2158. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16 October 1812 ⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

Thank you for the half notes. [1]  I wrote immediately upon reading yours such a letter to Dr Bell as may be of use if it be shown at Lambeth, [2]  – which was the end I had in view in writing it. In that quarter, or with the Bp. of Durham, [3]  it might possibly do some good, but I see two things which prevent any sanguine xx hopes on my part, – first that these great personages may be like other great personages very little accustomed to consider of what it <is> right to do with their patronage, – & secondly that Dr B.s heart & head are both so full of one thing – that they have very little room for any thing else. He will see the thing in its proper light, & will wish to promote our wishes, – but there is a great chance of his forgetting it. However I will jog his memory from time to time.

I will try two pair of these iron shoes, – stout mountaineering shoes. For thinner shoes, – i-e – afternoon ones, it cannot be worth while to have the nail-fashion, for the sole always out last the leathers in shoes of house-wear.

I had a visit from Lord Somerville [4]  this morning. – symptomatic that my reputation is rising in the world, – or he would never have volunteered this mark of civility to me after his vile manoeuvres to injure me with John Southey. – I talked with him about Walter Scott & the news of the day, – & received his invitation to visit him in Scotland with very willingly, inasmuch as Scotch Inns are abominations, & I shall make up my mind whenever I visit that country to go Lairding & Lording & Duking thro it.

No letter from Sir Shuffler. I could draw on him at once if I happened to have a stamp, – this however in my next.

You & I agree about the prospect in Russia, & I have the more confidence in my own opinion, because my apprehensions about Lord Cathcarts [5]  news were verified. Buonaparte will now leave his army, thinking that he has done enough for his glory; [6]  – it would not surprize me if the whole of that army should be cut off. Think of wintering in Russia – with the whole population hostile, – & no better quarters than the ruins of Moscow! The conquest of Russia I conceive to be as difficult as that of Turkey, & from xxxx the same cause – the semi-barbarous state of the people, – they are strongly attached to their own customs, & no people behave better when they go to be knocked on the head. & they know that it is a great act of religion to send a Frenchman to the Devil. – It is too late for for Buonaparte to reach Petersburg – he will come home, & France will have to support another drain of her population to keep up a winter war in Russia.

It is plain to me that part of Lord Ws plan has miscarried. He must have meant to intercept Soult, [7]  – or Maitland never would have landed at Alicant. [8]  The sooner M. reembarks the better, – lest the yellow fever should reach him. He should land in Catalonia, & act with Lacy [9]  while Hill [10]  advances upon Zaragoza.

Good night. I am going to steal an hour for Pelayo. [11]  I will send you the beginning first books when the Grand Parleur [12]  resumes his faculties –

God bless you

RS.

Oct 16. 1812.

Your godson began to write this morning. You may make a [MS torn] perusal of a Greek exercise book when you please