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G THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. EDITED BY HIS SON, THE REV. CHARLES CUTHBERT SOUTHEY, I.A., CURATE OF PLUMBLAND, CUMBERLAND. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET. MDCCCL1. PREFACE. FOR the delay which has taken place in bringing forth this work I am not responsible, as it has chiefly arisen from the circumstance that no literary executor was expressly named in my father's latest will, and, in consequence of the difficulties which thus arose, it was not until the spring of 1848 that the materials, as far as they had then been collected, were put into my hands. I have, since then, made what speed I might in the preparation of them for the press, amid the engagements of other business, and with my hand often palsied by causes over which I had no control. It were useless to endeavor to refute the various objections often made to a son's undertaking such a task; yet one remark may be permitted, that although a son may not be a fit person to pass judgment upon a father's character, he yet may faithfully chronicle his life, and is undoubtedly, by a natural right, the most proper person to have all private letters submitted to his eye, and all family affairs intrusted to his judgment. With this feeling, and with the full conviction that I am acting in accordance with what would have been my father's own wish, I have not thought it right to shrink from an undertaking for which I can not claim to have in other respects any peculiar qualifications. Accordingly, my object has been, not to compose a regular biography, but rather to lay before the reader such a selection from my father's letters as will give, in his own words, the history of his life; and I have only added such remarks as I judged necessary for connection or explanation; indeed, the even tenor of his life, during its greater portion, affords but little matter for pure biography, and the course of his literary pursuits, his opinions on passing events, and the few incidents of his own career, will all be found narrated by himself in a much more natural manner than if his letters had been worked up into a regular narrative. My father has long been before the public, and has obtained a large share of praise, as well as of censure and misrepresentation; he has yet, however, to be fully known; and this I have a good hope will be accomplished by the publication of these volumes; that in them all his mind will appear-in its playfulness as well as its gravity, in its joys and its sorrows, and the gradual progress of its opinions be fairly traced, from the visionary views of his early youth, up to the fixed and settled convictions of his riper years; and if I have inserted any. letters or passages which relate principally to his domestic life, and the affairs of the family circle, it has been with the conviction that he himself would not have wished them to be excluded, and that, although without them the events of his life might have been recorded, these would have formed only the outlines of the picture, which would have wanted all those finer touches that give to human nature its chief interest and its highest beauty. I must now make my acknowledgments generally to those friends and correspondents of my father who have most kindly placed their letters at my disposal, and in particular to Mrs. Henry Bedford for those addressed to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, x PREFACE. Esq., from which I have drawn my chief materials for this volume, and which I have used largely throughout the work; to William Rickman, Esq., for those addressed to his father, the late Johnm ickman, Esq.; to the Right Hon. Charles W. W. Wynn; to John May, Esq.; to J. G. Lockhart, Esq., for those addressed to Sir Walter Scott; to Joseph Cottle, Esq.; to Mrs. Neville White and the Rev. James White; to the family of the late Sharon Turner, Esq.; to Walter Savage Landor, Esq.; to the family of the late Dr. Gooch; to the family of the late Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot; to Mr. Ebenezer Elliott; to Mr. Ticknor, of Boston; to Miss Elizabeth Charter; to Mrs. Hodson; to John Kenyon, Esq.; to Mrs. H. N. Coleridge; to William Wordsworth, Esq., Poet Laureat; and to Henry Taylor, Esq. Other communications have been promised to me which I shall take a future opportunity of acknowledging. While, however, my materials from these sources have been most extensive, there must still be many individuals with whom I have not been able to communicate, who have corresponded with my father upon literary subjects; and, should this meet the eye of any of these gentlemen, they would confer a great obligation upon me by permitting me the use of any of his letters to them, which are likely sometimes to possess an interest different from those addressed to intimate friends and frequent correspondents. I may say, in conclusion, that whatever defects these volumes may possess, I have the satisfaction of feeling that they will verify my father's own words-words not uttered boastingly, but simply as the answer of a conscience void, of offense both toward God and man-" I have this conviction, that, die when I may, my memory is one of those which will smell sweet, and blossom in the dust." CHARLES CUTHBERT SOUTHEY. CONTENTS, RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EARLY LIFE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ., LL.D., WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. LETTER I. LETTER X. His Ancestors-The Cannon Southeys-His Father sent to Is placed as a Day Boarder at a School in Bristol-Early London-Removed to Bristol................ Page 17 Effort in Authorship-Love for Dramatic AuthorsLETTER II Miss Palmer-School Recollections-Opinion on Public and Private Education....................Page 35 The Hills-The Bradfords-William Tyler-Anecdote of him-His Grandfather's Death.................... 19 LETTER XI. LETTER III. Mrs. Dolignon-Early Love for Books-Miss Tyler takes a House in Bristol-Further Recollections of his Uncle Recollections of the Hills-Parson Collins............20 38 LETTER IV. ~~LETTER IV.~~ ~LETTER XII. His Mother's Birth and Childhood-Her Marriage-His His Recollections of School at Bristol-His Schoolmaster own Birth....................................... 21 and Schoolfellows................. 41 LETTER V. First going to School-Birth of Brothers and Sisters —LETTER XIII. Miss Tyler..................................... 23 Visitors to his Schoolmaster................... 43 LETTER VI. LETTER XIV. Description of Miss Tyler's House at Bath-Inoculation- Is sent as a Day Scholar to a Clergyman in Bristol-Early Miss Tyler's Friends and Acquaintances... 2..... 25 Poetical Efforts............................... 46 LETTER VII. LETTER XV. Bath and Bristol Theaters-Removed to another Day Character of Miss Tyler-His Mother-Shadrach Weeks School-Thence to a Boarding School at Corston-De- -His Brother Henry placed with Miss Tyler-His Sisscription of School and Schoolmaster..........27 ter's Death..................................... 49 LETTER VIII. LETTER XVI. Recollections of Corston continued........ 30 Is placed at Westminster-Schoolfellows-First Holidays -Anecdote of George III.-Latin Verses.......... 52 LETTEIR IX. Recollections of his Grandmother's House at Bedminster LETTER XVII. -Love for Botany and Entomology................ 32 Recollections of Westminster continued............. 54 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER V. School Friendships-The Flagellant-Is compelled to leave Goes to London to Study the Law-Letters from thence Westminster-Wreck of his Father's Affairs and his -Takes Lodgings at Burton in Hampshire-Letters to Death-Is refused Admittance at Christ Church, and Mr. May and Mr. Bedford-Goes to Bath-Lines by enters at Baliol College, Oxford-College Life-His Charles Lamb-Returns to London-Letter to Mr. Studies-Philosophical Speculations-Excursion to Wynn-Visit to Norfolk-Letters from thence-Takes Herefordshire-Visit to Brixton-Joan of Arc-Return a House at Westbury, near Bristol-Excursion into to Bristol-Letters on a University Life, etc.-Fits of Herefordshire.-1797..................... 94 Despondency -Poetry and Philosophy-Mr. LovelAmerica-Number of Verses destroyed and preserved. CHAPTER VI. A.D. 1791-1793.-...........-............ Page 59 Residence at Westbury-Dramatic Plans-Ill HealthCHAPTER II Goes to London to keep the Term at Gray's Inn-Madoc completed-Excursion into Devonshire-Letters from Opinions, Political and Religious-Schemes of future Life thence-Goes again to reside at Burton-Severe Illness -First Acquaintance with Mr. Coleridge-Pantisocracy -Returns to Bristol-Thalaba-Project of establishing -Quarrel with Miss Tyler-Letter to Thomas Southey. Beguinages-Poem in Hexameters, on Mohammed, -1793, 1794................................. 69 commenced-Continued ill Health-Makes Arrange. CHAPTER III. ments for going to Lisbon.-1799, 1800........... 108 Pantisocracy proposed to be tried in Wales-Letters to CHAPTER VII Mr. G. C. Bedford-Difficulties and Distresses-Historical Lectures-Death of Edmund Seward-Mr. Cottle LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL. purchases the Copyright of Joan of Arc-Pantisocracy Voyage and Arrival-Visits-Anecdotes-Description of abandoned-Misunderstanding with Mr. Coleridge- Lisbon-Romish Customs-Description of the Country, Letters to Mr. G. C. Bedford-Meeting with his Uncle, Processions, etc.-Account of a Bull-fight —Proposed Mr. Hill-Consents to accompany him to Lisbon-Mar- Monument to Fielding-Thalaba finished-Letters from riage -Letters to Mr. Bedford and Mr. Cottle.-1794, Cintra-Lent Plays-Wine-Laws-Monastic Supersti1795................................. Page 76 tions-Bad Roads-Advice to his Brother Henry as to his ChIAPTER IV. Studies-Attachment to Cintra-Account of Mafra; its CHAPTER IV..Church, Convent, and Library-Pestilence at CadizLetters to Mr. Lovel and: Mr. Bedford from Lisbon — Description of Cintra; Scenery, etc.-Directions for the Return to England-Death of Mr. Lovel-Letters to Publication of Thalaba-Projected History of Portugal Mr. Bedford-Literary Employments and Intentions.- -Excursion to Costa-Fishermen-Image by the Road 1796........................................ 85 Side-Journey to Pombal —Torres Vedras, etc.-En xii CONTENTS. glish Politics-Thalaba-Madoc-Kehama-Probable CHAPTER XIII. invasion of Portugal-Account of Journey to Faro.- He undertakes to edit "Kirke White's Remains"-Details 1800, 1801..............................Page 121 of his settling at Greta Hall-Grant of a small Pension — Opinions on the Catholic Question-Progress of CHAPTER VIII. "Kirke White's Remains"-Heavy Deductions from his Return to England-Thinks of going down to Cumberland Pension - Modern Poetry - Politics-Predicts severe -Letter from Mr. Coleridge, describing Greta Hall- Criticisms on the "Specimens of English Poetry"Thoughts of a Consulship-The Law-Lyrical Ballads Recollections of College Friends-Remarks on Classical — Conspiracy of Gowrie —Madoc-Dijficulty of meeting Reading-The Catholic Question -Spanish Papers the Expense of the Journey to Keswick-Letter to Mr. wanted-Mr. Duppa's "Life of Michael Angelo"-MoBedford - Unchanged Affection- Goes down to Kes- tives for editing "Kirke White's Remains"-Best Seawick-First Impressions of the Lakes-Excursion into son for visiting the Lakes-Effect upon them of Cloud Wales-Appointment as Private Secretary to Mr. Cor- and Sunshine-Theory of educating Children for spery-Goes to Dublin-Letters from thence-Goes to cific Literary Purposes —Probable Establishment of a London-Account of his Official Duties.-1801.... 144 New Edinburgh Review-Playful Letter to the late Hartley Coleridge-New Edition of Don Quixote proCHAPTER IX. jected-Plan of a Critical Catalogue-Palmerin of EnHis Mother's Death-Melancholy Thoughts-Resigns his gland-Iay of the Last Minstrel-Chronicle of the CidSecretaryship-Edition of Chatterton's Works-Thinks Morte D'Arthur-Pecuniary Difficulties-Sale of Es. of residing at Richmond-At Keswick-Well-known priella's Letters-Specimens of English Poetry-OverPersons met in London-Negotiates for a House in tures made to him to take part in the Edinburgh ReWales-Chronicle of the Cid-Review of Thalaba in the view-Reasons for declining to do so-1807.Page 213. Edinburgh"-Negotiation for House broken off-Want CHAPTER XIV of more Books-Alarm of War-Edinburgh Review-C Hayley's Life of Cowper —Recollections of Brixton — Hayley's Life of Cowper-Recollections of Brixton-Brazilian Affairs-Dislike of leaving Home-Condemns Early Difficulties-Amadis of Gaul-The Atlantic a good the Idea of making Peace with Bonaparte-The InquiLetter-carrier- Home Politics - Scottish Border Bal- sition-The Sale of his Works-Grateful Feelings tolads-Cumberland's Plays-Plan for a Bibliotheca Bri- ward Mr. Cottle-Thoughts on the Removal of his tannica.-1802-1803. -........... 153 Books to Keswick-Meeting with the Author of Gebir -Remarks on Marmion-Political Opinions-Kehama CHAPTER X. -His Position as an Author-On Meters-Population Death of his little Girl-Arrival at Keswick-Postpone- of Spain-Conduct of the French at Lisbon-Remarks ment of the Bibliotheca Britannica-Stagnation of Trade on diseases-Physical Peculiarities-Spanish Affairs-Madoc-Scenery of the Lakes-History of Portugal Present of Books from Mr. Neville White-Account of -Hazlitt's Pictures of lMr. Coleridge an Mr.Words- Floating Island in Derwentwater-He predicts the Deworth-Wants Information concerning the West Indies feat of the French in the Peninsula-Portuguese Liter-Literary Occupations and Plans-The Annual Review r-n nc of hi ie otia a - -Politics-The Yellow Fever —New Theory of such -Politics-The Yellow Fever-New Theory of such Chronicle of the Cid-Doubts about going to SpainDiseases-Description of Scenery reflected in Keswick Anecdote of an Irish Duel-Literary EmploymentsLake —S pecimens of English Poets projected —Courseswi Latke-ESpecimens of English Poets projected-Course Advice to a young Author-The Convention of Cintra of Life at Keswick-Visit from Mr. Clarkson-Habits -Spanish Ballads-Politics of the Edinburgh Reviewof Mind-Madoc-Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Godwin-Di- The Quarterly Review set on Foot-The Chroicle of rections to Mr. Bedford about Specimens-Regret at the Cid-Kehama-Articles in the Quarterly ReviewMr. Coleridge leaving England-Modern Critics-Mr. Spanish Affairs-1808............. 230 Coleridge's Powers of Mind-Letter to Mr. Bedford on CHAPTER XV. Habits of Procrastination-Literary EmploymentspHabits of Procrlstination-Literary Employments- Cowper's Translation of Milton's Latin and Italian Poems Specimens of English Poets-Goes to London-Letters ehama-istory of Brazil-Politis-Literary Adfrom thence-Returns —Spanish Books —The Mabino- - gion-Sir H. Davy-Mr. Sotheby-William Owen, etc. vice-Sketch of Mr. Rickman's Charactel-Pleasure at - Change of Administration - Progress of Historical seeing his Writings in Print — Spanish Affairs - The QLabors.-1 04o.......Q.....-..... es 162 ofH a Quarterly Review-Excursion to Durham-Freedom.................................. of his Opinions-The Cid-Sensitive Feelings-GebirCHAPTER XI. Bad Effect of Scientific Studies-Anxiety about his litFamily Details-Politics-He wishes to edit Sir Philip tie Boy-Mr. Canning wishes to serve him-Application Sidney's Works-Dr. Vincent —The West Indies — for Stewardship of Greenwich Hospital Estates-Mr. Spanish War-Wishes to go to Portugal with Sir John Wordsworth's Pamphlet on the Convention of CintraMoore-Use of Reviewing-Early Poems, why written Eclogue of the Alderman's Funeral-The Quarterly Re-Travels in Abyssinia-Steel Mirrors-Sir W. Scott's view-Sir John Moore's Retreat-Death of his Landnew Poem-Madoc-The Compass, when first used- lord-Mr. Canning's Duel-Morte D'Arthur-Eclectic The Diving Bell-Uses of Printing-Changes in the Crit- and Quarterly Reviews —Dr.'Collyer's Lectures-Mr. ical Review-Loss of the Abergavenny-Endowment Coleridge's "Friend"-The Soldier's Love-Kehama of the Romish Church in Ireland-Translations from finished-Pelayo-War in the Peninsula.-1809....248 the Latin - Reasons for not going to London-English Poetry-Publication of Madoc-Duty upon foreign CHAPTER XVI. Books a great Hardship-Story of Pelayo-The Butler Engagement with Ballantyne for the Edinburgh Annual -Madoc criticised and defended-Reviewing-Liter- Register-Roderic begun-Professor Wilson-De Quin. ary Remarks-Lord Somerville-Suggestion to his cey-The Friend-Politics-Madoc defended-Monthly Brother Thomas to collect Information about the West Review-Lord Byron-William Roberts-Review of Indies-The Moravians-Visit to Scotland and to Sir the Missionaries-History of Brazil-Declining Love of W. Scott at Ashestiel-Reviewals of Madoc-Espriella's Poetical Composition-The Lady of the Lake-RomanLetters.-1805.............................. 182 ism in England -Poem of Mr. E. Elliott's criticisedPortuguese Literature-Edinburgh Annual RegisterCHAPTER XI. Spanish Affairs-Doubts about the Meter of KehamaAdvantages of Keswick as a Residence-Opinions, Poo Oliver Newman projected- Kehama -Comparative litical, Social, and Religious-The Language of Madoc Merits of Spenser and Chaucer-Evil of large landed defended-Foreign Politics-Curious Case of Mental Proprietors-Remarks on Writing for the Stage-Lan. Derangement ameliorated-Hobbes's Theory of a State dor's Count Julian-Political Views-Gifford wishes to of Nature combated-Mr. Coleridge-Mr. Wordsworth serve him-Progress of the Register-L. Goldsmid's -Mr. Duppa's Life of Michael Angelo-Details of Him- Book about France-Pasley's Essay-New Review proself and his Literary Pursuits and Opinions-Political jected-Death of his Uncle Thomas Southey-Lucien Changes - Literary Labors — Congratulations to Mr. Bonaparte.-1810-1811......................... 266 Wynn on the Birth of a Child-rRemarks on the Effects of Time-Bristol Recollections-Beausobre's History CHAPTER XVII. of Manicheism-Goes to Norwich-The Annual Re- Scott's Vision of Don Roderic-Advice to a young Friend view-Jesuitism in England-Brief Visit to London and on going to Cambridge - Bell and Lancaster ControReturn-Quaint Theory of the Origin of Languages- versy-Plan of the Book of the Church-Wishes to asThalaba-Urges Mr. Bedford to visit him at Keswick- sist Mr. W. Taylor in his Difficulties-Prospect of being Directions about Specimens of English Poets-Kehama summoned to the Bar of the House of Commons-Death of his Uncle John Southey-Lines upon that Shelley at Keswick-Ugly Fellows-Oxford-Herbert Event-Mountain Excursions-Reviews of Madoc- Marsh-Testamentary Letter-Application for the OfEpicSubjects suggested-Translation of Palmerin of fice ofHistoriographer-Catholic Concessions-Murder England-Papers concerning South America-Memoirs of Mr. Perceval -State of England-Edinburgh Annual -of Colonel Hutchinson.-1806....................198 Register -Excursion into Durham anV Yorkshire CONTENTS. xiii'Visit to Rokeby-The Quarterly Review-The Register'Return-High Opinion of Neville White-Norfolk Seen-Moralized Sketch of Thalaba.-1811-1812..Page 277 ery-Speculations on another Life-Life of Wesley in progress-Curious News from the North Pole-Lines CHAPTER XVIII. on the Death of the Princess Charlotte-Cure for the Present Happiness-Affairs of the Edinburgh Annual Reg- Bite of Snakes.-1817.......................Page 346 ister embarrassed-Life of Nelson-Roderic-Thanks to Sir W. Scott for Rokeby-Regrets being compelled CHAPTER XXIII. to Periodical Writing-Politics-Mr. Coleridge's Trage- Retrospect of Life-Reviewing-Life of Wesley-Uses dy brought out-Remarks on the Loss of youthful of Affliction-Edinburgh Annual Register-WestmoreHopes-Destruction of the French Army in Russia- land Election-Humboldt-Paper on the Poor Laws Life of Nelson completed-Literary Plans-Reasons -Cobbett-Nutritive Qualities of Coffee-Milman's for submitting to Gifford's Corrections-Letters con- Poem of Samor-Offer of Librarianship of the Advocerning Mr. James Dusautoy-Gloomy Political Fore- cates' Library, Edinburgh-Scarcity of Literary Men in bodings-Paper in the Quarterly Review on the State America-Ritchie-Mungo Park-Recollections of his of the Poor-Naval Reverses in the War with America Tour on the Continent-He is attacked from the Hust-Expected Death of his Brother-in-law Mr. Fricker- ings at a Westmoreland Election-Wishes to print his Montgomery's Deluge-Animated Horse-hair-Play by Poems in a cheaper Form-Mob Meetings-CongratulaMr. W. S. Landor-Visit to London-Appointment as tions to Mr. Justice Coleridge on his Marriage-LiteraPoet Laureate.-1813....-............. 87 ry Advice-Habits of Asceticism not unfavorable to long Life-Mr. Wilberforce visits Keswick-School ReCHAPTER XIX. bellion-Remarkable Season-Comparative Happiness The Laureate's First Ode-Restrictions upon his Free-' of Childhood and riper Years-Changes in the Criminal dom of Speech-Complaints of Gifford's Corrections- Laws wanted.-1818..........................360 Bonaparte-Conduct of the Austrian Government to- CHAPTER XXIV. ward Hofer-Anxiety respecting his Children's Health -Thinks of an Ode on the expected Marriage of the Nervous Feelings-Anxieties for the Future-RecollecPrincess Charlotte-Repulse of the British at Bergenop- tions of early Journeys-Prudence of anticipating PopuZoom-Quotation from George Gascoigne concerning lar Opinion-Ode on the Queen's Death-Haydonthe Dutch-Feelings on the News of the Success of the Wordsworth-Life of Wesley-Home Politics-SwitzAllied Armies-Poetical Plans-Lord Byron's Ode to erland- Criticisms on a Volume of Poems by Mr. E. Bonaparte -Remarks on Mathematical Studies -On Elliott-Birth of a Son-History of Brazil-Rising Poets Clerical Duties-Ridiculous Poem-Portrait and Mem- -Waverly Novels-Reasons for declining to attend the oir wanted-Laureate Odes-Spanish Affairs-Hum- Westminster Meeting-College Recollections-Religion boldt's Travels- Roderic - Mr. Coleridge -Domestic necessary to Happiness-Notices of the Lake Country Anxieties-Advice on College Studies-Children's Joy -Mr. Wordsworth's "Wagoner"-Advises Allan Cun-Hospitals badly conducted-Political Speculations- ningham on Literary Pursuits-Lord Byron's Hostility -Barnard Barton-Mr. Wordsworth's last Poem-Lit- -Probable Reception of the History of Brazil-Crabbe's erary Plans —The Ettrick Shepherd —Laureate Odes Poems-Peter Roberts-Literary Employments-Colostill required-Foreign Politics-Mr. Canning-History nization necessary-Tour in Scotland-Desirableness of Brazil-Expects nothing from Government —A crazy of Men of mature Years taking Holy Orders-John Compositor-Grave of Ronsard at Tours-Roderic- Morgan in Difficulties-Literary Occupations-ProjectOliver Newman-Thoughts on Death-Bonaparte-His- ed Journey.-1818-1819..........................369 tory of Brazil-New Year's Ode expected-The Prop- APTER erty Tax-The Squid Hound-Lord Byron-Roderic- C R X.Difficulties of Removal-Inscriptions and Epitaphs- Opinions on Political and Social Subjects-Curious BeEvil of going to India-Murat-History of Portugal- quest from a Lunatic-Letter to him-Dislike of the His Son's Studies-Dr. Bell's Ludus Literarius-Ques- Quakers to Poetry-Life of Wesley-Colloquies with tion of Marriage: with a Wife's Sister-Rejoicings at the Sir Thomas Moore-Sir Howard Douglas-The King's News of the Battle of Waterloo.-1814-1815.......300 Death-Prospects of Society-Rev. Peter ElmsleyNew Fashion of Poetry of Italian Growth-Don JuanCHAPTER XX. Political Forebodings- Parallel Roads in ScotlandFeelings of rejoicing at tlie Termination of the War with Death of the Duke de Berri-Beguinage Scheme-EnFrance-Journey to Waterloo-Account of Beguinages glish Sisterhoods-His Brother Edward-John Morgan at Ghent-Notices of Flanders-Of the Field of Battle- — Laureate Odes - The Life of Wesley - Letter in Purchase of the Acta Sanctorum-Detention by the Ill- Rhyme from Wales —Account of his receiving the ness of his Daughter at Aix-la-Chapelle-Return Home Honorary Degree of D.C.L. at Oxford-Return Home -Picture of his Domestic Happiness in the Pilgrimage -Congratulations to Neville White on his Marriageto Waterloo -Multitude of Correspondents -Meeting Opinions on the Life of Wesley-Excuses for Idleness -with Spanish Liberales in London-Rapid Flight of -Occupations-Letter from Shelley-Projected Life of Time-Declining Facility of Poetical Composition-Pol- George Fox-Mr. Westall and Mr. Nash-The Vision of itics-Regiets for the Death of young Dusautoy-The Judgment —Classical Studies-Roderic translated into Pilgrimage to Waterloo-Scott's Lord of the Isles-The French-Biographical Anecdote-Death of Miss Tyler History of Brazil-Evils in Society-Want of English -Birth-day Ode-Portuguese Affairs.-1820-1821..379 Beguinages-Early English Poetry-Death of his Son -Poetical Criticism-Feelings of Resignation-Circum- CHAPTER XXVI. stances of his Early Life-Geology and Botany better The Vision of Judgment —Lord ]yron —Mr. Jeffrey's Studies than Chemical and Physical Science-Thom- Opinion of his Writings-Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical son's Castle of Indolence-Youthful Feelings-Owen of Sonnets-State of Spain-Scarcity of great Statesmen Ianark-Remarks on his own Fortunes and Character -The ELKwOv BaacrLK-7-Hobbes's Behemoth-Failure -College Life-Wordsworth's Poems.-1815-1816.318 of an Attempt to recover some Family Estates-Lonely Feelings at Oxford-The Vision of Judgment approved CHAPTER XXI. by the King-American Visitors-Disapproval of the Changes in his Political Opinions-Causes which made Language of the Quarterly Review toward Americahim a Political Writer-He is requested to go to Lon- American Divinity-Account of Netherhall-Boheinian don to confer with the Government-Reasons for de- Lottery-Hampden-A new Candidate for the Protecclining to do so-Gloomy Anticipations-Measures nec- tion of the Game Laws-State of Ireland-Sir Edward essary for preventing a Revolution-He is hated by the Dering-Decree of the Long Parliament-Spanish Radicals and Anarchists —Thoughts concerning his America-Humboldt's Travels-State of Italy, of Spain Son's Death —Plan of a Work upon the State of the and of England.-1821...........................395 Country-Proposed Reforms-Efforts to assist Herbert HAPTER XXVII Knowles to go to Cambridge-Letter from him-HisCV. Death-Fears of a Revolution-Literary Employment Religious Feelings-The Book of the Church-History of and Hopes-Sympathy with a Friend's Difficulties- the Peninsular War-Lord Byron-Spanish AffairsMotives for Thankfulness-Melancholy Feelings-Blind- Mr. Landor's new Work-Improvements in Londonness of Ministers.-1816........................ 337 Effects of general Education-Visit from Mr. Lightfoot -Dr. Channing and the Reverend Christopher Benson CHAPTER XXII. -General Peachey-Dwights Travels-Editorship of Surreptitious Publication of Wat Tyler-Consequent Pro- the Quarterly Review-The Laureateship-Ways and ceedings-Is attacked in the House of Commons by Means-The Peninsular War-Course of his ReadingWilliam Smith-Offer of a Lucrative Appointment con- Catholic Emancipation-Illustrations of Roderic-Postnected with the Times Newspaper-Tour in Switzer- humous Fame - The Quarterly Review - American land-Letters from thence-Account of Pestalozzi-Of Visitors-Wordsworth's Poetry-Mr. Morrison-Owen Fellenberg-Impressions of the English Lakes on his of Lanark-Danger of the Country-Blanco White xiv CONTENTS. The French in Spain-Journey to London-Rowland the Brussels Bookseller-Politics-His Health-Visit to Hill-The daily Study of the Scriptures recommend- Netherhall-Literary Employments-The Co-operative ed.-18-18221823............................Page 406 Association-Dr. Phillpotts-Some Results of his Colloquies-Allan Cunningham's Lives of the Painters-ArCHAPTER XXVIII. tide in the Quarterly Review upon Portugal-Prospects Plan for uniting the Wesleyan Methodists with the Church of Society at Home-Michael T. Sadler-Ignatius Loyola -Amusing domestic Scene-Opinions of the Book of -arlisleHeraud-Derableness of Men i ler e the Church-Roderic translated into Dutch Verse-Ef- taking Holy Orders-The Colloquies-Church Methfects of the Nitrous Oxide-Enmity more active than odism-Mrs. Opie-Mr. Hornby-Institution for training Nurses opened-Causes of its Failure —Marriage of Friendship - Odd Books in reading-Lord Byron's ingNurses opened-Causes ofitsFailure-Marriage of Death- Cause of the Delay in the Publication of the Miss Coleridge-Literary Employments-Mr. LandorPeninsular War - Estimate of Human Nature-The Mr. Wordsworth-Recommendation of Berkeley's MiBook of the State-Wishes to procure the Publications nute Philosopher-Visit to Mrs. Hodson and Col. Howof the Record Committee-Reasons for declining to be ard.-1829................................. age 465 named one of the Royal Literary Associates —Preva- CHAPTER XXXIII. lence of Atheism-History of the Monastic Orders — The Doctor, &c.-Love of planning new Works-Habit The Co -operative Societies- Literary Employmentof reading while walking-Wesleyan Methodists - Death of his Brother Henry's Wife-Evils of our ComLong Life not desirable-Mr. Telford-Lord Byron- mercial System-Cure for Lumbago-Galignani's EdiThe Quarterly Review-Plan of Oliver Newman- tion of his Poems-Miller's Sermons-Bishop HacketThe Quarterly Review —Plan of Oliver Newman- The Reform Bil-Dr. Gooch's Death —The Evangelical State of Ireland-He is attacked in the Morning Chron- The Reform Bill-Dr Gooch'sDeath-The Evangelical icle-Bible and Missionary Societies - Evils of severe Clergy-Literature of Denmark-Renews the Lease of Reviewals-Smedley's Poems-Mr. Butler's Reply to hi House-Art of Composition-Hone's Every-day the Book of the Church-Reasons for not visiting Ire- Book &c.