2565. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, [4–]5 March 1815 ⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

I suppose I meant to have substituted for ‘deposed’ the more explicit words ‘defeated, made prisoner & blinded. [1]  – In the last interview between Rusilla & Roderick do you perceive her hope that Roderick will make himself known & obtain a reputation as a Penitent & Saint, in those days more extensive & more lasting than that of conqueror? [2] 

This is Saturday night. I hope to send off the review of your book tomorrow, & as it will occupy but a few pages Gifford may perhaps find room for it in this number. [3]  You can supply a copy for the extracts. You will I am sure believe that I have neither in prose nor in verse said a word more on this subject than I feel in perfect truth. As the insertion has a motive of civility which G. will feel himself, you may remind him of the Greek epigram Ὠκεῖαι χάριτες γλυκερώτεραι. [4]  The extracts are so well chosen as to make a pleasing article. If I were Lord & Master of the Review I should perhaps insert the verses xxxxx at the end. I have made these corrections in them, [5] 

line 12 – Of Knowledge – instead of learning – because of

living on the next line.

With regard to my coming to town, I know not what to say. It would be more easy to find reasons for it it, than to afford the time & the expence. There is neither corn nor grass growing for me while I take my pleasure, – there are no incomings if the grey goose quill suspends its pace, & the outgoings are as regular as time & tide.

____

Sunday. 5. March

I inclose this to Gifford, [6]  – you will find at the end of the reviewal some Greek from the Epigrams which I quote from memory, & am not Elmsley enough to accentuate. If you have the book you can do it for me. [7] 

I will make farther inquiry of Ballantyne. And you will please to take notice than when I growled at the cost of the parcel, it was an honest growl at an impudent imposition, & not a hint that you were to pay it; which you are not to do – on pain of my displeasure.

Have you ever observed a sort of family resemblance in Barre’s portrait to the Magister Rotulorum? – I wish I had suggested to you in time the fitness of having the name under it a fac-simile of his own hand-writing.

It is a shameful time since Ix have written to Wynn –

God bless you

RS.

You will see that I have made some use of Rickmans observations.

The Deus Lunus will not suffer me to send you the Ode to Lodore which he has composed this evening, & which makes Mrs Wilson say ‘he’ll beat all you poets”. You have a great loss I assure you. The Lu Deus’s notion of an Ode is about as correct as it is of the Milky Way.