3268. Robert Southey to Caroline Bowles, 18 March 1819 ⁠* 

Keswick.  18 March. 1819.

I wrote to Murray on the sixth of last month to enquire the fate of your poem, [1]  – & this day I have received an apology for not answering my letter <till now> stating (which no doubt is the truth) that not having answered it by return of post it went out of his head.

I feared what his reply would be, – & from this long silence you will have expected it. These are his words – “The MSS poem is such as to do its author very great credit. But the fact is that no poetry except your own & that of some four or five others, has the least chance of sale at present, & I am obliged to refrain.” – There is but too much truth in this. Poets who would <have> obtained universal applause thirty years ago, cannot now obtain a hearing, – however xxx great the promise which their works may contain, – & the vilest trash will be received from one who, by fair means or by foul, has obtained a reputation. As for the incivility of Murrays long delay, you must remember that a great bookseller is a much greater man than the Prime Minister.

I am sorry for this, & perhaps more disappointed than you will be. A local poem, – such as I suggested in my last letter, – would have a better chance than one of any other kind, – because it carries with it a local interest. The New Forest [2]  is both in its history & scenery a rich subject – & with the help of prints a poem book might be made which would be bought by idlers at Lymington Southampton &c; – booksellers must look to the sale of what they publish, & this is a kind of sale on which they can in some degree calculate. – The Isle of Wight is not so extensive a subject but it would have the same advantage. The Forest however affords more scope, & would supply matter for a very interesting poem, especially to one who has so many feelings connected with it as you needs must have. – Have you ever accustomed yourself to write blank verse? – for that would be the most suitable metre. Think of this, – of the Convents & Castles within its xxx <ancient> precincts, – of Winchester, – of William the Conqueror & William Rufus, [3]  – of its natural history – both as relating to vegetable & animal life, – of what you have seen, & what you have felt there. Think of these things, & tell me what you think of them.

& believe me

Yrs faithfully

Robert Southey