3862. Robert Southey to [Isaac D’Israeli], 29 June 1822

Endorsement: 29 June 1822
MS: Bodleian Library, Dep. Hughenden 246/4. ALS; 2p
Previously published: C. L. Cline, ‘The Correspondence of Robert Southey and Isaac D’Israeli’, Review of English Studies, 17.65 (January 1941), 66–67.

My dear Sir

I am much obliged to you for your Illustration of the Literary Character,

⁽¹⁾

which is, like all your works, full of interesting matter agreably arranged. Here too you draw from yourself when you enlarge upon the advantages & comforts derived from a love of literature. When you treat of the Calamities & the Quarrels of Authors

⁽²⁾

you happily write of evils in which you have had no share.

If inclination should ever lead you to the Lakes, I should have great pleasure in showing you my stores. You have seen a great deal of literary men in towns, but, for one class at least, the country is the proper place. You know what Cowley has said

Rura laudamus merito poetae;
Rure floremus; dominoque laurum
Sole gaudentem necat oppidorum
Nubilus aer.
(3)
Abraham Cowley (1618–1667; DNB), ‘Solitudo’, lines 1–4, Poema Latina (London, 1668), pp. 415–417. Cowley translated these lines as: ‘Hail, old Patrician Trees, so great and good!/Hail, ye Plebeian under wood!/Where the Poetique Birds rejoice,/And for their quiet Nests and Plenteous Food/Pay with their grateful voice.’

You should look at us in our nests.

Present my compliments to M^rs & Miss D’Israeli,

⁽⁴⁾

believe me
My dear Sir
with sincere respect
Yrs faithfully
Robert Southey.

Keswick. 29 June. 1822.

Notes

1. The 3rd edition of D’Israeli’s The Literary Character, Illustrated by the History of Men of Genius, Drawn From their own Feelings and Confessions (1822), no. 839 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]

2. D’Isareli’s Calamities of Authors: Including some Inquiries Respecting their Moral and Literary Characters (1812) and Quarrels of Authors; or, Some Memoirs for our Literary History, Including Specimens of Controversy to the Reign of Elizabeth (1814), no. 839 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]

3. Abraham Cowley (1618–1667; DNB), ‘Solitudo’, lines 1–4, Poema Latina (London, 1668), pp. 415–417. Cowley translated these lines as: ‘Hail, old Patrician Trees, so great and good!/Hail, ye Plebeian under wood!/Where the Poetique Birds rejoice,/And for their quiet Nests and Plenteous Food/Pay with their grateful voice.’[back]

4. Maria D’Israeli, née Basevi (1774/5–1847), and Sarah D’Israeli (1802–1859).[back]

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The Collected Letters of Robert Southey: Part Seven