4107. Robert Southey to Edith May Southey, [24 December 1823]
Address: To/ Miss Southey/ with Lady Malet/ 100 Gloucester Place
Postmark: T.P./ Tooting; [partial] NIGHT / xE. 24
Seal: red wax; design illegible
MS: British Library, Add MS 47888. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished.
Dating note: The postmark indicates this was posted on the 24th of a month. In his letter to Edith Southey of 24 December[–26 December] 1823 (Letter 4106), Southey, as in this letter, mentions that he will see Edith May Southey the next day and give her a brooch.
As there is often more enjoyment in expectation, than in the expected pleasure itself, I send you three-pennyworth of that enjoyment, in the news that my Uncle has charged me with a broche for your Ladyship, an agoa-marina
very prettily set, which I shall deliver into your hands tomorrow.
I hope Lady Malet
will let me borrow you for Friday. Perhaps we shall have no other opportunity of dining together at Bedfords, & it would be a great disappointment to Miss Page, – who is now my oldest friend of her sex, – not to see you. You may pledge yourself to pay the day that is borrowed, whenever Lady Malet may please to require it.
I am very busy & very quiet here, having seen no creature except your Uncle, who came out yesterday on a summons to see poor Errol. Of course I have got thro good part of my work. Yesterday I finished & sent off the review,
& now I am getting forward with the BC.
which I shall compleat in about three mornings in a cog at QAnne Street.
My kindest remembrances to you kind hostess, Miss Charter, Dame Elizabeth,
& Miss Malet
if she be with you –
God bless you my dear child
Yr affectionate
RS.
