4095. Robert Southey to [Mary Ann Watts Hughes], [27 November 1823]

 

MS: The Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle, New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations, Misc MS 3826. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. 
Dating note: Dating from content. The letter was written on Thursday 27 November 1823, the week before Southey went to hear Rowland Hill preach at Blackfriars Road on 30 November 1823.

Thursday Afternoon.
My dear Madam

I thank you for your call, – for your enquiry, & for all your kindness. And I shall have great pleasure in waiting on you at 5 on Wednesday next, with my daughter, who (I must not forget the charge,) desires me to send her love.

Murray has intreated me to make explanations & excuses & apologies &c for him to Mr Hughes. By some mismanagement the paper

(1)

John Hughes (1790–1857; DNB), Mary Anne Watts Hughes’s son, had reviewed ‘Washington Irving’s Tales’. His article finally appeared in Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 473–487, published 11 March 1825.

was made to give place in the number where it ought to have appeared, – & he could not insist upon it require its insertion afterwards, because it praised so highly a work of his publishing, just when the freshness of that work had past away,

(2)

Murray was the English publisher of Washington Irving (1783–1859), The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1820).

that it would have looked as if the review were made subservient to his interests as a tradesman. He introduced the subject upon my mentioning Mr Hughes’s name, & requested me very earnestly to say – how much the matter vexed him, & how truly glad he should be to receive any other communications from the same hand. – I am sure he spoke sincerely, xxx I think the apology as far as he is concerned, a valid one, – & I shall be glad to think Mr H. is one of my coadjutors.

(3)

In other words, both John Hughes and Southey were writers for the Quarterly Review.

On Sunday I shall certainly try my fortune in Blackfriars road,

(4)

Southey was planning to hear Rowland Hill (1744–1833; DNB), a popular evangelical preacher who was not formally attached to any denomination. He built Surrey Chapel in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, in 1782–1783 and preached there when he was in London.

if the weather will permit.

With best respects to Dr Hughes,

I remain
Dear Madam
very truly & thankfully yours
Robert Southey

Notes

1. John Hughes (1790–1857; DNB), Mary Anne Watts Hughes’s son, had reviewed ‘Washington Irving’s Tales’. His article finally appeared in Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 473–487, published 11 March 1825.[back]
2. Murray was the English publisher of Washington Irving (1783–1859), The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1820).[back]
3. In other words, both John Hughes and Southey were writers for the Quarterly Review.[back]
4. Southey was planning to hear Rowland Hill (1744–1833; DNB), a popular evangelical preacher who was not formally attached to any denomination. He built Surrey Chapel in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, in 1782–1783 and preached there when he was in London.[back]
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