327. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 14 June [1798] ⁠* 

My dear Wynn

I ran thro London too rapidly to make a second call at Lincolns Inn. I entered it late on Saturday morning & left it by Sundays mail — for the important business of eating is considering at Grays Inn as no breach of the fourth commandment. [1] 

I came down thus speedily because my mother is in all the bustle of quitting one house, & we have not yet found another to remove to. my presence was necessary to look about, & manage her affairs. I am seeking some temporary home in this neighbourhood — where country air, & quietness of mind at last, will I hope yet restore her. her furniture has been sold by auction. there has been much done — & there some weight taken off my mind. —

I find here that Cottle lost Stracheys direction & so sent a copy for him to you.

Is your brothers hurt much? [2]  this is a damnable business in Ireland. an earthquake now — or a pestilence would be of use. or one might send them the plague in a letter. I shall immediately get Bootes Suit at Law [3]  — & go thro Blackstone [4]  again to methodize Coke, referring to Coke as I go. [5]  will not that be a good plan?

this is a burning day — & I have to trudge five miles off about a house — & home again. My brother is returned from Taunton, & again on the sofa with a wound received by in riding: his Uncle has taken to him with much cordiality. he talks of buying a large house & estate in Wales & fixing the family name there. I know not in what part. I find Edith much as I left her. certainly not worse — & I have some hope that the fatigue of moving will be beneficial.

I was with William Taylor at Norwich. the translator of Iphigenia in Tauris. [6]  he read me many of Klopstocks [7]  odes they are very fine. the old man seems to have studied the prophets till he has almost caught their inspired sublimity. among others he gave me a literal version of the poem referred to in Werter. [8]  my time passed very pleasantly there. I saw much of Sayers — whose dramatic sketches [9]  you remember. Shall I copy the ode of Klopstock for you? — I had almost forgotten Florians ballad. [10]  you shall have a translation next week. not that I think it worth translating — but an hour is not ill employed in giving any body pleasure.

have you seen the Oberon? [11]  I hear it is a translation, & gives you the sense of Wieland, [12]  tho it has flattened his spirit. the stanza is bad, as it concludes with one of those awkward quatrains in which the first & last line rhyme — & you expect another to finish.

God bless you

direct for the next ten days to Bath.

yrs truly

Robert Southey.

Thursday 14 June