can look forward with unmixed delight. I will not add another word on the subject, as I have always regarded your visit to England & your residence under my roof as inseparably connected.
The musical quarrels incident to the additional Italian Opera House have begun. Jenny Lind is annonced at Drury Lange & also at the Opera house. I suppose she will have to perform at Westminster Hall (in our Courts of Law) & to exhibit her voice in a case examination by some of our Counsellors (Advocates)³ They say that Mendelssohn is writing an Opera for the old Italian Opera House.⁴ What will a set of modern Italian Singers do with his music? They are trained to use a Song as a sketch which they are to colour, embroider & fill up as they please. What will Felix say to that? I confess I think the union an ill-assorted one.
Remember me most kindly to Madame Spohr & to Madame de Malsburg, & Believe me

My Dear Friend
Ever Yours most faithfully
Edw. Taylor