4182. Robert Southey to Edith May Southey, 3 May 1824

 

Address: To/ Miss Southey./ [in another hand] 16. York Place/ Baker Street
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: T.P./ BgeStWestx.
MS: British Library, Add MS 47888. ALS; 4p. 
Unpublished.

May 3. 1824.
My dear EMay

I have a letter for you upon the stocks, – & merely write now that you may not think you are forgotten & to communicate two things, both which you will be glad to hear.

First that Mrs Keenan

(1)

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

has written to say that she will come to us in July or August. The thought has past across me that it might be possible for you to travel with her from Devonshire. But I shall not hint at any such axxx possibility to her, because I know not how it may suit with your schemes, & with your inclinations by which those schemes are to be regulated.

My second piece of news relates to the Ebenezers,

(2)

Ebenezer Elliott and his wife Frances Gartside (b. 1781). They had married in 1806 and had thirteen children.

& this both Lady M.

(3)

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

& the Miss Charters

(4)

Louisa Charter; and Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB). They were the sisters of Emma Peachy, first wife of William Peachy, and nieces of Sir Charles Malet. Peachy had lent the Charter sisters his home on Derwent Island in 1823 and they and Lady Malet had travelled south with Southey from Keswick to London in November 1823. Southey had met Ebenezer Elliott when the party stayed overnight in Sheffield during their journey.

will be heartily glad to hear. I have got from Mr Tilbrooke a promise for the young Ebenezer

(5)

Ebenezer Elliott (1807–1871), the 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.

of a situation which will be worth about 60 £ a year, – in October 1825 – which will be just when he is fit to take it. And the father writes me word that his business is increasing, so that in another year he thinks he may remove his family out of Sheffield, without imprudence

Cuthbert has been put to rights to day by a Seidlitz powder.

(6)

Seidlitz powers were a mixture of tartaric acid, potassium sodium tartrate and sodium bicarbonate, used as a laxative.

Your mother has a touch of lumbago, – otherwise all are well – God bless you

RS.

N.B. You ought to see the Morning Herald,

(7)

Southey had received a free copy of the London evening newspaper, the Courier, while Daniel Stuart had a share in its ownership. When Stuart sold his share in 1824, this arrangement ceased and Southey switched to the Morning Herald (1780–1869), a daily morning paper.

xx there is an advertisement for a wife, almost in every paper.

Notes

1. Frances Keenan (d. 1838), an artist and widow of the Irish portrait painter, John Keenan (d. 1819). Southey first met the Keenans in Exeter in 1799.[back]
2. Ebenezer Elliott and his wife Frances Gartside (b. 1781). They had married in 1806 and had thirteen children.[back]
3. Lady Susanna Malet, née Wales (1779–1868), widow of Sir Charles Malet, 1st Baronet (1752–1815; DNB).[back]
4. Louisa Charter; and Elizabeth Charter (1782–1860), friend of the poet George Crabbe (1754–1832; DNB). They were the sisters of Emma Peachy, first wife of William Peachy, and nieces of Sir Charles Malet. Peachy had lent the Charter sisters his home on Derwent Island in 1823 and they and Lady Malet had travelled south with Southey from Keswick to London in November 1823. Southey had met Ebenezer Elliott when the party stayed overnight in Sheffield during their journey.[back]
5. Ebenezer Elliott (1807–1871), the 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]
6. Seidlitz powers were a mixture of tartaric acid, potassium sodium tartrate and sodium bicarbonate, used as a laxative.[back]
7. Southey had received a free copy of the London evening newspaper, the Courier, while Daniel Stuart had a share in its ownership. When Stuart sold his share in 1824, this arrangement ceased and Southey switched to the Morning Herald (1780–1869), a daily morning paper.[back]
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