4200. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 15 June 1824

 

Address: To/ Dr Southey/ 15. Queen Anne Street/ Cavendish Square/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 18 JU 18/ 1823
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, 1996.5.330. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished.

Keswick. 15 June. 1824.
My dear Harry

Thank you for your arrangement concerning the Herald.

(1)

Southey had received a free copy of the daily evening newspaper, the Courier, because of Daniel Stuart’s association with the paper. Once Stuart sold his remaining shares in 1824 this arrangement ceased. Southey switched to the Morning Herald (1780–1869), a daily newspaper which at this time was non-aligned between Whigs and Tories. Its editorials were famously short – half a column.

The paper pleases me better than any other Morning Paper, whxx tho it scarcely ever manifests an opinion which I do not disapprove. But it keeps within decent bounds, & the leading paragraph as it is the worst part, has generally the merit of being the most insignificant

My cold made its appearance as usual with the first fine weather, & I x soon felt the effect of the relaxation which it produced. Last week I went <About> a fortnight ago I went up Skiddaw with Dr & Mrs Hughes & was the better for it, but two days after we went with them by way of Watenlath into Borrodale, & tho I carted it for nine miles out of the fourteen, the walk brought on a considerable haemorrhage;

(2)

Southey suffered from a rectal prolapse and haemorrhoids.

– & the next day the cold became so violent that for a whole week I spent the greater part of the day upon the sofa in a darkened room, unable to bear the light. It has got into my chest, at first with great violence; – now it is quiet there, & I hope that as it has made a quicker passage than usual, it will depart the sooner. To day I am so much better that I have had no occasion to intermit my employments: something I attribute to change of weather, yesterday when the amendment began the first rain falling which we have had for eight or ten weeks.

It appears now beyond all doubt that the books for which I have so long waited & made so many enquiries are not in existence, & that the account of them & their author in Colburnes Magazine must consequently be a mere fiction.

(3)

Southey had read John Mitford’s ‘On Spanish Literature, with some Account of Francisco de Olivarez’, New Monthly Magazine, 10 (October 1818), 221–223. It mentioned Olivarez’s Account of the War in Catalonia, published in four volumes at Seville in 1815; Anecdotes of Chiefs Employed in the Catalan War (1816); and Memoirs of the Spanish Monarchy to the Abdication of Charles 4 & the Usurpation of Joseph Bonaparte (1816). However, none of these works seem to exist. Southey had already asked Murray to try and acquire them; see Southey to John Murray: 10 July 1820, The Collected Letters of Robert So…

It was signed John Mitford. I know something of one John Mitford & supposing him to be the author, never doubted the authenticity of the account: – as indeed who would have suspected a fiction of this kind? – I have now sent the volume to press,

(4)

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

& am at this time as busy in arranging its materials as a General is in planning the operations of a campaign. My materials are very good; – but your Portugueze friends ought to get me a series of P. Gazettes for the honour of Portugal. King Joam 6.

(5)

John VI (1767–1826; King of Portugal 1816–1826).

himself would send them if he knew how much I was disposed to xx do him all the service in my power. – I have got scent of some German memoirs

(6)

The bibliography of his History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, p. 936, suggests that Southey was probably seeking: Hermann von Staff (1790–1867), Der Befreiungs-Krieg der Katalonier, in den Jahren 1808 bis 1814 (1821–1827); and Franz Xaver Rigel (1783–1852), Die Siebenjahrige Kampf auf der Pyrenaischen Halbinsel vom Jahre 1807 bis 1814; besonders miene eigenen Erfahrungen in disem Kriege; nebst Bemerkungen uber das Spanische Volk und Land (1819–1821), no. 2442 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

by means of one of my Dutch correspondents, & have desired Murray to procure them: but of course I do not wait for them.

I have notice of a few books from Boston – one of them is Capt Churchs account of Philips war,

(7)

Thomas Church (1674–1746), The Entertaining History of King Philip’s War, Which Began in the Month of June in 1675. As also of Expeditions More Lately Made Against the Common Enemy, and Indian Rebels, in the Eastern Part of New-England: with Some Account of the Divine Providence Towards Col. Benjamin Church (1772), no. 590 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library,

of all books the one which is of most direct importance for my poem, – & perhaps the very rarest of all works relating to AngloAmerican history. Another is a very important one in the history of Quakerism.

(8)

Roger Williams (1603–1683), George Fox Digged out of his Burrowes (1676), no. 3122 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

– Longman lately sent me Spix & Martins’s Travels in Brazil.

(9)

Johann Baptist von Spix (1781–1826) and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794–1868), Reise in Brasilien auf Befehl Sr. Majestät Maximilian Joseph I. Königs von Baiern, in den Jahren 1817 bis 1820 (1823) was translated by Hannibal Evans Lloyd (1771–1847; DNB) and published by Longmans in two volumes as Travels in Brazil in the years 1817–1820, Undertaken by Command of His Majesty the King of Bavaria (1824), no. 2722 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.

They are imitators of Humboldt

(10)

Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), the German polymath and traveller in the Americas.

& Animal Magnetists.

(11)

Followers of the theories of the German doctor, Franz Mesmer (1734–1815), that all living beings possessed an invisible natural force that could be used for healing.