-Politics-John Jones-Mr Sadler-Literaland-Literary Obligations-Vindiciae Ecc. Anglicanae ry Employments-Pauper Colonies-The March of Intellect- Denmark —Life of Bishop Heber —State of of Readiness in Speech-Hayley.-1824-1825. - -..419 France-Mr. Fletcher-Ellis the Missionary-Dr. Bello Politics.-1830...-....................485 CHAPTER XXIX. CHAPTER XXXIV. Tour in Holland-He is laid up at Leyden at Mr. Bilder- Journey to London-Engagements there-National Edudijk's-Rev. R. Philips-Mr. Butler-Mr. Canning-Mo- cation-Goes into Hampshire and to the West of Entives for choosing Friends-Visitors to Keswick-Tend- gland-Correspondence with Lord Brougham respectency of his Ecclesiastical Writings-Sisters of Charity ing the Encouragement of Literature and Science-Ad-The Quarterly Review- Metaphysics -Rules for vice as to the Choice of a Profession-Miss BowlesComposition-Knowledge of History the first Requisite Joanna Baillie-Politics-Necessity of National Educafor a Statesman-The Bullion Question-Jacob Cats- tion-The Observance of the Sabbath-The Reform Bill Wishes to write a Continuation to Wharton's History -Prospects of the Country-Ivan Vejeeghan-Journey of Poetry-Mr. Bilderdijk-Dangers of the Manufactur- to Cheltenham on Dr. Bell's Affairs-Sir Walter Scotting System-Effects of Time upon the Mind-His own Mr. Wordsworth-Strange Notion of Anastasius Hope's religious Feelings-Short Tour in Holland-Death of -Death of Mr. Duppa-Mr. Kenyon-Mr. Poole-Genhis youngest Daughter-Wishes as to posthumous Pub- eral Peachey-His Prospects not so good as formerlylications-Letter to his Daughters on the Death of their The Cholera-Literary Employments-State of Feeling Sister.-1825-1826.............-.........432 in the Country-Journey to Liverpool, Manchester, &c. CHAPTER XXX. -Is invited to stand for a Professorship at GlasgowRegrets Mr. May's Removal from Bristol-Riots in that He is returned to Parliament for the Borough of Downton City-The Cholera-The Exchequer likely to be abol-Declines to take his Seat-Growth of his Opinions- ished-Publication of his Political Essays.-1830-1831 His Autobiography-Emigration-The Edinburgh An- 495 nual Register a useful Occupation to him —Sharon Turner's History of England-Ambition-Fruitless Ef- CHAPTER XXXV. forts to induce him to sit in Parliament-Reasons for Fears of a Revolution-The Cholera Morbus-Mary Coldeclining to do so-Fortunate Course of Life-Different ling-Charles Swain-Dr. Bell's Death-Political AppreModes of preaching necessary to different Congrega- hensions-Offer of Professorship at Durham-Few Men tions-He is requested to undertake the Editorship of known thoroughly-Comparison between Public and the Garrick Papers-Illness of Mr. Bilderdijk-Death of Private Education-Opinion of Mr. Swain's PoetryBard Williams -A Quaker Album- Domestic Afflic- Knowledge not the first thing needful-History of Porttions-State of Holland-Death of Lord Liverpool- ugal-Review of Bowles's St. John in Patmos-Mary Dislike of Political Economy-Foreign Quarterly Re- Colling-Visit to Lowther-Lord Mahon-Prince Poligview-State of the Scotch Kirk-Politics, Home and For- nac-Political Prospects-Lord Nugent-Lord Brougheign-Relative Happiness of Nations-Decreasing Sale am-The Corn-Law Rhymer-Dangers of the Country of his Works-National Education.-1826-1827...444 -The Factory System-Lord Ashley-American DivinCHAPTER XXXI. ity-The Church of England-Alison's History of Europe-Death of a favorite Cat-History of Brazil-Dr. Visit to Harrogate-Album Verses-Lord Colchester- Bell-Allan Cunningham's Lives of the Painters-French Constitutional Bashfulness-The Prospect of another Politics-Ebenezer Elliott-Prospects of the Country Life the only solid Foundation for Happiness. - Pro- -The Doctor-Marriage of his eldest Daughter-The poses to collect his Political Essays-Mr. Canning- Corn Laws-Habits of daily Life-Henry Taylor's Home Politics-Projected Life of Wolfe- Ground of Plays-Zophiel-Remonstrance in a Case of Cruelty.his Opinions-Mr. May-Mr. Cottle-Mr. King-Inter- 1832-1834....................... 508 course with Mr. Wordsworth's Family-The Quarterly Review-Desirableness of putting an end to Imprison- CHAPTER XXXVI. ment for small Debts-Disagreeable Duties required Personal Recollections-Mode of Tuition-His Wife's Illfrom Public Officers-Ancient Statutes-Undertakes to ness and Removal to York-Feelings under Afflictionedit the Verses of an old Servant-Bishop Heber-Dif- Evil Effects of Anxiety upon his Health-Correspondficulties of a Removal-The Peninsular War-Engages ence with Sir Robert Peel concerning the Offer of a to contribute to the Keepsake-Urges Mr. Bedford to Baronetcy-Journey to Sussex-Return to Keswickvisit Keswick-Goes to London-Sits to Sir Thomas Grant of an additional Pension-Literary Employments Lawrence and Sir F. Chantrey-Translation of Davila -The Doctor-Death of Miss Hutchinson-Mr. Wynot likely to succeed-His Uncle's Death-Choice of a on's Medallions-Present Feelings and Employmentsfew standard English Works-His Son's Studies-Jack- Spanish Literature-Westminster School-Causes of son's Sermons -Life of Nelson-Declining Sale of his its Decline-State of his Spirits-Jackson's WorksWorks-Visit from Lieut. Mawe-Interest in Mr. May's Feelings of Thankfulness for his new Pension-Novel Affairs-Remarks on the Annuals-New Theory of the Mode of Book-binding-Literary Employments-RecWeather-Literary Employments-Intended Visit to ollections of C. Lamb-Singular Effects of Sound and the Isle of Man.-1827-1828......................454 Light-State of the Church-Life of Cowper-Difficulty of leaving Home-Is subpoenaed to a Trial at Lancaster. CHAPTER XXXII. -1834-1836....................................520 Personal Appearance-Habits of Daily Life-Excursions -His House and Library-Eleemon-Growth of his CHAPTER XXXVII. Opinions-The Catholic Question-Controversy with Journey in the West of England-The Life of Cowper Mr. Shannon-Ballads from Romish Legends-Renew- -Literary Advice to a Lady-His Son's Prospectsed Health and Powers-Mr. Wordsworth-Verbeyst, New Edition of his Poems-Prospects of the Country CONTENTS. xv -Lamb's Letters-The Doctor-Failure of the Publish- -Return Home-Great Storm-Savonarola-Chatter. ers of the Life of Cowper-Thanks to Dr. S. Macken- ton-Marriage with Miss Bowles-Failure of Mindzie for reviewing the new Edition of his Poems- His Death.-1837-1843............... Page 552 Certainty of a Future State-Death of his Wife.-18361837.......................... Page 542 APPENDIX. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Extract from Mr. Wm. Smith's Speech in the House of lMelancholy Thoughts- Intended Movements- Reflec- Commons, March 4, 1817........................ 565 tions on his Wife's Death-Letter from Mr. Bedford- A Letter to Wm. Smith, Esq., M.P., from Robert Southey, The Copy-right Bill-Review in-the Examiner-His Esq.............................................565 Wife continually brought to Mind-Weak State of his Two Letters concerning Lord Byron, published in SouthHealth and Spirits-Miss Edgeworth-Invitation to C. ey's Essays, 2 vols., Murray, 1832.............570 Swain-Letter to his Son on commencing a College The Gridiron-a Pindaric Ode...................575 Life-State of his Health and Spirits-Literary Occupa- List of Publications................................576 tions-Froude's Remains-The Doctor-Tour in France Letter from Prince Polignac to R. Southey..........578 The editor is requested to correct a misstatement in the Autobiography, p. 38. It is there said hat "Mr. Dolignon, in some delirium, died by his own hand." This is an error; Mr. Dolignon laving died of paralysis in the prime of life, "in the full enjoyment of domestic happiness and worldly prosperity." THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EARLY LIFE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, W'RITTEN BY HIMSELF, IN A SERIES OF LETTERS TO HIS FRIEND, MIR JOHN MIAY. L E~TTEPR j~ she was of the same family as the philosopher (so called) of that name, who is still held in T1s ANCESTORS —THE CANNON SOUTHEYS-HIS more estimation than he deserves. She must FATIHEI S7ENT TO LONDON-REsIOVEDt TO BRIS- have been his niece, or the daughter of his first TOL.. cousin. The register at Wellington goes back KeswickL,'Wernesday evening, July 26th, 1820. only to the year 1683. But I have heard that MY DEAf. FRIEN-D JOHN MAY, Robert's grandfather, that is, my great, great, SOME old divine has said that hell is paved great grandfather (my children's tritavus), was. with good resolutions. If Beelzebub has a a great clothier at Wellington, and had eleven tesselated pavement of this kind in one of his sons, who peopled that part of the country with state-rooms, I fear I shall be found to have con- Southeys. In Robert's days there were no fewer tributed largely to its unsubstantial materials. than seven married men of the name in the same But that I lmay save one good resolution at least parish. Robert himself was the younger of two fiom beiing troden under hoof by him and his sons, and John, his elder brother, was the head imps, here I begin the performance, hoping, of the family. They must have been of gentle rather than promising, even to myself, that I blood (thouglh so obscure that I have never by may find leisure and courage to pursue it to the any accident met with the name in a book), for end-courage, I mean, to live again in remem- they bore arms in an age when armorial bearbrance with the dead, so much as I must needs ings were not assumed by those who had no do in retracing the course of my life. There are right to them. The arms are a chevron argent, certain savages among whom the name of a de- and three cross crosslets, argent, in a field sable, ceased person is never mentioned; some super- I should like to believe that one of my ancestors stition may have attached to this custom, but had served in the crusades, or made a pilgrimthat the feeling in which it originates is natural age to Jerusalem. I know both by experience and observation. My One of them has left the reputation of having children never speak of their brother Herbert, been a great soldier; in the Great Rebellion I and I never utter his name except in my pray- guess it must have been, but I neither know his ers, unless some special cause acts upon me like name, nor on what side he fought. Another a moral obligation. (and this must have been the Robert with whom I begin in the cloudy evening of a showery, my certain knowledge begins) was, as the phrase louring, ungenial day: no desirable omen for is, out in Monmouth's insurrection. If he had one who is about to record the recollections of come before Judge Jeffries in consequence, Nash six-and-forty years, but a most inappropriate one wvould never have painted the happy but too in my case, for I have lived in the sunshine, and handsome likeness of your god-daughter, which am still looking forward with hope. I have risen from my work ten times this day to I can not trace my family further back by the look at in its progress, nor wiould you have reChurch registers than Oct. 25, 1696, on which ceived the intended series of these biographical flay my grandfatller Thomas, the son of Robert letters. The entail of my mortal existence was Southey, and Ann, his wife, was baptized at in no small risk of being cut off by the execuWellington, in Somersetshire. The said Robert tioner. My father had the sword which wa. Soathey had seven other children, none of whom drawn (not bloodied, I hope) in this unlucky left issue. In the subsequent entries of their quarrel, but it was lost in the wmreck of his aft birth (for Thomas was the eldest) he is desig- fairs. nated sometimes as yeoman, sometimes as farm- John, the elder brother of this bold reformer or. i-His wife'.s imaiden niame was Locke. and and successful runaway, settled as a lawyer iw ~ 18 EARLY LIFE OF Taunton, and held the office of registrar for the forty-five; probably he could not have maintainarchdeaconry. Hle married the heiress, of the ed a family before he was settled upon his unCannon family, and upon the death of her father cle's farm. His wife's name was Joan Mullens. fixed his residence at the manor-house of Fitz- They had three sons, John, Robert (who was head, in Somersetshire, which was her property. my father), and Thomas, and two daughters, By this marriage he had one son and two daugh- Hannah and Mary, all born at Halford. The ters. John Cannon Southey, the son, practiced boys received what in those days was thought a the law; one daughter married the last of the good education. The elder, being designed for Periam family, and survived him: the other mar- the law (in which his name and family conneeried one of the Lethbridges, and had only one tions would assist him), learned a little Latin; child, a daughter. That daughter married Hugh he lived more with Cannon Southey than with Somerville, then a colonel in the army, and broth- his parents, both in his boyhood and youth, as er to James Lord Somerville; she died in child- his sister Mary did with Madam Periam or bed of John Southey Somerville, her only issue. Madam Lethbridge (this was in the time when My grandfather settled at Holford Farm, an that title was in common use in the West of Enr estate belonging to his uncle John, in the parish gland), being always with one or the other as of Lydiard St. Laurence, about ten miles north long as they lived. But Cannon Southey's house of Taunton, under the Quantock Hills. This was a bad school for him. He was looked upon removal was made when John obtained posses- as the probable heir of the family after the birth sion of his wife's property; the first use he made of young Somerville, who was always a weakly of it, therefore, seems to have been to befriend child. The two younger brothers were qualified his nephew. And I have discovered another for trade. My father had preserved his ciphergood indication concerning him: his name ap- ing-book, and I would have preserved it too, as pears among the subscribers to Walker's Suffer- carefully as any of my own manuscripts, if it ings of the Clergy, a presumption, at least, that had not been lost at the household wreck at his he had some regard for books, and a right way bankruptcy. If you will look in that little treatof thinking. He was very much respected and ise of mine upon the " Origin, Nature, and Obbeloved. My grandfather regarded him with ject of the New System of Education," you will the greatest reverence, as one from whose judg- find a passage at p. 85, 86, written in rememment there could be no appeal; what his uncle brance of this ciphering-book, and of the effects said or thought was always sufficient authority which it produced upon me in early boyhood. with him. Lydiard St. Laurence is a very re- When my uncle John was about to begin busitired hamlet, containing only three farm-houses, ness as an attorney in Taunton, Cannon Southey, and having no other habitations within two miles who was then the head of the family, lent him of it. My grandfather brought his grandmother c100 to start with. " That hundred pounds," there, and there she died at the great age of he used to say, with a sort of surly pride, " I 102. A maiden sister lived with him. She had repaid, with interest, in six months, and that is a small estate held upon three lives; two of the only favor for which I was ever obliged to my them fell, and the third, a worthless profligate, relations." Cannon Southey, however, though Contrived from that time almost to support him- not very liberal to his kin, had a just regard to self upon it. Knowing that my poor aunt Han- their legal rights, and left his property in trust nah was now dependent upon his life; he would for his great nephew, John Southey Sonmerville,,never strike a stroke of work more. When his and his issue, with the intention that if he, who -debts became troublesome, away went his wife was then a child, should die without issue, the to the poor old woman with a tale about writs, estates should descend to the Southeys; and, bailiffs, the jail, and jail fever; and in this man- that the whole property might go together, he ner was she continually fleeced and kept in con- willed his leasehold estates (which would else tinual fear, till the rascal died at last of close at- have been divided among' the next of kin) in retention at the ale-house. This story is worthy mainder, upon the same contingency, to my unof insertion in an account of English tenures. cle John and his two brothers, and to the sons The removal from Wellington to a lonely ham- of each in succession, as the former branch;let seems to have brought my grandfather with- migyht fail. in the pale of the Established Church, for he had Robert, my father, was passionately fond of been bred up as a Dissenter. (The old sword, the country and of country sports. The fields therefore, was probably pursuing its old courses should have been his station instead of the shop. when it went into the field in rebellion.) Aunt He was placed with a kinsman in London, who, Hannah, however, though an inoffensive, kind- I believe, was a grocer somewhere in the city hearted woman in other respects, retained so -one of the eleven tribes that went out from much of the essential acid of Puritanism in her Wellington. I have heard him say, that as he composition, that she frequently chastised her w as one day standing at this person's door, a niece 1Mary for going into the fields with her porter went by carrying a hare, and this brought playmates on a Sunday: she and her brothers and his favorite sport so forcibly to mind that he sisters, she said, had never been suffered to go could not help crying at the sight. This anecout uf the house on the Sabbath, except to meet- dote in Wordsworth's hands would be worth as ings. much as the Reverie of poor Susan. Before my My grandfather did not marry till he was father had been twelve months in London, his ROBERT SOUTHEY. 19 master died; upon which he was removed to ding day he sung a song after dinner, which Bristol, and placed with William Britton, a lin- could not be thought very complimentary to his en-draper in Wine Street. The business at that bride; for, though it began by saying, time was a profitable one, and Britton's the best Ye gods, who gave to me a wife shop of its kind in the town, which is as much Out of your grace and favor, as saying that there was not a better in the West To be the comfort of my llfe, I_-' v -. _,.,,., And I was glad to have her" of England. This must have been about the end of George the Second's reign. Shop-win- (thus mu6h I remember of the rhymes), it ended dows were then as little used in this country as with saying that, whenever they might think fit, they are now in most of the continental towns. he was ready to resign her. It happened, howI remember Britton's shop still open to the ever, that the resignation was to be on the wife's weather long after all the neighbors had glazed part. He died in the prime of life, leaving four theirs; and I remember him, from being the children, Elizabeth, John, William, and Edward; first tradesman in his line, fallen to decay in his and his widow, after no very long interval, marold age, and sunk in sottishness, still keeping on ried Edward Hill, of Bedminster, in the county a business which had dwindled almost to noth- of Somersetshire, near Bristol, and was transing. My father, I think, was not apprenticed planted with her children to that place. to him, because, if he had served a regular ap- Edward Hill was the seventh in succession prenticeship, it would have entitled him to the of that name. His fathers had lived and died freedom of the city, and I know that he was not respectably and contentedly upon their own lands a freeman: he lived with him, however, twelve in the beautiful vale of Ashton, the place of all or fourteen years. Among the acquaintance others which I remember with most feeling. with whom he became intimate during that You see it from Clifton, on the other side of the time was my half uncle, Edward Tyler, then em- River Avon; Warton has well characterized it ployed in a Coventry warehouse, in Broad Street, in one of his odes as Ashton's elmy vale. The belonging to the Troughtons. This introduced Hills are called gentlemen upon their tombhim to my grandmother's house. stones in Ashton church-yard, where my father, two of my brothers, my three sisters, and my _ — 1-"- poor dear cousin Margaret, are deposited with them. Edward Hill, the seventh, was a lawyer LETTER II. and a widower; he had two children by his first marriage, a son, Edward, the eighth, and a THE HILLS-THE BRADFORDS —ILLIAMI TYLER daughter, old enough, I believe, at the time of -ANECDOTE OF HIIIM-HIS GRAN:DFiAT'IERS his second marriage, for the daughter to be DEATH. married, and the son very soon to hold a comTuesday, August 1st, 1820. mission in the marines. He was a fine, handMRS. HILL, my grandmother, was, at the some man, of considerable talents, and of a contime of which I am now writing, a widow; her vivial temper. I have heard him spoken of maiden name was Bradford. I know nothing with admiration by persons who were intimate more of her father than that he was a Hereford- with him in their youth. He could make verses, shire man, and must have been of respectable too, after the fashion of that age. I have someproperty and connections, as appears by his hav- where a poem of his. in his own writing, which ing married into one of the best families in the came to my mother after her mother's death, county, and sending a son to college. His wife's and, in like manner, descended into my possesname was Mrs. Margaret Croft. I have it writ- sion: it is not, therefore, without a mournful ten in gold letters, with the date 1704, in a feeling that I recall to mind the time when it copy of Nelson's Festivals and Fasts, which de- was first shown to me, and the amusement which scended as a favorite devotional book to my it then afforded me. It was a love poem, admother. They had three children: Herbert, so dressed to my grandmother during the days of named after the Croft family; another son (Will- courtship: it intimated some jealousy of a rival, iam, I think, by name), who was deaf and dumb, who was called Strephon, and there was a note and just lived to grow up; and my grandmother at the bottom of the page upon this name, exMargaret. plaining that it meant "the young justice." My grandmother was very handsome: little William Tyler, the second brother, was a reGeorgiana Hill, my uncle says, reminds him markable person. Owing to some defect in his strongly of her; and I remember her enough to faculties, so anomalous in its kind that I never recognize a likeness in the shape of the face, heard of a similar case, he could never be taught and in the large, full, clear, bright brown eyes. to read; the letters lie could tell separately, but Her first husband, Mr. Tyler, was of a good was utterly incapable of combining them, and family in Herefordshire, nearly related I kno.tw taking in their meaning by the eye. He could he was, and nephew I think. to one of that name write, and copy in a fair hand any thing that who was Bishop of Hereford. He lived at Pem- was set before him, whether in writing or in bridge. The seat of the family was at Dilwyn, print; but it was done letter by letter, without where his elder brother lived, who either was understanding a single word. As to self-govnot married or left no issue. I have hardly eminent, he was entirely incompetent, so much heard any thing of him, except that on his wed- so that I think he could hardly be considered 20 EARLY LIFE OF responsible as a moral being for his actions; yet the brim of his hat, from whence the Squire on, he had an excellent memory, an observing eye, this occasion stole the veteran quid, and substiand a sort of half-saved shrewdness, which would tuted in its place a dead mouse just taken from have qualified him, had he been born two cen- the trap. Presently the sleeper, half wakening turies earlier, to have worn motley, and figured without unclosing his eyes, and half stupefied, with a cap and bells and a bawble in some bar- put up his hand, and taking the mouse with a on's hall. Never did I meet with any man so finger and thumb, in which the discriminating stored with old saws and anecdotes gathered up sense of touch had been blunted by coarse work in the narrow sphere wherein he moved. I still and unclean habits, opened his mouth to receive remember many of them, though he has been it, and, with a slow, sleepy tongue, endeavored dead more than thirty years. The motto to to accommodate it to its usual station between Kehama,* as the Greek reference, when the the double teeth and the cheek. Happening to abbreviations are rightly understood, may show, put it in headforemost, the hind legs and the tail is one of my uncle William's sayings. When hung out, and a minute or more was spent in it was found impossible to make any thing of vain endeavors to lick these appendages in, behim by education, he was left to himself, and fore he perceived, in the substance: consistence, passed more time in the kitchen than in the and taste. something altogether unlike tobacco. parlor, because he stood in fear of his step-father. Roused at the same time by a laugh which could There he learned to chew tobacco and to drink. no longer be suppressed, and discovering the Strange creature as he was, I think of him trick which had' been played, he started up in a very often, often speak of him, quote some of his furious rage, and, seizing the poker, would have odd, apt sayings, and have that sort of feeling demolished the Squire for this practical jest, if he for his memory that he is one of the persons had not provided a retreat by having the doors whom I should wish to meet in the world to open, and taking shelter where Thomas could come. not, or dared not follow him. The man of whom he learned the use, or, Enough of uncle William for the present. rather, the abuse of tobacco, was a sottish serv- Edward, the remaining brother of the Tyler side, ant, as ignorant as a savage of every thing was a youth who, if he had been properly brought which he ought to have known-that is to say, up, and brought forward in a manner suitable to of every thing which ought to have been taught his birth and connections, might have made a. him. My mother, when a very little girl, re- figure in life. and have done honor to himself andi proved him once for swearing. "For shame, his family. IHe had a fine person, a good unThomas," she said; "you should not say such derstanding, and a sweet temper, which made naughty words! for shame! say your prayers, him too easily contented with any situation and Thomas!" "No, missey!" said the poor wretch, any company into which he was thrown. My 4"I sha'n't; I sha'n't say my prayers. I never grandfather has much to answer for on his acsaid my prayers in all my life, missey; and I count. Except sending him to a common daysha'n't begin now." My uncle William (the school, kept by a very uncommon sort of man Squire he was called in the family) provoked (of whom more hereafter), he left him to him. him dangerously once. He was dozing beside self, and let him grow and run to seed in idlethe fire with his hat on, which, as is still the ness. custom among the peasantry (here in Cumber- My grandfather would have acquired considerland, at least), he always wore in the house. able property if he had not been cut off by an You, perhaps, are not enough acquainted with acute disorder. He had undertaken to recover the mode of chewing tobacco to know that in some disputed rights for the church of which he vulgar life a quid commonly goes through two was a parishioner, at his own risk and expense, editions; and that, after it has been done with, on condition of receiving the additional tithes it is taken out of the mouth, and reserved for a which might be eventually recovered during a second regale. My uncle William, who had certain number of years, or of being remunerated learned the whole process from Thomas, and out of them in proportion to the cost, and hazard, always faithfully observed it, used to call it, in and trouble of the adventure. The points were its intermediate state, an old soldier. A sailor obstinately contested; but he carried them all, deposits, or, if there be such a word (and if there and died almost immediately afterward, in the is not, there ought to be), re-posits it in his to- year 1765, aged sixty. bacco-box. I have heard my brother Tom say that this practice occasioned a great dislike in the navy to the one and two pound notes; for LETTER III. when the men were paid in paper, the tobaccobox served them for purse or pocket-book in lack RECOLLECTIONS OF TIE HILLS-PASON COLLINS. of any thing better, and notes were often render- Nov. 16th, 1820. ed illegible by the deep stain of a wet quid. MY grandmother's jointure from her first husThomas's place for an old soldier between two band was X200 a year, which was probably campaigns, while he was napping and enjoying equivalent to thrice that sum in these days. the narcotic effects of the first mastication, was The Tylers had from their father c600 each. Miss Tvler lived with her uncle Bradford, of? I have heard my father say that this proverb was ren- Miss Tler lived with her uncle Bradford, of dered into Greek by Mr. Coleridge. —;. whom and of her I shll s,-ari hereafter. I. