2175. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 5 November 1812 ⁠* 

Keswick. Nov 5. 1812.

My dear Wynn,

I have another daughter, – being like you it seems, in the girl-line. Five children are a tolerable allowance in these longè-post-diluvian times; [1]  but the more the merrier, & the more there are of a family, the better in general do they make their way in the world.

You have probably been warmly engaged in the Chester contest. [2]  I am glad it was not for your own seat. [3]  There is a piece of secret history about Curwen’s [4]  ejectment which perhaps you may not have heard. He must have won his election if he could have ventured to stand it, – but he could not face the scandalous stories which would have risen in judgement against him, & has literally paid the penalty to public decency. He exceeds any man that I ever heard of in this country in profligacy with respect to women. The particular scandal which would most have shamed him relates to a sort of sentimental intrigue with the Bp of Llandaffs eldest daughter, concerning which he writes exculpatory letters to his friends, confessing imprudence & protesting innocence as to any thing farther.

You will find the Omniana [5]  in Duke Street, whither I suppose you will soon migrate. My own movement will not take place till April, & meantime I have a long winters work to perform. The life of Nelson [6]  will be ready by Xmas. I have corrected seven sheets & am better pleased with it than I had anti expected, for it was not a subject which I should have chosen originally for the review, – neither should I ever have thought of enlarging what was there printed into a compleat life. – My poem [7]  is now in rapid progress, – the plan is now matured & the difficulties disappear. It must not take its name from Pelayo, – because Roderick is the more conspicuous personage. I xxxx cannot yet determine whether to call it Roderick, the Last of the Goths, – or Spain Restored. The former is the better title, but I should be very sorry to give it a use one which could possibly seem as if it were intended to remind the pub reader of Scotts poem [8]  & thereby invite an unfair comparison. I am making a transcript which is ultimately intended for the press, but goes to Bedford now, & to my brother Henry, when he has done with it. Grosvenor will show it you.

A few days ago I received a letter from an Evangelical Parson to thank me for the benefit he had derived from – Thalaba. It has strengthened his faith, he says, – & he proposes to send me “a sketch of the instruction to be derived from it”. [9]  – I dare say this will be almost as good as some of Croxalls morals to Esops fables. [10]  – He read the book upon the recommendation of the Xtian Observer. [11]  If the Evangelicals should take me in good earnest into favour as a poet, it would be what the Portugueze call a fat fortune, as well as a comical one.

My brother the Doctor is removed to town & has taken a house in Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square: – according to the opinion of all who know him, with good prospect of success.

I have now good hope from the Russian war. [12]  The Bear is made of good stuff. He loves his country & his beard & St Nicholas, [13]  & he does not understand parlezvous. This insurrection at Paris [14]  is a daybreak of hope also even in that quarter. I am deeply convinced that from the beginning of the Spanish contest we ought to have published to the world the terms upon which we were ready to make peace, & to have declaring <at the same time> our determination never to negociate with Buonaparte. I would do it now, & offer at once to France all the cessions which would ever be made by xx xx xx by treaty. But alas – I wish you could see the picture of the English Government which is given in the last number of the Investigador Portuguez. [15]  – I could not read it without shame & humiliation.

God bless you

RS.