2372. Robert Southey to Richard Sharp, 28 January 1814

2372. Robert Southey to Richard Sharp, 28 January 1814 ⁠* 

Keswick, Jany 28th. 1814.

My dear Sir

This morning I received your letter enclosing a ten pound bill, which Mrs. S. will duly employ in making glad the hearts of the poor. Your friend Mrs. Wood [1]  will be of her privy council upon this occasion.

We have suffered less than you in the South. Our snows have not been deep, a south thaw of four & twenty hours without either sun or rain have nearly sufficed to make them disappear.

So Ferdinand is at liberty! [2]  During the whole war in the peninsula I had a clear opinion concerning the issue which has been amply justified. I am now entirely unable to imagine what course events will take there. Thus far I had the light of history and knowledge to guide me, but all now must be mere conjecture. Mrs. S. and her sisters [3]  begged to be remembered.

Believe me my dear Sir

Yours with sincere regard,

Robert Southey.


Notes

* MS: Bristol Reference Library. ALS; 1p.
Unpublished.
Note: identification of addressee from content; see Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 February 1813, Letter 2382, which notes that Sharp has sent Southey £10 for the relief of the poor in Keswick. BACK

[1] Possibly Mrs Elizabeth Wood (c. 1747–1813) of Underbarrow; or a relative of Humphrey Senhouse, whose mother was Catherine Wood (dates unknown).. BACK

[2] Ferdinand VII (1784–1833; King of Spain 1808, 1813–1833). He had been a captive in France since 1808, but in the Treaty of Valencay, signed on 11 December 1813, France agreed to return him to Spain. However, he was not actually released until 24 March 1814. BACK

People mentioned

Fricker, Edith (1774–1837) (mentioned 2 times)
Fricker, Mary (1771–1862) (mentioned 1 time)
Fricker, Sarah (1770–1845) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

Keswick (mentioned 1 time)