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 21 must now speak of the Hills. My uncle (it is objection to your putting up a second-hand one so habitual to me to speak and write of him, and in its place." This anecdote I heard full fiveof him only by that name, KaT' 6e5oyxv, that I and-thirty years ago from one of my schoolmaswill not constrain myself to use any further des- ters, who had been a rival of Collins, and was ignation)-my uncle, and his brother Joseph, satirizedby him in the Miscellanies. His school and Edward Tyler, went by day to a school in failed him, not because he was deficient in learnthe village kept by one of the strangest fellows ing, of which he seems to have had a full share that ever wore a cassock or took up the trade of for his station, but because of his gross and scantuition. His name was Collins. He was clever dalous misconduct. He afterward kept someand profligate, and eked out his ways and means thing so like an ale-house that he got into a by authorship-scribbling for inclination, and scrape with his superiors. publishing for gain. One of his works I recol- One of his daughters kept a village shop at lect among my uncle's books in Miss Tyler's Chew Magna, in Somersetshire, and dealt with possession; its title is " Hell's Gates open;" but, my father for such things as were in his way. not having looked into it since I was a mere boy, She used to dine with us whenever she came to I only know that it is satirical, as the name may Bristol, and was always a welcome guest for her seem to import. I sent for another of his publi- blunt, honest manners, and her comical oddity. cations some years ago from a catalogue, not as Her face was broad and coarse, like a Tartar's, any thing of value, but because he had been my but with quick dark eyes and a fierce expression. uncle's first schoolmaster, and I knew who and She was one of those persons who could say what he was. It is to be wished that every per- quidlibet cuilibet de quolibet. son who knew me would think that a good rea- I perceive that I should make an excellent son for buying my works: I should be very much correspondent for Mr. Urban, and begin to susobliged to them. It is a little book in the un- pect that I have mistaken my talent, and been usual form of a foolscap quarto, and because it writing histories and poems when I ought to have contains one fact which is really curious as mat- been following the rich veins of gossip and garter of history, I give its titled at the bottom of rulity. All this, however, is not foreign to my the page. This publication is in no respect cred- purpose for I wish not only to begin ab ovo, but itable to its author, and, on the score of decency, to describe every thing relating to the nest; and highly discreditable to him. But the fact, which he who paints a bird's nest ought not to repreis well worth the two shillings I gave for the sent it nakedly per se, but in situ, in its place, book (though but a halfpenny fact), is, that, as and with as many of its natural accompaniments late as the end of George the Second's reign, or as the canvas will admit. It is not manners and the beginning of George the Third's, there were fashions alone that change and are perpetually persons in Bristol who, from political scruples changing with us. The very constitution of soof conscience, refused to take King William's ciety is unstable; it may, and in all probability halfpence, and these persons were so numerous will, undergo as great alterations, in the course that the magistrates thought it necessary to in- of the next two or three centuries, as it has unterfere, because of the inconvenience which they dergone in the last. The transitions are likely occasioned in the common dealings of trade and to be more violent and far more rapid. At no of the markets. William's copper money was very distant time, these letters, if they escape then in common currency, and, indeed, I myself the earthquake and the volcano, may derive no remember it, having, between the years 1786 small part of their interest and value from the and 1790, laid by some half dozen of his half- faithful sketches which they contain of a stage pence with the single or double head, among the of society which has already passed away, and foreign pieces and others of rare occurrence of a state of things which shall then have ceased which came within my re'ach. to exist. Devoid as his Miscellanies are of any merit, Parson Collins, as he was called (not in honor of —the cloth), had some humor. In repairing the public road, the laborers came so near his garden LETTER IV. wall that they injured the foundations, and down it fell. He complained to the way-wardens, and HS OTiI D CILD - demanded reparation, which they would have SARRIAGE-HIS OWN BIRTI. evaded if they could, telling him it was but an M mother was born in 1752. She was a reold wall, and in a state of decay. " Gentlemen," markably beautiful infant, till, when she was behe replied, " old as the wall was, it served my tween one and two years old, an abominable purpose; but, however, I have not the smallest nurse-maid carried her, of all places in the world, to Newgate (as was afterward discovered). and * Miscellanies in Prose and Verse; consisting of Essays, there she too the sall-pox in its most maligAbstracts, Original Poems, Letters, Tales,'Translations, Panegyrics, Epigrams, and Epitaphs. nant form. It seemed almost miraculous that u Sunt bona, sunt qundam mediocria, sunt mala plura; she escaped with life and eyesight, so dreadfully Qua legis hic aliter non fit, abite, liber."-MARTIAL. severe was the disease; but her eyebrows were "Things good, things bad, things middling when you look, almost destroyed, and the whole face seamed You'll find to constitute, my friends, this book.". i?ly Emanuel Collins, A.B., late of Wadham College, Ox- s ibrd. Bristol: printed by E. Farley, in Small Street. 1762. had a paralytic affection, which deadened one 22 EARLY LIFE OF side from the hip downward, and crippled her like circumstances. But Mrs. -- might, with for about twelve months. Some person advised more propriety, have been a blacksmith's wife, that she should be placed out of doors in the as, in that case, Vulcan might have served for a sunshine as much as possible; and one day, when type of her husband in his fate, but not in the she had been carried out as usual into the fore- complacency with which he submitted to it, court, in her little arm-chair, and left there to horns sitting as easily on his head as upon the see her brothers at play, she rose from her seat, beasts which he slaughtered. She was a handto the astonishment of the family, and walked some woman, and her children were, like the into the house. The recovery from that time Harleian Miscellany, by different authors. This was complete. The fact is worthy of notice, was notorious; yet her school flourished notbecause some persons may derive hope from it withstanding, and she retired from it at last with in similar cases, and because it is by no means a competent fortune, and was visited as long as improbable that the sunshine really effected the she lived by her former pupils. This may serve cure. The manner by which I should explain to show a great improvement in the morals of this would lead to a theory somewhat akin to middle life. that of Bishop Berkeley upon the virtues of tar Two things concerning my mother's chnlcood water. and youth may be worthy of mention. One is, There are two portraits of my mother, both that she had for a fellow-scholar at the dancingtaken by Robert Hancock in 1798. My brother school Mary Darby (I think her name was), then Tom has the one; the other hangs opposite me, in her beauty and innocence, soon afterward nowhere I am now'seated in my usual position at torious as the Prince of Wales's Perdita, and to my desk. Neither of these would convey to a be remembered hereafter, though a poor poetstranger a just idea of her countenance. That ess, as having, perhaps, a finer feeling of meter, in my possession is very much the best: it rep- and more command of it, than any of her coresents her as she then was, with features care- temporaries. The other is, that my mother, worn and fallen away, and with an air of mel- who had a good ear for music, was taught by ancholy which was not natural to her; for never her father to whistle; and he succeeded in makwas any human being blessed with a sweeter ing her such a proficient in this unusual accomtemper or a happier disposition. She had an plishment, that it was his delight to place her excellent understanding, and a readiness of ap- upon his knee, and make her entertain his visitprehension which I have rarely known surpass- ors with a display. This art she never lost, and ed. In quickness of capacity, in the kindness she could whistle a song tune as sweetly as a of her nature, and in that kind of moral magnet- skillful player could have performed it upon the ism which wins the affections of all within its flute. sphere, I never knew her equal. To strangers My grandmother continued to live in the house she must probably have appeared much disfigured at Bedminster which her husband had built, and by the small-pox. I, of course, could not be which, after his death, had been purchased by sensible'of this. Her complexion was very good, Edward Tyler. It was about an hour's walk, and nothing could be more expressive than her ev;v' (lv6dpi, from Bristol; and my father, havfine, clear hazel eyes. ing been introduced there, became, in progress Female education was not much regarded in of time, a regular Sabbath guest. How long he her childhood. The ladies who kept boarding- had been acquainted with the family before he schools in those days did not consider it neces- thought of connecting himself with it, I do not sary to possess any other knowledge themselves know; but in the year 1772, being the 27th of his than that of ornamental needle-work. Two sis- own age, and the 20th of my motheris, they were ters, who had been mistresses of the most fash- married at Bedminster Church. He had previionable school in Herefordshire fifty years ago, ously left Britton's service, and opened a shop used to say, when they spoke of a former pupil, for himself, in the same business and in the same " Her went to school to we.'" and the mistress street, three doors above. Cannon Southey had of which, some ten years later, was thought the left him X 100; my mother had a legacy of best school near Bristol (where Mrs. Siddons c50 from her uncle Bradford; my father formed sent her daughter), spoke, to my perfect recol- a partnership with his younger brother Thomas, lection, much such English as this. MIv mother, who had such another bequest as his from the I believe, never went to any but a dancing- same quarter; perhaps, also, he might have saved school, and her state was the more gracious. something during his years of service, and the But her half sister, Miss Tyler, was placed at business may have begun with a capital of c~500; one in the neighborhood under a Mrs. --, I should think not more. Shop signs wer whom I mention because her history is charac- j general in those days; but the custom of susteristic of those times. Her husband carried on pending them over the street, as is still done ar the agreeable business of a butcher in Bristol, inns in the country, was falling into disuse. My while she managed a school for young ladies father, true to his boyish feelings, and his pa-s about a mile out of the town. His business sion for field sports (which continued unabated, would not necessarily have disqualified her for I notwithstanding the uncongenial way of life in this occupation (though it would be no reeomn- which his lot had fallen), took a hare for his demendation), Kirke White's mother, a truly ad- vice. It was painted on a pane in the window mirable woman, being in this respect just under on each side of the door, and was engraved on ETAT. 2-6. ROBERT SOUTEIEY. 23 his shop-bills. This became interesting when he However, though I did not, like him, know told me of his shedding tears at the sight of the the midwife at the time when she had most to hare in the porter's hand in London; and I often do with me, I knew her afterward, for she think of having one cut upon a seal, in remem- brought all my brothers and sisters into the brance of him and of the old shop. Bryan the world. She was the wife of a superannuated Prophet told me, in the days of Richard Broth- Baptist preacher, who, as was formerly common ers, that I was of the tribe of Judah —a sort of for Baptist preachers to do, kept a shop, dealing nobility which those prophets had the privilege in medicines and quackery among other things. of discovering without any assistance from the Preachers of this grade have now nearly or enHerald's Office. Had he derived me from Esau tirely disappeared; and even the Methodists instead of Jacob, my father's instincts might will not allow their ministers to engage in any have induced me to lend a less incredulous ear. kind of trade.. I mention this family, therefore, The first child of this marriage was born as belonging to. a class which is now extinct. August 1, 1773, and christened John Cannon. They were stiffOliverians in their politics. The He lived only to be nine or ten months old. He husband was always at his studies, which probwas singularly beautiful; so much so, that, when ably lay in old Puritanical divinity; he was'I made my appearance on the 12th of August, chiefly supported by his wife's professional la1774,* I was sadly disparaged by comparison bors, and I well remember hearing him spoken with him. My mother, asking if it was a boy, of as a miserable, morose tyrant. The only son was answered by her nurse in a tone as little of this poor woman lost his life by a singularly favorable to me as the opinion was flattering. dismal accident, when he was grown up and doAy, a great ugly boy!' and she added when ing well in the world. Hastening one day to she told me this, " God forgive me! when I saw see his mother, upon the alarm of a sudden and what' a great red creature it was. covered with dangerous illness which had seized her, he came rolls of fat, I thought I should never be able to to the draw-bridge on St. Augustine's Back just love him." as they were beginning to raise it for the passage of a vessel. In his eagerness he attempted _ —-*^s~~ —*-to spring across, but, not calculating upon the rise, he fell in, and the vessel passed over him. LETTER V. inevitably, before any attempts to save him could be made. I used to cross the bridge almost FIRST GOING TO SCHOOL —BIRTIH OF BROTIHERS. n every day for many years of my life; and the AND SISTERS -MISS TYLER. knowledge of his fate warned me from incurring March 20th, 1821. the same danger, which otherwise, in all likeliTHE popular saint of the democratic cantons hood, active as I then was, and'always impain Switzerland, St. Nicolas de Hue (to whom I tient of loss of time, I should very often have paid my respects in his own church at Saxeln), done. remembered his own birth, knew his mother It was my lot to be consigned to a fosterand the midwife as soon as he was born, and mother, a girl, or, rather, a young woman, who never forgot the way by which he was taken to had been from childhood employed by my grandbe christened, nor the faces of the persons who mother, first in the garden, then in household were present at that ceremony. But he was affairs;'a poor, thoughtless, simple creature, an extraordinary child, who, though he neither who, however, proved a most affectionate nurse danced, nor sung, nor preached before he was to me. The first day that I was taken to school born (all which certain other saints are said to she was almost heart-broken at the scene behave done), had revelations in that state, and saw tween me and the schoolmistress- a scene the light of heaven before he came into the light which no doubt appeared to me of the most of day. It has pleased the metaphysico-critico- tragical kind. Having ushered me into the politico- patriotico - phoolo - philosopher Jeremy room and delivered me into custody, she made a Bentham to designate me, in one of his opaque hasty retreat, but stood without the door, lookworks, by the appellation of St. Southey, for ing through a curtained window which gave which I humbly thank his Jeremy Benthamship, light into the passage, and listening to what enand have in part requited him. It would be very sued. It was a place where I was sent to be convenient if I had the same claim to this honor, out of the way for a few hours morning and on the score of miraculous memory, as the afore- evening, for I was hardly older than Cuthbert is said Nicolas; but the twilight of my recollec- at this time, and, though quite capable of learntions does not begin till the third year of my age.t ing the alphabet, far too young to be put to it as a task, or made to comprehend the fitness of MIy birth-day was Friday, the 12th of August, 1774; the time of my birth, half past eight in the morning, according to the family Bible. According to my astrolog- gle's Pig," " The children sliding on the ice all on a sumical friend Gilbert, it was a few minutes. before the half mer's day," and Witherington fighting on his stumps at hour, in consequence of which I am to have a pain in my Chevy Chase. This was at two years old, when my recbowels when I am about thirty, and Jupiter is my deadly ollection begins; prior identity I have none. They tell antagonist; but I may thank the stars for " a gloomy capa- me I used to beg them not to proceed. I know not whethbility of walking through desolation."-Letter to Grosvenor er our feelings are blunted or rendered more acute by acC. Bedford, Esq., Sept. 30, 1797. tion; in either case, these pranks are wrong with chilt My feelings were very acute; they used to amuse dren. I can not now hear a melancholy tale in silence,, themselves by making me cry at sad songs and dismal but I have learned to whistle.-Letter to G. C. Bedford, stories. I remember " Death and the Lady," " Billy Prin- Esq., Sept. 30, 1797. 24 EARLY LIFE OF zE]TAT. 2-6 sitting still for so long a time together on pain their dipping her every morning in a tub of the of the rod. Upon this occasion, when, for the coldest well water. This was done from an old first time in my life, I saw nothing but strange notion of strengthening her: the shock was faces about me, and no one to whom I could dreadful; the poor child's horror of it, every look for kindness or protection, I gave good proof morning, when taken out of bed, still more so. of a sense of physiognomy which -ever misled I can not remember having seen it without horme yet, of honesty in speaking my opinion, and ror; nor do I believe that among all the preposof a temerity in doing it by which my after life terous practices which false theories have prohas often been characterized. Ma'am Powell duced, there was ever a more cruel and perilous had as forbidding a face (I well remember it) as one than this. John, the next child, was born can easily be imagined; and it was remarkable in 1782, and died in infancy. for having no eyelashes, a peculiarity which I MXy recollections of Eliza and Louisa are instantly perceived. When the old woman, more imperfect than they might otherwise have therefore, led me to a seat on the form, I re- been, because during those years I was very belled as manfully as a boy in his third year much from home, being sometimes at school, could do, crying out, " Take me to Pat! I don't and sometimes with Miss Tyler, of whose situalike ye! you've got ugly eyes! take me to Pat, tion and previous history I must now speak, beI say!" Poor Pat went home with the story, cause they had a material influence upon the and cried as bitterly in relating it as I had done course of my life. during the unequal contest, and at the utter dis- Mliss Tyler, who was born in the year 1739? comfiture to which I was fain to submit, when passed the earlier part of her life with her matermight, as it appeared to me, overpowered right. nal uncle at Shobdon, a little village in HerefordMy sister Eliza was born in 1776, and died shire, where he resided upon a curacy. Mr. of the measles in 1779. I remember her as my Bradford had been educated at Trinity College, earliest playmate, by help of some local circum- Oxford, and was in much better circumstances stances, and sometimes fancy that I can call to than country curates in general. He had an mind a faint resemblance of her face. My estate in Radnorshire of respectable value, and brother Thomas came into the world 1777; married the sister of Mr. Greenly, of Titley, in Louisa next, in 1779. This was a beautiful Herefordshire, who, being of so good a family, creature, the admiration of all who beheld her. had probably a good fortune. He appears to My aunt Mary was one day walking with her have possessed some taste for letters, and his lidown Union Street, when Wesley happened to brary was well provided with the professional be coming up, and the old man was so struck literature of that age. Shobdon, though a rewith the little girl's beauty that he stopped and mote place, gave him great opportunities of so.exclaimed, "Oh! sweet creature!" took her by c iety: Lord Bateman resided there, in one of the hand, and gave her a blessing. That which the finest midland situations that England atin affliction we are prone to think a blessing, fords; and a clergyman of companionable taland which, perhaps, in sober reflection, may be ents and manners was always a welcome guest justly thought so, befell her soon afterward-an at his table. Miss Tyler also became a favorite early removal to a better world. She died of with Lady Bateman, and spent a great deal of hydrocephalus, a disease to which the most time with her, enough to acquire the manners promising children are the most liable. Happi- of high life, and too many of its habits and noly neither her parents nor her grandmother ever tion s. Mrs. Bradford died a few years before suspected, what is exceedingly probable, that in her husband; not, however, till he was too far her case the disease may have been induced by' advanced in life, or too confirmed in celibate * Here I was at intervals till my sixth year, andormed habits to think of marying again. By that a delectable plan with two schoolmates for going to an time he had become a victim to the gout. An island and living by ourselves. We were to have one odd accident happened to him during one of his mountain of gingerbread and another of candy.... 1 had a great desire to be a soldier: Colonel Johnson once gave severe fits, at a time when no persuasions could me his sword; I took it to bed, and went to steel) in a have induced him to put his feet to the ground state of most complete happiness: in the morning it was gone. Once I sat upon the grass in what we call a brown or to believe lt possible that he could walk. He study; at last, out it came, with the utmost earnestness,! was sittin" witl his legs up, in the full costume to my aunt Mary: " Auntee Polly, I should like to have of tht all the weapons of war, the gun, and the sword, and the that respectable halbert, and the pistol, and all the weapons of war." Once the ceiling, being somewhat old, part of it gave I got horsewhipped for taking a walk with a journeyman wai, and down came a fine nest of rats, old and barber who lived opposite, and promised to give me a sword. This took a strange turn when I was about nine o011ung together, plump upon him. He had what years old. I had been reading the historical plays of is called a a antipathy to these creatures, and, Shakspeare, and concluded there must be civil wars in the horror in my owIn time, and resolved to be a very great anrgetn the horror which the like the Earl of Warwick. Now it would be prudent to visitation excited, sprung from his easy chair, rllike partisans; so I told my companions at school that and fairl ran down stairs. my mother was a very good woman, and had taught me -to interpret dreams. They used to come and repeat their Miss Tyler had the management of his house dreams to me, and I was artful enough to refer them all after his wife's death, and she had also in no.to great civil wars, and the appearance of a very great s l dr man who was to appear-meaning nmyself. I had resolved sma deree the manageent of the paish that Tom should be a great man too, and actually dreamed She had influence enough to introduce inoculaonce of going into his tent to wake him the morning be- tion there and I believe great merit in the exefore a battle, so fll was I of these ideas-Letter to G. C.a Bedford, Esq., Sept. 30,1797. ertions which she made on that occasion, and AETAT. 2-6. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 25 the personal attention which she bestowed. It the country when it was built. One of its fronts occurs to my recollection now also while I write, looked into the garden, the other into a lower that she effected a wholesome and curious inno- garden, and over other garden grounds to the vation in the poor-house, by persuading them to river, Bath Wick Fields (which are now covered use beds stuffed with beech-leaves, according to with streets) and Claverton Hill, with a grove a practice in some parts of France which she of firs along its brow, and a sham castle in the had heard or read of. It was Mr. Bradford midst of their long, dark line. I have not a who had placed my uncle Mr. Hill at Oxford, stronger desire to see the Pyramids than I had first at St. Mary's Hall, afterward at Christ to visit that sham castle during the first years Church, where he obtained a studentship, which of my life. There was a sort of rural freshness must have been by means of some Shobdon con- about the place. The dead wall of a dwellingnections. When Mr. Bradford died: which was house (the front of which was in Walcot Street) in the year 1778, he left the whole of his prop- formed one side of the garden inclosure, and was erty to Miss Tyler, except c50 to my mother, covered with fine fruit-trees: the way from the and a small provision, charged upon his estates, garden door to the house was between that long for my poor uncle William, as one utterly inca- house wall and a row of espaliers, behind which pable of providing for himself. was a grass-plat, interspersed with standard trees Finding herself mistress of c1500 in money and flower beds, and having one of those green from Mr. Bradford's effects, besides the estate, rotatory garden seats shaped like a tub, where and her own paternal portion of S600, she be- the contemplative person within may, like Dioggan to live at large, and to frequent watering enes, be as much in the sun as he likes. There places. At one of these (I think it was Wey- was a descent by a few steps to another garden, mouth) she fell in with Armstrong, the physician which was chiefly filled with fragrant herbs, and and poet, a writer deservedly respectable for his with a long bed of lilies of the valley. Groundpoem upon Health, and deservedly infamous for rent had been of little value when the house was another of his productions. He recommended built. The kitchen looked into the garden, and her to try the climate of Lisbon, less for any real opened into it; and near the kitchen door was a or apprehended complaint than because he per- pipe, supplied from one of the fine springs with ceived the advice would be agreeable; and thus, which the country about Bath abounds, and a before you and I were born, did Armstrong pre- little stone cistern beneath. The parlor door also pare the way for our friendship, as well as for opened into the garden; it was bowered with the great literary labors of my life. To Lisbon jessamine, and there I often took my seat upon accordingly she went, taking with her my uncle, the stone steps. who had lately entered into orders, and Mrs. My aunt, who had an unlucky taste for suce (a distant relation, the widow of a de- things, fitted up the house at a much greater e>eayed Bristol merchant) as a sort of ama. Miss pense than she was well able to afford. She Palmer (sister of that Palmer who planned the threw two small rooms into one, and thus made mail coach system), one of her Bath acquaint- a good parlor, and built a drawing-room over ances, joined the party. They remained about the kitchen. The walls of that drawing-room twelve months abroad, where some of your were covered with a plain green paper, the floor friends no doubt remember them, during the with a Turkey carpet: there hung her own porgolden age of the factory, in 1774, the year of trait by Gainsborough, with a curtain to preserve my birth. Miss Tyler was then thirty-four. the frame from flies and the colors from the sun; She was remarkably beautiful, as far as any face and there stood one of the most beautiful pieces can be called beautiful in which the indications of old furniture I ever saw-a cabinet of ivory, of a violent temper are strongly marked. ebony, and tortoise shell, in an ebony frame. It had been left her by a lady of the Spenser family, and was said to have belonged to the great Marlborough. I may mention, as a part of the parlor LETTER VI. furniture, a square screen with a foot-board and DESCRIPTION OF MISS TYLER'S HOUSE AT BATH- a little shelf, because I have always had one of INOCULATION-MISS TYLER'S FRIENDS AND AC- the same fashion myself, for its convenience; a QUAINTANCES. French