4089. Robert Southey to Edith Southey, 21 November 1823

 

Address: Mrs Southey.
Endorsements: Novbr. 18 21st 1823./ R. Southey to Mrs Southey
MS: British Library, Add MS 47888. ALS; 3p. 
Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), II, pp. 252–254.

Friday 21 Nov. 1823. Streatham
My dear Edith

I had intended that my next letter should have been to Bertha, but as I have am now able to tell you what has past with Charles Lamb, it may better be related to you, than thro one of the children. It was not till Monday last that I had an opportunity of seeing his letter:

(1)

Southey had commended Lamb’s Essays of Elia (1823) in Quarterly Review, 28 (January 1823), 524, published 8 July 1823, but commented that the book ‘wants only a sounder religious feeling, to be as delightful as it is original’. Lamb took offence and responded with ‘Letter of Elia to Robert Southey, Esquire’, London Magazine, 8 (October 1823), 400–407.

– it was less offensive than I might have anticipated, if Harry & Gooch had not given me a previous account of it; & the perusal only confirmed the intention with which I left home, of addressing him in a manner correspondent to the feelings which I have always entertained towards him. We came here, as you know, on the Tuesday, & on Wednesday my first business was to write him a letter,

(2)

Southey to Charles Lamb, [19 November 1823], Letter 4088.

which Edith has transcribed. It was short, & in all respects, I think, what it ought to be. I disclaimed all intention of injuring or wounding him, – told him that if he had complained to me in any private or friendly manner, I would have inserted a note in the next review which should entirely have satisfied him that his letter had rendered this impossible, & I was sorry for it. But that nothing should provoke me to engage in a public controversy with him to make sport for the Philistines, – & that if he could as heartily forgive an unintended offence, as I did the way in which he had resented it, he had only to say so, & I would take the earliest opportunity of going to shake hands with him & his sister.

(3)

Mary Lamb was living with her brother at this time at Colebrook Cottage, Islington.

– This letter he found this morning at the India House, – & I have just received his reply,

(4)

Charles Lamb to Robert Southey, 21 November 1823, published in Thomas Noon Talfourd (1795–1854; DNB), The Letters of Charles Lamb, with a Sketch of His Life, 2 vols (London, 1837), II, pp. 136–137. Lamb worked for the East India Company, at East India House, Leadenhall Street in the City of London.

– which is full of shame & contrition & kindness. So all is as it should be, & on Monday, if the weather permits, I shall as he requests, take Edith xx with me, & call upon them at their house at Islington.

This house you must know is near the New River,

(5)

The New River was an artificial waterway opened in 1813 to supply London with drinking water. It begins in Hertfordshire and originally terminated in the Clerkenwell area of Islington, although most of its water is now diverted into a reservoir at Stoke Newington.

& thereby hangs a tale. The river makes a turn there, & George Dyer lately coming from Lambs in broad noonday, & not seeing an inch before his nose, instead of turning where the river turned – walked straight on, into the water, – to his own utter astonishment, & the great satisfaction of a man

(6)

Unidentified.

who is stationed in a public house near, to be on the look out for accidents of this nature: his fee for taking any person out of the river being five shillings.

I am sure you will be glad that I did not suffer myself to be angry with poor Lamb. His letter, as we learn from Miss Hutchinson, had given his sister great uneasiness. All is now set to rights, & in such a way that no unpleasant feeling will be left behind on either side

You have had the history of our proceedings from Thrym. She returned to town last night with her Uncle & Aunt, & how she has been disposed of today I know not. I have been quietly at work here, & tomorrow walk in to breakfast with Wynn, & to dine – I know not where. Edith & Harry having full power to let me, – probably at Mr Monkhouses,

(7)

Thomas Monkhouse (1783–1825), a London merchant and cousin of Mary Wordsworth. He lived at 67 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London.

or Lady Malets.

(8)

Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB). She lived nearby Thomas Monkhouse at 100 Gloucester Place.

Sunday we spend with Mrs Hughes.

My Uncle has just given me the Miniature.

(9)

A miniature of Southey painted by Edward Nash in 1820 (now in the National Portrait Gallery).

Having told you this as I can add nothing which would give you more pleasure I may conclude. So God bless you. Kiss the children for me, – tell me how Cupn liked his book & his letter. You would hardly believe how pleased Wynn was to direct it & seal it with his official seal. – I am sitting (woe is me!) to a deaf & dumb painter.

(10)

Samuel Lane (1780–1859; DNB). The portrait is now in Balliol College, Oxford.

Whether it be for Harry or Gooch I know not. – We go to Rickmans on Friday next. Once more good night – my dear Edith – your affectionate

RS.

I hope Rumpelstilzchen

(11)

A feline member of the Southey household.

is well. I would send my kindest remembrances to him if you knew how to deliver them

Notes

1. Southey had commended Lamb’s Essays of Elia (1823) in Quarterly Review, 28 (January 1823), 524, published 8 July 1823, but commented that the book ‘wants only a sounder religious feeling, to be as delightful as it is original’. Lamb took offence and responded with ‘Letter of Elia to Robert Southey, Esquire’, London Magazine, 8 (October 1823), 400–407.[back]
2. Southey to Charles Lamb, [19 November 1823], Letter 4088.[back]
3. Mary Lamb was living with her brother at this time at Colebrook Cottage, Islington.[back]
4. Charles Lamb to Robert Southey, 21 November 1823, published in Thomas Noon Talfourd (1795–1854; DNB), The Letters of Charles Lamb, with a Sketch of His Life, 2 vols (London, 1837), II, pp. 136–137. Lamb worked for the East India Company, at East India House, Leadenhall Street in the City of London.[back]
5. The New River was an artificial waterway opened in 1813 to supply London with drinking water. It begins in Hertfordshire and originally terminated in the Clerkenwell area of Islington, although most of its water is now diverted into a reservoir at Stoke Newington.[back]
6. Unidentified.[back]
7. Thomas Monkhouse (1783–1825), a London merchant and cousin of Mary Wordsworth. He lived at 67 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London.[back]
8. Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB). She lived nearby Thomas Monkhouse at 100 Gloucester Place.[back]
9. A miniature of Southey painted by Edward Nash in 1820 (now in the National Portrait Gallery).[back]
10. Samuel Lane (1780–1859; DNB). The portrait is now in Balliol College, Oxford.[back]
11. A feline member of the Southey household.[back]
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