4137. Robert Southey to William Sidney Walker, 18 February 1824

 

Address: To/ W.S. Walker Esqre-/ Fellow of Trinity College/ Cambridge
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Endorsement: I have a copy of Gilbert’s “Hurricane”. The book and the/ letter ought not to be separated./ R.G. 
MS: Special Collections Research Center, University of Kentucky Libraries. ALS; 3p.
Previously published: extracts quoted in the DNB entry on William Gilbert.

Keswick. 18 Feby. 1824
Sir

Among the letters which I have to acknowledge on my return home after a long absence, is yours of Dec 17th

I was well acquainted with the Author of the Hurricane.

(1)

The Hurricane: a Theosophical and Western Eclogue (1796).

But I should not think myself justified in making public at this time the more prominent incidents of his life, because I believe he has near relations living

(2)

Two of Gilbert’s sisters, Elizabeth Gilbert (1758–1832), and Euphemia Lynch (1755–1835), widow of Thomas Lynch (d. 1788), a doctor in Antigua, were still living in England at this time.

to whom such a disclosure would be painful. Suffice it to say that he was educated for the West India Bar,

(3)

William Gilbert became a Counsellor at Law in Antigua in 1783 and was Clerk to the island’s House of Assembly 1783–1786.

& came over to this country upon a Court Martial case between the years 1780 & 90, – on the part of the defendant, whose name, (if my recollection does not deceive me) was Browne,

(4)

Major John Browne (dates unknown) of the 67th Regiment of Foot had prosecuted a fellow-officer by Court Martial in Antigua, with Gilbert acting as his counsel. The officer was acquitted and went on to prosecute Browne in his turn. The case was heard at a General Court Martial in London in 1787 and Gilbert was able to secure his client’s acquittal.

– & his rank, I think, Lt Colonel, – but of this I am not so sure. He published a pamphlett upon the case,

(5)

An Opinion upon the Power of Courts Martial to Punish for Contempts, Occasioned by the Case of Major John Browne, of the Sixty-Seventh Regiment (1788).

– & also a poem in praise of Mrs Siddons, – wherein the Tragic & Comic Muses were represented as contending for her.

(6)

Sarah Siddons (1755–1831; DNB), one of the most celebrated actresses of her day. This poem by Gilbert is untraced.

Xxx Sir Joshua’s picture of Garrick may have suggested the plan.

(7)

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792; DNB), ‘David Garrick Between Tragedy and Comedy’ (1761) depicted David Garrick (1712–1779; DNB), the actor, manager and playwright, torn between the Muses of Comedy and Tragedy.

He died about twenty years ago, in good circumstances, having recovered some litigated property.

(8)

Gilbert was in fact still alive. He died in Augusta, Georgia, on 30 June 1824.

While it was withheld he was a needy man. I need not tell you, what the Hurricane evinces, that he was insane. Of this indeed I could give you curious instances if it were proper to make them public. Should I ever have the pleasure of seeing you here, I will endeavour to find a paper containing his remarks upon the scheme of my nativity,

(9)

Gilbert’s horoscope for Southey does not survive, but for an account of it see Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 30 September 1797, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part One, Letter 259.

– for he was an Astrologer, – as also upon a fragment of his last publication entitled the Standard of God displayed.

(10)

This work was not finished or published.

He was certainly the most insane person whom I have ever known at large, & his insanity had quenched <smothered> his genius. But that genius when it appeared was of a high order, & he was not more an object of pity than of respect to all who knew him

I remain Sir
faithfully & respectfully yours
Robert Southey.

Notes

1. The Hurricane: a Theosophical and Western Eclogue (1796).[back]
2. Two of Gilbert’s sisters, Elizabeth Gilbert (1758–1832), and Euphemia Lynch (1755–1835), widow of Thomas Lynch (d. 1788), a doctor in Antigua, were still living in England at this time.[back]
3. William Gilbert became a Counsellor at Law in Antigua in 1783 and was Clerk to the island’s House of Assembly 1783–1786.[back]
4. Major John Browne (dates unknown) of the 67th Regiment of Foot had prosecuted a fellow-officer by Court Martial in Antigua, with Gilbert acting as his counsel. The officer was acquitted and went on to prosecute Browne in his turn. The case was heard at a General Court Martial in London in 1787 and Gilbert was able to secure his client’s acquittal.[back]
5. An Opinion upon the Power of Courts Martial to Punish for Contempts, Occasioned by the Case of Major John Browne, of the Sixty-Seventh Regiment (1788).[back]
6. Sarah Siddons (1755–1831; DNB), one of the most celebrated actresses of her day. This poem by Gilbert is untraced.[back]
7. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792; DNB), ‘David Garrick Between Tragedy and Comedy’ (1761) depicted David Garrick (1712–1779; DNB), the actor, manager and playwright, torn between the Muses of Comedy and Tragedy.[back]
8. Gilbert was in fact still alive. He died in Augusta, Georgia, on 30 June 1824.[back]
9. Gilbert’s horoscope for Southey does not survive, but for an account of it see Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 30 September 1797, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part One, Letter 259.[back]
10. This work was not finished or published.[back]
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