writing-table, because of its peculiar April 7th, 1821. shape, which was that of a Cajou nut or a kidON her return from Lisbon Miss Tyler took a ney-the writer sat in the concave, and had a house in Bath, and there my earliest recollections drawer on each side; an arm-chair made of fine begin, great part of my earliest childhood having cherry wood, which had been Mr. Bradford's, been passed there. and in which she always sat-mentionable beThe house,was in Walcot parish, in which, cause, if any visitor who was not in her especial five-and-forty years ago, were the skirts of the favor sat therein, the leathern cushion was a!city. It stood alone, in a walled garden, and ways sent into the garden to be aired and purithe entrance was from a lane. The situation fled before she would use it again; a mezzotinto was thought a bad one, because of the approach, print of Pope's Eloisa, in an oval black frame. and because the nearest houses were of a mean because of its supposed likeness to herself; two description; in other respects it was a very de- prints in the same kind of engraving, from piesirable residence. The house had been quite in tures by Angelica Kauffman, one of Hector and 26 R EARLY LIFE OF ]ETAT. 2-6 Andromache, the other of Telemachus at the cines (what it was I know not), and the cup in court of Menelaus; these I notice because they which it was administered. I remember, also, were in frames of Brazilian wood; and the great the doses of bark which followed. -Dr. Schomprint of Pombal, o grande marquez, in a similar berg attended me on both occasions. One of frame, because this was the first portrait of any Schomberg's sons was the midshipman who was illustrious man with which I became familiar. much talked of some forty years ago for having The establishment consisted of an old man-serv- fought Prince William Henry, then one of his ant, and a maid, both from Shobdon. The old shipmates. I think he is the author of a history man used every night to feed the crickets. He of our naval achievements. Alexander, another died at Bath in her service. son, was a fellow of Corpus, and died in 1790 Here my time was chiefly passed from the or 1791, having lost the use of his lower parts age of two till six. I had many indulgences, by a stroke of the palsy. I had the mournful but more privations, and those of an injurious office of going often to sit by him as he lay upon kind; want of playmates, want of exercise, never his back in bed, when he was vainly seeking rebeing allowed to do any thing in which by pos- lief at Bath. Boy as I was, and till then a sibility I might dirt myself; late hours in com- stranger to him. he, who had no friend or relapany, that is to say, late hours for a child, which tion with him, was glad of the relief which even I reckon among the privations (having always my presence afforded to his deplorable solitude. had the healthiest propensity for going to bed Miss Tyler had a numerous acquaintance, betimes); late hours of rising, which were less such as her person and talents (which were of painful, perhaps, but in other iespects worse. no ordinary kind) were likely to attract. The My aunt chose that I should sleep with her, and circle of her Herefordshire acquaintance, extendthis subjected'me to a double evil. She used to ing as far as the sphere of the three music meethave her bed warmed, and during the months ings in the three dioceses of Hereford, Worcester, while this practice was in season, I was'always and Gloucester, she. became intimate with the put into Molly's bed first, for fear of an acci- family of Mr. Raikes, printer and proprietor of dent from the warming-pan, and removed when the Gloucester Journal. One of his sons intromy aunt went to bed, so that I was regularly duced Sunday Schools* into this kingdom; others wakened out of a sound sleep. This, however, became India directors, bank directors, &c., in was not half so bad as being obliged to lie till the career of mercantile prosperity. His daughnine, and not unfrequently till ten in the morn- ter, who was my aunt's friend, married Francis ing, and not daring to make the slightest move- Newberry, of St. Paul's Church-yard, son of that ment which could disturb her during the hours Francis'Newberry who published Goody Twothat I lay awake, and longing to be set free. shoes, Giles Gingerbread, and other such delectThese werej indeed, early and severe lessons of able histories in sixpenny books for children, patience. My poor little wits were upon the splendidly bound in the flowered and gilt Dutch alert at those tedious hours of compulsory idle- paper of former days. As soon as I could read, ness, fancying figures and combinations of form which was very early, Mr. Newberry presented in the curtains, wondering at the motes in the me with a whole set of these books, more than slant sun-beam, and watching the light from the twenty in number: I dare say they were in Miss crevices of the window-shutters, till it served Tyler's possession at her death, and in perfect me, at last, by its progressive motion, to meas- preservation, for she taught me (and I thank her ure the lapse of time. Thoroughly injudicious for it) never to spoil nor injure any thing. This as my education under Miss Tyler. was, no part was a rich present, and may have been more inof it was so irksome as this. strumental than I am aware of in giving me that I was inoculated at Bath at two years old, love of books, and that decided determination to and most certainly believe that I have a distinct literature, as the one thing desirable, which manirecollection of it as an insulated fact, and the fested itself from my childhood, and which no cirprecise place where it was performed. My cumstances in after life ever slackened or abated. mother sometimes fancied that my constitution I can trace with certainty the rise and direcreceived permanent injury from the long pre- tion of my poetical pursuits. They grew out paratory lowering regimen upon which I was of my aunt's intimacy with Miss -. Her kept. Before that time she used to say I had father had acquired a considerable property as always been plump and fat, but afterward be- a wax and tallow-chandler at Bath, and vested came the lean, lank, greyhound-like creature great part of it in a very curious manner for an that I have ever since continued. She came to illiterate tradesman. He had a passion for the Bath to be with me during the eruption. Ex- stage, which he indulged by speculating in thecept the spots upon the arm, I had only one aters; one he built at Birmingham, one at Brispustule; afraid that this might not be enough, tol, and one at Bath. Poor man, he outlived his she gave me a single mouthful of meat at din- reasonable faculties, and was, when I knew him, ner, and, before night, above a hundred made a pitiable spectacle of humari weakness and detheir appearance, with fever enough to frighten theiap ar, wt fv to f en * I know not where or when they were first instituted; her severely. The disease, however, was very but they are noticed in an ordinance of Albert and Isabel, favorable. A year or two afterward I was in the year 1608, as then existing in the Catholic Netherbrouhrlt to the brink of death by a fever, and lands, the magistrates being enjoined to see to their establishment and support in all places where they were not still I remember the taste of one of my medi- yet set on foot. ETAT. 2-6. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 27 cay, hideously ugly, his nose grown out in knobs tenances I ever remember to have seen, only and bulbs, like an under-ground artichoke, his that it had his father's eyes, and a more fearful fingers crooked and knotted with the gout, filthy, light in them. He was a fine, generous, overirascible, helpless as an infant, and feebler than flowing creature; but you could not look at him one in mind. In one respect this was happy for without feeling that some disastrous fate would him. His wife was a kind, plain-mannered, do- befall one so rash, so inconsiderate, and, withal, mestic woman; her clothes caught fire one day, so keenly susceptible. When he was at Camshe ran into the street in flames, and was burned bridge he used to give orders to his gyp by to death. Mrs. Coleridge, who was then a girl blowing a French horn, and he had a tune for of eight or nine years old, and lived in the same every specific command, which the gyp was street, saw her in flames, and remembers how trained to understand, till so noisy and unacafrightfully the dogs barked at the sight. Her demical a practice was forbidden. There he ran husband, though in the house at the time, never wild, and contracted debts in all imaginable knew what had befallen her. He survived her ways, which his father, the most indulgent of famany years, and would frequently say she had thers, again and again discharged. These habits been gone more than a week to Devizes, and it clung to him after he had left college. On the was time for her to come back. After this last occasion, where his conduct had been deeply dreadful event he lived with his two daughters, culpable, and a large sum had been paid for him, iMiss - and Mrs. -- (a widow), in Gallo- Mr. -- did not utter a single reproach, but in way's Buildings, in a house at which I often visit- the most affectionate manner entreated him to ed with my aunt, during fifteen or sixteen years put away all painful thoughts of the past, and of my life, occasionally for weeks together. look upon himself as if he were only now beginSometimes I was taken to see this deplorable ning life. The poor fellow could not bear his old man, whose sight always excited in me a father's kindness, and knowing; perhaps, too mingled feeling of horror and disgust, not to be surely, that he could not trust his resolutions to recalled without some degree of pain. In con- amend his life, he blew out his own brains. sequence of his incapacity, the property of the I had not seen him for several years before Bath and Bristol theaters devolved upon his chil- his death. When we were boys I admired him dren, and was administered by his son, who for his wit, his hilarity, his open, generous ternwas, in truth, a remarkable and rememberable per, and his countenance, which might better be person. called radiant than described by any other epiMr. --- must have been about five-and-thirty thet; but there was something which precluded when I first remember him, a man of great tal- all desire of intimacy. If we had been thrown ents and fine person, with a commanding air and together in youth, there would have been an incountenance, kind in his manners and in his na- tellectual attraction between us; but intellect ture; yet there was an expression in his eyes alone has never been the basis of my friendships, which I felt, before I had ever heard of physi- except in a single instance, and that instance ognomy, or could have understood the meaning proved the sandiness of such a foundation. Yet of the word. It was a wild, unquiet look, a sort we liked each other; and I never think of him of inward emanating light, as if all was not as without a hope, or rather a belief, an inward and it ought to be within. I should pronounce now sure persuasion, that there is more mercy in that it was the eye of one predisposed to insani- store for human frailty than even the most libty; and this I believe to have been the fact, eral creed has authorized us to assert. though the disease manifested itself not in him, The next letter will explain in what way my but in his children. They, indeed, had the dou- acquaintance with this family was the means of ble reason to apprehend such an inheritance, for leading their mother was plainly crazed with hypochon- My favor'd footsteps to the Muses' hill, driacism and fantasticalness. She was a widow Whose arduous paths I have not ceased to tread, From good to better persevering still. and an actress when he married her, and her humors soon made any place more agreeable to him than home. The children were my playmates at those rare times when I had any. The LETTER VII. eldest son was taken from the Charter House because he was literally almost killed there by BATH AND BRISTOL THEATERS-REMOVED TO the devilish cruelty of the boys; they used to ANOTHER DAY SCHOOL-THENCE TO A BOARDlay him before the fire till he was scorched, and ING SCHOOL AT CORSTON-DESCRIPTION OF shut him in a trunk with saw-dust till he had SCHOOL AND SCHOOLMASTER. nearly expired with suffocation. The Charter September 2d, 1821. House at that time was a sort of hell upon earth THE Bath and Bristol theaters were then, and for the under boys. He was of weak under- for many years afterward, what in trade language standing and feeble frame, very like his mother is called one concern. The performers were stain person; he lived, however, to take orders, tioned half the year in one city, half in the other. and I think I have heard that he died insane, as When they played on Mondays, Wednesdays, did one of his sisters, who perfectly resembled and Fridays at Bristol, they went to Bath on the him. Two other sons were at Eton; the elder Saturday in two immense coaches, each as big of the two had one of the most beautiful coun- as a caravan of wild beasts, and returned after 28 EARLY LIFE OF JETAT. 2 -6 the play. When the nights of performance at tie on Claverton Hill, a summer-house on BeechBath were Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, en Cliffs, and the grave of a young maan, whom they played at Bristol on the Monday. Mon- a practiced gambler, by name (I think) Count days and Saturdays were the fashionable nights. Rice, had killed in a duel. The two former obOn Thursdays and Fridays they always played jects were neither of them two miles distant: to thin, and very fiequently to losing houses. but they were up hill, and my aunt rcgarded it The population of London is too large for a folly as an impossibility to walk so far. I did not like this to show itself there. reach them, therefore, till I was old enough to Miss Tyler, through her intimacy with Miss be in some degree master of my own move- had the command of orders for free admis- ments. The tomb of the unfortunate duelist sion. She was exceedinglyfond oftheatrical rep- was at Bath Weston, and we got there once, resentations, and there was no subject of which I which was an extraordinary exertion; but the heard so much from my earliest childhood. It usual extent of our walks into the country (which even brought upon me once a most severe rep- were very rare) was to a cottage in an orchard rehension for innocently applying to the Church about half way to that village. It was always a phrase which, I then learned to my cost, be- a great joy to me when I was sent from home, longed only to the play-house, and saying one though my father's house was in one of the busiSunday, on our return from morning service, est streets in a crowded city. I had more libthat it had been a very full house. When I was erty then, and was under no capricious restrictaken to the theater for the first time, I can per- tions, and I had more walks into the fields, fectly well remember my surprise at not finding though still too few. My mother sometimes, the pit literally a deep hole, into which I had and sometimes my aunt Mary, would walk with often puzzled myself to think how or why any me to Kingsdown, to Brandon Hill, Clifton, or persons could possibly go. You may judge by that bank of the river which is called the Sea this how very young I must have been. I rec- Banks, and we often went to my grandmother's. ollect nothing more of the first visit, except that where I liked best to be, because I had there a the play was the Fathers, a comedy of Field- thorough enjoyment of the country. ing's, which was acted not more than one sea- Miss Tyler, whose ascendency over my mothson, and the farce was Coxheath Camp. This er was always that of an imperious elder sister, recollection, however, by the help of that useful would not suffer me to be breeched till I was book, the Biographia Dramatica, fixes the date six years old, though I was tall of my age. I to 1778, when I was four years old. had a fantastic costume of nankeen for highdays A half sheet of reminiscences, written one- and holidays, trimmed with green fringe: it and-twenty years ago at Lisbon, has recalled to was called a vest and tunic, or a jam. When my recollection this and a few other circumstan- at last I changed my dress, it was for coat, ces, which might otherwise, perhaps, have been waistcoat, and breeches of foresters' green; at quite obliterated. Yet it surprises me to perceive that time there was no intermediate form of aphow many things come to mind which had been parel in use. I was then sent as a day scholar for years and years forgotten! It is said that to a school on the top of St. Michael's or Milo when earth is flung to the surface in digging a Hill, which was then esteemed the best in Briswell, plants will spring up which are not found tol, kept by Mr. Foot,* a dissenting minister of in the surrounding country, seeds having quick- that community who are called General Baptists. ened in light and air which had lain buried dur- in contradistinction to the Particular or Calvining unknown ages-no unapt illustration for the istic Baptists. Like most of his denomination. way in which forgotten things are thus brought he had passed into a sort of low Arianism, if up from the bottom of one's memory. indeed he were not a Socinian. With this, howI was introduced to the theater before it was ever, I had no concern, nor did my parents repossible for me to comprehend the nature of the gard it. To a child, indeed, it could be of no drama, so as to derive any pleasure from it, ex- consequence; but a youth might easily and imcept as a mere show. What was going on upon perceptibly have acquired from it an injurious the stage, as far as I understood it, appeared bias, if his good conduct and disposition had real to me; and I have been told that one night, made him a favorite with him. He was an old when the Critic was represented, and I heard man, and if the school had ever been a good that Sir Walter Raleigh's head was to be cut one, it had woefully deteriorated. I was one of of, I hid mine in Mliss Mary Delamere's lap, the least boys there, I believe the very least, and could not be persuaded to look up till I was and certainly both as willing and as apt to learn assured the dreaded scene was over. It was as any teacher could have desired; yet it was. not long before I acquired a keen relish for the the only school where I was ever treated wi:h stage; but at this time my greatest pleasure severity. Lessons in the grammar, which I did was a walk in the fields, and the pleasure was not comprehend, and yet could have learned heightened beyond measure if we crossed the well enough by rote under gentle discipline and river in the ferry-boat at Walcot or at the South a good-natured teacher, were frightened out of Parade. Short as the passage was, I have not my head, and then I was shut up during play. yet forgotten the delight which it used to give time in a closet at the top of the stairs, where me. There were three points beyond all others He blishe let.hh I.xas desiros. * He reapuisnghe shome a le tters to Bishop Hoadlcy. This which I was desirous of reachirng, the shanm cas- I learn from Gregonne's Sectes Religieuses. lETAT. 6, 7. ROB E RT SOUTHEY. 29 there was just light enough through some bars converted into a play-ground for the boys, the to see my lesson by. Once he caned me cruel- gateways broken, the summer-houses falling to ly-the only time that any master ever laid his ruin, and grass growing in the interstices of the hand upon me-and I am sure he deserved a beat- lozenged pavement of the forecourt. The feating much more than I did. There was a great ures within I do not so distinctly remember, not deal of tyranny in thi school, from the worst of being so well able to understand their symbols which- I was exempted, because I went home in of better days; only I recollect a black oaken the evening; but I stood in great fear of the big stair-case from the hall, and that the schoolboys, and saw much more of the evil side of hu- room was hung with faded tapestry, behind which man nature than I should ever have learned in we used to have our hoards of crabs. the course of domestic education. Here one year of my life was passed with I had not been there more than twelve months little profit and with a good deal of suffering. when the master died. He was succeeded by There could not be a worse school in all reJohn Prior- Estlin, a Socinian minister, with spects. Thomas Flower, the master, was a rewhom in after years, I was well acquainted,, a marlable man, worthy of a better station'in life, good scholar and an excellent man. Had I con- but utterly unfit for that in which he was placed. tinued at the school, he would have grounded His whole delight was in mathematics and asme well, for he was just the kind of man to have tronomy, and he had constructed an orrery upon singled me out and taken pleasure in bestowing so large a scale that it filled a room. What a careful culture where it would not have been misery it must have been for such a man to lost. Unfortunately, my father (I know not for teach a set of stupid boys, year after year, the what reason) thought proper to remove me upon rudiments of arithmetic. And a misery he Mr. Foot's death, and placed me at a school seemed to feel it. When he came into his desk, nine miles from Bristol, in a village called Cors- even there he was thinking of the stars, and ton, about a mile from the Globe at Newton, a looked as if he were out of humor, not from ill well-known public house on the road between nature, but because his calculations were interBath and Bristol. The stage was to drop me rupted. But, for the most part, he left the at that public house, and my father to accom- school to the care of his son Charley, a person pany it on horseback, and consign me to the who was always called by that familiar diminumaster's care. When the time for our depart- tive, and whose consequence you may appreciure drew nigh: I found my mother weeping in ate accordingly. Writing and arithmetic were her chamber; it was:the first time I had ever all they professed to teach; but twice in the seen her shed tears. The room (that wherein week a Frenchman came from Bristol to instruct I was born), with all its furniture, and her posi- in Latin the small number of boys who learned tion and look at that moment, are as distinct in it, of whom I was one. Duplanier was his my memory as if the scene had occurred but name. He returnedto France at the commenceyesterday; and I can call to mind with how ment of the Revolution, and a report obtained strong and painful an effort it was that I sub- credit at Bristol, and got into the newspapers, dued my own emotions. I allude to this in the that, having resumed his proper' name, which Hymn to the Penates as for some reason or other he had thought fit to The first grief I felt, conceal in England, he went into the army, and And the first painful smile that clothed my front became no less a personage than General beWith feelings not-its own. nou, of Egyptian notoriety. For Duplanier's What follows is also from the life:who was aery good-natured man, I am sake, who was a very good-natured man, I am I sat me down beside a stranger's hearh t he story was disproved. And when the lingering hour of rest was come, That sort of ornamental penmanship which First wet with tears my pillow. now, I fear, has wholly gone out of use, was One of my earliest extant poems (the Rebro- taught there. The,father, as well as Charley, spect) describes this school, and a visit which I excelled in it. They could adorn the heading made to it, after it had ceased to be one, in the of a rule in arithmetic in a ciphering-book, or year 1793. You have it, as it was originally the bottom of a page, not merely with common written at that time, in the volume which I pub- flourishing, but with an angel, a serpent, a fish, lished with Robert Lovell, and as corrected for or a pen, formed with an ease and freedom of preservation, in the collection of my Minor Po- hand which was to me a great object of admiems. The house had been the mansion of some ration; but, unluckily, I was too young to acdecayed family, whose history I should like to quire the art. I have seen, in the course of my trace if Collinson's Somersetshire were to fall life, two historical pieces produced in this- manin my way. There were vestiges of former re- ner; worthy of remembrance they are, as notaspectability and comfort about it, which, young ble specimens of whimsical dexterity. One was as I was, impressed me in the same manner that David killing Goliath: it was in a broker's shop such things would do now-walled gardens, at Bristol; and I would have bought it if I could summer-houses, gate-pillars, surmounted with have afforded at that time to expend some ten huge stone balls, a paddock, a large orchard, shillings upon it. The other was a portrait of walnut-trees, yards, out-houses upon an opulent King Joam V. on horseback, in the bishop's scale. I felt how mournful all this was in its palace at Beja. They tafight the beautiful Italfaien' state, whtn the great walled garden was ian, or lady's hand, used in the age of our par 30 EARLY LIFE OF ]TAT. 7, 8. ents; engrossing (which, I suppose, was devised more auspicious circumstances, might have passed to insure distinctness and legibility); and some his life happily for himself, and perhaps honorvarieties of Germantext, worthy for their square, ably as well as usefully for his country. His massy, antique forms to have figured in an anti- attainments and talents were, I have no doubt, quarian's title-page. very considerable in their kind; and I am sure Twice during the twelve months of my stay that his temper and disposition were naturally great interest was excited throughout the corn- good. I never saw so little punishment in any monwealth by a grand spelling match, for which school. There was but one flogging during my poor Flower deserves some credit, if it was a stay there: it was for running away, which was device of his own to save himself trouble and considered the heaviest of all offenses. The examuse the boys. Two of the biggest boys chose hibition was then made as serious as possible; their party, boy by boy alternately, till the whole the instrument was a scourge of packthread inschool was divided between them. They then stead of a rod. But, though punishments in prihunted the dictionary for words unusual enough vate schools were at that time, I believe, always in their orthography to puzzle ill-taught lads; much more severe than in public ones, I do not and having compared lists, that the same word remember that this was remarkable for severity. might not be chosen by both, two words were We stood in awe and respect of him rather than delivered to every boy, and kept by him pro- fear. If there was nothing conciliating or infoundly secret from all on the other side till the dulgent about him, there was no rigor or ill natime of trial. On a day appointed we were ture; but his manner was what you might expect drawn up in battle array, quite as anxious on to find in one who was habitually thoughtful, and the occasion as the members of a cricket club who, when not engaged in abstruse studies, had for the result of a grand match against all En- reason enough for unhappiness, because of his gland. Ambition, that "last infirmity of noble domestic circumstances. His school was declinminds," had its full share in producing this anx- ing. He was about fifty years of age; and haviety; and, to increase the excitement, each per- ing lost his first wife, had married one of his son had wagered a halfpenny upon the event. maids, who took to drinking; the house, thereThe words were given out in due succession on fore, was in disorder; the servants were allowed each side, from the biggest to the least; and for to take their own course, and the boys were every one which was spelled rightly in its prog- sadly neglected. In every thing which relates ress down the enemy's ranks, the enemy scored to personal cleanliness, they were left to the care one; or one was scored on the other side if the of themselves. I had a profusion of curly hair: word ran the gauntlet safely. The party in just before the holidays, it was thought proper which I was engaged lost one of these matches to examine into the state of its population, which and won the other. I remember that my words was found to be prodigiously great; my head, for one of them were Crystallization and Coterie, therefore, was plastered with soap, and in that and that I was one of the most effective persons condition I was sent home, with such sores in in the contest, which might easily be. consequence of long neglect that my mother Charley and his father frequently saved them- wept at seeing them. selves some trouble by putting me to teach big- Our morning ablutions, to the entire saving ger boys than myself. I got on with Latin here of all materials, were performed in a little stream more by assisting others in their lessons than by which ran through the barton, and in its ordimy own, when the master came so seldom. This nary state was hardly more than ankle deep. assistance was not voluntary on my part; it was We had porridge for breakfast in winter, bread a tax levied upon me by the law of the strongest, and milk in summer. My taste was better than a law which prevails as much in schools as it my appetite; the green leeks in this uncleanly did in the cabinets of Louis XIV. and the Em- broth gave me a dislike to that plant, which I peror Napoleon, and does in that of the United retain to this day (St. David forgive me!); and States of America; but the effect was, that I if it were swimming with fat, as it usually was, made as much progress as if my lessons had I could better fast till the hour of dinner than been daily. At Mr. Foote's I read Cordery and do violence to my stomach by forcing down the Erasmus, each with a translation in a parallel greasy and offensive mixture. The bread and column, which was doubled down at lesson time. milk reminds me of an anecdote connected with Here I got into Phaedrus without a translation, the fashion of those days. Because I was inbut with the help of an ordo verborum, indicated dulged with sugar in my bread and milk at home, by figures in the margin. But I am at the end when I went to school I was provided with a of my paper, and the slip beside me has items store carefully secured in paper. I had a cocked enough concerning Corston for another letter. hat for Sundays; during the rest of the week it lay in my box upon the top of my clothes, and _ ~-~~-^ — when the paper of brown sugar was reduced in bulk, I deposited it in the cock of the hat. As LETTER VIII. you may suppose, my fingers found their way RECOLLECTIONS OF CORSTON CONTINUED. there whenever I went to the box, and the box December 28th, 1821. was sometimes opened for that purpose; thus the I REMEMBER poor Flower with compassion, sugar was by little and little strewn over the hat. and not without respect, as a man who, under It was in a sweet, clammy condition the first time JETAT. 