621. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 October 1801

621. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 October 1801 ⁠* 

Keswick.  Thursday. Oct. 29. 1801.

My dear Grosvenor

We get into the mail at Penrith on Saturday morning – & if utter inability on the part of Edith do not stop us – hope to arrive in 47 hours at London. I expect a line from you by todays or tomorrows post. – One of if you look for us about two o clock on Monday I trust we shall be to be found.

Then shall I be anchored till May or June next, & God knows how long it is since I have been six months in a place! – My lodgings must be as near Great George Street as they can be – so distance Grosvenor will not excuse you if you are our seldom visitor.

Did you see the Review of Thalaba in the British Critic? [1]  it differs in opinion from your letter of praise. I wish I could ascertain what is very likely – that it is Herbert Crofts writing. the fact would be useful.

To weigh against my habitual, physical & moral hatred of London, I am throwing into the other scale all possible accidents of pleasure there & thereabouts among others is – an interview with Snivel. [2] 

fare you well

yrs affectionately

R Southey.


Notes

* Address: To/ Grosvenor Charles Bedford Esqr/ Exchequer/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ NOV 2/ 1801
Endorsement: 29. Octor 1801
MS: Bodleian Library, Eng. Lett. c. 23. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] British Critic, 18 (September 1801), pp. 309-310. The review was anonymous and a sustained attack on ‘this complete monument of vile and depraved taste’. BACK

[2] Bedford’s dog. BACK

People mentioned

Places mentioned

Keswick (mentioned 1 time)