2284. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 23 July 1813 ⁠* 

Keswick. July 23. 1813

My dear Grosvenor

Ecce iterum! [1]  – I hope my pension [2]  has been paid, – pray send me what money you may have of mine in your hands. So end my hopes in the stocks! [3]  –

I have required of B. an explicit answer whether he means to make a set-off against me, in the score of stock in hand; & till he gives me this not a line <farther> of copy shall he receive. [4]  The 209 £ which he paid himself for my share, is in all probability, gone; – this I fully expect – but there is above 200 coming due to me for this volume, & from the fellows shuffling I am sure he means to try if he can defraud me of this also.

Murray offers me a thousand guineas for the History [5]  in two quartos. Upon this subject Turner must be my privy councillor. I have in the first place to live while I am writing it, & shall prefer sharing the eventual profits, so I may draw on him quarterly for 50 £ while it is in progress. At least thus it appears to me at present. No doubt we shall agree, & thus you see Grosvenor that, however slowly, I am getting on. The History will be 18 months work, & with what other things I shall be doing, my next years produc earnings will not fall short of £800

In haste & half in darkness

Yrs

RS.