4271. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 30 October 1824

 

Address: To/ Grosvenor Charles Bedford Esqre/ Post-Office/ Dover.
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 2 NO 2/ 1824
Endorsement: 30. Octor. 1824
MS: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, MS. Eng. lett. c. 26. ALS; 4p.
Previously published: Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), V, pp. 191–192 [in part].

Keswick. 30 Oct. 1824
My dear Grosvenor

Your ill news had reached me some days ago from a brother in law of Davies Gilbert’s,

(1)

Davies Gilbert (1767–1839; DNB), Cornish engineer, antiquarian and MP for Helston 1804–1806, Bodmin 1806–1832. Gilbert was a friend of Thomas Beddoes and early patron of Humphry Davy. His ‘brother-in-law’ was probably John Lewis Guillemard (1764–1844). In 1804 he married Mary Philippa Gilbert (1769–1850), sister of Davies Gilbert. Guillemard was part of a well-known family of Huguenot silk-weavers and an active member of many learned societies, including the Royal Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Institution, of which he was Secretary 1811–1813.

to whom I had given a letter of introduction to Elmsley, – little apprehending in what state it would find him. The tenour of your letter leaves me very little hope, – tho some there is, from the strength of constitution which he has shewn, & from the uncertain nature of the disease. You had not told me of the apoplectic symptom attack.

There are many things worse than death. Indeed I should think any reasonable person would prefer it to old age if he did not feel that the prolongation of his life was desirable for the sake of others, whatever it might be for himself. If the event be dreaded, the sooner it is over the better, if it be desired, the sooner it comes; – & desired or dreaded it must be. If there were a Balloon-Diligence to the other world, I think it would always be filled with passengers. You will not suppose from this that I am weary of life, blest with enjoyments as I am, & full of employment. But if it were possible for me (which it is not) to regard myself alone, I would rather begin my travels in eternity than abide longer in a world, where in which I have much to do, & little to hope.

Something upon this topic you will see in my Colloquies.

(2)

Southey’s Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society (1829).

They will go to press as soon as I hear from Westall in what forwardness the engravers are.

(3)

Westall produced six sketches of Lake District scenes that were engraved for Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society, 2 vols (London, 1829): vol. I: ‘Druidical Stones near Keswick’, ‘Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite-water, and Skiddaw from Walla Crag’, and ‘Derwentwater from Strand Shagg’; and vol. II: ‘Crosthwaite Church and Skiddaw’, ‘Greta Hall, Derwentwater, and Newlands’, and ‘Tarn of Blencathra’.

– Murray has announced the second vol. of the War for November,

(4)

‘In November will be published, The Second Volume of the History of the Late War in Spain and Portugal. By Robert Southey. Printing for John Murray, Albemarle-street’, Morning Post, 26 October 1824. The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) did not appear until 1827.

– it would require the aid of some other Devils than those of the printing office to finish it before the spring, & this he knows very well, both the ms. & the proof sheets passing thro his hands. Just one quarter is printed, & I am about 100 pages ahead of the printers.

(5)

Thomas Davison (1766–1831).

Of late I have made good progress in forwarding various works, in the hope of clearing my hands & bettering my finances. I cannot get on fast with the Tale of Paraguay

(6)

Southey’s A Tale of Paraguay (1825). It was written in stanzas of nine lines – eight in iambic pentameter, followed by a final alexandrine line. The rhyme scheme was ‘ababbcbbc’.

because of the stanza, but on with it I am getting, & am half thro the third canto, the fourth brings it to its close. A good deal has been done to the Colloquies, – which will gain me much abuse now, & some credit hereafter: – & a good deal to the Doctor,

(7)

Southey’s The Doctor (1834–1847).

which I should very much like to show you. “You shall see me insult the Public, Mr Bedford -” – & you will see that the Public will wonder who it is that insults them, – for I think I shall not be suspected.

Did I tell you, or has the Dogstar himself told you, that he has bought a slice of Watson Taylors

(8)

George Watson-Taylor (1771–1841), very wealthy plantation owner in Jamaica and MP for Newport, Isle of Wight 1816–1818, Seaford 1818–1820, East Looe 1820–1826 and Devizes 1826–1832. He was also a playwright, poet and antiquarian. In 1819 he bought what is now 15–16 Cavendish Square for £20,000 and was said to have spent another £48,000 on its decoration. Henry Herbert Southey lived nearby in Queen Anne Street. In the late 1820s the plot was further redeveloped, including the construction of buildings in Harley Street. Henry Herbert Southey took 4 Harley Street as his home.

house? – an advantageous way in which his marriage settlement allows him to invest his wife’s fortune. – Edith returns to London on the 6th to Mrs Gonnes, – she will stay in town till the depth of winter is over, & come home with Bertha in February, when we begin to look wishfully for their return.

