4138. Robert Southey to Neville White, 19 February 1824

 

MS: MS untraced; text is taken from John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856)
Previously published: John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856), III, pp. 409–412.

Keswick, Feb. 19. 1824.
My dear Neville,

Here I am, once more at my desk, by my own fire–side. My movements were all punctually performed, as they had been pre–planned. I reached home on Sunday morning, without impediment or mishap of any kind, and, thank God, found all well. Some little time is required before I can fairly get into joint again, after so complete a dislocation; and I bring back with me a formidable accumulation of letters, which followed and found me withersoever I went, and which it was not possible for me to answer during so hurried a mode of life.

I spoke about the piracy to Longman and Rees.

(1)

Southey’s consultation with Longman was about the possibility of bringing legal action to prevent the publication of pirated copies of Henry Kirke White’s poems and of parts of the Remains of Henry Kirke White (1807). In 1823–1824 unauthorised versions were published by the firms of Jones & Company, Orlando Hodgson, a congerie led by W. Baynes and Son, and A. Robertson and Co.

They argued the point like two lawyers; the former taking my view of the question, the latter holding an opinion that the rascals may shelter themselves under the letter of the law. They promised to consult Turner, and do everything which could be done. I saw Turner also, and told him in what manner I considered the case. The matter will now be properly investigated, – whether justly determined is another thing. It sets upon the wording of the act;

(2)

The Copyright Act (1814) had extended an author’s copyright in new works from 14 years to 28 years. Works published in 1800 to 1814, and where the author had died before the old term of 14 years was over, were also protected for 28 years. Southey clearly believed that this latter clause meant that copyright in the Remains of Henry Kirke White (1807) was protected for 28 years, as Henry Kirke White had died in 1806. However, the ‘pirates’ interpreted the law as meaning that copyright in this work had ended 14 years after its first publication, i.e. in 1821. This was probably because Henry Kirke…

and if words in law will bear an acceptation by which villany can be covered, and rogues escape punishment, that interpretation is the one which the craft will give it, as if one of the main uses of the law were to defeat justice.

They would have Doctored me at Cambridge

(3)

i.e. awarded Southey an honorary doctorate, equivalent to the Doctorate of Civil Law he received from the University of Oxford in 1820.

if I would have waited another day for it; but my engagements were made in London, and feathers of this kind are not worth having when fees are to be paid for them; a civil letter of thanks is price enough for them. We had fine weather there, so that Edith saw the place to advantage, and delighted with it she was; though I must tell you that when we drove into the town she took St. John’s for a prison. On the Thursday we breakfasted with Tillbrook, and the coach took us up at Peter House Gate. Charlesworth

(4)

John Charlesworth (1782–1864), son of John Charlesworth (c. 1742–1821), Rector of Ossington, Nottinghamshire 1782–1821, and an old friend of Kirke White. He practised as a surgeon in Clapham, but became an ardent evangelical and was later ordained in the Diocese of Norwich in 1814, serving as Rector of Flowton, Suffolk 1815–1844 and St Mildred’s, Bread Street, London 1844–1864. His career path may have served as a model for that followed by Neville White.

came to the coach door at Ipswich as I was stepping into it. I was pleased with the country about that place, and with Bury also. By the hasty view I had of it it appeared to be one of the prettiest country towns in England.

It was a disappointment to me not to see Mr. Sewell

(5)

Joseph Sewell (1772–1844), a wealthy Norwich solicitor and father-in-law of Neville White.

in town, and thank him for his hospitality and kindness. I wish there was a prospect of my being able to return them here. You, however, I hope and trust, will remember that you have more than half promised to take a course of mountain exercise and mountain air with me early in the season, as the likeliest and best means of recruiting your health, and fairly re–establishing it. Mrs. Neville

(6)

Charlotte White, née Sewell (1799–1873), wife of Neville White.

has given you leave of absence, and all you have to do is provide in time for your churches; set about that business without delay, and set off for Keswick as soon as possible after the leaves begin to open. You cannot fix a better time for your departure than May–day. I am very confident that the air here, and the continuous exercise, will be of more service to you than any regimen or any remedies which could be prescribed.

And now I must thank you and Mrs. Neville, and Mr. and Mrs. Sewell,

(7)

Ann Sewell, née Cubitt (1780–1849), had married Joseph Sewell in 1792. The couple had five children.

and your excellent mother and sisters

(8)

White’s mother, Mary White, née Neville (1755–1833), and his two sisters, Frances Moriah White (1791–1854) and Catherine Bailey White (1794–1889). The family had moved to Norwich from Nottingham in 1821.

also, for the truly kind and gratifying reception which you gave us at Norwich. Short and seldom as such meetings are, they are nevertheless sunny spots in life; and henceforth, when I make one of my expeditions to the south, I shall look upon it as part of my business to strike eastward on the way. You are, and you have deserved to be, a happy man, Neville. Only attend to your health, to which nothing can be so injurious as sitting and studying too much. You must resume, as far as possible, those active habits to which you were accustomed, or supply their place as you can by some gymnastic exercises within doors, when it is not convenient to ride or walk. Come to me, and I will endeavour to put you in good condition.

My book

(9)

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

appeared to be going on, that is to say, going off, well when I left town. I take my chance for the profits, which appears to me more advisable than it would have been to accept Murray’s offer of 700 guineas for the copyright; for if the work should obtain a regular sale as a portion of English history, containing what is nowhere else to be found in one succinct and continuous view, it may become a valuable property. I proceed now with the “Peninsular War,” and with the “Tale of Paraguay.”

(10)

Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) and A Tale of Paraguay (1825).