How is it that Craniology

(12)

More commonly known as phrenology, the study of the shape of the skull as an indicator of character and intelligence.

has so many believers in these kingdoms, which is so demonstrably futile, – & that Animal Magnetism which seems actually to be treated as a science by the Germans, is known here only as a mere juggle? – The remaining volumes of this travels are likely to be the most valuable as they relate to a part of the country hitherto unexplored by travellers –

Edith I suppose will soon take flight for Devonshire, & Bertha for the neighbourhood of Portsmouth. We miss them both very much, but both are enjoying themselves, & in kind hands. – I wish Ch. Gonne

(13)

Charles Gonne (1800–1877), a merchant and the brother of Henry Herbert Southey’s wife, Louisa, married Susanna Beale (d. 1843) on 10 June 1824.

happy, but it is not possible to think of any person as Mrs Gonne without making a comparison which I never yet saw any woman who could bear. – Love to Louisa & the children –

God bless you
RS.

I have reviewed Hayleys Memoirs

(14)

Southey’s review of John Johnson (1769–1833; DNB), Memoirs of the Life and Writings of William Hayley, Esq. the Friend and Biographer of Cowper, Written by Himself; with Extracts from his Private Correspondence, and Unpublished Poetry; and Memoirs of his Son Thomas Alphonso Hayley, the Young Sculptor (1823), no. 1179 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library, Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 263–311.

– - Lambton I see has purchased Martins Picture.

(15)

John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham (1792–1840; DNB), bought John Martin (1789–1854; DNB), The Seventh Plague of Egypt (1823) for 500 guineas. The painting had been included in the inaugural exhibition of the Society of British Artists (1824), where it was probably seen by Southey on his trip to London, November 1823–February 1824.

Whatever he may have given for it, it will be worth ten times that sum hereafter. I never saw any picture which imprest me with so high a notion of the painters genius.

Notes

1. Southey had received a free copy of the daily evening newspaper, the Courier, because of Daniel Stuart’s association with the paper. Once Stuart sold his remaining shares in 1824 this arrangement ceased. Southey switched to the Morning Herald (1780–1869), a daily newspaper which at this time was non-aligned between Whigs and Tories. Its editorials were famously short – half a column.[back]
2. Southey suffered from a rectal prolapse and haemorrhoids.[back]
3. Southey had read John Mitford’s ‘On Spanish Literature, with some Account of Francisco de Olivarez’, New Monthly Magazine, 10 (October 1818), 221–223. It mentioned Olivarez’s Account of the War in Catalonia, published in four volumes at Seville in 1815; Anecdotes of Chiefs Employed in the Catalan War (1816); and Memoirs of the Spanish Monarchy to the Abdication of Charles 4 & the Usurpation of Joseph Bonaparte (1816). However, none of these works seem to exist. Southey had already asked Murray to try and acquire them; see Southey to John Murray: 10 July 1820, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3509; 27 February 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3641; 11 June 1821, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Six, Letter 3693; and 27 July 1822, Letter 3877 and 1 November [1822], Letter 3911. Murray had then written to Spain to try and obtain these books for Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832), and Herbert Hill had also offered to help. Southey had then sought the assistance of George Canning. Finally, Southey had written to John Mitford, 12 April 1824, Letter 4171.[back]
4. The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
5. John VI (1767–1826; King of Portugal 1816–1826).[back]
6. The bibliography of his History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, p. 936, suggests that Southey was probably seeking: Hermann von Staff (1790–1867), Der Befreiungs-Krieg der Katalonier, in den Jahren 1808 bis 1814 (1821–1827); and Franz Xaver Rigel (1783–1852), Die Siebenjahrige Kampf auf der Pyrenaischen Halbinsel vom Jahre 1807 bis 1814; besonders miene eigenen Erfahrungen in disem Kriege; nebst Bemerkungen uber das Spanische Volk und Land (1819–1821), no. 2442 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
7. Thomas Church (1674–1746), The Entertaining History of King Philip’s War, Which Began in the Month of June in 1675. As also of Expeditions More Lately Made Against the Common Enemy, and Indian Rebels, in the Eastern Part of New-England: with Some Account of the Divine Providence Towards Col. Benjamin Church (1772), no. 590 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library,[back]
8. Roger Williams (1603–1683), George Fox Digged out of his Burrowes (1676), no. 3122 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
9. Johann Baptist von Spix (1781–1826) and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794–1868), Reise in Brasilien auf Befehl Sr. Majestät Maximilian Joseph I. Königs von Baiern, in den Jahren 1817 bis 1820 (1823) was translated by Hannibal Evans Lloyd (1771–1847; DNB) and published by Longmans in two volumes as Travels in Brazil in the years 1817–1820, Undertaken by Command of His Majesty the King of Bavaria (1824), no. 2722 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library.[back]
10. Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859), the German polymath and traveller in the Americas.[back]
11. Followers of the theories of the German doctor, Franz Mesmer (1734–1815), that all living beings possessed an invisible natural force that could be used for healing.[back]
12. More commonly known as phrenology, the study of the shape of the skull as an indicator of character and intelligence.[back]
13. Charles Gonne (1800–1877), a merchant and the brother of Henry Herbert Southey’s wife, Louisa, married Susanna Beale (d. 1843) on 10 June 1824.[back]
14. Southey’s review of John Johnson (1769–1833; DNB), Memoirs of the Life and Writings of William Hayley, Esq. the Friend and Biographer of Cowper, Written by Himself; with Extracts from his Private Correspondence, and Unpublished Poetry; and Memoirs of his Son Thomas Alphonso Hayley, the Young Sculptor (1823), no. 1179 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library, Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 263–311.[back]
15. John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham (1792–1840; DNB), bought John Martin (1789–1854; DNB), The Seventh Plague of Egypt (1823) for 500 guineas. The painting had been included in the inaugural exhibition of the Society of British Artists (1824), where it was probably seen by Southey on his trip to London, November 1823–February 1824.[back]
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