2728. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 27 February 1816

2728. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 27 February 1816*
My dear Wynn
The letter which I inclose to be directed by your hand relates to a melancholy subject. A youth by name James Dusautoy wrote to me to submit samples of his poetry & ask my advice respecting his pursuits in life. In consequence of that advice & of my interference he was placed as a xxx sizer at Emanuel; [1] nothing could be better than his prospects there, – & nothing more promising than his talents; when the fever of last year put an end to all. His papers have been sent me; & it is most probable that I shall publish a selection from him. This letter is to his father [2] upon the subject.
I read Lord Grenvilles speech at the opening of the session with great pleasure, agreeing with him entirely in all points. [3] The argument appears to me fallacious that because England has increased in power since the peace of Utrecht, [4] France ought to be left with all that Louis 14 added to her: [5] England has increased in colonial power, – which is not available in European war, – indeed during war her foreign possessions divert a part of her strength. And as for any increase at home, France has kept pace with it, except till the loss of population & of maritime force during the last 25 years, – losses which a very few years of peace will repair.
However the world has had a great example as well as a most aweful lesson. The example has been incompleat, & the lesson is lost upon our Broughams & Burdetts, still I hope England & the whole of Europe will be the better for both. I am taking a wide range in my poem, [6] & venture upon high ground toward the close, touching the prospects of society. It has grown under my hands & is not yet compleated, – so I must go to work.
God bless you
RS
27 Feby. 1816.Notes
* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqre
MS: National Library of Wales, MS 4812D. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] A student in receipt of benefits such as free meals or lower fees, in return for performing defined duties. BACK
[2] James Du Sautoy (1761–1859), who had retired from his post as a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines in 1798. Southey’s enclosure does not survive. Southey did not publish a collection of Dusautoy’s poems. BACK
[3] Grenville had spoken in the House of Lords on 19 February 1816; the main focus of his speech was to oppose the size of the Army that the government proposed to maintain in peacetime. BACK