The latter will now be my main object till it is completed.

Remember me to all your circle, not forgetting Miss Lingam,

(11)

Unidentified.

whose gentle and winning countenance I remember with much pleasure, and my country woman, Miss Edmunds,

(12)

Unidentified.

herself a fair proof that good things come from Somersetshire. I may send Cuthbert’s love to Mary-Anne,

(13)

Marianne White (1821–1885), eldest daughter of Neville White. In 1860 she married William Bradshaw (dates unknown) of Nottingham, a doctor who became a homeopathic practitioner later in life.

if she will not accept my own, though, perhaps, she likes me better now I am at a distance. Let me hear of you and yours. My god–son,

(14)

Southey had stood as godfather to Neville White’s eldest son during his recent visit to Norwich. Family histories, including The Homes and Haunts of Henry Kirke White; with some account of the family of White, of Nottingham and Norfolk (London and Nottingham, 1908), p. 260, suggest that Neville White’s first son, christened Henry Kirke White (d. 1849), was born in 1821, but this information may be inaccurate, as Southey stood as godfather to him in January 1824.

I hope, continues to go on well.

I had almost forgotten to tell you that Tillbrook will secure a sizarship for Ebenezer Elliott

(15)

Ebenezer Elliott (1807–1871), eldest son of Ebenezer Elliott. He matriculated at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, in 1825 as a sizar (i.e. a student receiving some form of financial assistance) and obtained his BA in 1829. He became a clergyman and was Perpetual Curate of New Mill, Huddersfield 1841–1843, and Lothersdale, near Skipton 1844–1848, later going to St Kitts in the West Indies and serving as Rector of Christ Church, Nichola Town, and St Mary’s, Cayou.

at Peter House, and do for him whatever else may be in his power. The father is apprised of this, and I expect daily to hear from him respecting the plan to be adopted till the youth is qualified for college. God bless you, my dear Neville.

Yours most affectionately,
ROBERT SOUTHEY.

Notes

1. Southey’s consultation with Longman was about the possibility of bringing legal action to prevent the publication of pirated copies of Henry Kirke White’s poems and of parts of the Remains of Henry Kirke White (1807). In 1823–1824 unauthorised versions were published by the firms of Jones & Company, Orlando Hodgson, a congerie led by W. Baynes and Son, and A. Robertson and Co.[back]
2. The Copyright Act (1814) had extended an author’s copyright in new works from 14 years to 28 years. Works published in 1800 to 1814, and where the author had died before the old term of 14 years was over, were also protected for 28 years. Southey clearly believed that this latter clause meant that copyright in the Remains of Henry Kirke White (1807) was protected for 28 years, as Henry Kirke White had died in 1806. However, the ‘pirates’ interpreted the law as meaning that copyright in this work had ended 14 years after its first publication, i.e. in 1821. This was probably because Henry Kirke White was not the person responsible for publishing the Remains, which had appeared posthumously, so it could be argued that the 28 years protection given to works published in 1800–1814 did not apply in this case. The only way to establish the law’s meaning was through a suit in the Court of Chancery, which was potentially very expensive – hence Longman and Rees’s hesitation in taking action.[back]
3. i.e. awarded Southey an honorary doctorate, equivalent to the Doctorate of Civil Law he received from the University of Oxford in 1820.[back]
4. John Charlesworth (1782–1864), son of John Charlesworth (c. 1742–1821), Rector of Ossington, Nottinghamshire 1782–1821, and an old friend of Kirke White. He practised as a surgeon in Clapham, but became an ardent evangelical and was later ordained in the Diocese of Norwich in 1814, serving as Rector of Flowton, Suffolk 1815–1844 and St Mildred’s, Bread Street, London 1844–1864. His career path may have served as a model for that followed by Neville White.[back]
5. Joseph Sewell (1772–1844), a wealthy Norwich solicitor and father-in-law of Neville White.[back]
6. Charlotte White, née Sewell (1799–1873), wife of Neville White.[back]
7. Ann Sewell, née Cubitt (1780–1849), had married Joseph Sewell in 1792. The couple had five children.[back]
8. White’s mother, Mary White, née Neville (1755–1833), and his two sisters, Frances Moriah White (1791–1854) and Catherine Bailey White (1794–1889). The family had moved to Norwich from Nottingham in 1821.[back]
9. Southey’s The Book of the Church (1824).[back]
10. Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) and A Tale of Paraguay (1825).[back]
11. Unidentified.[back]
12. Unidentified.[back]
13. Marianne White (1821–1885), eldest daughter of Neville White. In 1860 she married William Bradshaw (dates unknown) of Nottingham, a doctor who became a homeopathic practitioner later in life.[back]
14. Southey had stood as godfather to Neville White’s eldest son during his recent visit to Norwich. Family histories, including The Homes and Haunts of Henry Kirke White; with some account of the family of White, of Nottingham and Norfolk (London and Nottingham, 1908), p. 260, suggest that Neville White’s first son, christened Henry Kirke White (d. 1849), was born in 1821, but this information may be inaccurate, as Southey stood as godfather to him in January 1824.[back]
15. Ebenezer Elliott (1807–1871), eldest son of Ebenezer Elliott. He matriculated at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, in 1825 as a sizar (i.e. a student receiving some form of financial assistance) and obtained his BA in 1829. He became a clergyman and was Perpetual Curate of New Mill, Huddersfield 1841–1843, and Lothersdale, near Skipton 1844–1848, later going to St Kitts in the West Indies and serving as Rector of Christ Church, Nichola Town, and St Mary’s, Cayou. [back]
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