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British Library, Add MS 47891. ALS; 4p. . Previously published: John Wood Warter (ed.), Selections from the Letters of Robert Southey, 4 vols (London, 1856), III, pp. 139–141. Dating note: The letter is misdated 30 June 1819 by Southey. The content, in particular the references to the age of Cuthbert Southey, Caroline Bowles’s stay in Bristol, Southey’s progress with the History of Brazil and his plans to visit London rather than Scotland, make it clear that the letter belongs to c. 21 May 1819; see also Southey to Caroline Bowles, 21 May 1819, Letter 3297.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Ian Packer and Lynda Pratt
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You are the only friend I have in the world, who never sends me a line to tell me of his goings on, – & it so happens that I never by any accident happen to hear of you thro a third person. That you are very busy I know, – & so am I; – of my occupations indeed you will very shortly receive a substantial proof. But before I speak of that let me tell what provocation induces me to address you at this time.
A Lady for whom I am a good deal interested is at this time,
& will <be> for three or four weeks more, resident within a few doors of you. I have given her reason to expect that you will call
upon her as a friend of mine, & the reason why I have done so is this; – she is an invalid, – xxx to what degree I know
not, but I know the value of your advice, – & to your attention to a like request of mine Alstone acknowledges that he is indebted for his life,xxx for this Lady is unquestionably a woman of
genius. My knowledge of h acquaintance with her as yet has only been thro the medium of pen, ink & paper, so you may
gratify my curiosity by telling me what kind of personage she appears. & I have only to tell you that her name is Miss Bowles, & that she is at present at No 19 in the Mall on a
visit to some relations.
And now a few words concerning myself. – I have a son: three months old, by name Charles Cuthbert, to all<->appearance a strong & thriving infant. He had very
<nearly> cost his mother her life, & she has had ever since the birth a
succession of complaints, from which she is not yet recovered, tho I trust now convalescent. The four girlsth year, & perceive
in myself certain infirmities connected with decay. My
father xxx reached only to 48, – my mother only to
50. What the length of my lease may be God knows, & I have no other solicitude about it than to make the best use of
while it while it lasts. Six years would enable me to compleat all that I have begun.
One great work is drawing fast toward its completion. The last chapter of my History of Brazil
My brother Tom removed into my neighbourhood this spring, & is
now settled in Newlands, four miles off, – a most beautiful spot. He has
five <six> children!
The life of Wesley
Write to me, & tell me of yourself & your family.Bristol would hav I should have as little present connection
with Bristol as with the deserts of Arabia. Remember me to Mrs
King