4120. Robert Southey to Edith May Southey, 11 January 1824

 

Address: To/ Miss Southey/ at Lady Malet’s/ 100 Gloucester Place/ London
Stamped: CREDITON
Postmark: [partial] 13 JA 13/ 1824
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas, Austin. ALS; 4p.
Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), II, pp. 261–263.

Crediton. Sunday. 11 Jany. 1824
Very magnificent & most dissipated Daughter,

I the Pa received your letter yesterday morning, & as you may like to know the course of my proceedings I take the hour between our return from Oldridge Chapel,

(1)

Oldridge Chapel was a chapel of ease of St Thomas, Exeter. Nicholas Lightfoot was the Curate.

& our going to Crediton Church, to send you a bulletin.

After a journey with no discomfort & only one misadventure, I was landed at the Kennaways

(2)

Sir John Kennaway, 1st Baronet (1758–1836), who made a fortune in the East India Company and became a landowner in Devonshire. Southey knew him through his son, Charles Edward Kennaway, who had visited Southey in the Lake District in 1819–1820.

door at one o clock. The misadventure consisted in overturning a market cart, with a woman & two men in it. The tilt saved them from any harm, but I suppose the butter & eggs suffered, & they were in such a rage that they would not suffer us to give them any assistance, so we left them in the road, vowing vengeance. It afterwards appeared that their anger was increased by an unlucky mistake of the Guards, who in the half morning twilight thinking to help the woman out from under the tilt by her arm, took hold of her knee. It is supposed there will be a law suit about it; but I believe they were to blame for keeping directly in the middle of the road, & not drawing on one side when they saw us coming.

Sir John Kennaway doses his guests & his servants with family worship, of which too much is worse than none. He edified Dr Copplestone as well as myself on the Sunday evening by reading a sermon & a long prayer after it; & with equal want of judgement he made his two little girls

(3)

Probably Sir John Kennaway’s two youngest (of five) daughters: Augusta Kennaway (1810–1895) and Susan Kennaway (1812–1890), who married, in 1841, Gerard Thomas Noel (1782–1851; DNB), a clergyman and hymn writer.

(nice creatures they are,) – show off by repeating verses & extracts from Mr Irving.

(4)

Washington Irving (1783–1859), The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1820).

They are about the size of Kate & Bel, & waltzed together very prettily. Only think of their calling one Gussy!! whose name is Augusta. Lady K.

(5)

Charlotte Kennaway, née Amyatt (c. 1774–1845). Southey means that Lady Kennaway used cosmetics.

paints – her husband ought to chuse the chapter about Jezabel

(6)

2 Kings 9: 30: ‘Now when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.’ Jezebel (d. c. 850 BC) was a queen consort of Israel who supported the worship of Baal. In later Christian tradition she was often associated with false prophecy and female immodesty.

for his reading & commenting. They were very obliging & hospitable to me. Charles as good humoured as ever. He appears to remember with great pleasure every little circumstance that occurred at Keswick. The most interesting person in the family is a brother of Sir Johns

(7)

Probably one of Sir John Kennaway’s two younger brothers: Richard Kennaway (d. 1832) or Robert Kennaway (d. 1829). Both had also served in the East India Company.

who is almost blind; a well informed, mild, patient man, whom it is impossible not to like & compassionate.

On Monday I removed to Ottery. Henry Coleridge (the Amans amantis of Sara’s book)

(8)

Sara Coleridge had become secretly engaged to her cousin, Henry Nelson Coleridge on 21 March 1823. ‘Amans amantis’ are different forms of the Latin word for ‘lover’.

speaks & laughs so like Edward,

(9)

A comparison with either Edward Hill, or Edward Coleridge (1800–1883), brother of Henry Nelson Coleridge. Edward Coleridge was a Master at Eton College 1825–1857, Fellow of Eton College 1857–1883 and Vicar of Mapledurham 1862–1883.

that I could have xxx supposed he had been Edward if my eyes had been shut. But he is neither so tall nor so handsome. I liked him well & his brother Frank

(10)

Francis George Coleridge (1794–1854), a solicitor in Ottery St Mary.

also. – The Colonel

(11)

James Coleridge (1759–1836), father of Henry Nelson Coleridge and Lieutenant-Colonel in the East Devon Militia.

seems the only fortunate one of the family in his sons. George,

(12)

George May Coleridge (1798–1847), son of George Coleridge; BA Christ Church, Oxford 1820, Prebendary Wells Cathedral 1823–1847, Vicar of St Marychurch 1827–1847.

tho very well disposed, appears to be much inferior to them in understanding, & Edwin

(13)

Edward Ellis (Edwin) Coleridge (1803–1870), son of Edward Coleridge (1760–1843), Vicar of Buckerell, Devon 1804–1829; BA Trinity College, Oxford 1825, Vicar of Buckerell 1829–1870.

is a sort of Tony Lumpkin

(14)

A character from Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774; DNB), She Stoops to Conquer (1773), fond of practical jokes, horses and drinking.

upon whom education has been thrown away. The Colonel is suffering from a spasmodic affection of the stomach, which has I fear a serious appearance.

Tuesday to Mr Marriotts.

