4130. Robert Southey to Elizabeth Browne, 8 February, 1824

 

Endorsement: No. 5.
MS: British Library, Add MS 47891. ALS; 4p. 
Unpublished.

Richmond. Sunday 8 Feby. 1824
My dear Madam

I am the more vexed at not having seen you in Devonshire, because it has been in no slight degree thro my own sin of omission that the disappointment has arisen. Having a wide circuit to take in the western counties first & then in Norfolk & Suffolk, it was necessary for me every where to fix the day of arrival & departure. I counted upon finding you at Exeter & passing a few hours with you either on my way to Crediton or on the day when I should leave that place & take Sir T. Aclands on my return. To my great vexation Mrs Keenan

(1)

Frances Keenan (d. 1838), an artist and widow of the Irish portrait-painter, John Keenan (d. 1819). Southey had first met them in Exeter in 1799.

who had undertaken to find out your direction for me informed me when you <I> arrived, that you were out of reach, & the four & twenty hours which I would willingly have allotted to that visit were no longer at my command, – for engagements had been made for me during every day of my short continuance at Crediton, & by me for a long after journey.

This would not have happened if I had written to you from town; & I fear the wearying, – worrying – life in which I am always involved there will hardly plead my excuse. Yet you would excuse me if you knew by what shoals of people I am persecuted there, with letters upon all sorts of subjects, – in such numbers that I have now a portfolio full unanswered, – even of those which deserve as well as require reply.

Nor would it have happened if I had found Miss Browne at Leeds. The first thing I did on my arrival there was to enquire concerning her. I learnt that she was no longer in that town, & taking up a Leeds paper, saw there in the announcement of her sisters

(2)

Lydia Browne (c. 1789–1864) had been widowed on the death of her husband, Joseph Lea (d. 1821) of The Hill, Amblecote, a fact Southey was unaware of until he saw it mentioned in a Leeds newspaper when he passed through the city in November 1823. One possibility is that Southey read this news in the Leeds Mercury of 8 November 1823, which also announced Lydia Browne’s second marriage to John Addenbrooke (formerly Homfray) (1759–1837) of Wollaston Hall, Worcestershire.

second marriage – the first intelligence that she had become a widow.

The long-delayed & long desired time of my return home is now thank Heaven within view, after an absence of fourteen week & xx travelling (already) more than twelve hundred miles. My place is taken in the mail for Friday next, & on this day week I hope to be once more seated by my own fire side: tho not with all my family around me, for Edith will be left in London. It is possible that she may accompany Lady Malet

(3)

Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), the widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB).

to the Devonshire coast early in the summer. Such an arrangement is talked of, & if it take place, I hope she will find means of seeing you.

Mrs S. & the other children were well when I heard from them last. In every letter she repeats her vexation that I have not seen you, – almost reproachingly, – for I have not had time in my letters home fully to explain to her how I was entangled with engagements, so arranged, that the one could not be postponed without dislocating all the others.

My Book

(4)

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

(which I finished at Crediton) was published on Monday last: & as I did not know whether the direction which was given me at Exeter would be as secure for a coach-parcel, as for a letter, I sent your copy to my friend Lightfoot at Crediton requesting him to forward it. In the course of the summer I hope I shall have my Tale of Paraguay

(5)

Southey’s A Tale of Paraguay (1825).

ready to send you.

Tell me, I entreat, that you forgive me. Tell me of my little friend Marys

(6)

Mary Browne (1810–1892), daughter of Wade and Elizabeth Browne. She later married William Farwell (1806–1876), Rector of St Martin’s, Liskeard 1830–1876.

health, – little I suppose she still is, & friend I must always consider her & call her. Tell me also of Miss Browne & Mrs Crump, & remember me to them most kindly. I live in hopes of again seeing them & you. Indeed the desire of atoning for having left you unseen now, will operate strongly as a motive for drawing me westward whenever I may visit London again. It is not in my nature ever to forget those whom I have esteemed & loved.

Believe me my dear Mrs Browne
sincerely & affectionately yours
Robert Southey.

Notes

1. Frances Keenan (d. 1838), an artist and widow of the Irish portrait-painter, John Keenan (d. 1819). Southey had first met them in Exeter in 1799.[back]
2. Lydia Browne (c. 1789–1864) had been widowed on the death of her husband, Joseph Lea (d. 1821) of The Hill, Amblecote, a fact Southey was unaware of until he saw it mentioned in a Leeds newspaper when he passed through the city in November 1823. One possibility is that Southey read this news in the Leeds Mercury of 8 November 1823, which also announced Lydia Browne’s second marriage to John Addenbrooke (formerly Homfray) (1759–1837) of Wollaston Hall, Worcestershire.[back]
3. Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), the widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB).[back]
4. Southey’s The Book of the Church (1824).[back]
5. Southey’s A Tale of Paraguay (1825).[back]
6. Mary Browne (1810–1892), daughter of Wade and Elizabeth Browne. She later married William Farwell (1806–1876), Rector of St Martin’s, Liskeard 1830–1876.[back]
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