1347. Robert Southey to Charles Danvers, 28 July 1807 ⁠* 

July 28. 1807.

My dear Danvers

I have heard from Sam Reid that the precious cargo is reshipped for Workington. [1]  This is well, as all danger of capture is over, & that of the sea comparatively so little that I regard them as safe. He asks me whether he shall send me the account of freight so far, or deliver it to you. To this, as his letter contains no address I could not reply except to you. Do you settle with him & I will ere long send you a draft upon the Long Men of the Row to settle balance my money account with you.

The picture came safe – which was a wonder for tho well secured behind, the front had nothing to cover <shield> it, & was compleatly covered with dust & straws that had worked thro the case. [2]  The frame is not as I directed – indeed it appears to have been a ready made one into which my print was squeezed at the expence of half-an-inch of its breadth: a very abominable trick which the <framer> could not have practised if it had not been sent to a distance. My directions were for a broad plain flat black frame with an inner rim of gold – it is neither broad, plain, nor flat, – & consequently looks not half so well as if it had. Of course I am fully sensible that you gave the directions which I sent, & my only motive for telling you all this is that you may never employ the same tradesman again, for nothing can be more abominable than chipping a print to fill a frame, – especially so costly a one as this is.

You would have heard from me sooner if I had known where to direct. The delay has had this good effect that it saves me the trouble of telling you Toms history; as you know more of it now than myself. His & your joint letter greatly disappointed me. I have written to him expressing rather a more confident hope than I feel, that he will soon be ordered into the country. [3]  The surgeon will think that if orders him he gives this opinion now, it will be a confession that his first opinion was a mistaken one, & this I fear will stand in Toms way. The whole of this business has made me very uncomfortable for a long time. There is an intolerable tyranny in the navy which we are not likely to see mended. Lord Cochranes motion [4]  was disposed of in a very disgraceful way, & Sir S. Hood [5]  is out of my good books for the part he took in answering it. Lord C. is a true honest-hearted sailor; & all who have sailed with him almost adore him. If he be not disheartened he will do much good in that great Stilton-Cheese of the constitution, commonly called the House of Commons.

This puts me in mind of the cheeses for my Uncle. It is not I hope too late to order him a couple.

Your brother D. I hope will do well, for he has no family-claim to consumption to counteract the means which Rex will use for his recovery. Remember me to him & say I hope to find him well enough in the winter to play a rubber at whist. – You ought by this time to have received two copies of Espriella, [6]  one of which is for his Majesty. Palmerin [7]  is still delayed by Pople, & it will be yet some weeks before it is finished: this will be no disappointment to you who have no more taste for Chivalry than I have for music:

Sam tells me also of the arrival at Liverpool of the books from Lisbon which were wanted for the Cid. As soon as they reach me, which should be on Thursday next I shall make my bargain with the Long-Men & put the work to press. [8] 

Julius Hutchinson, the Editor of M^rs H.’s Memoirs has written to me, thanking me for my review in the Annual.  [9]  He tells me that a second edition is to be printed, & asked for any advice that I could give, – which was a needless compliment. Earl Manvers, [10]  he says, a descendant of Pierrepoint, has on account of this book, made <got> his son a Lieu promoted to a Lieutenancy in the navy & has promised to be his friend in every way within his power. This Earl has also ordered the Annual Reviews upon the merits of this article of mine; – which said article has no other merit than that of fully acknowledging the merit <beauty> of the book, & being moreover a right republican one. – I have also had a letter from Miss Seward, containing such commendations of Madoc as perhaps never mortal man heard of his works before. [11]  Sir I am no longer a Crocodile & a Hyena, – & moreover I am to stop at Litchfield on my way South.

The Counts is a very good <book> upon Poland, & we all like it much. [12]  A few very few – omissions would improve it, but it is much to his credit. Here he is, working away at a book about the country, for which the Senhora Barkera will give him some drawings. [13]  We go to Lloyds as soon as his trunk arrives.

My son & my daughter go on prosperously. The next son I have is to be christened Danvers; I am likely to have a house full of books & of children, – the two best things a man can have.

God bless you

R Southey.