2994. Robert Southey to John May, 11 May 1817
2994. Robert Southey to John May, 11 May 1817*
My dear friend
You will be pleased to hear that the Equitable Insurance Office has got nothing as yet by my venturing to sea uninsured. [1] We landed at seven this morning – after lying the whole of the night off the harbour: in still rainy weather, – & here I am cleansed, refreshed & with a good breakfast in Port L’Estomec. The day has cleared, & we in all the hurry of settling accounts, engaging carriages (for Mrs Vardon has accompanied us thus far on her way to Brussels) &c, – that we start as soon as possible for Boulogne –
Remember me most kindly to Mrs May & believe me my dear friend
Yrs most affectionately
R.S.
Harry will have told you of Murrays offer to produce half the sum required. I hope this will not double the difficulty of raising the other thousand according to the principle which you explained to me. [2]
Calais. Sunday morning 11 May. 1817.
Notes
* Watermark: [partial] crown and anchor
Endorsement: No. 193 1817/ Robert Southey/ Calais 11th May/ recd. 14th do./ ansd. personally
MS: Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas, Austin. ALS; 1p.
Previously published: Charles Ramos (ed.), The Letters of Robert Southey to John May: 1797–1838 (Austin, Texas, 1976), pp. 155–156. BACK
[1] John May was a Director of the Equitable Life Assurance Society (founded 1762) and Southey had insured his life with the company; presumably his policy did not pay out if he was lost at sea. BACK
[2] This refers to Southey’s plans to raise the money to buy Greta Hall, should this become necessary, as the estate was about to come on the market. BACK
