2228. Robert Southey to John May, 5 March 1813 ⁠* 

Keswick. March 5. 1813.

My dear friend

I hope I have not again overslipped the date of my insurance policy. Here I inclose a draft upon Longman for £40– for that purpose, – the balance will go to my account with you; – & as soon as this ye current Register [1]  is compleated, which must be before I move start for London (the first week in May I hope) – I will remit you 100 £ – toward the liquidation of a long-standing debt.

The form of the Register is to be changed, much against my judgement & advice. Between ourselves, I have a strong suspicion that the work will drop, & that the money which I have entailed in it on will be lost. John Ballantyne, the bookseller appears to be a man whose character is worse xxxx xxxxx This next forthcoming year is to be in one volume, at a reduced price, – which I consider a symptom & a xxxxxx of its downfall, & an accelerating cause of it. The reduction of bulk which is aimed at may perhaps exclude the memoir of M^r Walpole. [2]  – I shall write it of course, – & if when it is written I should fail in finding a fit vehicle for it, will in that case print such a number of copies as may be thought sufficient, for private distribution.

believe me my dear friend

yours very affectionately <& in haste>

Robert Southey.

The sooner your accounts of the conduct of the French in Portugal shall now arrive, the better. [3]