4066. Robert Southey to William Peachy, 4 October 1823

 

Address: To/ Major General Peachy/ Post Office/ Canterbury
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 7 OC 7/ 1823
MS: British Library, Add MS 28603. ALS; 4p.
Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), II, pp. 250–252.

Keswick. 4 Oct. 1823.
My dear Sir

I received with much pleasure the account of your ubiquitarian movements, & the assurance of good health & good spirits which such movements imply. For myself, tho having (thank God) no cause to complain on the score of either, I have not moved beyond the limits of this vale since you left it. Neither an invitation, twice repeated to meet Mr Canning at Storrs,

(1)

Storrs Hall on Windermere, Lake District home of John Bolton (1756–1837; DNB), a Liverpool merchant and leading supporter of Canning as MP for that city.

nor another from Mr York to Wighill Park to the Musical Festival

(2)

Richard York invited Southey to the ‘Yorkshire Grand Music Festival, for the Benefit of York County Hospital, and of the General Infirmaries of Leeds, Sheffield and Hull’ on 22–25 September 1823 in York Minster.

could draw me from home. Whatever time could be spared from my desk I wanted to enjoy in excursions with our friends of the Island.

(3)

Louisa Charter, and Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB). They were the sisters of Emma Peachy, first wife of William Peachy, and nieces of Sir Charles Malet (1752–1815; DNB), 1st Baronet, a prominent diplomat with the East India Company. Peachy had lent the Charter sisters his home on Derwent Island. They were accompanied by Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB), the maternal uncle of the Charter sisters. Their other companion was one of the three children born in India to Sir Charles Malet and Amber Kaur (b. 1772): Eliza (b. 1791); Henry Charles (1793–1844); and Louisa (b. 1795). They accompanied Malet to Britain in 1798 and were brought up with his children by Susanna Malet. Eliza Malet married, in 1812, Robert Ekins (1785–1874), Vicar of Godalming 1810–1833, Rector of Folke, Dorset 1833–1843, Perpetual Curate of North Wootton 1843–1854. Southey is probably referring here to Louisa Malet.

The season has been singularly unpropitious for such parties, – by much the worst within my remembrance which extends now to twenty years in this country. Thro the spring we lived in hope of what summer might bring with it, thro the summer our hopes were for autumn, October is now come & the weather still as unsettled as however ever. However we have taken advantage of every interval.

We made successful ascents of Skiddaw & of Cawsey Pike, down chimney of which the Ladies came in great style, Miss Charter, Mrs S. & one or two more (for we moved in great force) who were afraid of the ascent, awaiting us at the bottom with a very respectable pic-nic set out. Our next dinner of the same kind was by the Lake side in Manesty Woods. Another day I led the ladies up Walla Crag by a way which would not have suited your friend Mr Awdrey.

(4)

John Awdry (1766–1844) was married to Jane, née Bigg-Wither (1770–1845), sister of Herbert Hill’s wife. Awdry was a solicitor and minor landowner, and Southey had stayed with him in Switzerland in 1817 soon after Peachy had visited Awdry.

Last Monday we dined just where the descent into Borrodale, from Buttermere Haws commences – we were three carts & five saddle horses, & I know not how many more than twenty persons (your friends Mr Portel & his daughter

(5)

Probably William Portal (1755–1845) of Ashe Parke, Hampshire, his wife Sophia, née Slade (1760–1837), and their daughter, Sophia Portal (d. 1875). The Portal family were descended from Huguenot refugees and owned the firm that produced banknotes for the Bank of England.

among them) the mountains have seldom seen such a caravan. We are planning much more, if Jupiter will permit, – Miss Bowles the authoress of those sweet poems which I once recommended to Mrs Peachy

(6)

Southey had recommended Caroline Bowles’s, Ellen Fitzarthur; a Metrical Tale, in Five Cantos (1820) and The Widow’s Tale and Other Poems (1822) widely to friends and acquaintances.

has been with us in most of these excursions. She is lodging at Timmy Ladymans,

(7)

Timothy Ladyman (1774–1846), a Keswick ironmonger.

but takes her departure in the course of next week. Your friends are very much pleased with her, & she with them.

You will be more grieved than surprized to hear that we have lost Mr Edmondson. After ten weeks lingering, his old complaint has carried him off. When the disease was for a time removed, Nature had not the strength to rally, & thus he sunk under a renewed attack. It was his desire that I should assure you that your plate would be as secure in the care of his family, as it was during his life time. He was buried on Thursday, & I believe few persons have ever gone to the grave more deservedly, or more generally regretted in their sphere. Calvert & I have been talking today upon the fitness of erecting a subscription tablet in the Church to his memory, as was done (with far less reason) in the case of Mr Denton.

(8)

Isaac Denton (c. 1758–1820), Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick 1786–1820.

