450. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 October 1799 ⁠* 

Burton near Ringwood. Hampshire.

Thursday 24 Oct. 1799.

My dear Grosvenor

Here I am – knee deep in brick, mortar & deal shavings, superintendant of the revolutionizing our dwelling. But we are in an uncomfortable state of anxiety about poor Tom. for these eight weeks we have not heard of him – & a paragraph in the papers states that a brig was seen lying in Ferrol, which was supposed to be the Sylph. [1]  I know not whether any tidings could be obtained from the Admiralty – if there could I should be obliged to you to call there & make enquiry – but it appears to me that if they had any tidings the loss of the ship would be gazetted.

Thank you for exploring Picart for me. [2]  I was right in the fact as I have since found from Charlevoix. [3]  let me send you once more to your books. in Sir John Maundeviles Travels there is an account of the Paradise of Aloadin or Aladeules [4]  – perhaps he may bear a different name there – however you cannot mistake. twas a sort of Apollo-Gardens or dog Oriental Dog & Duck [5]  where he used to convey young men after an opium dose & persuade them that he had Houris & Paradise to reward those who obeyed him, even in this life. in your copy of Maundevile you will find it page 336. will you copy me the passage. I have business with the old Gentleman & would have as many documents as possible.

You say I have invited of the Anthology [6]  that I have invited you to dine on roast beef & given you a French hash. it is not quite the case – I simply invite my guests to dinner – there are dishes in plenty – those who <do> not like high seasoned ones will find somewhat plainer by its side. Send me something for the next volume. it goes to press in December. [7] 

Grosvenor can you never make a weeks leisure to visit me? now indeed – unless you were studying scenery for a picture or poem upon the Deluge – the country is not worth seeing. but if Spring Summer & Autumn are only missing & not dead – why when one of them is found surely surely you might come. here, is the New Forest to be seen – & the Island – & me – & you shall help me to dig in the garden – & we will go up the church tower, & I will be as idle & as happy as you can wish.

Do you know that I have seen a man exceedingly like you, & what is curious is that indecision is the prominent feature in his character. but for the face resemblance I never saw so striking a-one. if that phrase looks as ugly to your eye as it does to mine, you will learn to write one so striking.

Lane [8]  called upon me at Exeter & I dined with him. he is now a handsome man – in orders – without much information – & not likely to pick up more. I never accidentally think of Westminster without remembering Bunbury. While he lived I re[MS torn] that his attachments were never rooted – but s[MS torn] old feelings with which I have sat whole evenings [MS torn] have revived, where & what is he now? m[MS torn] upon all subjects – they may disbelieve Revelat[MS torn] but annihilation seems to me an impossible [MS torn] the merest particle of matter is indestructible. [MS torn] changed – but still it exists. he might must [MS torn] metaphysician who imagines that Atheism pr[MS torn] of existence. Grosvenor I feel now how s[MS torn] it is to write.

The winter comes on & I look forward [MS torn] with the ill bodings of an invalid to its inclemency [MS torn] constitution & opinions. Nature dropt me by mis[MS torn] side of the channel.

You are in the way of seeing Catalogues – or you [MS torn] be – will you look for Gagniers Life of Mahomet for me? [9]  it is a French book & I believe in two volumes. I should like Boulainvilliers [10]  also if you can meet with it.

God bless you.

yrs as ever

Robert Southey.

write.