1358. Robert Southey to Walter Scott, 12 September 1807
1358. Robert Southey to Walter Scott, 12 September 1807 *
Dear Sir
I have desired Longman to send you a copy of Palmerin of England, [1] – of who & you who love to read & to sing ‘of Knights & gentle Ladies deeds,’ [2] will not be dismayed at the sight of four volumes more corpulent than volumes are wont to be in these degenerate days. The Romance is not so good as Amadis [3] but it is a good Romance, & far superior to any other of the Spanish school as far as I am acquainted with them, & according to common opinion in those times when such books were read. I know not whether you will think the Preface satisfactory; – it is so to myself, –& it is somewhat curious that I should twice have to examine such a question, & twice have to fix upon a Portugueze author, – you may believe me when I declare that no lurking wish of finding it so has had the slightest effect upon my judgement. [4]
When I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Marriott [5] here in the winter, I paid him half a guinea as the subscription to Hoggs poems. [6] The copy has never reached me – I have applied to Longman, & it seems as if he could not procure it. Perhaps a word from you to the Edinburgh publisher, [7] when you happen to see him, may be effectual.
I rejoice to hear that we are to have another Lay, [8] & hope we may have as many Last Lays of the Minstrel, as our fathers had last words of Mr Baxter. [9] My own Lays are probably at an end. I like historical pursuits better, & am giving to them that portion of my time which I can spare afford to employ in labouring for fame; – any thing else poetry will not procure me. Jeffrey has made more money by reviewing Madoc [10] than I have made by writing it. His mildewing breath cannot wither one laurel-leaf of my garland, – but it blasts my harvest of bread. Over those who read books he has little influence, but over those who buy them his influence is ver very extensive, & he exerts it very perniciously for all who are not his friends. If he had any knowledge of poetry & attacked me upon fair grounds it would be well; – but <as> whilst the crab xxxxing Morgante on the heel xxxx – but as it is – it is the crab wounding Morgante in the heel. [11]
The Chronicle of the Cid [12] is just gone to the press – their most ancient & most curious piece of chivalrous history in existence – a book after your own heart. It is the prologue to a long series of historical labours, – of which, whenever you will take Keswick in your way to or from London, I shall be very glad to show you some samples. I am settled here, & am getting my books about me; you will find a boat for fine weather, & for a rainy day, a better library than any other man of means so limited as mine has perhaps ever yet possessed –
I beg to be remembered to Mrs Scott.
yrs very truly
Robert Southey.
Keswick. Sept 12. 1807.
Notes
* Watermark: shield/ 1803/ T BOTFIELD
MS: National Library of Scotland, MS
9609. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] Palmerin of England; by Francisco de Moraes. Corrected by Robert Southey from the Original Portugueze (1807). BACK
[4] Scott had not been impressed, in 1803, by Southey’s claims about the authorship of Amadis. For Scott’s review of Southey’s translation, see Edinburgh Review, 5 (October 1803), 109–136. BACK
[6] James Hogg, The Mountain Bard (1807), a volume of ballads published with Scott’s encouragement. BACK
[8] Scott’s poem Marmion (1808), the eagerly awaited follow-up to the Lay of the last Minstrel (1805), was in the process of composition. BACK
[9] According to the Spectator, 445 (31 July 1712), a publication entitled ‘Last Words of Mr Baxter’ was, after the death of Richard Baxter (1615–1691; DNB), so successful that it was followed by another, entitled ‘More Last Words of Mr Baxter’. BACK