A man so skilful in his practise, so conscientiously moderate in his charges so friendly in his services, – so eminently useful in his generation deserves the tribute of respect & gratitude. Calvert will propose it to Sir Frederic Vane

(9)

Sir Frederick Fletcher-Vane, 2nd Baronet (1760–1832), of Hutton in the Forest, though he mainly lived at Armathwaite Hall on Bassenthwaite. Fletcher-Vane was a leading local Whig and opponent of the Lowther interest, serving as MP for Carlisle 1796–1800 and 1801–1802, and MP for Winchelsea 1792–1794 and 1806–1807.

& Sir Fred. Morshead.

(10)

Sir Frederick Treise Morshead, 2nd Baronet (1783–1828), of Derwent Lodge, Keswick.

I undertook to mention it to you, & to Sir G Beaumont. And we shall find some fit person to call upon the people of the place, who will feel how fitting it is, & how creditable to themselves, that this should be done.

(11)

A tablet to honour John Edmondson was commissioned and placed in St Kentigern’s, Crosthwaite.

You will see in the last Quarterly a paper of mine upon the new edition of Burnet,

(12)

Bishop Burnet’s History of his Own Time: with the Suppressed Passages of the First Volume and Notes by the Earls of Dartmouth and Hardwicke, and Speaker Onslow, Hitherto Unpublished; to Which are Added the Cursory Remarks of Swift, and Other Observations (1823), no. 498 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. This was a new edition of Gilbert Burnet (1643–1715; DNB), History of My Own Time (1724–1734), edited by Martin Routh (1755–1854; DNB). Southey reviewed it in Quarterly Review, 29 (April 1823), 165–214, published 27–28 September 1823, and used the occasion to survey the reign of Charl…

& a most excellent one upon Spain by my friend Blanco White,

(13)

Blanco White’s review of Michael Joseph Quin (1796–1843; DNB), A Visit to Spain; Detailing the Transactions which Occurred during a Residence in that Country in the Latter Part of 1822, and the First Four Months of 1823. With an Account of the Removal of the Court from Madrid to Seville; and General Notices of the Manners, Customs, Costume and Music of the Country, in Quarterly Review, 29 (April 1823), 240–276, published 27 or 28 September 1823.

whose Letters on Spain under the title of Leucadio Doblado,

(14)

Letters from Spain by Don Leucadio Doblado (1822).

if they should not have fallen in your way, I recommend to your perusal. In the preceding number you would perhaps recognize me upon the Progress of Infidelity,

(15)

Southey’s review of Henri Grégoire (1750–1831), ‘Histoire de la Théophilantropie, depuis sa Naissance jusqu’à son Extinction’, part of Grégoire’s 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, 2 vols (Paris, 1814), II, pp. 55–171, Quarterly Review, 28 (January 1823), 493–536, published 8 July 1823. The book was no. 2838 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

– a paper which underwent some injurious curtailments. I have now begun an article upon Dr Dwights Travels in New England & New York.

(16)

Timothy Dwight (1752–1817), Travels in New-England and New-York (1821–1822), no. 881 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library, reviewed by Southey in Quarterly Review, 30 (October 1823), 1–40, published 17 April 1824.

The Book of the Church

(17)

Southey’s The Book of the Church (1824).

(extended to two volumes) is now drawing near its conclusion. My intention is to join company with the Island Ladies on their departure, taking with me my eldest daughter, & accompanying them till we turn off to pass a few days with Sir G Beaumont at Coleorton. I shall run down into Somerset & Devonshire before Christmas, & to Cambridge & Norwich afterwards, then return home & get into harness again.

A miserable man has been walking against time in your stable field, – & broke down in the attempt, but begins again tomorrow.

(18)

Pedestrian feats were very popular in the 1820s, walking ‘against time’ being an attempt to cover a certain distance in a certain time. Pedestrians usually walked for money and the sport often involved large wagers and disorderly crowds.

Were I a magistrate most certainly I would not suffer him to collect a rabble there, & endanger his life in this useless manner. Mr Lynn

(19)

James Lynn (1776–1855), Perpetual Curate of Strood 1805–1814, Rector of Caldbeck 1814–1820, Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick 1820–1855.

is gone to the south, & as he will be mostly about Maidstone, you may perhaps fall in with him. My womankind desire unite with me in kind remembrances to Mrs Peachy – whom they have often wished for, as well as for yourself in our excursions. Remember me also to Charles Edward,

(20)

Charles Edward Henry (1807–1833), the younger of Peachy’s two stepsons.

& believe me my Dear Sir ever yours very sincerely

Robert Southey.