7, 8. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 31 I was sent for from school by my aunt Tyler, to ing; and the shell which remained unhurt acvisit her at Bath; and as the cocked hat was quired esteem and value in proportion to the then in the last and lowest stage of its fashion, number over which it had triumphed, an accumine was dismissed to be rounded by the hatter, rate account being kept. A great conqueror and I never wore one again till I was at Madrid, was prodigiously prized and coveted; so much where round hats were prohibited. so, indeed, that two of this description would One day in the week we had bread and cheese seldom have been brought to contest the palm, for dinner; or, when baking day came round, a if both possessors had not been goaded to it by hot cake, with cheese or a small portion of but- reproaches and taunts; The victor had the numter at our choice. This, to my liking, was the ber of its opponents added toits own; thus, when best dinner in the week. Some of the boys'one conqueror of fifty conquered another which would split their cake,, lay the cheese in thin lay- had been as often victorious, it became conqueror ers between the halves, and then place it under of a hundred and one. Yet even in this, reputaa screw-press, so as to compress it into one tion was sometimes obtained upon false pretenses. mass. This rule of going without meat one day I found a boy one day who had fallen in with a in the week was then, I believe, general in the great number of young snails, so recently hatchcountry schools, and is still practiced in many, ed that the shells were still transparent, and he retained, perhaps, for motives of frugality, from was bsmearin his fingers by crushing these Catholic.times; and yet, so stupid is popular ob- -poor creatures one after another against his constinacy, fish, even where it is most plentiful, is queror, counting away with the greatest satisnever used. One of the servants had the priv- faction at his work. He was a good-natured ilege of selling gingerbread and such things. boy, so that I, who had been bred up to have a We had bread and cheese for supper, and were sense of humanity, ventured to express some permitted to raise salads.for this meal, in little compassion for the snails, and to suggest that portions of ground, into which what had been he might as well count them and lay them aside in better times the flower border of the great unhurt. He hesitated, and seemed inclined to pleasure garden was divided: these portions were assent, till it struck him as a point of honor or our property, and transferable by sale. We of conscience, and then he resolutely said no! raised mustard and cress, radishes and lettuce. that would not do, for he could not then fairly When autumn came, we had no lack of apples, say he had conquered them. There is a surfor it is a country of orchards. The brook, which prising difference of strength in these shells, and has already been mentioned, passed through one that not depending upon the size or- species; I immediately before it entered the barton where mean, whether yellow, brown, or striped. It our ablutions.were performed; the trees on one might partly be estimated by the appearance of side grew on a steepish declivity, and in stormy the point or top (I do not know what better term weather we constructed dams across the stream to use): the strong ones were usually clear and to stop the apples which were brought down. glossy there, and white, if the shell were of the Our master had an extensive orchard of his own, large, coarse, mottled-brown kind..The top was and employed the boys to gather in the fruit: then said to be petrified; and a good conqueror there was, of course, free license to eat on that of this description would triumph for weeks or day, and a moderate share' of pocketings would months. I remember that one of the greatest have been tolerated; but whether original sin heroes bore evident marks of having once been was particularly excited by that particular fruit conquered. It had been thrown away in some or not, so it was that a subtraction was made lucky situation, where the poor tenant had leisenormous enough to make inquiry unavoidable; ure to repair his habitation, or, rather, where the boxes were searched in consequence, and the the restorative power of nature repaired it for whole plunder was thus recovered. The boys him, and the wall was thus made stronger than were employed also to squail at the bannets, that it had been before the breach, by an arch of new is, being interpreted, to throw at his walnuts masonry below. But, in general, I slhould think when it was time' to bring them down: there the resisting power of the shell depended upon were four or five fine trees on the hill-side above the geometrical nicety of its form. the brook. I was too little to bear a part in One of the big boys one day brought down a this, which required considerable strength; but. kite with an arrow from the play-ground: this for many days afterward I had the gleaning I think a more extraordinaiy feat than Apollo's among the leaves and broken twigs with which killing Python, though a Belvidere Jack Steel the ground was covered, and the fragrance of (this was the archer's name) would hot make those leaves, in their incipient decay, is one of quite so heroic a statue. We had a. boy there those odors which I can recall at will, and which, who wore midshipman's uniform, and whose pay whenever it occurs, brings with it the vivid re- must have more than maintained him at school: membrance of past times. his father was a purser, and such things were One very odd amusement, which I never saw not uncommon in those days. While I was at or heard of elsewhere, was greatly in vogue at this school, the corporation of Bristol invited Rodthis school. It was performed with snail shells, ney from Bath to a public dinner, after his great by placing them against each other, point to victory; and we, to do him honor in our way, point, and pressing till the oile was broken in, were all marched down to the Globe at Newton, or sometimes both. This was called conquer- by the road side, that we might' see him pass, 32 E ARLY LIFE OF ]ETAT. 8. and give him three cheers. They were heartily being after a while persuaded to accompany Miss given, and were returned with great good humor Tyler to London, where she had never before from the carriage window. Another circum- been, they were recalled by the tidings of my stance has made me remember the day well. grandmother's sudden death. Miss Tyler had Looking about for conquerors in Newton church- found it expedient to break up her establishment yard before we returned to school, I saw a slow- at Bath, and pass some time in visiting among worm get into the ground under a tombstone her friends. She now took up her abode at and in consequence, when I met, no long time Bedminster till family affairs should be settled, afterward, with the ancient opinion that the and till she could determine where and how to spinal marrow of a human body generates a fix herself. Thither also I was sent, while my serpent, this fact induced me long to believe it father was looking out for another school at without hesitation, upon the supposed testimony which to place me. of my own eyes. I have so many vivid feelings connected with Though I had a full share of discomfort at this house at Bedminster, that if it had not been Corston, I recollect nothing there so painful as in a vile neighborhood, I believe my heart would that of being kept up every night till a certain have been set upon purchasing it, and fixing my hour, when I was dying with sleepiness. Some- abode there, where the happiest days of my times I stole away to bed; but it was not easy childhood were spent. My grandfather built it to do this, and I found that it was not desirable, (about the year 1740, I suppose), and had made because the other boys played tricks upon me it what was then thought a thoroughly comwhen they came. But I dreaded nothing so modious and good house for one in his rank of much as Sunday evening in winter: we were life. It stood in a lane, some two or three hundthen assembled in the hall to hear the master red yards from the great western road. You read a sermon, or a portion of Stackhouse's His- ascended by several semicircular steps into what tory of the Bible. Here I sat at the end of a was called the fore-court, but was, in fact, a long form, in sight, but not within feeling of the flower garden, with a broad pavement from the fire, my feet cold, my eyelids heavy as lead, and gate to the porch. That porch was in great yet not daring to close them, kept awake by fear part lined, as well as covered, with white jessaalone, in total inaction: and under the operation mine; and many a time have I sat there with of a lecture more soporific than the strongest my poor sisters, threading the fallen blossoms sleeping dose. Heaven help the wits of those upon grass stalks. It opened into a little hall, good people who think that children are to be paved with diamond-shaped flags. On the right edified by having sermons read to them! hand was the parlor, which had a brown or black After remaining there about twelve months, boarded floor, covered with a Lisbon mat, and I was sent for home, upon an alarm that the itch a handsome time-piece over the fire-place on had broken out among us. Some of the boys the left was the best kitchen, in which the family communicated this advice to their parents in let- lived. The best kitchen is an apartment that ters which Duplanier conveyed for them; all belongs to other days, and is now no longer to be others, of course, being dictated and written seen, except in houses which, having remained under inspection. The report, whether true or unaltered for the last half century, are inhabited false; accelerated the ruin of the school. A by persons a degree lower in society than their scandalous scene took place of mutual reproaches former possessors. The one which I am now between father and son, each accusing the other calling to mind, after an interval of more than for that neglect, the consequences of which were forty years, was a cheerful room, with an air of now become apparent. such country comfort about it, that my little The dispute was renewed with more violence heart was always gladdened when I entered it after the boys were in bed. The next morning during my grandmother's life. It had a stone the master was not to be seen; Charley appear- floor, which I believe was the chief distinction ed with a black eye, and we knew that father between a best kitchen and a parlor. The furand son had come to blows! Most, if not all, niture consisted of a clock, a large oval oak the Bristol boys wvere now taken away, and I table with two flaps (over which twao or three among them, to my great joy. But, on my ar- fowling-pieces had their place), a round tea-table rival home, I was treated as a suspected person, of cherry wood, Windsor chairs of the same, and and underwent a three days' purgatory in brim- two large armed ones of that easy make (of all stone. makes it is the easiest), in one of which my grandmother always sat. On one side of the fire-place the china was displayed in a buffetthat is, a cupboard with glass doors; on the LETTER IX. other were closets for articles less ornamental, RECOLLECTIO'NS OF HIS GRANDMOTHER S HOUSE but more in use. The room was wainscoted AT BEDMINSTEr-LOVE FOR BOTANY AND EN- and ornamented with some old maps, and with TOMOLOG. ra long looking-glass over the chimney-piece, and July, 1822. a tall one between the windows, both in white THE year which I passed at Corston had been frames. The windows opened into the forea mournful one for my mother. She lost my court, and were as cheerful and fragrant in the swcet little si-ser Louisa during that time- and season of flowers as roses and jessam;il: -whe-li ETAT. 8. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 33 grew luxuriantly without, could make them. passage of carts from the barton to the orchard, There was a passage between this apartment but considerably wider than was necessary for and the kitchen, long enough to admit of a' large that purpose. It was neatly kept in grass, with airy pantry, and a larder on the left hand, the a good wide path from the court to the kitchen windows of both opening into the barton, as did garden.,This was large, excellently stocked, those of the kitchen; on the right was a door and kept in admirable order by my uncle Edxward. into the back court. There was a rack in the It was inclosed from the waste ground by a wall kitchen well furnished with bacon; and a mistle- about breast high, surmounted with white rails toe bush always suspended from the middle of till it joined the out-holses. The back of these the ceiling. was covered with. pear and plum trees-the The green room, which was my uncle Ed- geen gages, I remember, were remarkably fine ward's, was over the parlor. Over the hall was of their kind. One side was walled, and well a smaller apartment, which had been my grand- clothed with cherry, peach, and nectarine trees; father'q office, and still contained his desk and the opposite one was separated by a hedge from his pigeon-holes: I remember it well, and the the lane leading to the orchard, from which the large-patterned, dark, flock paper, with its faded garden was divided at the bottom. I have' allground. The yellow room, over tie bestkitchen,. ed it a kitchen garden, because that name was was the visitor's chamber; and this, my mother given it; but it was ornamental as well as useoccupied whenever she slept there. There was ful, with grass walks, espaliers, and a profusion no way to my grandmother's, the blue room over of fine flowers. The side of the house in the the kitchen, but through this and an intervening fore-court also was covered with an apricot-tree, passage, where, on the left, was a store-room. so that every luxury of this kind which an EnThe blue room had a thorough light, one window glish sun can ripen was. there in abundance. looking into the barton, the other into the back Just by the orchard gate was a fine barberrycourt. The squire'slept in the'garret; his room bush; and that peculiar odor of its blossoms,. was on one side, the servants' on the 6ther: and which is supposed to injure the wheat within its there was a large open space between, at the reach, is still fresh in my remembrance. Wordstop of the stairs, used for lumber and stores. worth has no sense of smell. Once, and once A door from the hall, opposite to the entrance, only in his life, the dormant power awakened: opened upon the cellar stairs, to which there it was by a bed of stocks in full bloom, at a was, another door from the back court. This- house which he'inhabited in Dorsetshire, some was a square, having the house on two sides, five-and-twenty years ago; and he says it wrs the wash-house and brew-house on the third, like a vision of Paradise to him; but it tlsted and walled on the fourth. A vine covered one only a few minutes, and the faculty!,as conside of the house here, and grew round my grand- tinued torpid from that time. The, fact is remother's window, out of which I have often markablle in itself, and would be worthy of noreached the grapes. Here also was the pigeon- tice, even if it did not relate to a man of whom house, and the pump, under which the fatal dip- posterity will desire to know all that can be reping* was performed. The yard or barton was membered. He has often expressed to me his of considerable size; the'entrance to it was from regret for this privation. I, on the contrary, the lane, through large folding gates, with a possess the' sense in such acuteness, that I can horse-chestnut on each side. And here another remember an odor and call up the ghost of one building fronted you, as large as the house, con- that is departed. But I must return to the bartaining the dairy.and laundry, both large and berry-bush. It stood at the entrance of a potato excellent in their kind, seed-rooms, stable, hay- garden, which'had been taken'from the orchard. lofts, &c. The front of this out-house was al. The orchard was still of considerable:size. At most clothed with yew, clipped to the shape of the bottom was a broad wet ditch, with a little the windows. Opposite the one gable-end were draw-bridge over it leading into the fields, the coal and stick houses; and on the left side through which was the pleasantest way to church. of the barton was a shed for the cart, and, while and to Bristol. It was just one' mile to the my grandfather lived, for an open carriage, which church, and two to my father's house in Wine after his death was no longer kept. Here, too, Street. was the horse-block, beautifully overhung with It was very seldom indeed that my grandivy, from an old wall against which it was placed. mother went to Bristol. I scarcely recollect The other gable end was covered with fruit-trees, ever to have seen her there. The extent of her and'at the bottom was a raised chamomile bed. walks was to church, which she never missed,. An old fashioned bird's-eye view, half picture, unless the weather absolutely confined her to the half plan, would explain all this more intelligibly house. She was not able to attend the evening than my description can do; and if I possessed service also, on account of ithe distance; but in tle skill, I should delight in tracing one: my the morning she was constant, and always in memory would accurately serve. If I have made good time; for if she were not there before the myselfunderstood, you will perceive that the back absolution, she used to say that'she might as court formed a square with the house. Behind'well have remained at home.'At other times both was a piece of waste'ground, left for the she rarely went out of her own premises. Neighbors of her'own rank there were none within her ~ e e pagge24. reach; her husband's acquaintance had mostly C 34 EARLY LIFE OF ETAT. 8. died off, and she had made no new ones since spoiled the produce of some of our best curranthis death. Her greatest happiness was to have trees one year. The trees were trained against my mother there with some of the young fry; a wall; the ants walked over them continually and we, on our part, had no pleasure so great and in great numbers (I can not tell why, but as that of a visit to Bedminster. It was, indeed, probably after the aphides, which, as Kirby and for my mother, as well as for us, an advantage Spence tell us, they regularly milk), and thus beyond all price to have this quiet country home they imparted so rank a smell to the fruit that at so easy a distance, abounding as it did with it could not be eaten. The ants were very nuall country comforts. Bedminster itself was an merous that season, and this occasioned a just ugly, dirty, poor, populous village, many of the and necessary war upon them. They had made inhabitants being colliers; but the coal-pits were a highway through the porch, along the interin a different part of the parish, and the house stices of the flag-stones. The right of path, as was at a sufficient distance from all annoyances. you may suppose, was not acquiesced in; and If there was no beauty of situation, there was when this road was as full as Cheapside at nooncomplete retirement and perfect comfort. The day, boiling water was poured upon it. The view was merely to a field and cottage on the bodies, however, all disappeared in a few hours, other side the lane, on a rising ground belong- carried away, as we supposed, by their comrades. ing to the property. But the little world within But we know that some insects are marvelously was our own, and to me it was quite a different retentive of life; and this circumstance has someworld from that in which I lived at other times. times tempted me to suspect that an ant may deMy father's house was in one of the busiest and rive no more injury from being boiled, than a fly noisiest streets of Bristol, and of course had no from being bottled in Madeira, or a snail from outlets. At Bath I was under perpetual re- having its head cut off or from lying seven years straint. But here I had all wholesome liberty, in a collector's cabinet. Of the latter fact (which all wholesome indulgence, all wholesome enjoy-.was already authenticated), my neighbor, Mr. ments; and the delight which I there learned to Fryer, of Ormathwaite. had proof the other day. take in rural sights and sounds has grown up There are three flowers which, to this day, with me, and continues unabated to this day. always remind me of Bedminster. The Syringa, My chief amusement was in the garden, where or Roman jessamine, which covered an arbor in I found endless entertainment in the flowers and the fore-court, and another at the bottom of tho in observing insects. I had little propensity to kitchen garden; the everlasting pea, which grew any boyish sports, and less expertness in them. luxuriantly under the best kitchen windows; My uncles Edward and William used to re- and the evening primrose-my grandmother lovproach me with this sometimes, saying they ed to watch the opening of this singularly delinever saw such a boy. One schoolboy's art, cate flower-a flower, indeed, which in purity however, they taught me, which I have never and delicacy seems to me to exceed all others. read of, nor seen practiced elsewhere; it was She called it mortality, because these beauties that of converting a marble into a black witch, pass away so soon, and because, in the briefness and thereby making it lucky. You know that of its continuance (living only for a night), it reif a marble be put in the fire, it makes a good minded her of human life. detonating ball. I have sacrificed many a one The house was sold after her death, as soon so, to frighten the cook. But if the marble be as a purchaser could be found, there being no wrapped up in brown paper (perhaps any paper longer the means for supporting it. The rever..may answer the purpose as well), with some sion of her jointure had long ago been sold by suet or dripping round about it, it will not ex- John Tyler. The house was Edward's properplode while the fat is burning, and when you ty, he having bought it when he came of age.take it out of the grate it is as black as jet. Her loss was deeply felt by him and the poor But, if I was unapt at ordinary sports, a bota- Squire; and, indeed, it was fatal to their happi-.nist or entomologist would have found me a will- ness, for happy hitherto they had been, according pupil in those years; and if I had fallen in in to their own sense of enjoyment. In losing with one, I might, perhaps, at this very day, have her they lost every thing. The Squire was sent been classifying mosses, and writing upon the to board in a village on the coast of the Bristol natural history of snails or cock-chafers, instead Channel, called Worle; and Edward Tyler, who of recording the events of the Peninsular War. was very capable of business, took a clerk's place I knew every variety of grass blossom that the in Bristol. But their stay was gone; and eventfields produced, and in what situations to look ually, I have no doubt, both their lives were for each. I discovered that snails seal them- shortened by the consequences. selves up in their shells during the winter, and I went to look at the place some twenty years that ants make their way into the cock-chafer ago; it was a good deal altered: bow windows through an aperture in the breast, and eat out had been thrown out in the front, and a gazebo its inside while it is yet alive. This gave me a erected in the roof. After viewing about tho great dislike to the ants, which even the delight- front as much as I could without being noticed ful papers about them in the Guardian did not and deemed impertinent, I made my way round overcome. Two curious facts concerning these into the fields, and saw that the draw-bridge insects, which fell under my own observation in was still in existence. I have seen the gazebo those days, are worthy of being noted. They since from the window of a stage-coach, and JETAT. 8. