3926. Robert Southey to [Bernard Barton], 29 November 1822

MS: Department of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester, Robert Southey Papers A.S727. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished.

My dear Sir

I should not be satisfied with myself if I allowed a day to elapse without advising you not to publish these verses. They can do you no good & they may do you a great deal of harm.

When a book is dedicated to the King

⁽¹⁾

it is a rare thing for the author to hear any thing of its acceptance. If he presents it himself at a levee, he is thanked at the time, – & there the matter ends: – or if it is presented by any friend for him the acknowledgment is made in the same manner. After my Vision

⁽²⁾

had been presented some weeks, it was thought a mark of great graciousness in the King that he at a levee he told my brother he was obliged to me for it & had read it with pleasure.

⁽³⁾

– To write a letter of thanks would be as much out of the course of things, as for him to pay me a visit.

It is very likely that the King may never have seen your book. It is <also> possible that you may be brought to his notice if you he has not, or to his recollection, if he has, – in some favourable way; – & thereby be led to make some enquiry concerning it. But if these verses get abroad they will effectually mar any such possibility: – & you will be set down for a person who formed rash expectations, & had not discretion enough to conceal your mortification at finding yourself disappointed.

I advise you also not to offend your own society.

⁽⁴⁾

They will be proud of you in time, – & in time too for you to profit by their good opinion What I have said you of you in the QR.

⁽⁵⁾

(if the Editor does not strike it out – which I shall be sorely displeased if he does) – may accelerate this. But in writing what is there written, I have not shown a more sincere desire for your good than in giving you the present advice

Yours in haste
Robert Southey

Keswick 29 Xxx^y Nov. 1822

Notes

1. Bernard Barton, Napoleon, and Other Poems (London, 1822), p. [v] was dedicated to George IV. Barton may have been offended not to receive any acknowledgement of his dedication and had written some verses expressing his disappointment.[back]

2. Southey’s A Vision of Judgement (1821).[back]

3. See Southey to John Rickman, 18 May 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3687.[back]

4. The Society of Friends, or Quakers.[back]

5. Southey’s review of Henri Grégoire (1750–1831), Histoire des Sectes Religieuse, qui, Depuis de Commencement du Siecle Dernier Jusqu’a l’Epoque Actuelle, sont Nées, se sont Modifiées, se sont Éteintes dans le Quatre Parties du Monde (1814), Quarterly Review, 28 (October 1822), 1–46, published 15 February 1823. The book was no. 2838 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. Southey included (pp. 4–5) a lengthy recommendation of Barton’s poetry for its ‘pure and religious spirit’ and quoted Barton’s poem ‘The Pool of Bethesda’, from Napoleon, and Other Poems (London, 1822), pp. [182]–185, in its entirety.[back]

TEI Link

TEI

Volume Editor(s)

Lynda Pratt

Ian Packer

3926. Robert Southey to [Bernard Barton], 29 November 1822

3926. Robert Southey to [Bernard Barton], 29 November 1822

The Collected Letters of Robert Southey: Part Seven

Lynda Pratt, Ian Packer