2647. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 18 August 1815

2647. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 18 August 1815 ⁠* 

My dear Tom

The Doctor is going to Flanders for three or four weeks with his bride & some of her family, – they are five in number, & have persuaded me to make the sixth xxx in the coach. I am working day & night to join them in time, – & hope Capt Grove [1]  will admit this as an excuse for wishing him to defer his visit to the Lakes. On my return I shall be happy to receive him, if he can make this place in his way back from Edinburgh. – I expect to be at home about the third week in October.

We go to Ostend & Brussels, & visit Waterloo of course. How much farther we may proceed depends upon the Constable; [2]  – if he can keep pace with us, it will be it may be as far as Spa & Aix la Chapelle.

I am desperately busy & provokingly interrupted; We are waiting for a fine day to celebrate the battle &c by a bonfire on the summit of Skiddaw. This is my scheme, & the materials are ready. [3] 

Henry Koster xx is not yet able to leave us. Luckily he is a very pleasant inmate & likes his quarters.

I have no time for more, farther than to add my love to Sarah. – her brothers death is vexatious as well as afflicting. [4]  And I desire that you will say what is proper to Capt Grove in the best way. I would be very sorry were he to feel hurt, – wishing as I do to show him all possible xxxxxxx attention.

God bless you

RS.

18 August. 1815.

Notes

* Address: To/ Capt Southey. R. N. / St Helens/ Auckland
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
MS: British Library, Add MS 30927. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Probably Captain Samuel Grove (d. 1817), an old friend of Tom Southey from the Royal Navy. BACK

[2] i.e. their journey depended on money; Southey was aware of the need not to ‘outrun the constable’ by living above his means. BACK

[3] Southey had planned a bonfire at the top of Skiddaw to celebrate the victory. It was originally planned for 12 August (the birthday of the Prince Regent and Robert Southey), but did not take place until 21 August; see Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 8 August 1815 (Letter 2642), 14 August (Letter 2643) and 22 August (Letter 2648). BACK

[4] Unidentified. BACK

Addressee

Southey, Thomas (‘Tom’) [brother] (1777–1838)

People mentioned

Southey, Sarah (née Castle; 1782–1849) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Henry Herbert (1784–1865) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Louisa (née Gonne; d. 1830) (mentioned 1 time)
Koster, Henry (1793–1820) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

Skiddaw (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Four
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