3843. Robert Southey to Edith May Southey, 21 May [1822]

 

Address: To/ Miss Southey/ Hattersley’s Hotel/ Harrogate
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: British Library, Add MS 47888. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished.
Dating note: Dating from content. This letter was clearly written shortly after that to Edith May Southey, 17 May 1822 (Letter 3839).

Keswick. Tuesday 21 May.
My dear Edith

I am afraid you will be vexed at seeing a letter instead of your father in person: & this thought vexes me. Last night we heard from Rydal that Miss Joanna Hutchinson

(1)

Joanna Hutchinson (1780–1841), sister-in-law of William Wordsworth.

was coming there with her sister; & that Miss H. on account of the Clarksons

(2)

Thomas and Catherine Clarkson.

arrival, would probably wish to not to linger upon the road. Therefore as the motions for my intended journey were that we might fill a chaise, & return leisurely, seeing all that is to be seen upon the way, the first of these was rendered needless, & the second set aside: so upon due deliberation I came, not very willingly because of your disappointment, (otherwise willingly enough) to the resolution of staying quietly at home.

Inclosed is half a ten pound bill: the other half will come in a letter from Sara tomorrow or next day. You will remember not to bring home with you any country bills

(3)

Banknotes issued by banks in Yorkshire, but which would not be readily accepted in Cumberland.

that are not current in these parts

We shall all rejoice to see you home again. – Yet if you & your friends think the waters seem to be producing such an effect upon you, that it is a pity you should not try them a little longer, – tell me so by return of post, & I will set off to join you before Miss H.s departure, & remain with you a week or ten days, – as long indeed as I can so that we may be home in time to receive your godfather. You will not suppose that I have any desire to do this; – but if there be reason to think it would be advantageous to you, I will come.

Cupn sends a kiss, & when I asked how I was to send it, he replied you must wite it. You will therefore please to understand that one of his kisses is written here. –

Sara has been calomelld & jalappd this day, & Bel has been salted.

(4)

Calomel (mercury chloride), jalap (derived from the root of a Mexican plant) and various ‘salts’ (for instance, Epsom Salts) were all routinely used as purgatives.

– I must tell you that I have advised your Aunt Lovell to takx take salt-petre instead of salt, for the purpose of making herself of a good colouring her cheeks.

(5)

Salt-petre (potassium nitrate) is used as a preservative in the curing of bacon, to which it imparts a pink colour. Salt-petre was also sometimes used as a purgative.

Our weather here is delicious. I bathe every day, but have not been able to wash away my cold. – There is no other news except that I have taken to my straw-hat, & that my poor jacket is fairly worn out at last, after seven years service in different shapes.

Our love to Miss H. God bless you my dear child so prays your dutiful father

Robert Southey.

Notes

1. Joanna Hutchinson (1780–1841), sister-in-law of William Wordsworth.[back]
3. Banknotes issued by banks in Yorkshire, but which would not be readily accepted in Cumberland.[back]
4. Calomel (mercury chloride), jalap (derived from the root of a Mexican plant) and various ‘salts’ (for instance, Epsom Salts) were all routinely used as purgatives.[back]
5. Salt-petre (potassium nitrate) is used as a preservative in the curing of bacon, to which it imparts a pink colour. Salt-petre was also sometimes used as a purgative.[back]
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