(15)

John Marriott (1780–1825; DNB), a clergyman, poet and friend of Walter Scott. He was Curate of St James, Exeter, St Lawrence, Exeter, and St John, Broadclyst. The patron of the latter church was Sir Thomas Acland, who was also a friend of Marriott.

There I met Mr Barker,

(16)

William Barker (1772–1838), Vicar of Broadclyst 1819–1838 and Rector of Silverton 1806–1838. Sir Thomas Acland’s seat, Killerton Park, was in the parish of Broadclyst.

– almost heart-broken by his sons

(17)

Probably Philip Barker (dates unknown), a student at St John’s College, Cambridge (1817–1822) and later a barrister. Southey had met him in Keswick in 1821; see Southey to William Peachy, 23 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3718. It is not clear what he had done to cause distress to his father.

conduct, & Dr Miller of Exeter,

(18)

Patrick Miller (1782–1871), Physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital and to St Thomas’s Lunatic Asylum, Exeter. He married Anne Hewett (dates unknown), an elder sister of Philip Hewett, in 1818.

who married one of Mr Hewitts

(19)

Philip Hewett (1799–1879), fifth son of Sir George Hewett, 1st Baronet (1750–1840; DNB), an eminent soldier and Commander-in-Chief in Ireland 1813–1816. Hewett was also a student at St John’s College, Cambridge (1817–1822), and met Southey in Keswick in 1821; see Southey to William Peachy, 23 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3718. Hewett was ordained 21 December 1823 and his first post was as Curate at Downton, Wiltshire 1822–1825. He was later Rector of Binstead 1833–1879.

sisters. Hewitt is in orders, & serves the curacy of Downton, about four miles from Mrs Mays house at Hale.

(20)

Hale Park in Hampshire, home of John May’s mother, Mary May (1745–1824).

Wednesday to Exeter. There to my great disappointment I found that Mrs Browne was living fifteen miles to the westward, quite out of my tract, where it would have cost me two days to visit her. Lightfoot met me & brought me to Crediton – to a house where wife husband & children

(21)

Nicholas Lightfoot married Bridget Prideaux (1768–1856) on 13 July 1801. Their children were: John Prideaux Lightfoot; Frances Jane Lightfoot (1806–1882), Southey’s god-daughter; Catherine Anne Lightfoot (1808–1898); Bridget Mary Lightfoot (1810–1889); and Nicholas Francis Lightfoot (1811–1881), Vicar of Cadbury 1846–1855, Rector of Islip 1855–1881.

seem to think they cannot show me kindness enough. Thursday we were to ourselves. Friday the World & his Wife dined here, & yesterday I met another World & his Wife & all their family at Mr Bullers.

(22)

James Buller (1766–1827) of Downes House, Crediton. Buller was MP for Exeter 1790–1796, East Looe 1802, and Exeter 1802–1818.

This was the Great World there was Lady Duckworth

(23)

Susannah Catherine Duckworth, née Buller (1769–1840), of Wear House, Exeter, widow of Sir John Duckworth, 1st Baronet (1748–1817; DNB), Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth 1815–1817, and cousin of James Buller.

who is <herself> as big as the World, & as round; & as good-natured as possible. And there was Lady somebody else & all the grandees of the neighbourhood, the Whatsisnames, the Whatdyecallums, & the Thingambobs. Young Mr Buller

(24)

James Wentworth Buller (1798–1865), MP for Exeter 1830–1834 and North Devon 1857–1865. He was a good classicist, gaining a First from Oriel College, Oxford, in 1819 and elected a Fellow of All Souls in 1820. Duppa recounted their travels in Travels in Italy, Sicily and the Lipari Islands (1828).

who promises like his father to be a very mild, gentlemanly & estimable man has been travelling with Duppa in Sicily; & he is well acquainted with William Heathcote.

(25)

James Wentworth Buller and William Heathcote had studied together at Oriel College, Oxford.

– Great enquiries were made for you, & many wishes expressed that I had brought, & that I would bring or send you into Devonshire.

But time passes & I must conclude. Tomorrow Lightfoot & I go to Sir T Aclands. Tuesday I proceed to Taunton – Thursday to my old friend Combe. And by Gods blessing I hope to be in town again on Wednesday the 21.

I have not told you that my god daughter & your god sister is a very sweet girl, & so are her sisters Kate & Bridget. & Nico is a fine honest boy. & Mrs Lightfoot a thoroughly friendly open hearted woman, very much to my liking.

I send you love, & kind remembrances, & simple remembrances, to be distributed according to your discretion, trusting that you will not misbestow my love – any more than your own. & so farewell – very magnificent & most dissipated Daughter

Yo el Pa.

(26)

‘I the father’.

Mrs Lightfoot has given me something for you in a little box – a ring or brooch I suppose it to be.

