4309. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 31 December 1824

 

Address: To/ Dr Southey/ 15. Queen Anne Street/ Cavendish Square/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 3 JA 3/ 1825
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, 1996.5.338. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished.

Keswick 31 Dec. 1824
My dear Harry

Thus saith the Bp. of London – “I shall have very great pleasure in signing Dr Southeys certificate, & being instrumental in introducing so respectable a member to the Royal Society.”

(1)

At this time, anyone wishing to become a Fellow of the Royal Society was obliged to obtain at least three endorsements from existing Fellows on a certificate applying for membership. The Fellows then decided at their weekly meetings whether to elect the candidate. It was not a requirement to be a practising scientist and many Fellows were senior clergy, army or navy officers or lawyers. It was quite common for London physicians to become members and Henry Herbert Southey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 25 April 1825.

I do not know where Henry Taylor lodges, – but a note will always find him at the Colonial Office.

Turner has advised me to prosecute the M Chronicle

(2)

Southey was considering taking action over ‘Southey versus Lord Byron’, Morning Chronicle, 17 December 1824. He eventually did not do so.

in a way which I shall not do; because it would involve me in trouble & expence for the purpose of vindicating my character. Thank God it needs no vindication, but if I can punish that rascally newspaper I should very well like so to do; & Turner will consult with J Coleridge upon the propriety of bringing an action for damages

(3)

Turner had advised Southey to bring a private criminal prosecution against the Morning Chronicle; instead, Southey asked him to look into bringing a civil case against the newspaper, asking for damages.

They will look at the question in its legal bearings. To me it seems that I have got a scoundrel on the hip, & ought to make use of the advantage.

That you may not have William

(4)

William Southey (1824–1871) was born on 16 November 1824. He later served with the East India Company Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Despite Southey’s strictures, Henry Herbert Southey named one of his sons ‘Arthur Southey’ (b. 1833).

is a good name; & I hold that no persons can truly understand whether a name is good or otherwise, unless they have paid that attention to the collocation of sounds which is necessary in composing verses. Arthur is not a good name, because the first r eats up the second. William is perhaps the most euphonious of all English names.

I am half way thro the last Canto of Paraguay

(5)

A Tale of Paraguay (1825).

– which you will be glad to hear. Our love to all –

God bless you
RS.

Notes

1. At this time, anyone wishing to become a Fellow of the Royal Society was obliged to obtain at least three endorsements from existing Fellows on a certificate applying for membership. The Fellows then decided at their weekly meetings whether to elect the candidate. It was not a requirement to be a practising scientist and many Fellows were senior clergy, army or navy officers or lawyers. It was quite common for London physicians to become members and Henry Herbert Southey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 25 April 1825.[back]
2. Southey was considering taking action over ‘Southey versus Lord Byron’, Morning Chronicle, 17 December 1824. He eventually did not do so.[back]
3. Turner had advised Southey to bring a private criminal prosecution against the Morning Chronicle; instead, Southey asked him to look into bringing a civil case against the newspaper, asking for damages.[back]
4. William Southey (1824–1871) was born on 16 November 1824. He later served with the East India Company Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Despite Southey’s strictures, Henry Herbert Southey named one of his sons ‘Arthur Southey’ (b. 1833).[back]
5. A Tale of Paraguay (1825).[back]
TEI Link
TEI
Volume Editor(s)
Lynda Pratt
Ian Packer