3874. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 22 July 1822

 

Address: To/ Dr Southey/ 15. Queen Anne Street/ Cavendish Square/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 26 JY 26/ 1822
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, 1996.5.125. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.

Keswick. 22 July. 1822.
My dear Harry

Poor Boswells Shakespere is now to be had cheaper than it will ever be again, except when a chance copy occurs at a sale, – for about seven guineas I think. I suspect it will be <the> last of those editions in which the Editor heaps Pelion upon Ossa.

(1)

James Boswell (1778–1822; DNB), old school-friend of Southey, lawyer, poet and literary scholar. He died on 24 February 1822. Boswell completed Edmond Malone (1741–1812; DNB), The Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare, with the Corrections and Illustrations of Various Commentators: Comprehending a Life of the Poet, and an Enlarged History of the Stage (1821), no. 2539 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. Southey here suggests that the labours of editors of Shakespeare have been fruitless, just as in the Greek myth of two giants who piled one mountain (Pelion) on top of another (Ossa) in an attempt to scale mount Olympus and destroy the gods.

Buy it therefore for me (for I have no better Shakespere than Stockdales,

(2)

John Stockdale (1750–1814; DNB), published Stockdale’s Edition of Shakespeare: Including, in One Volume, the Whole of the Dramatic Works, with Explanatory Notes Compiled from Various Commentators (1784).

& it is not decorous that I should be thus ill provided) – if it be sold charged 8 guineas that will be two thirds the original cost, & Bedford will refund you. You will see it marked in some of those shop windows which lay their baits for ready money. Let them send it to me by waggon, & say that as you cannot collate the copy, they will of course supply any defects if any should be found when it arrives here; – - the first thing I do with a new book is to see that it be perfect.

I have been looking every day to hear of J May.

(3)

John May and his son, John May (1802–1879), visited Southey at Keswick 5 August–2 September 1822.

My old friend Lightfoot is with me, & by his help I have got rid of my cold, leaving it somewhere among the mountains. He urges me very strongly to remove to the neighbourhood of London, & by way of removing all difficulties in the way, offers at any time to lend me money for purchasing a house & removing to it. But I am much more inclined to remain where I am, unless the ground should be sold piecemeal, which there is some danger of, in consequence of Clarkes death,

(4)

Thomas Clark (d. 1822) had rented some land that was next to, and part of the same estate as, Greta Hall. He was a nurseryman, but had been declared bankrupt on 11 March 1817.

the nursery ground being to be given up.

Another week will bring me the last proofs of my first volume.

(5)

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

I have asked my Uncles advice concerning the dedication, & sent him three from which to chuse.

(6)

Southey to Herbert Hill, 20 July 1822, Letter 3873. Enclosed were draft dedications for Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) to Spencer Perceval; George IV; and Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844; Prime Minister 1801–1804 and Home Secretary 1812–1822; DNB).

The preface will be transcribed this evening:

(7)

History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. [v]–vi. The ‘Preface’ was dated ‘Keswick, July 22, 1822’.

the table of contents has been drawn out as the proof sheets arrived; & in a very few weeks I shall have the satisfaction of being abused by all the Whig Journals to my hearts content. The volume has cost me much labour, & I think you will not be disappointed either in the matter or manner. The second will not require half the time. I may very well get thro it in eight or nine months, without any unusual exertion.

The boat is in excellent order, & you will find me in good training for it.

Love to Louisa & Mrs G.

God bless you
RS.

I am not surprized at what you say of the effect produced upon you now by Wm Ts conversation. It is well calculated to astonish & dazzle young & uninformed minds, but they who grow wiser as they grow older require something more substantial. In that want of fixed opinions, – in that love of sporting with all subjects, – in that desire of surprizing & startling others, – there is a hollowness – & heartlessness, which he himself must feel. But the vicious habit has now become part of his nature; & he is hardly sensible how much his education has injured him, & how much he has injured himself. With all the regard that I bear him, & with all the real admiration which I feel for his extraordinary talents, still the prevailing sentiments with me, when I think of him <Wm. T.> are regret at the thoughts of what he might have been, & compassion for what he will be

Notes

1. James Boswell (1778–1822; DNB), old school-friend of Southey, lawyer, poet and literary scholar. He died on 24 February 1822. Boswell completed Edmond Malone (1741–1812; DNB), The Plays and Poems of William Shakespeare, with the Corrections and Illustrations of Various Commentators: Comprehending a Life of the Poet, and an Enlarged History of the Stage (1821), no. 2539 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. Southey here suggests that the labours of editors of Shakespeare have been fruitless, just as in the Greek myth of two giants who piled one mountain (Pelion) on top of another (Ossa) in an attempt to scale mount Olympus and destroy the gods.[back]
2. John Stockdale (1750–1814; DNB), published Stockdale’s Edition of Shakespeare: Including, in One Volume, the Whole of the Dramatic Works, with Explanatory Notes Compiled from Various Commentators (1784).[back]
3. John May and his son, John May (1802–1879), visited Southey at Keswick 5 August–2 September 1822.[back]
4. Thomas Clark (d. 1822) had rented some land that was next to, and part of the same estate as, Greta Hall. He was a nurseryman, but had been declared bankrupt on 11 March 1817.[back]
5. Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
6. Southey to Herbert Hill, 20 July 1822, Letter 3873. Enclosed were draft dedications for Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) to Spencer Perceval; George IV; and Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844; Prime Minister 1801–1804 and Home Secretary 1812–1822; DNB).[back]
7. History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), I, pp. [v]–vi. The ‘Preface’ was dated ‘Keswick, July 22, 1822’.[back]
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