Notes

1. Oldridge Chapel was a chapel of ease of St Thomas, Exeter. Nicholas Lightfoot was the Curate. [back]
2. Sir John Kennaway, 1st Baronet (1758–1836), who made a fortune in the East India Company and became a landowner in Devonshire. Southey knew him through his son, Charles Edward Kennaway, who had visited Southey in the Lake District in 1819–1820. [back]
3. Probably Sir John Kennaway’s two youngest (of five) daughters: Augusta Kennaway (1810–1895) and Susan Kennaway (1812–1890), who married, in 1841, Gerard Thomas Noel (1782–1851; DNB), a clergyman and hymn writer. [back]
4. Washington Irving (1783–1859), The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1820). [back]
5. Charlotte Kennaway, née Amyatt (c. 1774–1845). Southey means that Lady Kennaway used cosmetics. [back]
6. 2 Kings 9: 30: ‘Now when Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.’ Jezebel (d. c. 850 BC) was a queen consort of Israel who supported the worship of Baal. In later Christian tradition she was often associated with false prophecy and female immodesty. [back]
7. Probably one of Sir John Kennaway’s two younger brothers: Richard Kennaway (d. 1832) or Robert Kennaway (d. 1829). Both had also served in the East India Company. [back]
8. Sara Coleridge had become secretly engaged to her cousin, Henry Nelson Coleridge on 21 March 1823. ‘Amans amantis’ are different forms of the Latin word for ‘lover’. [back]
9. A comparison with either Edward Hill, or Edward Coleridge (1800–1883), brother of Henry Nelson Coleridge. Edward Coleridge was a Master at Eton College 1825–1857, Fellow of Eton College 1857–1883 and Vicar of Mapledurham 1862–1883. [back]
10. Francis George Coleridge (1794–1854), a solicitor in Ottery St Mary. [back]
11. James Coleridge (1759–1836), father of Henry Nelson Coleridge and Lieutenant-Colonel in the East Devon Militia. [back]
12. George May Coleridge (1798–1847), son of George Coleridge; BA Christ Church, Oxford 1820, Prebendary Wells Cathedral 1823–1847, Vicar of St Marychurch 1827–1847. [back]
13. Edward Ellis (Edwin) Coleridge (1803–1870), son of Edward Coleridge (1760–1843), Vicar of Buckerell, Devon 1804–1829; BA Trinity College, Oxford 1825, Vicar of Buckerell 1829–1870. [back]
14. A character from Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774; DNB), She Stoops to Conquer (1773), fond of practical jokes, horses and drinking. [back]
15. John Marriott (1780–1825; DNB), a clergyman, poet and friend of Walter Scott. He was Curate of St James, Exeter, St Lawrence, Exeter, and St John, Broadclyst. The patron of the latter church was Sir Thomas Acland, who was also a friend of Marriott. [back]
16. William Barker (1772–1838), Vicar of Broadclyst 1819–1838 and Rector of Silverton 1806–1838. Sir Thomas Acland’s seat, Killerton Park, was in the parish of Broadclyst. [back]
17. Probably Philip Barker (dates unknown), a student at St John’s College, Cambridge (1817–1822) and later a barrister. Southey had met him in Keswick in 1821; see Southey to William Peachy, 23 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3718. It is not clear what he had done to cause distress to his father. [back]
18. Patrick Miller (1782–1871), Physician to the Devon and Exeter Hospital and to St Thomas’s Lunatic Asylum, Exeter. He married Anne Hewett (dates unknown), an elder sister of Philip Hewett, in 1818. [back]
19. Philip Hewett (1799–1879), fifth son of Sir George Hewett, 1st Baronet (1750–1840; DNB), an eminent soldier and Commander-in-Chief in Ireland 1813–1816. Hewett was also a student at St John’s College, Cambridge (1817–1822), and met Southey in Keswick in 1821; see Southey to William Peachy, 23 August 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3718. Hewett was ordained 21 December 1823 and his first post was as Curate at Downton, Wiltshire 1822–1825. He was later Rector of Binstead 1833–1879. [back]
20. Hale Park in Hampshire, home of John May’s mother, Mary May (1745–1824). [back]
21. Nicholas Lightfoot married Bridget Prideaux (1768–1856) on 13 July 1801. Their children were: John Prideaux Lightfoot; Frances Jane Lightfoot (1806–1882), Southey’s god-daughter; Catherine Anne Lightfoot (1808–1898); Bridget Mary Lightfoot (1810–1889); and Nicholas Francis Lightfoot (1811–1881), Vicar of Cadbury 1846–1855, Rector of Islip 1855–1881. [back]
22. James Buller (1766–1827) of Downes House, Crediton. Buller was MP for Exeter 1790–1796, East Looe 1802, and Exeter 1802–1818. [back]
23. Susannah Catherine Duckworth, née Buller (1769–1840), of Wear House, Exeter, widow of Sir John Duckworth, 1st Baronet (1748–1817; DNB), Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth 1815–1817, and cousin of James Buller. [back]
24. James Wentworth Buller (1798–1865), MP for Exeter 1830–1834 and North Devon 1857–1865. He was a good classicist, gaining a First from Oriel College, Oxford, in 1819 and elected a Fellow of All Souls in 1820. Duppa recounted their travels in Travels in Italy, Sicily and the Lipari Islands (1828). [back]
25. James Wentworth Buller and William Heathcote had studied together at Oriel College, Oxford. [back]
26. ‘I the father’. [back]
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