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 35 this is probably the last view I shall ever have to escape from any experiment of this kind, and of a place so dear to me. Even the recollec- there good fortune provided for me better than tions of it will soon be confined to my own breast, any method could have done. Nothing could be for my uncle and my aunt Mary are now the more propitious for me, considering my aptitudes only living persons who partake them. and tendency of mind, than Miss Tyler's predilection, I might almost call it passion, for the theater. Owing to this, Shakspeare was in my hands as soon as I could read; and it was long LETTER X. before I had any other knowledge of the history of England than what I gathered from his plays. IS PLACED AS A DAY BOARDER AT A SCHOOL IN Indeed. when first I read the plain matter of BRISTOL-EARLY EFFORT OF AUTHORSHIP- fact, the difference which appeared then puzzled LOVE FOR DRAMATIC AUTHORS —MISS PALMER and did not please me, and for some time I pre-SCHOOL RECOLLECTIONS-OPINION OF PUB- ferred Shakspeare's authority to the historian's. LIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION. It is curious that Titus Andronicus" was January 10th, 1823. at first my favorite play; partly, I suppose, beI WAS now placed as a day boarder at a school cause there was nothing in the characters above in that part of Bristol called the Fort, on the hill my comprehension; but the chief reason must above St. Michael's Church. William Williams, have been that tales of horror make a deep imthe master, was, as his name denotes, a Welsh- pression upon children, as they do upon the vulman. I find him satirized, or, to use a more gar, for whom, as their ballads prove, no tragedy accurate word, slandered, in the Miscellanies of can be too bloody: they excite astonishment my uncle's old master, Emanuel Collins, as an rather than pity. I went through Beaumont and impudent pretender. This he certainly was not; Fletcher also before I was eight years old: cirfor he pretended to very little, and what he pro- cumstances enable me to recollect the time acfessed to teach he taught well. The Latin he curately. Beaumont and Fletcher were great left wholly to an usher, Bevan by name, who was theatrical names, and therefore there was no curate of the parish. The writing, ciphering, scruple about letting me peruse their works. and merchant's accounts he superintended him- What harm, indeed, could they do me at that self, though there was a writing-master who age? I read them merely for the interest which made and mended the pens, ruled the copy-books, the stories afbfrded, and understood the worse and examined the slates. Williams was an au- parts as little as I did the better. But I acquirthor of the very humblest class. He had com- ed imperceptibly from such reading familiarity posed a spelling-book solely for the consumption with the diction, and ear for the blank verse of of his own school: it was never published, and our great masters. In general, I gave myself had not even a title-page. For love of this spell- no trouble with what I did not understand; the ing-took, he exercised the boys in it so much story was intelligible, and that was enough. that the thumbing and dog-leaving turned to good But the knight of the Burning Pestle perplexed account. But he was, I verily believe, consci- me terribly; burlesque of this kind is the last entiously earnest in making them perfect in the thing that a child can comprehend. It set me Catechism. The examination in this was al- longing, however, for Palmerin of England, and ways dreaded as the most formidable duty of the that longing was never gratified till I read it in school, such was the accuracy which he exact- the original Portuguese. My favorite play upon ed, and the severity of his manner on that occa- the stage was " Cymbeline," and next to that, sion. The slightest inattention was treated as "As You Like It." They are both romantic a crime. dramas; and no one had ever a more decided My grandmother died in 1782, and, either in turn for music or for numbers than I had for the latter end of that year or the ensuing Janu- romance. ary, I was placed at poor old Williams's, whom, You will wonder that this education should as that expression indicates, I remember with not have made me a dramatic writer. I had feelings of good will. I had commenced poet seen more plays before I was seven years old before this, at how early an age I can not call than I have ever since I was twenty, and heard to mind; but I very well recollect that my first more conversation about the theater than any composition, both in manner and sentiment, might other subject. Miss Tyler had given up her have been deemed a very hopeful imitation of house at Walcot before I went to Corston; and the Bell-man's verses. The discovery, however, when I visited her from school, she was herself that I could write rhymes gave me great pleas- a guest with Miss Palmer and her sister, Mrs. ure, which was.in no slight degree heightened Bartlett, whose property was vested in the Bath when I perceived that my mother was not only and Bristol theaters. Their house was in Galpleased with what I had produced, but proud of loway's Buildings, from whence a covered pasit. Miss Tyler had intended, as far as she was sage led to the play-house, and they very rarely concerned, to give me a systematic education, missed a night's performance. I was too old to and for this purpose (as she afterward told me) be put to bed before the performance began, and purchased a translation of Rousseau's Emilius. it was better that I should be taken than left That system being happily even more impracti- with the servants; therefore I was always of cable than Mr. Edgeworth's; I was lucky enough the party; and it is impossible to describe tie 36 EARL Y LIFE OF ETAT. 8. thorough delight which I received from this ha- authors, and seeing in what estimation they were hitual indulgence. No after enjoyment could held, I formed a great notion of the dignity atequal or approach it; I was sensible of no de- tached to their profession. Perhaps in no other fects either in the dramas or in the representa- circle could this effect so surely have been protion; better acting, indeed, could nowhere have duced as in a dramatic one, where ephemeral been found: Mrs. Siddons was the heroine, Di- productions excite an intense interest while they mond and Murray would have done credit to any last. Superior as I thought actors to all other stage, and among the comic actors were Edwin men, it was not long before I perceived that au. and Blanchard-and Blisset, who, though never thors were still a higher class. known to a London audience, was, of all comic Though I have not become a dramatist, my actors whom I have ever seen, the most perfect. earliest dreams of authorship were, as might be But I was happily insensible to that difference anticipated, from such circumstances, of a drabetween good and bad acting, which in riper matic form, and the notion which I had formed years takes off so much from the pleasure of of dramatic composition was not inaccurate. "It dramatic representation; every thing answered is the easiest thing in the world to write a play!" the height of my expectations and desires. And said I to Miss Palmer, as we were in a carriage I saw it in perfect comfort, in a small theater, on Redcliffe Hill one day, returning from Bristol from the front row of a box not too far from the to Bedminster. " Is it, my dear?" was her recenter. The Bath theater was said to be the ply. " Yes," I continued, "for you know you most comfortable in England, and no expense have only to think what you would say if you was spared in the scenery and decorations. were in the place of the characters, and to make MIy aunt, who hoarded every thing except them say it." This brings to mind some un.. money, preserved the play-bills, and had a col- lucky illustrations which I made use of abou! lection of them which Dr. Burney might have the same time to the same lady, with the view envied. As she rarely or never suffered me to of enforcing what I conceived to be good and be out of doors, lest I should dirt my clothes, considerate advice. Miss Palmer was on a visit these play-bills were one of the substitutes de- to nay aunt at Bedminster; they had fallen out, vised for my amusement instead of healthy and as they sometimes would do. These bickerings natural sports. I was encouraged to prick them produced a fit of sullenness in the former, which with a pin, letter by letter; and, for want of any was not shaken off for some days; and while it thing better, became as fond of this employment lasted, she usually sat with her apron over her as women sometimes are of netting or any or- face. I really thought she would injure her eyes amnental work. I learned to do it with great by this, and told her so in great kindness; " for pleasure, pricking the larger types by their out- you know, Miss Palmer," said I, " that every liie, so that when they were held up to the win- thing gets out of order if it is not used. A book, (low they were bordered with spots of light. if it is not opened, will become damp and moldy; The object was to illuminate the whole bill in and a key, if it is never turned in the lock, gets this manner. I have done it to hundreds; and rusty." Just then my aunt entered the room. yet I can well remember the sort of dissatisfied "Lord, Miss Tyler!" said the offended Lady, and damping feeling which the sight of one of" what do you think this child has been saying' these bills would give me a day or two after it He has been comparing my eyes to a rusty key had been finished and laid by. It was like an and a moldy book.:' The speech, however, was illumination when half the lamps are gone out. not without some good effect, for it restored good This amusement gave my writing-masters no humor. Miss Palmer was an odd woman with little trouble; for, in spite of all their lessons, I a kind heart; one of those persons who are not held a pen as I had been used to hold the pin. respected so much as they deserve, because their Miss Tyler was considered as an amateur and dispositions are better than their understanding. patroness of the stage. She was well acquaint- She had a most generous and devoted attached with Henderson, but of him I have no recol- ment to Miss Tyler, which was not always relection. He left Bath, I believe, just as my quited as it ought to have been. The earliest play-going days began. Edwin, I remember, dream which I can remember related to her; it; gave me an ivory wind-mill when I was about was singular enough to impress itself indelibly four years old; and there was no family with upon my memory. I thought I was sitting with which she was more intimate than Dimond's. her in her drawing-room (chairs, carpet, and She was thrown also into the company of dra- every thing are now visibly present to my mind's matic writers at Mr. Palmer's, who resided then eye) when the devil was introduced as a mornabout a mile from Bath, on the Upper Bristol ing visitor. Such an appearance, for he was in Road, at a house called West Hall. Here she his full costume of horns, black bat-wings, tail, became acquainted with Coleman and Sheridan, and cloven feet, put me in ghostly and bodily and Cumberland and Holcroft; but I did not see fear; but she received him with perfect politeany of them in those years, and the two former. ness, called him dear Mr. Devil, desired the servindeed, never. Sophia Lee was Mrs. Palmer's ant to put him a chair, and expressed her delight most intimate friend. She was then in high rep- at being favored with a call, utation for the first volume of the Recess, and There was much more promise implied in my for the Chapter of Accidents. You will not won- notion of how a play ought to be written than dev, that hearing', as I continually did, of li:ving would have been found in any of my attempts. NETAT. 8-12. RO BERT SOUTHEY. 37 The first subject which I tried was the conti- when I went there, and proceeded through Cornence of Scipio, suggested by a print in a pock- nelius Nepos, Justin, and the Metamorphoses. et-book. Battles were introduced in abundance, One lesson in the morning was all. The rest of because the battle in Cymbeline was one of my the time was given to what was deemed there favorite scenes; and because Congreve's hero in of more importance. Writing was taught very the Mourning Bride finds the'writing of his father differently at this school from what it was at in prison, I made my prince of Numantia find pen, Corston, and much less agreeably to my inclinaink, and paper, that he might write to his mis- tions. We did copies of capital letters there, and tress. An act and a half of this nonsense ex- were encouraged to aspire at the ornamental hausted my perseverance. Another story ran for parts of penmanship. But Williams, who wrote a long tine in my head, and I had planned the a slow, strong hand himself, admirable of its characters to suit the actors on the Bath stage. kind, put me back to the rudiments at once, and The fable was taken from a collection of tales, kept me at strokes, pot-hooks, and hangers u's, every circumstance' of which has completely fad-' n's, and rm's, and such words as pupil and tulip, ed from my recollection, except that the scene Heaven knows how long, with absurd and weariof the story in qfuestion was laid in Italy, and some perseverance. Writing was the only thing the time, I think, about Justinian's reign. The in which any pains were ever taken, or any meth. book must have been at least thirty or forty years od observed, to ground me thoroughly, and I was old then, and I should recognize it if it ever fell universally pronounced a most unpromising puin my way. While this dramatic passion con- pil. No instruction ever could teach me to hold tinued, I wished my friends to partake it, and, the pen properly; of course, therefore? I could soon after I went to Williams's school, persuaded make none of those full, free strokes, which were one of my schoolfellows to write a tragedy. Bal- deemed essential to good writing, and this drew lard was his name, the son of a surgeon at Port- upon me a great deal of unavailing reproof, though bury, a good-natured fellow, with a round face not severity. for old Williams liked me, on the which I have not seen for seven or eight-and- whole; and Mr. Foote was the only preceptor thirty years, and yet fancy that I could recog- (except"a dancing-master) who ever laid hands nize it now, and should be right glad to see it. on me in anger. At home, too,'my father and He liked the suggestion, and agreed to it very my uncle Thomas used to shake their heads at readily, but he could not tell what to write about. me, and pronounce that I should never write a I gave him.a story. But then another difficulty'decent hand. My ciphering-book, however, made was discovered; he could not devise names for some amends, in my master's eyes., It was in the personages of the drama. I gave him a most this that his pains and the proficiency of his heroic assortment of propria quce maribus et fc- scholars were to be shown. The books he used minis. He had now got his Dramatis Persone, to, sew himself, half a dozen sheets, folded into but he could not tell what to make them say, and the common quarto size; they were ruled with then I gave up the business. I made the same double red lines, and the lines which were reattempt with another schoolfellow, and with no quired in the sums were also double ruled with better success. It seemed to me very odd that red ink. When the book was filled, the pencil they should not be able to write'plays as well as lines were carefully rubbed out; and Williams, to do their lessons. It is needless to say that tearing off the covers, deposited it in an envelope both'these friends were of my own age; this is of-fine cartridge paper, on, which hle had written, always the condition of school intimacies. The in his best hand, the boy's name to whom it besubject of the second experiment was a boy whose longed. When there were enough of these to appearance prepossessed every body. My moth- form a volume, they were consigned to a poor er was so taken with the gentleness of his man- old man, the inhabitant of an alms-house, who ners, and'the regularity and mildness of his feat- obtained a few comforts beyond what the estabures, that she was very desirous I should become lishment allowed him-by binding them. Now, intimate-with.him. He grewup to be a puppy, though I!wrote what is called a stiff, cramp sported a tail when he was fifteen, and at five- hand, there was a neatness and regularity about and-twenty was an insignificant withered homwn- my books which were peculiar to them. I had calus, with a white face shriveled into an. em- as quick a sense of symmetry as of meter. My pression of effeminate peevishness. I have seen lines were always drawn according -to some many instances wherein the promise of the boy standard of proportion,, so that the'page had an has not been fulfilled by the man, but never so appearance of order at first sight. I found the striking a case of blight as this. advantage of this when I came to be concerned The school was better than Flowver's, inas- with proof-sheets. The method which I used in much as I had a Latin lesson every day instead my ciphering-book led me to teach: the printers of thrice a week. But my lessons were solitary how to print verses of irregular length upon a ones, so few boys were there in my station, and, regular principle; and' Ballantyne told me I was indeed, in the station of lifer next above mine, the only person he ever met with who knew how who received a classical education in those days, a page would look before it was set up. I maycompared with what is the case now. Writing add that it was I who set the fashion for black nd arithmetic, with at most a little French, letter in. title-pages; and half titles, and that this were thought sufficient, at that time, for the sons arose from my admiration of German text at of opulent Bristol merchants. I was in Phedrus school. 38 EARLY LIFE OF A TAT. 8-12. I remained at this school between four and I had the good fortune then to obtain a place in live years, which, if not profitably, were at least her affections, and that place I retained, even not unhappily spent. And here let me state the when she thought it necessary to estrange me deliberate opinion upon the contested subject of from her family, public or private education, which I have formed Landor, who paints always with the finest from what I have experienced, and heard, and ob- touch of truth, whether he is describing external served. A juster estimate of one's self is ac- or internal nature, makes his Charoba disapquired at school than can be formed in the course pointed at the first sight of the sea: of domestic instruction, and, what is of much' She coldly said, her long-lash'd eyes abased, more consequence, a better intuition into the Is this the mighty ocean? Is this all" characters of others than there is any chance of and this he designs as characteristic of a " soul learning in after life. I have said that this is of discontented with capacity." When I went on more consequence than one's self-estimate, be- deck in the Corunna packet the first morning, cause the error upon that score which domestic and for the first time found myself out of sight education tends to produce is on the right side of land, the first feeling was certainly one of dis-that of diffidence and humility. These ad- appointment as well as surprise at seeing myvantages a day scholar obtains, and he avoids self in the center of so small a circle. But the great part of the evils which are to be set against impression which the sea made upon me when them. He can not, indeed, wholly escape pol- I first saw it at Weymouth was very different; lution, but he is far less exposed to it than if he probably because not having, like Charoba, were a boarder. He suffers nothing from tyr- thought of its immensity, I was at once made anny, which is carried to excess in schools; nor sensible of it. The sea, seen from the shore, is has he much opportunity of acquiring or indulg- still, to me, the most impressive of all objects, ing malicious and tyrannical propensities him- except the starry heavens; and if I could live self. Above all, his religious habits, which it over any hours of my boyhood again, it should is almost impossible to retain at school, are safe. be those which I then spent upon the beach at I would gladly send a son to a good school by Weymouth. One delightful day we passed at day; but, rather than board him at the best, I Portland, and another at Abbotsbury, where one would, at whatever inconvenience, educate him of the few heronries in this kingdom was then myself. What I have said applies to public existing, and perhaps still may be. There was schools as well as private; of the advantages another at Penshurst, and I have never seen a which the former possess I shall have occasion third. I wondered at nothing so much as at the to speak hereafter. Chesil Bank, which connects Portland, like the Firm Island of Amadis, with the main land, the shingles whereof it is formed gradually dirninishing in size from one end to the other, till it LETTER XI. becomes a sand-bank. The spot which I recolMRS. DOLIGNON-EARLY LOVE FOR BOORS-1 ISS lect with most distinctness is the church-yard TYLER TAKES A HOUSE IN BRISTOL-FURTHER of an old church in the island, which, from its RECOLLECTIONS OF I-IIS UNCLE WILLIAM-HIlHIS neglected state, and its situation near the cliffs DEATH. -above all, perhaps, because so many shipJanuary 19th, 1823. wrecked bodies were interred there, impressed MY home, for the first two years while I went me deeply and durably. to Williams's school, was at my father's, except The first book which I ever possessed beyond that during the holidays I was with Miss Tyler, the size of Mr. Newberry's gilt regiment was either when she had lodgings at Bath, or was given me soon after this visit by MArs: Dolignon. visiting Miss Palmer there. The first summer It was Hoole's translation of the Gerisaelesmme holidays I passed with her at Weymnouth, whith- Liberata. She had heard me speak of it with a er she was invited to join her friend Mrs. Dolig- delight and interest above my years. My curinon. osity to read the poem had been strongly excited This lady, whom I remember with the utmost by the stories of Olendo and Sophronia, and of reverence and affection, was a widow with two the Enchanted Forest as versified by Mrs. Rowe. children, Louisa, who was three or four years I read them in the volume of her Letters, and older than me, and John, who was just my age. despaired, at the time, of ever reading more of Her maiden name was Delamere, she and her the poems till I should be a man, from a whimhusband being both of refugee race-an extrac- sical notion that, as the subject related to Jern-. tion of which I should be far more proud than salem, the original must be in Hebrew. No if my family name were to be found in the Roll one in my father's house could set me right of Battle Abbey. I have heard that Mr. Dolig- upon this point; but going one day with my non, in some delirium, died by his own hand, mother into a shop, one side of which was fitted and this, perhaps, may have broken her spirits, up with a circulating library, containing not and given a subdued and somewhat pensive man- more than three or four hundred volumes, almost ner. to one who was naturally among the gen- all novels, I there laid my hand upon Hoole's tlest, meekest, kindest of human beings. I shall version, a little before my visit to Weymouth, often have to speak of her in these letters. She The copy which Mrs. Dolignon sent me is now had known me at Bath in my earliest childhood in my sight, upon the shelf, and in excellent . TAT. 8-12. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 39 preservation, considering that when a schoolboy than I did that morning to the Faery Queen. I perused it so often that I had no small portion If I had then been asked wherefore it gave me of it by heart. Forty years have tarnished the so much more pleasure than ever Ariosto had gilding upon its back; but they have not effaced done, I -could not have answered the question. my remembrance of the joy with which I re- -I now know that it was very much owing to ceived it, and the delight which I found in its the magic of its verse; the contrast between the repeated perusal. flat couplets of a rhymester like Hoole, and the During the years that I resided in Wine Street. fullest and finest of all stanzas, written by one I was upon a short allowance of books. My fa2 who was perfect master of his art. But this ther read nothing except Felix Farley's Bristol was not all. Ariosto too often plays with his Journal. A small glass cupboard over the desk subject; Spenser is always in earnest. The in the back parlor held his wine-glasses and all delicious landscapes which lie luxuriates in dehis library. It consisted of the Spectator, three scribing brought every thing before my eyes. I or four volumes of the Oxford Magazine, one of could fancy such scenes as his lakes and forests, the Freeholder's, and one of the Town and gardens and fountains presented; and I felt, Country; these he had taken in during the though I did not understand, the truth and puWilkes and Liberty epidemic. My brother rity of his feelings, and that love of the beautiful Tom and I spoiled them by coloring, that is, be- and the good which pervades his poetry. daubing the prints; but I owe to them some When Miss Tyler had lived about among her knowledge of the political wit, warfare, and friends as long as it was convenient for them to scandal of those days; and from one of them, entertain her, and longer in lodgings than was that excellent poem, the Old Bachelor, was cut convenient for herself, she began to think of out, which I reprinted in the Annual Anthology. looking out for a house at Bristol; and, owing The other books were Pomfret's Poems, The to some odd circumstances, I was the means of Death of Abel, Aaron Hill's translation of Me- finding one which precisely suited her. Mrs. rope, with The Jealous Wife, and,Edgar and Wraxall, the widow of a lawyer, had heard, I Emmeline, in one volume; Julius Caesar, the know not how, that I was a promising boy, very Toy Shop, All for Love, and a Pamphlet upon much addicted to books, and she sent to my the Quack Doctors of George II.'s days, in an- mother requesting that I might drink tea with other; the Vestal Virgins, the Duke of Lerma, her one evening. The old lady was mad as a and the Indian Queen, in a third. To these my March hare after a religious fashion. Her bemother had added the Guardian, and the happy havior to me was very kind; but, as soon as tea copy of Mrs. Rowe's Letters which introduced was over, she bade me kneel down, and down me to Torquato Tasso. she knelt herself, and prayed for me by the hour The holidays made amends for this penury, to my awful astonishment. When this was and Bull's Circulating Library was then to me done she gave me a little book called Early Piwhat the Bodleian would be now. Hoole, in his ety, and a coarse edition of the Paradise Lost, notes, frequently referred to the Orlando Furioso. I and said she was going to leave Bristol. It I saw some volumes thus lettered on Bull's coun- struck me immediately that the house which she ter, and my heart leaped for joy. They proved was about to quit was such a one as my aunt to be the original; but the shopman, Mr. Cru- wanted. I said so; and Mrs. Wraxall immediett (a most obliging man he was), immediately ately answered, " Tell her that if she likes it, put the translation into my hand, and I do iiot she shall have the remainder of my lease." think any accession of fortune could now give. The matter was settled in a few days, for this me so much delight as I then derived from that was an advantageous offer. The house at that vile version of Hoole's. There, in the notes, I time would have been cheap at g20 a year, and first saw the name of Spenser, and some stanzas there was an unexpired term of five years upon of the Faery Quean. Accordingly, when I re- it at only cd11. This old lady was mother to turned the last volume, I asked if that work was Sir Nathaniel Wraxall, who had been bred up, in the library. My friend Cruett replied that and perhaps born, in that habitation. The ownthey had it, but it was written in old English, er was poor John Morgan's father. Mr. Wraxand I should not be able to understand it. This all. many years before, had taken it at a low did not appear to me so much a necessary con- rent upon a repairing lease, and had expended sequence as he supposed, and I therefore re- a great deal of money upon it at a time when quested he would let me look at it. It was the it was rather a rural than a suburban residence. quarto edition of'17, in three volumes, with | The situation had been greatly worsened, but it large prints folded in the middle, equally worth- was still in the skirts of the city, and out of less (like all the prints of that age) in design i reach of its noise. and execution. There was nothing in the lan- It stood in the avenue leading from Maudlin guage to impede, for the ear set me right where Lane to Horfield Lane or Road. When the plan the uncouth spelling (orthography it can not be of Bristol for Barrett's wretched history of that called) might have puzzled the eye; and the city was engraved, the buildings ended with few words which are really obsolete were suffi- Maudlin Lane, and all above was fields and ciently explained by the context. No young gardens. That plan is dated 1780, but must lady of the present generation falls to a new have been drawn at least ten years earlier, for novel of Sir Walter Scott's with keener relish it marks St. Leonard's Church, which was pulled 40 EARLY LIFE OF MTAT. 8-12. down in the beginning of 1771. The avenue is what he could thus oversee and overhear. He marked there by the name of Red Coat Lane; a had a nickname for every one of them. In the mere lane it appears, running up between fields, evening my aunt and I generally played at fiveand with a hedge on each side. It was now, card loo with him, in which he took an intense however, known by the name of Terril Street. interest; and if, in the middle of the day, when There were at the bottom four or five houses on I came home to dinner, he could get me to play the left hand, built like the commencement of a at marbles in the summer-house, he was destreet, and these were there when the plan was lighted. The points to which he looked on in taken. Where they ended the steeper ascent the week were the two mornings when Joseph began; and some houses followed, which, though came to shave him: this poor journeyman barcontiguous, stood each in its little garden, some ber felt a sort of compassionate regard for him, thirty yards back from the street. There were and he had an insatiable appetite for such news five of these, and the situation was such that as the barber could communicate. Thus his they must have been in good estimation before days passed in wearisome uniformity. He had some speculator, instead of building a sixth, no other amusement, unless in listening to hear erected at right angles with them a row of five a comedy read; he had not, in himself, a single or six inferior dwellings. Above these was only resource for whiling away the time, not even a steep paved avenue between high walls, inac- that which smoking might have afforded him; cessible for horses because of some flights of and, being thus utterly without an object for the steps. The view was to a very large garden present or the future, his thoughts were peropposite, one of those which supplied the market petually recurring to the past. His affections with fruit and culinary vegetables. were strong and lasting. Indeed, at his mother's The house upon which Miss Tyler now en- funeral his emotions were such as to affect all tered was small but cheerful; Sir Nathaniel who witnessed them. That grief he felt to the would perhaps be ashamed to remember it, but day of his death. I have also seen tears in his to his father it had evidently been an object of eyes when he spoke of my sisters, Eliza and pride and pleasure. As is usual in suburban Louisa, both having died just at that age when gardens, he had made the most of the ground. he had most delight in fondling them, and they Though no wider than the front of the house, were most willing to be fondled. Whether it there was a walk paved with lozenge-shaped might have been possible to have awakened him stones from the gate, and two gravel walks. The to any devotional feelings may be doubted; but side beds were allotted to currant and gooseberry he believed and trusted simply and implicitly, bushes; the others were flower beds, and there and more, assuredly, would not be required from were two large apple-trees and two smaller one to whom so little had been given. He lived ones. In front of the house the pavement ex- about four years after this removal. His brother tended, under which was an immense cistern for IEdward died a year before him, of pulmonary rain water, so large as to be absurd: it actually consumption. This event affected him deeply. seemed fitter for a fort than for a small private He attended the funeral, described the condition family. The kitchen was under ground. On of the coffins in the family vault in a manner one side the gate was a summer-house, with a which I well remember, and said that his turn sort of cellar, and another cistern below it. would be next. One day, on my return from As soon as my aunt was settled here, she school at the dinner hour, going into the sumsent for her brother William, who, since his mer-house, I found him sitting in the middle of mother's death, had been boarded at a substan- the room and looking wildly. He told me he tial shop-keeper's in the little village of Worle I had been very ill, that he had had a seizure in on the Channel, about twenty miles from Bris- the head such as he had never felt before, and tol. I look back upon his inoffensive and mo- that he was certain something very serious ailed notonous course of life with a compassion which him. I gave the alarm; but it passed over; I was then not capable of feeling. For one or neither he himself, nor any person in the house, two years he walked into the heart of the city knew what such a seizure indicated. The next every Wednesday and Saturday to be shaved, morning he arose as usual, walked down stairs and to purchase his tobacco; he went, also, some- into the kitchen, and, as he was buttoning the times to the theater, which he enjoyed highly. knees of his breeches, exclaimed, " Lord have On no other occasion did he ever leave the house; mercy upon me!" and fell from the chair. His and as inaction, aided, no doubt, by the inordin- nose was bleeding when he was taken up. Inmate use of tobacco, and the quantity of small-beer mediate assistance was procured, but he was with which he swilled his inside, brought on a dead before it arrived. The stroke was mercipremature old age, even this exercise was left fully sudden, but it had been preceded by a long off. As soon as he rose, and had taken his first and gradual diminution of vital strength; and I pint of beer, which was his only breakfast, to have never known any other case in which, when the summer-house he went, and took his station there were so few external appearances of disin the bow-window as regularly as a sentinel in ease or decay, the individual was so aware that a watch-box. Here it was his whole and sole his dissolution was approaching. employment to look at the few people who pass- I often regret that my memory should have ed, and to watch the neighbors, with all whose retained so few of the traditional tales and proconcerns at last he became perfectly intimate by verbial expressions which I heard from him, more JETAT. 