The Megist. sent me the paper upon Hayley

(9)

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. It was published in Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 263–311. Southey had hoped that it might appear in Quarterly Review, 30 (January 1824), published 28 August 1824.

the other day, with a note requesting alteration, but expressing himself as if I had written an unqualified panegyric upon Hayley

(10)

William Hayley (1745–1820; DNB), poet and biographer.

as a Poet, & saying he would rather lose the hundred pounds – than insert it in its present state. I answered him at length, – & took a copy of my answer.

(11)

Southey to [John Murray], 25 October [1824], Letter 4268.

I have not altered a word in the memoir, but have added two passages, containing grains enough of censure to balance any scruples of commendation which a blockhead may fancy he can discover. – How the Megist. may feel about the knuckles I know not: but I gave him a wholesome warning about the QR. letting him know xxx of an opinion which has got abroad that he is endeavouring to get it conducted upon cheaper terms, & to keep the management virtually in his own hands. His feelings towards me are of a very mixed nature, there is the pride of purse, – there is that sort of dislike which he arises from a consciousness that he has dealt with me in the very worst spirit of trade there is that sort of liking to counterbalance it which proceeds from the expectation of getting more out of me <by continuing so to do:>, – & withal there is a certain degree of reluctant respect.

You are I hope enjoying leisure & fresh air & profiting by both. Remember me to Henry & Miss Page. If I had wings I would be with you

God bless you
RS.

Notes

1. Davies Gilbert (1767–1839; DNB), Cornish engineer, antiquarian and MP for Helston 1804–1806, Bodmin 1806–1832. Gilbert was a friend of Thomas Beddoes and early patron of Humphry Davy. His ‘brother-in-law’ was probably John Lewis Guillemard (1764–1844). In 1804 he married Mary Philippa Gilbert (1769–1850), sister of Davies Gilbert. Guillemard was part of a well-known family of Huguenot silk-weavers and an active member of many learned societies, including the Royal Society, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Institution, of which he was Secretary 1811–1813.[back]
2. Southey’s Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society (1829).[back]
3. Westall produced six sketches of Lake District scenes that were engraved for Sir Thomas More: or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society, 2 vols (London, 1829): vol. I: ‘Druidical Stones near Keswick’, ‘Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite-water, and Skiddaw from Walla Crag’, and ‘Derwentwater from Strand Shagg’; and vol. II: ‘Crosthwaite Church and Skiddaw’, ‘Greta Hall, Derwentwater, and Newlands’, and ‘Tarn of Blencathra’.[back]
4. ‘In November will be published, The Second Volume of the History of the Late War in Spain and Portugal. By Robert Southey. Printing for John Murray, Albemarle-street’, Morning Post, 26 October 1824. The second volume of Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) did not appear until 1827.[back]
5. Thomas Davison (1766–1831).[back]
6. Southey’s A Tale of Paraguay (1825). It was written in stanzas of nine lines – eight in iambic pentameter, followed by a final alexandrine line. The rhyme scheme was ‘ababbcbbc’.[back]
7. Southey’s The Doctor (1834–1847).[back]
8. George Watson-Taylor (1771–1841), very wealthy plantation owner in Jamaica and MP for Newport, Isle of Wight 1816–1818, Seaford 1818–1820, East Looe 1820–1826 and Devizes 1826–1832. He was also a playwright, poet and antiquarian. In 1819 he bought what is now 15–16 Cavendish Square for £20,000 and was said to have spent another £48,000 on its decoration. Henry Herbert Southey lived nearby in Queen Anne Street. In the late 1820s the plot was further redeveloped, including the construction of buildings in Harley Street. Henry Herbert Southey took 4 Harley Street as his home.[back]
9. 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. It was published in Quarterly Review, 31 (March 1825), 263–311. Southey had hoped that it might appear in Quarterly Review, 30 (January 1824), published 28 August 1824.[back]
10. William Hayley (1745–1820; DNB), poet and biographer.[back]
11. Southey to [John Murray], 25 October [1824], Letter 4268.[back]
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