2104. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 May 1812

2104. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 May 1812 ⁠* 

May 29. 1812.

My dear G.

You know Dutens is dead [1]  – in a most ill-timed hour. I have written to Lord Lonsdale, & you have here a letter, which I wish you to take to Gifford, & xx ask him whether it should be sent, or thrown into the fire: For I am perfectly well aware that C. has something else to think of at this time. – The letter itself is as short as possible. Two minutes will suffice to read it, & an application for the office would not cost many more; if he think his application can <would> be effectual.

I have written also to Sir G. Beaumont, & here my stock of interest is exhausted.

Wynn has set Croker to work already & I dare say you have done your best.

God bless you

Yrs in haste

RS

Notes

* Address: G. C. B.
MS: Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. c. 24. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Louis Dutens (1730–1812; DNB), who had held the post of Historiographer Royal. He died on 23 May 1812. Southey’s campaign for the post proved unsuccessful and it went to one of his particular bêtes noires, James Stanier Clarke (c. 1765–1834; DNB). BACK

Addressee

Bedford, Grosvenor Charles (1773–1839)

People mentioned

Wynn, Charles Watkin Williams (1775–1850) (mentioned 1 time)
Lowther, William, 1st Earl of Lonsdale (1757–1844) (mentioned 1 time)
Croker, John Wilson (1780–1857) (mentioned 1 time)
Gifford, William (1756–1826) (mentioned 1 time)
Canning, George (1770–1827) (mentioned 1 time)
Beaumont, George Howland, 7th Baronet (1753–1827) (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Four
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