1032. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 5 February 1805 ⁠* 

Dear Harry

As Madoc is now finished, [1]  do you get for me the remaining sheets beginning with Sheet 3.C. page 387. & also the sheet with the preface &c. & pay the carriage for me to Penrith – because the rascals charge me five shillings – whereas at Edinburgh they would not demand 1/6. – The copy thus compleated will do to correct for a future edition & save a better, & I shall have the pleasure of seeing the whole together at least six weeks [earlier] <before> the published book will reach Keswick – which will be another pleasure.

By this time you have received the 20 £ which John May sent off on the 31^st – making the first quarters allowance. your remittance for the future will be sent either on a regular quarter day – or at any other times & proportions which you may chuse – you will let me know this in your next.

M^rs Calvert has something like a paralytic affection in one of her legs. she has lost all feeling in it – tho she still has the use of the limb. If you were here I would advise Calvert to get an apparatus & give her the nitrous oxide, this being precisely a case for it. – A great event has taken place in our own household – Mary the maid having this morning walked off without ceremony to be married, – to the great discomposure of Mrs Coleridges schemes, who is on the eve of going to Liverpool to visit the tribe of Crampton. [2] 

Beef Philips is publishing a compendium of all modern travels in numbers. [3]  I wish you would look at one of them & tell me whether the works are analized at any length – or if it be little more than a mere review – because if well done the book would be useful to me. – I am getting on with history & thinking about the Spaniards Letters [4]  – which my finances compel me to think about against my inclinations.

The title page to Madoc is exceedingly beautiful. Open Gothic letters, engraved after Tomkins’s writing, [5]  on an a graphic antiquarian & amateur q who is quite unrivalled in his art. He has done this to oblige Duppa. – I would fain be finishing Kehama [6]  if I could afford xxx to write for pleasure, without any regard for profit.

All well. the Edithling stands half her time – walks along by the window – & says ‘take care’. Your friend John [7]  is in good plight & behaves better of late.

God bless you.

RS.

Feb^y 5. 1805.

Get the sheets soon – or they will be shipt off for London.