8-12. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 41 certainly than from all other persons in the ematics, of which my mind afterward became course of my life. Some of them have been impatient, if not actually incapable. lately recalled to my recollection by Grimm's Sometimes, when Williams was in good huCollection. What little his mind was capable mor, he suspended the usual business of the of receiving it had retained tenaciously, and of school and exercised the boys in some uncomthese things it had a rich store. Upon his death mon manner. For example, he would bid them Miss Tyler became the sole survivor of her pa- all take their slates, and write as he should dicternal race. tate. This was to try their spelling; and I remember he once began with this sentence: " As _-~ "I walked out to take the air, I met a man with red hair, who was heir to a good estate, and was LETTER XII. carrying a hare in his hand." Another time he called upon all of a certain standing to write a HIIS RECOLLECTIONS OF SCHOOL AT BRISTOL- letter, each upon any subject that he pleased. HIIS SCHOOLMASTER AND SCHOOLFELLOWS. You will perhaps wonder to hear that no task August 20th, 1823. ever perplexed me so woefully as this. I had MY memory strengthens as I proceed in this never in my life written a letter, except a formal task of retrospection; and yet, while some cir- one at Corston before the holidays, every word cumstances-a look, a sound, a gesture, though of which was of the master's dictation, and which utterly unimportant, recur to me more vividly used to begin, " Honored Parents." Some of than the transactions of yesterday, others, which the boys produced compositions of this stamp; I would. fain call to mind, are irrevocably gone. others, who were a little older and more ambi1 have sometimes fancied, when dreaming upon tious, wrote in a tradesman-like style, soliciting what may be our future state, that in the next orders, or acknowledging them, or sending in an world we may recover a perfect recollection of account. For my part, I actually cried for perall that has occurred to us in this, and in the plexity and vexation. Had I been a blockhead, prior stages of progressive existence, through this would have provoked Williams; but he alwhich it is not improbable that our living princi- ways looked upon me with a favorable eye, and, ple has ascended. And yet the best and happi- expressing surprise rather than anger, he enest of us must have something or other, alta deavored both to encourage and shame me to the rnente repostsrm, for which a draught of Lethe attempt. To work I fell at last, and presently would be desired. presentedl him with a description of Stonehenge, The pleasantest of my school years were those in the form of a letter, which completely filled which I passed at Williams's, especially after I the slate. I had laid hands not long before upon took up my abode at Terril Street, for I then the Salisbury Guide, and Stonehenge had apwent home to dinner, and found much more sat- peared to me one of the greatest wonders in the isfaction there in my own pursuits from twelve world. The old man was exceedingly surprised, o'clock till two than in his contracted play- and not less delighted, and I well remember how ground. What I learned there, indeed, was much his astonishment surprised me, and how worth little; it was just such a knowledge of much I was gratified by his praise. I was not Latin as a boy of quick parts and not without conscious of having (lone any thing odd or exdiligence will acquire under bad teaching. When traordinary, but the boys made me so; and to I had gone through the Metamorphoses, Williams the sort of envy which it excited among them, I declared his intention of taking me from the usher was indebted for a wholesome mortification. and instructing me in Virgil himself, no other of One morning, upon entering the school a few his pupils having proceeded so far. But the old minutes before the master made his appearance, man, I suppose, discovered that the little classical some half dozen of them beset me, and demanded knowledge which he ever possessed had passed whether I, with all my learning, could tell what away as irrevocably as his youth, and I continued the letters i. e. stood for. The question was prounder the usher's care, who kept me in the Ec- posed in the taunting tone of expected triumph, logues so long that I was heartily sick of them, which I should well have liked to disappoint. and I believe have never looked in them from that But when I answered that I supposed it was for time. Over and over again did that fellow make John the Evangelist, the unlucky guess taught me read them; probably because he thought the me never again to be ashamed of acknowledging book was to be gone through in order, and was myself ignorant of what I really did not know, afraid to expose himself in the Georgics. No It was a useful lesson, especially as I was fortuattempt was made to ground me in prosody; nate enough to perceive, early in life, that there and as this defect in my education was never were very many subjects of which I must of neremedied (for when I went to Westminster I cessity be so. was too forward in other things to be placed low Of all my schoolmasters, Williams is the one enough in the school for regular training in this), whom I remember with the kindliest feelings. I am at this day as liable to make a false quan- His Welsh blood was too easily roused; and his tity as any Scotchman. I was fond of arithmetic, spirit was soured by the great decline of his and have no doubt that, at that time, I should school. His numbers in its best days had been have proceeded with pleasure through its higher from seventy to a hundred; now they did not branches, and might have been led on to math- reach forty, when the times were dearer by all 42 EARLY LIFE OF ZETAT. 8-12. the difference which the American War had oc- who might otherwise have better been forgoteasioned, and his terms could not be raised in ten, for a charitable reason; because I verily beproportion to the increased price of every thing, lieve that his wickedness was truly an original, because schools had multiplied. When his ill innate, constitutional sin, and just as much a circumstances pressed upon him, he gave way, family disease as gout or scrofula. I think so, perhaps more readily, to impulses of anger; be- because he had a nephew who was placed as a cause anger, like drunkenness, suspends the sense pupil with King, the surgeon at Clifton, and in of care, and an irascible emotion is felt as a re- whom, at first sight, I recognized a physioglief from painful thoughts. His old wig, like a nomy which I hope can belong to no other breed. bank of morning clouds in the east, used to indi- His nephew answered in all respects to the recate a stormy day. At better times both the lationship, and to the character which Nature had wig and the countenance would have beseemed written in every lineament of his face. He ran a higher station; and his anger was the more a short career of knavery, profligacy, and crimes, frightful, because at those better times there was which led him into a prison, and there he died an expression of good humor and animation in by his own hand. his features which was singularly pleasing, and Another of my then schoolfellows, who was I believe denoted his genuine character. He also a Creole, came to a like fate, but fromt very would strike with a ruler sometimes when his different circumstances. He was the natural son patience was greatly provoked by that incorrigi- of a wealthy planter by a woman of color, and ble stupidity, which of all things, perhaps, puts went throu(gh the school with the character of an patience to the severest trial. There was a hulk- inoffbnsive, gentlemanly, quiet boy, who never ing fellow (a Creole with negro features and a quarreled with any body, nor ever did an ill-nashade of African color in him), who possessed tured thing. When he became a young man, he this stupidity in the highest degree; and Will- was liberally supplied with money, and launched iams, after flogging him one day, made him pay into expenses which such means tended to create a halfpenny for the use of the rod, because he re- and seemed to justify. The supplies suddenly quired it so much oftener than any other boy in ceased, I am not certain whether by an experithe school. Whether G — was most sensible ment of rigor, or owing to his father's dying of the mulct or the mockery, I know not, but he without providing for him in his will; the latter felt it as the severest part of the punishnent. I think was the case. Poor H —, however, This was certainly a tyrannical act; but it was was arrested for debt, and put an end to his hopethe only one of which I ever saw Williams guilty. less prospects in prison, by suicide. There were a good many Creoles at this Colonel Hugh Baillie, who made himself conschool, as, indeed, at all the Bristol schools. spicuous some few months ago by very properly Cassava bread was among the things which resenting the unjust expulsion of his son from were frequently sent over to them by their par- Christ Church (an act of the late dean's iniseraents, so that 1 well knew the taste of manioc ble misgovernment), was one of my cotemporalong before I heard its name. These Creoles ries at this school. My old Latin master, Duwere neither better nor worse than so many oth- planier, kept a French academy next door, and er boys in any respect. Indeed, though they had by an arrangement between the two masters, a stronger national cast of countenance, they his boys came three mornings in the week to were. I think, less marked by any national feat- write and cipher with us. Among these interuires of mind or disposition than the Welsh, cer- mitting schoolfellows was poor John Morgan, tainly much less than the Irish.. One of them with whom Coleridge lived for several years; (evidently by his name of French extraction) Gee, whom I have already mentioned; and a was, however, the most thoroughly fiendish hu- certain H —- O -, with whom I had an adman beingr that I have ever known. There is an venture in after-life well worthy of preservation. image in Kehama, drawn from my recollection of This youth was about three years older than tihe devilish malignity which used sometimes to I; of course, I had no acquaintance with him, glow in his dark eyes, though I could not there nor did I ever exchange a word with him, ungive the likeness in its whole force, for his coun- less it were when the whole school were entenance used to darken with the blackness of his raged in playing prison-base, in which he took passion. Happily for the slaves on the family the lead as the srodaS (/iVf of his side. His faestate, he, though a second brother, was wealthy ther was a merchant, concerned, among other enough to settle in England; and an anecdote things, in the Irish linen trade: my father had which I heard of him when he was about thirty some dealings with him, and, in his misfortunes, years of age, will show that I have not spoken found him-what, I believe, is not a common of his character too strongly. When he was character-an unfeeling creditor. They were shooting one day, his dog committed some fault. a proud family; and, a few years after my faHe would have shot him for this upon the spot, ther's failure, failed themselves, and, as the if his companion had not turned the gun aside, phrase is, went to the dogs. This H- O —and, as he supposed, succeeded in appeasing him; was bred to be an attorney, but wanted either but, when the sport was over, to the horror of brains or business to succeed in his calling-I that companion (who related the story to me), dare say both. I had forgotten his person, and he took up a large stone and knocked out the should never have thought of him again (except dog's brai ns, I have mrentioned this wretch, when the game of prison-base was brought to n M AETAT. 8-12. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 43 my mind), if, in the year 1798, I had not been this point, the scene had become far too comical surprised by hearing one day at Cottle's shop to leave any room in my feelings for anger. I that he had been there twice or thrice to inquire kept my countenance (which has often been put for me, and had left a message requesting that, to much harder trials than my temper, and is, if I came into Bristol that day (it was during moreover, a much more difficult thing to keep), the year of my abode at Westbury), I would declined his proposal decidedly but civilly, took call on him at an attorney's office at a certain my leave in perfect good humor, and hastened hour. Accordingly, thither I went, rung at the back to Cottle's, to relieve myself by telling him bell, inquired for Mr. O —-, gave my name, the adventure. and was ushered into a private room. Nothing could be more gracious than his recognition of a person whom he must have passed twenty LETTER XIII. times in the street during the last three months: " we had been schoolfellows at such a place, at VISITORS TO HIS SCHOOLMASTER. such a time," &c., &c., all which I knew very May 27th, 1824. well; but how we came to be acquaintances NEARLY four years have elapsed since I benow was what I had to learn, and to explain gan this series of reminiscences, and I have only this cost him. a good deal of humming and- haw- written twelve letters; which bring me only into ing, plentifully intermixed with that figure of the twelfth year of my age. Alas! this is not speech which the Irish call blarney, and which the only case in which I feel that the remaining is a much more usual as well as useful figure portion of my life, were it even to be protracted than any of those, with the hard names of whichI longer than there is reason to expect upon the poor boys used to be tormented in the. Latin most favorable calculation of chances, must be grammar. From the use which he made of too short for the undertakings which I have this figure, he appeared to know that I was an sometimes dreamed of completing. It is, howauthor'of some notoriety, and that one of my ever, the case in which I can, with least inconbooks was.called Joan of Arc. The compli- venience, quicken my speed; and fiail as by ments which he laid on were intermingled with humiliating experience I know my own resoluexpressions of great regret for the deficiencies tions to be, I will nevertheless endeavor to send of his own education: he learned a little Latin, off a letter from this time forth at the end of eva little French; but there it had stopped; in ery month. Matter for one more will be affordshort, I knew what must' be the extent of his ed before I take leave of poor old William Willacquirements;'for you and I, Mr. Southey, you iams; and that part of it which has no connecknow, were schoolfellows." At last it came out tion with myself, will not be the least worth that, from a consciousness of these deficiencies, relation. he had been led to think that a glossary of the It was a good feature in his character that he English language was a work very much wanted, had a number of poor retainers, who used to and that no one could be more competent to sup- drop in at school hours,,and seldom went away ply such a desideratum than the gentleman whomj empty handed. There was one poor fellow, fahe had the honor of addressing. I was as little miliarly called Dr. Jones, who always set the able to guess what his deficiencies had to do school in a roar of laughter. What his real hisNwith a glossary as you can be; and, not feelingtory was I know not; the story was, that some any curiosity to get at a blockhead's meaning, mischievous boys had practiced upon him the endeavored to put an end to the interview by dreadfully dangerous prank of giving him a dose declaring at once my utter inability to execute of cantharides, and that he had lost his wits in such a work, for the very sufficient reason that consequence. I am not aware that it could I was wholly ignorant of several languages, the have produced this effect, though it might very thorough knowledge of which was indispensable probably have cost hinm his life. Crazy, howin such researches. This produced more blar- ever, he was, or, rather, half crazed, and it was fiey, and an explanation that my answer did not such a merry craziness that it would have been exactly apply to what his proposal intended. wishing him ill to have wished him otherwise. What he meant was this: there were a great The bliss of ignorance is merely negative; many elegant words, which persons like himself, there was a positive happiness in his insanity; whose education had been neglected, would oft- it was like a perpetual drunkenness, sustained en like to use in conversation (he said this feel- just at that degree of pleasurable excitement, ingly; it had often been his own case; he felt which, in the sense of present enjoyment, is it, indeed, every day of his life); they would be equally regardless of the future and of the past. glad to use these words if they only knew their He fancied himself a poet, because he could promeaning; and what he wanted was a glossary duce, upon demand, a rhyme in the sorriest or dictionary of such words, a little book which doggerel; and the most celebrated irnprovisatore might be carried in the pocket. It would cer- was never half so vain of his talent as this queer tainly command an extensive sale: I could creature, whose little figure of some five feet make the book; he had a large acquaintance, two I can perfectly call to mind, with his suit and could procure subscribers for it; and we of rusty black, his more rusty wig, and his old might make a thriving partnership concern in cocked hat. Whenever he entered the schoolthis literary undertaking. Before he arrived at room he was greeted with a shout of welcome X 44 EARLY LIFE OF ETAT. 8-1o. all business was suspended; he was called upon which the honest admiration of the ignorant has from all sides to give us a rhyme; and when produced in half-crazed rhymers like him, it is the master's countenance offered any encourage- owing that some marvelous productions have ment, he was entreated also to ask for half a found their way to the press. Dr. Jones, by holiday, which, at the price of some doggerel, whom I have been led into this digression. was was sometimes obtained. You will readily be- a doggerelist of the very lowest kind. One other lieve he was a popular poet. such I once met with, when I was young enough The talent of composing imitative verses has to be heartily amused at an exhibition which. become so common in our days, that it will re- farcical as it was, would now make me mourn. quire some evidence to make the next genera- ful. He was a poor engraver, by name Coyte; tion believe what sort of verses were received very simple, very industrious, very poor, and as poetry fifty years ago, when any thing in completely crazed with vanity, because he could rhyme passed current. The magazines, how- compose off-hand, upon any subject, such rhymes ever, contain proof of this, the very best of them as the bell-man's used to b.e. Bedford's father abounding in such trash as would be rejected used occasionally to relieve him, for he was marnow by the provincial newspapers. Whether ried, and could earn but a'miserable livelihood the progress of society, which so greatly favors for his family. I saw him on one of his visits to the growth and development of imitative talent, Brixton, in the year 1793, when he was between is equally favorable to the true poetical spirit, forty and fifty years of age. His countenance is a question which I may be led to consider and manner might have supplied Wilkie with a hereafter. But, as I had the good fortune to worthy subject. Mr. Bedford (there never lived grow up in an age when poets, according to the a kinder-hearted man) loved merriment, and old opinion, were born and not made, and as, at played him off, in which Grosvenor and Horace the time to which this part of my reminiscences joined, and I was not backward. We gave him relates, the bent of my nature had decidedly subjects upon which he presently wrote three or shown itself, I may here make some observa- four sorry couplets. No creature was ever more tions upon the grounds and consequences of that elated with triumph than he was at the hyperopinion. bolical commendations which he received; and In the earliest ages, certain it is, that they this, mingled with the genuine humility which who possessed that gift of speech which enabled the sense of his condition occasioned, produced them to clothe ready thoughts in measured or a truly comic mixture in his feelings and gesticelevated diction were held to be inspired. False ulations. What with pleasure, inspiration, exoracles were uttered in verse, and true prophe- ertion, and warm weather (for it was in the dogcies delivered in poetry. There was, therefore, days), he perspired as profusely, though I dare some reason for the opinion. A belief akin to it, say not as fragrantly, as an elephant in love, and and not improbably derived from it, prevails even literally overflowed at eyes and mouth, frothing now among the ignorant, and was much more and weeping in a salivation of happiness. I think prevalent in my childhood, when very few of the this poor creature published " A Cockney's Ramlower classes could write or read, and when, in bles in the Country" some twelve or fourteen the classes above them, those who really were years ago, for such a pamphlet I saw advertised ignorant knew that they were so. Sleight of by Joseph William Coyte and I sent for it at hand passed for magic in the Dark Ages, sleight the time, but it was too obscure to be found. of tongue for inspiration; and the ignorant, when These are examples of the very humblest and they were no longer thus to be deluded, still meanest rhymesters, who nevertheless felt themlooked upon both as something extraordinary and | selves raised above their companions because wonderful. Especially the power of arranging they could rhyme. I have been acquainted with words in a manner altogether different from the poets in every intermediate degree between Jones common manner of speech, and of disposing syl- and Wordsworth, and their conceit has almost lables so as to produce a harmony which is felt uniformly been precisely in an inverse proportion by the dullest ear (a power which has now be- to their capacity. When this conceit acts upon come an easy, and, therefore, is every day be- low and vulgar ignorance, it produces direct coming more and more a common acquirement), craziness, as in the instances of which I have appeared to them what it originally was in all been speaking. In the lower ranks of middle poets. and always will be in those who are truly life I have seen it, without amounting to insanisuch; and even now, though there are none who ty, assume a form of such extravagant vanity regard its possessor with superstitious reverence, that the examples which have occurred within there are many who look upon him as one who, my own observation would be deemed incredible in the constitution of his mind, is different from if brought forward in a farce. Of these in due themselves. As no madman ever pretended to time. There is another more curious manifesta religious call without finding some open-eared ation of the same folly, which I do not rememlisteners ready to believe in him and become his ber ever to have seen noticed, but which is well disciples; so, perhaps, no one ever composed worthy of critical observation, because it shows verses with facility who had not some to admire in its full extent, and therefore in puris naturaland applaud him in his own little circle. This ibus, a fault which is found in by much the greatwas the case even with so poor a creature as er part of modern poetry-the use of words Dr. Jones. And to the intoxication of conceit, which have no signification where they are used, ETAT. 8-12. