4001. Robert Southey to Neville White, 18 April 1823
MS: MS untraced; text is taken from John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856)
Previously published: John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856), III, pp. 385–386.
I did hope that I should have been on my travels at this time; but it is with me in most of my writings
as with one who builds a house, and finds when he is in the middle of it that the cost thereof will exceed the estimate twofold. My work grows under my hands; and whether it be the natural effect of increasing years, or arises from any cause to which it might be more agreeable to impute it, certain it is that I compose much more slowly than I was wont to when younger. I shall not be able to leave home in less than a month from this time; and if it be equally convenient to you, it will, I think, be rather more so to me, if I take Norwich on my way home, in the middle of July.
This has been a severe season, and you are in the coldest part of England. Next winter let me recommend to you what I have used myself for many years – a sleeved waistcoat of washing–leather.
I believe no other mode of clothing will protect the chest so well. As soon as the cold weather sets in I take to it; and I laid it aside for this year only last week.
My brother, the Captain, is on his way to Canada, to form a judgment upon the spot, upon the expediency of transplanting his family thither, in the spring of next year, to a grant of lands. He departed on Wednesday last.
This business has occupied much of my time, and will long continue to occupy too much of my thoughts.
Our climate is, in some respects, better than yours. We have had three weeks of delightful weather, though with easterly winds. The last two days there have been slight rains, and to–day there is snow on the mountains. From London I hear complaints of the cold, and the want of sunshine.
You will see a paper of mine upon the Rise and Progress of Infidelity, in the next “Q.R.”
When the new edition of “Baxter” is completed,
I mean to take that opportunity of drawing up an account of his life. At present I am busy with “Cranmer” and his fellow worthies.
The Roman Catholics will not like my book; nor will it be more agreeable to the Dissenters. The chapter which is likely to produce most impression will be that relating to the destruction of the Church establishment during the great rebellion.
God bless you, my dear Neville,
Yours affectionately,
ROBERT SOUTHEY.
