3860. Robert Southey to John Rickman, [27 June 1822]

 

Address: To/ J Rickman Esqre 
Endorsements: RS to JR 27 June/ 1822; 27. June 1822
MS: Huntington Library, RS 423. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.

My dear R.

A good-natured Dano has desired me to direct to him to the care of John Reeves,

(1)

John Reeves (1752–1829; DNB), barrister, writer and ultra-conservative. In 1800 he was appointed the King’s Printer and became a treasurer of the Literary Fund.

– & as I know not whether the said J Reeves has the privilege of franking, I have taken the safe side, & inclosed the inclosure to you.

My annual cold has this year made a somewhat serious attack upon the chest, from which, thank God, I believe myself to have nearly recovered. But it took strong hold upon me, & for a while fairly laid me up.

The first vol. of the war is finished as far as concerns me;

(2)

The first volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).

– the Printer

(3)

Thomas Davison (1766–1831).

however has a good many sheets in his hands. I hope & think you will like it in the main. The Whigs will not. They will find in the first chapter a foretaste of the reputation with which they will descend to posterity.

(4)

History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. 3–61 (esp. pp. 55–58), criticised the Whigs for opposing war with France.

Agricultural distress is hardly felt here in comparison with what it is in the South. There are several causes for this, the principal being – that so many persons cultivate their own small estates, – & that in other property the system of rack rent very generally prevailed, – so that rents which were screwed up during the war, having unscrewed in due proportion since the peace.

(5)

Rack rents gave the landlord a full economic return on his investment in the land. They were usually revised regularly according to varying economic conditions.

So you have had a pleasant report of the Plague! When I send my Colloquies for the benefit of your remarks thereon, you will find an ugly opinion expressed of the probability of some such visitation.

(6)

Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society, 2 vols (London, 1829), I, pp. 49–58.

When I was too unwell for any other employment I transcribed some of their compositions, & I shall send them to you when I think you are at leisure for such speculations

Remember us to Mrs R. – & tell Mr Telford when you see him, that I am afraid he has forgotten that Keswick is only one stage out of the road to Carlisle.

God bless you,
RS.

Notes

1. John Reeves (1752–1829; DNB), barrister, writer and ultra-conservative. In 1800 he was appointed the King’s Printer and became a treasurer of the Literary Fund.[back]
2. The first volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
3. Thomas Davison (1766–1831).[back]
4. History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. 3–61 (esp. pp. 55–58), criticised the Whigs for opposing war with France.[back]
5. Rack rents gave the landlord a full economic return on his investment in the land. They were usually revised regularly according to varying economic conditions.[back]
6. Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society, 2 vols (London, 1829), I, pp. 49–58.[back]
TEI Link
TEI
Volume Editor(s)
Lynda Pratt
Ian Packer