3832. Robert Southey to [Bernard Barton], 1 May 1822

 

MS: Brown University Library. ALS; 2p. (c).
Unpublished.

Keswick. 1 May. 1822.
My dear Sir

If your former letters had required an answer, or if I could have given any useful advice in reply upon the matter to which they related, I certainly should have replied to them, however much I had been engaged at the time. But this not being the case, & thinking it probable your volume

(1)

Bernard Barton, Napoleon, and Other Poems (1822), p. [v], was dedicated to George IV. Barton had asked Southey’s advice about this; see Southey to Bernard Barton, 18 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3713.

might be inclosed in a parcel from Longmans, which is at this time upon the road, I waited for its arrival, as a more convenient season. It was too late to xxxxxx intreat you (which I should otherwise have done) not to make application to Lord Liverpool, whose answer to any such application I could with certainty have anticipated.

Your publisher seems to have suggested the best plan.

(2)

Barton wished to place a copy of his book in the Royal Library at Windsor.

Dr Clar Stanier Clarke however is no longer the Kings Librarian.

(3)

George Stanier Clarke (1766–1834; DNB) was the domestic chaplain and librarian to George IV 1799–1821, and Historiographer Royal 1812–1834.

Sumner

(4)

Charles Sumner (1790–1874; DNB) was the domestic chaplain and librarian to George IV 1821–1826. He became Bishop of Llandaff 1826–1827, and Bishop of Winchester 1827–1869.

is his successors name & you had better address it to him, with a note requesting that he will place it in the royal library, as you have no other means of introducing it.

No person would rejoice more than I should do, if your book were to produce consequences as desirable as you have ever even in a dream thought possible. Thirty or forty years ago, it might most probably have done so. The times are very different now. A poet was then as rare a creature as a Bird of Paradise, – they are now as common as starlings. A courteous acknowledgement of your book I doubt not you will receive, I wish I could see a probability of any thing more substantial. Something has been said of an Academy

(5)

The Royal Society of Literature, founded in 1820.

which would have rewards to bestow, – but I know nothing more of it than what the newspapers informed me, & the scheme seemed to have been formed by persons very little acquainted with the actual state of literature in this country. Nevertheless if it takes effect, I should be very glad that you were to profit by it.

I am sorry my silence should have occasioned you any uneasiness. You would not have wondered at it, if you knew how many & how pressing my employments are, & how much of my time is consumed in answering letters. That it did had not proceeded from any diminution of respect & good will you would ere long have seen. I have am writing a paper for the Q.R.

(6)

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. (Gregoire’s book was no. 2838 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.) Southey’s review (pp. 4–5) included 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), p…

in which some mention will be made of the Quakers, & I shall not let pass that occasion of mentioning their poet.

Farewell & believe me
Yours very truly
Robert Southey

Notes

1. Bernard Barton, Napoleon, and Other Poems (1822), p. [v], was dedicated to George IV. Barton had asked Southey’s advice about this; see Southey to Bernard Barton, 18 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3713.[back]
2. Barton wished to place a copy of his book in the Royal Library at Windsor.[back]
3. George Stanier Clarke (1766–1834; DNB) was the domestic chaplain and librarian to George IV 1799–1821, and Historiographer Royal 1812–1834.[back]
4. Charles Sumner (1790–1874; DNB) was the domestic chaplain and librarian to George IV 1821–1826. He became Bishop of Llandaff 1826–1827, and Bishop of Winchester 1827–1869.[back]
5. The Royal Society of Literature, founded in 1820.[back]
6. 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. (Gregoire’s book was no. 2838 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.) Southey’s review (pp. 4–5) included 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]
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