2653. Robert Southey to [Andrew Bell], 6 September 1815

2653. Robert Southey to [Andrew Bell], 6 September 1815 ⁠* 

My dear Sir

My plans have received an alteration, – which I am sure you will not ascribe to mere fickleness. The Doctor (who let me say, has carried his election upon a second trial, & let me in the same parenthesis thank you for the aid you afforded him) [1]  – has taken unto himself a wife, whom I remember as long as she can remember herself; they are going for a months holydays to the continent, & have tempted me to join their party. France is in too perilous a state for me, – we go to Brussels, & of course shall visit Waterloo. On my return I shall look for you at the Central School. [2] 

I am now in all the heat & hurry of preparation, having been working so hard in order to get free, – that I have scarcely risen from my desk during the day.

Your Lud: Lit: [3]  must succeed, – & my efforts shall not be wanting to accelerate its success. This will be the first business on my return. [4] 

All here unite in kindest remembrances. Your friends the Sunderlins [5]  wished much that you had been at our rejoicings. What think you of this ascending to the bonfire on the summit of Skiddaw, & coming down the mountain at midnight by torch light! [6] 

God bless you my dear Sir

yours with sincere respect & affection

Robert Southey.

6 Sept. 1815. Keswick

Notes

* Endorsement: Mr Southey 6 Septr. 1815
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. ALS; 1p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Henry Herbert Southey had stood for election to the post of Senior Physician at the Middlesex Hospital. Although the election was initially contested, by the time of the actual vote, on 17 August 1815, Southey was the only remaining candidate and was successful. BACK

[2] The Central School in London, run along the lines of Bell’s Madras system. BACK

[3] Andrew Bell, Elements of Tuition, Part III: Ludus Literarius, the Classical and Grammar School (1815). BACK

[4] Southey’s projected Quarterly Review article on the Ludus Literarius was not written. BACK

[5] Lord and Lady Sunderlin. BACK

[6] In order to celebrate the victory at Waterloo; see Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 23 August 1815, Letter 2649. BACK

Addressee

Bell, Andrew (1753–1832)

People mentioned

Sunderlin, Lord, Richard Malone (1738–1816) (mentioned 1 time)
Sunderlin, Lady, Philippa Elizabeth Dorothy (née Rooper; 1745–1831) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Henry Herbert (1784–1865) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Louisa (née Gonne; d. 1830) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

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