4107. Robert Southey to Edith May Southey, [24 December 1823]

 

Address: To/ Miss Southey/ with Lady Malet/ 100 Gloucester Place
Postmark: T.P./ Tooting; [partial] NIGHT / xE. 24
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: British Library, Add MS 47888. ALS; 2p. 
Unpublished.
Dating note: The postmark indicates this was posted on the 24th of a month. In his letter to Edith Southey of 24 December[–26 December] 1823 (Letter 4106), Southey, as in this letter, mentions that he will see Edith May Southey the next day and give her a brooch.

Wednesday Morning
My Dear EMay

As there is often more enjoyment in expectation, than in the expected pleasure itself, I send you three-pennyworth of that enjoyment, in the news that my Uncle has charged me with a broche for your Ladyship, an agoa-marina

(1)

The Portuguese term for aquamarine, a precious stone of a bluish-green colour.

very prettily set, which I shall deliver into your hands tomorrow.

I hope Lady Malet

(2)

Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB). Edith May Southey was staying with her in London.

will let me borrow you for Friday. Perhaps we shall have no other opportunity of dining together at Bedfords, & it would be a great disappointment to Miss Page, – who is now my oldest friend of her sex, – not to see you. You may pledge yourself to pay the day that is borrowed, whenever Lady Malet may please to require it.

I am very busy & very quiet here, having seen no creature except your Uncle, who came out yesterday on a summons to see poor Errol. Of course I have got thro good part of my work. Yesterday I finished & sent off the review,

(3)

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.

& now I am getting forward with the BC.

(4)

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

which I shall compleat in about three mornings in a cog at QAnne Street.

My kindest remembrances to you kind hostess, Miss Charter, Dame Elizabeth,

(5)

Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), sister of Louisa Charter, and friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB).

& Miss Malet

(6)

During his time in India, Charles Malet’s relationship with Amber Kaur (b. 1772) had produced three children: Eliza (b. 1791); Henry Charles (1793–1844); and Louisa (b. 1795). They accompanied him 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. Miss Malet, the Charter sisters and Lady Malet had all travelled south with Southey from Keswick to London in November 1823.

if she be with you –

God bless you my dear child
Yr affectionate
RS.

Notes

1. The Portuguese term for aquamarine, a precious stone of a bluish-green colour.[back]
2. Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB). Edith May Southey was staying with her in London.[back]
3. 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]
4. Southey’s The Book of the Church (1824).[back]
5. Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), sister of Louisa Charter, and friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB).[back]
6. During his time in India, Sir Charles Malet's relationship with Amber Kaur (b. 1772) had produced three children: Eliza (b. 1791); Henry Charles (1793–1844); and Louisa (b. 1795). They accompanied him 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. Miss Malet, the Charter sisters and Lady Malet had all travelled south with Southey from Keswick to London in November 1823.[back]
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