Notes

1. Storrs Hall on Windermere, Lake District home of John Bolton (1756–1837; DNB), a Liverpool merchant and leading supporter of Canning as MP for that city.[back]
2. Richard York invited Southey to the ‘Yorkshire Grand Music Festival, for the Benefit of York County Hospital, and of the General Infirmaries of Leeds, Sheffield and Hull’ on 22–25 September 1823 in York Minster.[back]
3. Louisa Charter, and Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB). They were the sisters of Emma Peachy, first wife of William Peachy, and nieces of Sir Charles Malet (1752–1815; DNB), 1st Baronet, a prominent diplomat with the East India Company. Peachy had lent the Charter sisters his home on Derwent Island. They were accompanied by Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB), the maternal uncle of the Charter sisters. Their other companion was one of the three children born in India to Sir Charles Malet and Amber Kaur (b. 1772): Eliza (b. 1791); Henry Charles (1793–1844); and Louisa (b. 1795). They accompanied Malet to Britain in 1798 and were brought up with his children by Susanna Malet. Eliza Malet married, in 1812, Robert Ekins (1785–1874), Vicar of Godalming 1810–1833, Rector of Folke, Dorset 1833–1843, Perpetual Curate of North Wootton 1843–1854. Southey is probably referring here to Louisa Malet.[back]
4. John Awdry (1766–1844) was married to Jane, née Bigg-Wither (1770–1845), sister of Herbert Hill’s wife. Awdry was a solicitor and minor landowner, and Southey had stayed with him in Switzerland in 1817 soon after Peachy had visited Awdry.[back]
5. Probably William Portal (1755–1845) of Ashe Parke, Hampshire, his wife Sophia, née Slade (1760–1837), and their daughter, Sophia Portal (d. 1875). The Portal family were descended from Huguenot refugees and owned the firm that produced banknotes for the Bank of England.[back]
6. Southey had recommended Caroline Bowles’s, Ellen Fitzarthur; a Metrical Tale, in Five Cantos (1820) and The Widow’s Tale and Other Poems (1822) widely to friends and acquaintances.[back]
7. Timothy Ladyman (1774–1846), a Keswick ironmonger.[back]
8. Isaac Denton (c. 1758–1820), Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick 1786–1820.[back]
9. Sir Frederick Fletcher-Vane, 2nd Baronet (1760–1832), of Hutton in the Forest, though he mainly lived at Armathwaite Hall on Bassenthwaite. Fletcher-Vane was a leading local Whig and opponent of the Lowther interest, serving as MP for Carlisle 1796–1800 and 1801–1802, and MP for Winchelsea 1792–1794 and 1806–1807.[back]
10. Sir Frederick Treise Morshead, 2nd Baronet (1783–1828), of Derwent Lodge, Keswick.[back]
11. A tablet to honour John Edmondson was commissioned and placed in St Kentigern’s, Crosthwaite.[back]
12. Bishop Burnet’s History of his Own Time: with the Suppressed Passages of the First Volume and Notes by the Earls of Dartmouth and Hardwicke, and Speaker Onslow, Hitherto Unpublished; to Which are Added the Cursory Remarks of Swift, and Other Observations (1823), no. 498 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. This was a new edition of Gilbert Burnet (1643–1715; DNB), History of My Own Time (1724–1734), edited by Martin Routh (1755–1854; DNB). Southey reviewed it in Quarterly Review, 29 (April 1823), 165–214, published 27–28 September 1823, and used the occasion to survey the reign of Charles II (1630–1685; King of Great Britain 1660–1685; DNB).[back]
13. Blanco White’s review of Michael Joseph Quin (1796–1843; DNB), A Visit to Spain; Detailing the Transactions which Occurred during a Residence in that Country in the Latter Part of 1822, and the First Four Months of 1823. With an Account of the Removal of the Court from Madrid to Seville; and General Notices of the Manners, Customs, Costume and Music of the Country, in Quarterly Review, 29 (April 1823), 240–276, published 27 or 28 September 1823.[back]
14. Letters from Spain by Don Leucadio Doblado (1822).[back]
15. Southey’s review of Henri Grégoire (1750–1831), ‘Histoire de la Théophilantropie, depuis sa Naissance jusqu’à son Extinction’, part of Grégoire’s 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, 2 vols (Paris, 1814), II, pp. 55–171, Quarterly Review, 28 (January 1823), 493–536, published 8 July 1823. The book was no. 2838 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
16. Timothy Dwight (1752–1817), Travels in New-England and New-York (1821–1822), no. 881 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library, reviewed by Southey in Quarterly Review, 30 (October 1823), 1–40, published 17 April 1824.[back]
17. Southey’s The Book of the Church (1824).[back]
18. Pedestrian feats were very popular in the 1820s, walking ‘against time’ being an attempt to cover a certain distance in a certain time. Pedestrians usually walked for money and the sport often involved large wagers and disorderly crowds.[back]
19. James Lynn (1776–1855), Perpetual Curate of Strood 1805–1814, Rector of Caldbeck 1814–1820, Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick 1820–1855.[back]
20. Charles Edward Henry (1807–1833), the younger of Peachy’s two stepsons.[back]
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