1784. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 June 1810 ⁠* 

My dear Wynn

I do not believe that the same number of lines ever cost me half the time xxxx (since I left off Bible – exercises) that these have done, – & after all I doubt whether they will please any body more than they do myself, – which Gods knows is little enough. The structure of the poem is good, – & that is all I can say in its praise. If you throw it behind the fire my present feelings about it are such as to render it very little likely that I shall ever make it rise again from its ashes. Believe me however I have laboured very anxiously to do something which might gratify you, – & the worse the verses are the more do they evince this, – since in spite of fear & foresight I have chosen rather to do <write> ill than to do write nothing. [1] 

You would materially serve me if you could procure for me the various papers respecting Spain which have been laid before either house of Parliament during this & the last sessions. [2] 

I send off this evening the last proof of the Register. Many of my friends will think that I have written very imprudently, – it will however answer to the booksellers, – so that if I looked to my own direct worldly interest they will not be injured by the perfect liberty <freedom> with which I have censured all parties in their turn.

Ld Carysforts poems [3]  have not yet arrived. I suppose they are in the waggon, with a cargo of other books & a ream of paper for my ensuing campaign. There is a world of work before me! – but thank God, my spirits never flag, & instead of fancying that I have no holyday, I feel as if the whole year were one. – At present I am employed upon my second volume, [4]  – seizing an interval before I <it is necessary to> begin the Chronicle for 1809. [5] 

My family are going on well. I expect an increase to it in the course of next month. [6] 

God bless you

Yrs very affectionately

RS.

Keswick June 12. 1810.