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. Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), I, pp. 285-286.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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Southey’s spelling has not been regularized.
Writing in other hands appearing on these manuscripts has been indicated as such, the content recorded in brackets.
& has been used for the ampersand sign.
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I have been to Taunton & slept two nights in my Uncles house.
he was very civil – powdered his wig which is only done on Sundays – changed his vest & moved into the best parlour. I found a
strange man living a comfortless life. his dress shabby – his manners boorish. a strong understanding wasted – & good feelings
habitually suppressed till they have been almost destroyed. he keeps no company & his establishment is almost miserly. there is
plenty – but every where a meanness – the pride of wealth, & the passion of accumulation eternally counteracting each other. before
I went down his phrase respecting me was that I was a damned shrewd fellow – he now thinks me not long for this world – & says – my
voice is gone already. he himself I think is nearer the end of his lease. He never said he was glad to see me – never uttered a hint
respecting my views in life nor those of any of his family – never said he should be glad to see me again – but when Tom & I left him followed us to the door – shook us heartily by the hand, & wished us
a pleasant tower. he is proud of Tom, wants him to make an
appearance in the world – knows he has only a Lieutenants half pay – & yet has not the heart to give him a single guinea. I talked
with him – laughd with him & made him laugh – he pushd the bottle – loaded my plate with fruit – broached his best beer for me –,
still it was not comfortable – I heard the click of the clock – & the hum of the gnats at evening, & the crumbling of a wood
fire – & a man never hears those sounds if he is enjoying himself. the ice however is broke. if his property takes the legal
course
I thank you for your letter & shall look upon <you> as godfather elect to my first boy. I thank you too for
the request in one of your late letters to be entrusted with what papers I may leave. Will you let me prefix one page to Madoc that
shall bear your name & the arms of Rodri?xx thought of such a page with pleasure & pride.
The Cidr Sam. Macknight. W. S. Edinburgh. xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx till we find one of course we stay where we are.