224. Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle [fragment], [18 June 1797?] ⁠* 

Christ Church, June 18, 1797.

* * * The main purport of my writing is, to tell you that we have found a house for the next half year. If I had a mind to affect the pastoral style, I might call it a cottage; but, in plain English, it is exactly what it expresses. We have got a sitting-room, and two bed-rooms, in a house which you may call a cottage if you like it, and that one of these bed-rooms is ready for you, and the sooner you take possession of it the better. You must let me know when you come that I may meet you.

So you have had Kosciusco [1]  with you, (in Bristol) and bitterly do I regret not having seen him. If he had remained one week longer in London, I should have seen him; and to have seen Kosciusco would have been something to talk of all the rest of one’s life.

We have a congregation of rivers here, the clearest you ever saw: plenty of private boats too. We went down to the harbour on Friday, in Mr. Rickman’s; a sensible young man, of rough, but mild manners, and very seditious. [2]  He and I rowed, and Edith was pilot.

God bless you.

Yours affectionately.

Robert Southey.