2770. Robert Southey to Humphrey Senhouse, 25 April 1816

2770. Robert Southey to Humphrey Senhouse, 25 April 1816⁠* 

Keswick. 25 April. 1816

My dear Senhouse

I thank you truly for your letter, & your friendly invitation. If in the course of the summer I can prevail upon Mrs Southey to leave home, I shall gladly accept of it: – at present home is the best place both for her & for me. My loss [1]  is heavier than any person can imagine who is not acquainted with my habits of life, & the disposition & talents of the child whom I had associated with me in my studies & relaxations, making him at once playmate, pupil, fellow-student & companion. There is but one source of consolation under such affections, & of that source I have drank largely. My wife has borne up under the whole trial with exemplary fortitude, – the head & flower of our happiness & of our hopes is gone, – but we have many blessings left, – abundant blessings, – for these we are thankful; but the greatest blessing is the assured hope faith that such separations as this are only for a time.

Our best remembrances to Miss Wood [2] 

Believe me my dear Senhouse

very sincerely yours

Robert Southey.

Notes

* Address: To/ Humphrey Senhouse Esqre/ Netherhall/ Maryport
Seal: black wax, design illegible
MS: Department of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester, Robert Southey Papers A.S727. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Herbert Southey had died on 17 April 1816. BACK

[2] Mary Anne Wood (1782–1860), Senhouse’s first cousin. BACK

Addressee

Senhouse, Humphrey (1773–1842), of Netherhall

People mentioned

Fricker, Edith (1774–1837) (mentioned 2 times)
Southey, Herbert (1806–1816) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

Keswick (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Five
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