3331. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 19 July 1819⁠* 

Keswick. 19 July. 1819.

My dear G.

I believe I told you that my great labour was compleated. [1]  About a fortnight ago the Preface, Contents &c were sent off to Pople, – one sheet of the notes & tables is still to reach me for correction, & then as soon as the folders & stitchers & binders have done their part, my third volume will duly be delivered at your door. In the character of its materials this work bears some resemblance to Herodotus, [2]  for the mixture of individual adventure, & the much de moribus [3] which it contains. And it will be hereafter to the history of that wide portion of the new world, what Herodotus is to the history of Europe. – A weeks dissipation came in my way after this work was off my hands, & I was engaged in company every day from Monday to Saturday. I am now getting on with a paper for Gifford upon the Monastic Orders, – to introduce as strong an appeal as I can make for the institution which Lady Isabella King is endeavouring to establish: & I shall be able to send off the first portion tomorrow. [4]  Moreover I am again going on <with> Wesley, [5]  who has stood still while I gave my whole time to Brazil, – the sixth sheet of the second volume is now before me. After six months writing for myself & posterity, I must now betake myself resume the less flattering consideration of the xxxx present time, & work at my ways & means. This reviewal will be finished before I start for Scotland. My absence will not exceed a month; [6] xx during the autumn I shall finish Wesley, & write another paper for the QR; – this will bring me into deep water; & I shall not be on the shallows again; while the Peninsular war is in hand. [7]  You will see me just before winter sets in.

Pay the Dog Stars demands upon me, – ask Dunt [8]  the shoemaker (opposite the Admiralty) if he has executed my order for three pairs of shoes, – & if so, pay him for them, – & then remit me the balance at your convenience. So much for business. – I am glad you were pleased with my letter to Cunningham, [9]  – I have given a great deal of such advice in my time. He is certainly an extraordinary man, – of great power & promise. His mss is on the way to London in a parcel for Robert Lovell, who will carefully deliver it. Him I thought better than

I really have no patience with Gov. for permitting the peace of the country & the metropolis to be disturbed by such meetings which do not even pretend xx not to be seditious. [10]  A bill against them would have done the business, – & without such a bill they will go on, till the deluded rabble become rebels & must be treated as such by the military. I have no apprehension of any great mischief from the Smithfield mob, – but txx it is too bad that a few rascals should be allowed to convoke the whole posse of blackguards, & put the city in fear, & ferment, if not in actual danger. Hunt should have been shut up during the suspension of H. Corpus. [11]  But the plain, certain & efficacious means of preventing the progress of this mischief are, – a Bill against seditious meetings & making transportation the punishment for seditious libels, – & repealing M^r Fox’s law [12]  by which in case of libel the Jury are made judges of the law as well as of the fact, – i-e by which they are empowered to decide according to their party-feelings instead of the evidence.

God bless you

RS.

Cuthberts arm does not heal after the cow-pox, [13]  – partly I believe from his exuberant spirits & activity of limbs. Otherwise he is in beautiful health, – the very ideal of infantine vivacity & strength.

I join R. at Edinburgh, but do not expect to make any stay there, or to see any body. For I have no acquaintance & shall not put myself in the way of making any. As for J. you may be sure nobody would ask me to meet him, – & if they did I should refuse. He forfeited all claims to xxx courtesy from me when he recommended me for prosecution. [14]