4158. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 18 March 1824

 

Address: To/ Dr Southey/ 15. Queen Anne Street/ Cavendish Square/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 20 MR 20/ 1824
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, 1996.5.329. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.

Keswick. 18 March. 1824
My dear Harry

Your letter arrived safely, & upon due consideration I thought the best thing I could do was to seal up it & its contents in a blank cover, & send them to Tom, which I did by Miss Castle

(1)

Ann Castle (b. 1792), eldest unmarried sister of Tom Southey’s wife Sarah Southey. In 1816 she was living with the Dunn family in Durham; see Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 23 February 1816, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Five, Letter 2723.

this afternoon. It is quite proper that he should feel – as I hope he will feel upon receiving it. – I have sent his Prospectus

(2)

Tom Southey’s Chronological History of the West Indies (1827), which he was proposing to publish by subscription. It was finally published by Longman.

in various directions.

I have never read a better book of its kind than that View of German &c which Jacob gave me.

(3)

William Jacob (c. 1761–1851), View of the Agriculture, Manufactures, Statistics, and State of Society of Germany, and parts of Holland and France. Taken During a Journey Through those Countries, in 1819 (1820), no. 1392 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

Read it by all means if it falls in your way. It will show you what are the impediments to the establishment of representative governments in that country, what the real political evils xxxx, & what the practicable reforms. You will find also some very judicious remarks upon the Lutheran Church, & the condition of the Protestant Clergy.

Mrs Coleridge is receiving congratulatory letters upon her husbands being made an Associate of the Royal Society of Literature,

(4)

The Royal Society of Literature had been founded in 1820. However, its first Annual General Meeting did not take place until 17 June 1823. It resolved to create 20 Associate Fellows, recommended by the Society’s Council. The Associate Fellows were to write a yearly essay and to receive 100 guineas per annum. Southey had made it known that he did not wish to receive this honour.

– his friends it seems having canvassed most actively in his behalf. – I suppose they will hardly withhold his honorary as they call it, if he does not furnish the yearly paper which is required: – but if he furnishes more than one, I own it will surprize me, – & a little if he does that.

I am getting on with my second volume,

(5)

The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).

– with the Tale of Paraguay,

(6)

A Tale of Paraguay (1825).

– & at intervals with other things. – We cannot yet hear of an escort for Bertha.

Our kindest love to Louisa

God bless you
RS.

Tell my obese daughter <Lambertina>

(7)

Daniel Lambert (1770–1809; DNB) was renowned as the fattest man in England, weighing some 50 stone.

that we are looking daily to hear from her. & that Mr Wordworth & his sister will shortly be at Mr Monkhouses.

(8)

Thomas Monkhouse (1783–1825), a London merchant and cousin of Mary Wordsworth. William and Dorothy Wordsworth arrived at his house, 67 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, on 19 March 1824 and stayed until 23 April.

Notes

1. Ann Castle (b. 1792), eldest unmarried sister of Tom Southey’s wife Sarah Southey. In 1816 she was living with the Dunn family in Durham; see Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 23 February 1816, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Five, Letter 2723.[back]
2. Tom Southey’s Chronological History of the West Indies (1827), which he was proposing to publish by subscription. It was finally published by Longman.[back]
3. William Jacob (c. 1761–1851), View of the Agriculture, Manufactures, Statistics, and State of Society of Germany, and parts of Holland and France. Taken During a Journey Through those Countries, in 1819 (1820), no. 1392 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
4. The Royal Society of Literature had been founded in 1820. However, its first Annual General Meeting did not take place until 17 June 1823. It resolved to create 20 Associate Fellows, recommended by the Society’s Council. The Associate Fellows were to write a yearly essay and to receive 100 guineas per annum. Southey had made it known that he did not wish to receive this honour.[back]
5. The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
6. A Tale of Paraguay (1825).[back]
7. Daniel Lambert (1770–1809; DNB) was renowned as the fattest man in England, weighing some 50 stone.[back]
8. Thomas Monkhouse (1783–1825), a London merchant and cousin of Mary Wordsworth. William and Dorothy Wordsworth arrived at his house, 67 Gloucester Place, Portman Square, on 19 March 1824 and stayed until 23 April.[back]
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