4261. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 10 October 1824

 

Address: To/ J Rickman Esqre 
Endorsement: 10 Octr. 1824
MS: Huntington Library, RS 453. ALS; 4p.
Previously published: Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), V, pp. 188–189 [in part].

Oct. 10. 1824
My dear R.

The Peninsular War is going on well. 20 sheets of the second vol. are printed.

(1)

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

The printer

(2)

Thomas Davison (1766–1831).

does not hurry me, neither do I hurry the printer; having found by long experience that after letting a narration rest awhile, it is renewed with fresh spirit. It is proceeding well, the best proof of which is that I am well satisfied with it myself.

My literary employments have never in the slightest degree injured my health. For in truth I neither am, nor ever have been a close student. If I do not take sufficient exercise, it is not from any love of the desk, but for the want of a companion or an object to draw me out when the season is uninviting; – & yet I overcame this xx dislike of solitary walking, & every day unless it be a settled rain, walk long enough & far & fast enough, to require the wholesome process of rubbing down on my return. At no time of my life have I ever applied half so closely to my employments, as you always do to yours. They impose upon me no restrictions, there is nothing irksome in them, – no anxiety connected with them. – they leave me masters of my time & of myself. Nor do I doubt but that they would prove conducive to longevity, if my constitution were disposed for it.

With regard to the prudence of working up ready materials rather than laying in more, upon whatever I employ myself I must of necessity be doing both. The work which I am most desirous of compleating is the Hist. of Portugal, as being that for which most preparations have been made, & most time bestowed on it.

(3)

Southey had begun research for his ‘History of Portugal’ on his visit to the country in 1800–1801, but it was never finished or published.

And when the Peninsular War shall be completed – by Gods blessing, – a week will not elapse before it goes to the press, – for it has been long in much greater forwardness than any work which I ever before began to print.

I am however conscious of now of a disposition the reverse of Montaigne’s who loved he said rather to forge his mind than to furnish it.

(4)

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), Essais (1580), Book 3, chapter 3, ‘Des Trois Commerces’: ‘Meditation is a large and powerful study to such as vigorously can taste and employ themselves therein. I had rather forge than furnish my mind.’ Southey returned to this quotation from Montaigne in The Doctor, 7 vols (London, 1834–1847), IV, p. 225.

Avarice you know is the passion of declining life, & avaricious I confess myself to be of the only treasure I have ever coveted, or ever shall possess. My temper or turn of mind, inclines also to form new projects, – but it is one thing to perceive what might be done, & another to dream of doing it. – No doubt wherever Mr Telford is travelling he cannot help seeing a line of road ought to be carried, or a harbour improved, or a pier carried out – In like manner I see possibilities & capabilities & desirablities, – & think no more of them

I am sorry to hear of Mitchells

(5)

John Mitchell (1779–1824), Principal Inspector of Roads and Bridges in the Highlands 1810–1824. Southey and Rickman had met him on their tour of Scotland in August–September 1819. John Mitchell was a protégée of Thomas Telford, and Telford ensured that Mitchell’s eldest son, Joseph Mitchell (1803–1883), succeeded his father as Principal Inspector of Roads and Bridges in the Highlands 1824–1867.

death, an upright, useful, & happy man, & therefore on all accounts worthy of regret. You have been a true friend to his family, – but to whom are you not a true friend?

Your Chichester travellers

(6)

Unidentified.

have not yet shown themselves – They will find me, as any visitor will who comes in a wedding garment, always at leisure.

God bless you
RS.

Notes

1. The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832).[back]
2. Thomas Davison (1766–1831).[back]
3. Southey had begun research for his ‘History of Portugal’ on his visit to the country in 1800–1801, but it was never finished or published.[back]
4. Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592), Essais (1580), Book 3, chapter 3, ‘Des Trois Commerces’: ‘Meditation is a large and powerful study to such as vigorously can taste and employ themselves therein. I had rather forge than furnish my mind.’ Southey returned to this quotation from Montaigne in The Doctor, 7 vols (London, 1834–1847), IV, p. 225.[back]
5. John Mitchell (1779–1824), Principal Inspector of Roads and Bridges in the Highlands 1810–1824. Southey and Rickman had met him on their tour of Scotland in August–September 1819. John Mitchell was a protégée of Thomas Telford, and Telford ensured that Mitchell’s eldest son, Joseph Mitchell (1803–1883), succeeded his father as Principal Inspector of Roads and Bridges in the Highlands 1824–1867.[back]
6. Unidentified.[back]
TEI Link
TEI
Volume Editor(s)
Lynda Pratt
Ian Packer