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 45 or which, if they mean any thing, mean non- er attempt to overthrow the Established Church sense-the substitution of sound for sense. I -another struggle, which will shake these kingcould show you passage after passage in cotem- doms to their center. porary writers-the most popular writers, and Dr. Jones has led me into a long digression, some of them the most popular passages in their upon which I should not have entered if I had works, which, when critically, that is to say, foreseen that it would have extended so far. Anstrictly, but justly examined, are as absolutely other of Williams's visitors, and an equally popunonsensical as the description of a moonlight lar one, was a glorious fellow, Pullen by name, night in Pope's Homer. Pope himself intended who, during the age of buckskin, made a fortune that for a fine description, and did not perceive as a breeches maker in Thomas Street. If I that it was as absurd as his own " Song by a could paint a portrait from memory, you should Person of Quality." Now there have been writ- have his likeness. Alas! that I can only give ers who have possessed the talent of stringing it in words, and that that perfect figure should together couplet after couplet in sonorous verse, at this hour be preserved only in my recollecwithout any connection, and without any mean- tions! Sic transit gloria mundi! His couning, or any thing like a meaning, and yet they tenance expressed all that could be expressed by have had all the enjoyment of writing poetry, human features of thorough-bred vulgarity, proshave supposed that this actually was poetry, perity, pride of purse, good living, coarse humor, and published it as such. I know a man who has and boisterous good nature. He wore a white done this, who made me a present of his poem; tie-wig. His eyes were of the hue and luster yet he is very far from being a fool; on the con- of scalded gooseberries, or oysters in sauce. His trary, he is a lively, pleasant companion, and his complexion was the deepest extract of the grape talents in conversation are considerably above he owed it to the Methuen treaty; my uncle, no par. The most perfect specimen I ever saw of doubt, had seen it growing in his rides from such verses was a poem called " The Shepherd's Porto; and Heaven knows how many pipes must Farewell," printed in quarto some five-and-thir- have been filtered through the Pullenian system ty years ago. Coleridge once had an imperfect before that fine permanent purple could have been copy of it. I forget the author's name; but fixed in his cheeks. He appeared always in buckwhen I was first at Lisbon, I found out that he skins of his own making, and in boots. He would was a schoolmaster, and that poor Paul Berthon laugh at his own jests with a voice like Stenhad been one of his pupils. Men of very inferi- tor, supposing Stentor to have been hoarse; and or power may imitate the manner of good writ- then he would clap old Williams on the back ers with great success as, for example, the two with a hand like a shoulder of mutton for breadth Smiths have done; but I do not believe that any and weight. You may imagine how great a imitative talent could produce genuine nonsense man we thought him. They had probably been verses like those of " The Shepherd's Farewell." boon companions in their youth, and his visits The intention of writing nonsensically would ap- seldom failed to make the old man lay aside the pear, and betray the purport of the writer. Pure, schoolmaster. He was an excellent hand at involuntary, unconscious nonsense is inimitable demanding half a holiday, and when he succeedby any effort of sense. ed, always demanded three cheers for his sueSuch writers as these, if they were cross-ex- cess, in which he joined with all his might and amined, would be found to imagine that they main. If I were a believer in the Romish purgcomposed under the real influence of poetical in- atory, I should make no doubt that every visit spiration; and were Taylor the pagan to set that he made to that schoolroom was carried to about heathenizing one of them, I am persuaded the account of his good works. Some such setthat he would not find it difficult to make him off he needed, for he behaved with brutal want believe in the Muses. In fact, vwhen this soul of feeling to a son who had offended him, and of conceit is in action, the man is fairly beside who, I believe, would have perished for want himself. An innate self-produced inebriety pos- if it had not been for the charity of John Morsesses him he abandons himself to it, and while gan's mother, an eccentric but thoroughly good the fit lasts is as mad as a March hare. The woman, and one of those people whom I shall madness is not permanent, because such inspira- rejoice to meet in the next world. This I learntion, according to received opinion, only comes ed from her several years afterward. At this on when the rhymester is engaged in his voca- time Pullen was a widower between fifty and tion. And well it is when it shows itself in sixty; a hale, strong-bodied man, upon whom thyme; for the case is very different with him his wine-merchant might reckon for a considerwho has the gift of uttering prose with the same able annuity during many years to come. He fluency and the same contempt of reason. He had purchased some lands adjacent to the Lepin good earnest sets up for an inspired messen- pincott property near Bristol, in the pleasantest ger; he has received c call; and there are not part of that fine neighborhood. Sir Henry Leprnly sects, but societies, in this country ready to pincott was elected member for the city at that accredit him, and take him into employ, and send election in which Burke was turned out. He him forth with a roving commission, through died soon afterward; his son was a mere child: towns and villages, to infect others with the most and Pullen, the glorious Pullen, in the plenitude infectious of all forms of madness, disturb the of his pride, and no doubt in a new pair of buckpeace of families, and prepare the way for anoth- skins, called on the widow, introduced himsel' 46 EARLY LIFE OF IETAT. 8-12. as the owner of the adjacent estate, and upon Williams, who read well himself, and prided that score, without further ceremony, proposed himself upon it. was one day very much offended marriage as an arrangement of mutual fitness. with my reading, and asked me scornfully who Lady Leppincott, of course, rang the bell, and taught me to read. I answered my aunt. ordered the servants to turn him out of the house. " Then," said he, " give my compliments to your This is a story which would be deemed too ex- aunt, and tell her that my old horse, that has travagant in a novel, and yet you would believe been dead these twenty years, could have taught it without the slightest hesitation if you had ever you as well." I delivered the message faithseen the incomparable breeches maker. fully, to her great indignation. It was never Mrs. Estan, the actress, whom you must re- forgotten or forgiven, and perhaps it accelerated member, was at that time preparing to make her the very proper resolution of removing me. My first appearance on the stage at the Bristol The- uncle made known his intention of placing me ater. The part she had chosen was Letitia at Westminster. His connection with Christ Hardy, in " The Belle's Stratagem," and in that Church naturally led him to prefer that to any part she had to dance a minuet de la cour, to per- other school, in the hope that I should get into feet herself in which, and perhaps for the sake college, and so be elected off to a studentship. of accustoming herself to figure away before an But, as I was in feeble health, and, moreover, audience, she came to our school on two or three had been hitherto very ill taught, it was deemed dancing days, and took lessons there-a circum- advisable that I should be placed for twelve stance too remarkable to be forgotten in a school- months under a clergyman competent to prepare boy's life. Walters, the dancing-master, was me for a public school. not a little proud of his pupil. That poor man Before I take leave of Williams, two or three was for three years the plague of my life, and I memoranda upon the slip of paper before me was the plague of his. In some unhappy mood, must be scored off. There was a washing tub he prevailed on my mother to let me learn to in the play-ground, with a long towel on a reel dance, persuading himself as well as her that I beside it. This tub was filled every morning should do credit to his teaching. It must have for the boarders to perform their ablutions, all in been for my sins that he formed this opinion: in the same water, and whoever wished to wash an evil hour for himself and for me it was form- hands or face in the course of the day, had no ed; he would have had much less trouble in other. I was the only boy who had any repugteaching a bear, and far better success. I do nance to dip his hands in this pig-trough. There not remember that I set out with any dislike or was a large cask near, which received the rain contempt of dancing, but the unconquerable in- water; but there was no getting at the water, capacity which it was soon evident that I pos- for the top was covered, and to have taken out sessed produced both, and the more he labored the spigot would have been a punishable offense. to correct an incorrigible awkwardness, the more I, however, made a little hollow under the spigawkwardly, of course, I performed. I verily ot, to receive the drippings, just deep enough believe the fiddle-stick was applied as much to to wet the hands, and there I used to wash my my head as to the fiddle-strings when I was hands with clean water when they required it. called out. But the rascal had a worse way But I do not remember that any one ever fol than that of punishing me. He would take my lowed my example. I had acquired the sense hands in his, and lead me down a dance; and of cleanliness and the love of it, and they had not. then the villain would apply his thumb nail A time was remembered when there were against the flat surface of mine, in the middle, wars of school against school, and a great battle and press it till he left the mark there. This which had taken place in the adjoining park bespecies of torture I suppose to have been his own tween Williams's boys and Foot's, my first masinvention, and so intolerable it was that at last, ter. At both schools I heard of this, and the whenever he had recourse to it, I kicked his victory was claimed by both; for it was an old shins. Luckily for me, he got into a scrape by affair, a matter of tradition (not having been nobeating a boy unmercifully at another school, so ticed in history), long before my generation, or that he was afraid to carry on this sort of con- any who were in the then school, but remembertest; and giving up, at last, all hope of ever ed as an event second only in importance, if making me a votary of the Graces or of the second, to the war of Troy. dancing Muse, he contented himself with shak- It was fully believed in both these schools, ing his head and turning up his eyes in hopeless- and at Corston, that no bastard could span his ness whenever he noticed my performance. I own wrist. And I have no doubt this superstihad always Tom Madge for my partner; a poor tion prevailed throughout that part of England. fellow long since dead, whom I remember with much kindness. He was as active as a squirrel, but every limb seemed to be out of joint when LETTER he began to dance. We were always placed as the last couple, and went through the work with HE IS SENT AS A DAY SCHOLAR TO A CLERGYMAN the dogged determination of never dancing more IN BRISTOL-EARLY POETICAL EFFORTS. when we should once be delivered from the June 29th, 1824. dancing-master-a resolution which I have pi- IN a former letter I have mentioned Mrs. S-, ously kept, even unto this day. who had been Miss Tyler's schoolmistress. My ]ETAT. 12, 13. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 47 aunt kept up an acquaintance with her as long he was a well-minded boy, and has made a very as she lived, and after her death with her two respectable man. Harris was his name: he daughters, who lived together in a house on married Betsy Petrie, who was one of my fellowRedclift Parade, the pleasantest situation in Bris- travelers in Portugal. tel, if there had been even a tolerable approach I profited by this year's tuition less than I to it. One of these sisters was unmarried; the should have done at a good school. It is not other a widow with one son, who was just of my easy to remedy the ill effects of bad teaching; age: Jem Thomas was his name. Mr. Lewis, and the further the pupil has advanced in it, the the clergyman under whom I was placed at the greater must be the difficulty of bringing him end of 1786 or the beginning of 1787. lodged and into a better way. Lewis, too, had been accusboarded with these sisters. He had been usher tomed to the mechanical movements of a large at the grammar school; and, having engaged to school, and was at a loss how to proceed with a educate this boy, was willing to take a few more boy who stood alone. I began Greek under him, pupils from the hours of ten till two. When I made nonsense-verses, read the Electa ex Ovidio went to him he had two others, C — and R-, et Tibullo and Horace's Odes, advanced a little both my seniors by three or four years. The in writing Latin, and composed English themes. former I used to call Caliban: he might have C'est le premier pas qti coute. I was in as played that character without a mask, that is, great tribulation when I had the first theme to supposing he could have learned the part; for the write as when Williams required me to produce resemblance held good in mind as well as in ap- a letter. The text, of course, had been given pearance, his disposition being somewhat between me; but how to begin, what to say, or how to pig and baboon. The latter was a favorite with say it, I knew not. No one who had witnessed Lewis; his father had formerly practiced in Bristol my perplexity upon this occasion would have as a surgeon, but had now succeeded to an estate supposed how much was afterward to be spun of some value. Ie was little and mannish, some- from these poor brains. My aunt, at last in what vain of superficial talents, and with a spice compassion, wrote the theme for me. Lewis of conceit both in his manners and in his dress; questioned me if it was my own, and I told him but there was no harm in him. He took an the truth. He then encouraged me sensibly honorary Master's degree at the Duke of Port- enough; put me in the way of composing the land's installation in 1793, which was the only commonplaces of which themes are manufactime I ever saw him after we ceased to be fel- tured (indeed, he caused me to transcribe some low-pupils. He married about that time, and rules for themes, making a regular receipt as for died young. a pudding); and he had no reason afterward to Caliban had a sister whom I shall not libel complain of any want of aptitude in his scholar, when I call her Sycorax. A Bristol tradesman, for when I had learned that it was not more diffia great friend of S. T. C.'s, married her for her cult to write in prose than in verse, the ink dribmoney; and the only thing I ever heard of Cali- bled as daintily from my pen as ever it did from ban in after life was a story which reached me John Bunyan's. One of these exercises I still reof her every where proclaiming that her brother member sufficiently well to know that it was too was a very superior man to Mr. Coleridge, and had much like poetry, and that the fault was of a confuted him one evening seven-and-twenty times hopeful kind, consisting less in inflated language in one argument. The word which Coleridge than in poetical imagery and sentiment. But uses as a listener when he is expected to throw this was not pointed out as a fault, and luckily I in something, with or without meaning, to show was left to myself; otherwise, like a good horse, that he is listening, is, or used to be, as I well I might have been spoiled by being broken in remember, undoubtedly. The foolish woman too soon. had understood this expletive in its literal mean- It was still more fortunate that there was none ing, and kept account with her fingers that he to direct rme in my favorite pursuit, certain as it is pronounced it seven-and-twenty times, while en- that any instructor would have interfered with during the utterance of an animal in comparison the natural and healthy growth of that poetical with whom a centaur would deserve to be called spirit which was taking its own course. That human, and a satyr rational. spirit was like a plant which required no forcing Jem Thomas was a commonplace lad, with nor artificial culture; only air and sunshine, and a fine, handsome person, but by no means a good the rains and the dews of heaven. I do not rephysiognomy, and I can not remember the time member in any part of my life to have been so when I was not a physiognomist. He was edu- conscious of intellectual improvement as I was cated for a surgeon, and ruined by having at his during the year and half before I was placed at disposal, as soon as he came of age, something be- Westminster: an improvement derived, not from tween two and three thousand pounds, which his books or instruction, but from constantly exergrandfather unwisely left to him at once, instead cisin( myself in English verse; and from the deof leaving it to his mother for her life. This he velopment of mind which that exercise produced, presently squandered went out professionally I can distinctly trace my progress by help of a to the East Indies, and died there. So much for list, made thirty years ago, of all my composimy three companions, among whom it was not tions in verse which were then in existence, or possible that I could find a friend. There came which I had at that time destroyed. a fourth, a few weeks only before I withdrew: Early as my hopes had been directed toward 48 EARLY LIFE OF JETAT. 12, 13, the drama, they received a more decided and ments had no effect in abating my deep resent. more fortunate direction from the frequent peru- ment at this unpardonable curiosity; and, though sal of Tasso, Ariosto, and Spenser. I had read, she was a good-natured woman, I am afraid I also, Mickle's Lusiad and Pope's Homer. If you never quite forgave her. Determining, however, add to these an extensive acquaintance with the never to incur the risk of a second exposure, I novels of the day, and with the Arabian and immediately composed a set of characters for my mock-Arabian tales; the whole works of Jose- own use. phus (taken in by me with my pocket-money in In my twelfth and thirteenth year, besides threescore sixpenny numbers, which I now pos- these loftier attempts, I wrote three heroic epissess), such acquaintance with Greek and Roman ties in rhyme: the one was from Diomede to history as a schoolboy picks up from his lessons Egiale; the second from Octavia to Mark Anand from Goldsmith's abridged histories, and such tony; the third from Alexander to his father acquaintance with their fables as may be learned Herod, a subject with which Josephus supplied from Ovid, from the old Pantheon, and, above all, me. I made, also, some translations from Ovid, from the end of Littleton's Dictionary, you will Virgil, and Horace, and composed a satirical dehave a fair account of the stock upon which I scription of English manners. as delivered by began. But Shakspeare, and Beaumont and Omai, the Taheitean, to his countrymen on his Fletcher, must not be forgotten; nor Sidney's return. On the thirteenth anniversary of my Arcadia; nor Rowley's Poems, for Chatterton's birth, supposing (by an error which appeared to history was fresh in remembrance, and that story, be common enough at the end of the century) which would have affected one of my disposition that I was then entering the first year of my any where, acted upon me with all the force of teens instead of completing it, and looking upon local associations. that as an awful sort of step in life, I wrote some The first of my Epic Dreams was created by verses in a strain of reflection upon mortality Ariosto. I meant to graft a story upon the Or- grave enough to provoke a smile when I recollando Furioso, not knowing how often this had lect them. Among my attempts at this time been done by Italian and Spanish imitators. Ar- were two descriptive pieces entitled Morning in cadia was to have been the title and the scene; the Country and Morning in Town, in eight-sylthither I meant to carry the Moors under Mar- lable rhymes, and in imitation of Cunningham. silius after their overthrow in France, and there There was also a satirical peep into Pluto's doto have overthrown them again by a hero of my minions, in rhyme. I remember the conclusion own, named Alphonso, who had caught the Hip- only, and that because it exhibits a singular inpogriff. This must have been when I was be- dication how strongly and how early my heart tween nine and ten, for some verses of it were was set upon that peculiar line of poetry which written on the covers of my Phedrus. They I have pursued with most ardor. It described were in the heroic couplet. Among my aunt's the Elysium of the Poets, and that more sacred books was the first volume of Bysshe's Art of part of it in which Homer, Virgil, Tasso, SpenPoetry, which, worthless as it is, taught me at ser, Camoens, and Milton were assembled. that age the principle upon which blank verse is While I was regarding them, Fame came hurconstructed, and thereby did me good service at rying by with her arm full of laurels, and asking a good time. I soon learned to prefer that meter, in an indignant voice if there was no poet who not because it was easier than rhyme (which was would deserve them? Upon which I reached easy enough), but because I felt in it a greater out my hand, snatched at them, and awoke. freedom and range of language, because I was One of these juvenile efforts was wholly orig.. sensible that in rhyming I sometimes used ex- inal in its design. It was an attempt to exhibit pressions, for the sake of the rhyme, which were the story of the Trqjan War in a dramatic form, far-fetched, and certainly would not have occur- laying the scene in Elysium, where the events red without that cause. My second subject was which had happened on earth were related by the Trojan Brutus; the defeat and death of King the souls of the respective heroes as they sucRichard, and the Union of the two Roses, was cessively descended. The opening was a dia.my third. In neither of these did I make much logue between Laodamia and Protesilaus, in progress; but with the story of Egbert I was couplets: the best rhymes which I had yet writmore persevering, and partly transcribed several ten. But I did not proceed far, probably befolio sheets. The sight of these was an en- cause the design was too difficult, and this would couragement to proceed, and I often looked at have been reason enough for abandoning it even them with delight in the anticipation of future if I had not entered with more than usual ardor fame. This was a solitary feeling, for my am- upon a new heroic subject, of which Cassibelan bition or vanity (whichever it may deserve to be was the hero. I finished three books of this called) was not greater than the shyness which poem, and had advanced far in the fourth before accompanied it. My port-folio was of course I went to Westminster. All this was written held sacred. One day, however, it was profaned fairly out in my own private characters, and in by an acquaintance of my aunt's who called to my best writing, if one may talk of calligraphy pay a morning visit. She was shown into the in an unknown hand which looked something parlor, and I, who was sent to say my aunt like Greek, but more like conjuration, from the would presently wait upon her, found her with number of trines and squares which it containnmy precious E'ogbert in her hand Her comnpli- ed. These characters, however, proved fatal to IETAT. 12, 13. ROBERT T SO U T HEY. 49 the poem, for it was not possible for me to con- with the relative situation of its counties. It tinue it at school for want of privacy; disuse was, perhaps, fortunate that these pursuits were made the cipher so difficult that I could not read unassisted and solitary. By thus working a it without almost spelling as I went on and at' way for myself, I acquired a habit and a love for last, in very vexation, I burned the manuscript. investigation, and nothing appeared uninterestI wonder whether Spurzheim could, at that ing which gave me any of the information I time, have discovered an organ of constructive- wanted. The pleasure. which I took in such ness in my pericranium. The Elysian drama researches, and in composition, rendered me, in might seem to indicate that the faculty was a great degree, independent of other amusethere, but not a trace 6f it was to be found in nients; and no systematic education could have any of the heroic poems which I attempted. fitted me for my present course of life so well They were all begun upon a mere general no- as the circumstances which allowed me thus to tion of the subject, without any prearrangement, feel and follow my own impulses. and very little preconception of the incidents by which the catastrophe was to be brought about. When I sat down to write, I had to look as much for the incidents as for the thoughts and LETTER XV. words in which they were to be clothed. I expected them to occur just as readily; and so, in- CHARACTER OF MISS TYLER-HIS MOTHERdeed, such as they were, they did. -My reading HADRACH WEES -HIS BROTHER HENRT in -the old chivalrous romances has been suffi- PLACED WITH MISS TYLER —HIS SISTER'S ciently extensive to justify me in asserting that DEATH. the greater number of. those romances were July 17th, 1824. written just in the same way, without the slight- FEW boys were ever less qualified for the disest plan or forethought; and I am much mis- cipline of a public school than I was, when it taken if many of the Italian romantic poems was determined to place me at Westminster; were not composed in the same inartificial man- for, if my school education had been ill conductner. This I am sure-that it is more difficult ed, the life which I led with Miss Tyler tended to plan than to execute well, and that abund- in every respect still more to unfit me for the ance of true poetical power has been squander- new scenes, the new world almost it might be ed for want of a constructive talent in the poet. called, on which I was about to enter. I have felt this want in some of the Spanish When my aunt settled at Bristol, she brought and Portuguese writers even more than their with her a proud contempt for Bristol society. want of taste. The progress of my own mind In fact, she had scarcely any acquaintance there, toward attaining it (so far as I may be thought and seldom saw any company except when some to have attained it) I am able to trace distinctly, of her Bath friends came to Clifton for the sumnot merely by the works themselves, and by my mer, or when the. players took up their abode in own recollections of the views with which they the city, for then Mr. Dimond used to visit her. were undertaken and composed, but by the va- He was a most gentlemanly and respectable rious sketches and memoranda for four long nar- man, as well as a good actor. Great is the derative poems, made during their progress, from light which I have had in seeing him perform, the first conception of each till its completion. and hardly less was that which I have felt in At present, the facility and pleasure with which listening to his conversation. The days when I can plan a heroic poem, a drama, and a bio- he dined with us were almost our only gala days. graphical or historical work, however compre- At such times, and when she went out, Miss hensive, is even a temptation to me. It seems Tyler's appearance and manners were those of as if I caught the bearings of a subject at first a woman who had been bred in the best society, sight, just as Telford sees from an eminence, and was equal to it; but if any stranger or viswith a glance, in what direction his road must itor had caught her in her ordinary apparel, she be carried. But it was long before I acquired would have been as much confused as Diana this power-not fairly, indeed, till I was about when Acteon came upon her bathing-place, and five or six-and-thirty; and it was gained by almost with as much reason, for she was always practice, in the course of which I learned to in a bed-gown and in rags. Most people, I susperceive wherein I was deficient. pect, have a weakness for old shoes; ease and There was one point in which these prema- comfort, and one's own fireside, are connected ture attempts afforded a hopeful omen, and that with them; in fact, we never feel any regard for was in the diligence and industry with which I shoes till they attain to the privileges of age, endeavored to acquire all the historical informa- and then they become almost as' much a part of tion within my reach relating to the subject in the wearer as his corns. This sort of feeling, hand. Forty years ago I could have given a my aunt extended to old clothes of every kind; better account of the birth and parentage of Eg- the older and the raggeder they grew, the more bert, and the state of the Heptarchy during his unwilling she was to cast them off. But she youth, than I could do now without referring to was scrupulously clean in them; indeed, the books; and when Cassibelan was my hero, I principle upon which her whole household econwas as well acquainted with the division of the omy was directed was that of keeping the house island among the ancient tribes, as I am now clean, and taking more precautions against dust D 50 EARLY LIFE OF. ETAT. 12,13 than would have been needful against the plague ness in it, though it was under no restraint. She in an infected city. She labored under a perpet- was at once tyrannical and indulgent to her servual dusto-phobia, and a comical disease it was; ants, and they usually remained a long while in but whether I have been most amused or annoy- her service, partly, I believe, from fear, and ed by it, it would be difficult to say. I had, partly from liking: from liking, because she sent however, in its consequences, an early lesson them often to the play (which is probably, to perhow fearfully the mind may be enslaved by in- sons in that condition, as it is to children, the dulging its own peculiarities and whimsies, inno- most delightful of all amusements), and because cent as they may appear at first. she conversed with them much more than is The discomfort which Miss Tyler's passion usual for any one in her rank of life. Her habfor cleanliness produced to herself, as well as to its were so peculiar, that the servants became, her little household, was truly curious: to her- in a certain degree, her confidants; she thereself, indeed, it was a perpetual torment; to the fore was afraid to change them; and they even, two servants, a perpetual vexation; and so it when they wished to leave her, were afraid to would have been to me if Nature had not blessed express the wish, knowing that she would regard me with an innate hilarity of spirit which noth- it as a grievous offense, and dreading the storm ing but real affliction can overcome. That the of anger that it would bring down. Two servbetter rooms might be kept clean, she took pos- ants in my remembrance left her for the sake of session of the kitchen, sending the servants to marrying; and, although they had both lived with one which was under ground; and in this little, her many years, she never forgave either, nor ever dark, confined place, with a rough stone floor, spoke of them without some expression of bitterand a sky-light (for it must not be supposed that ness. I believe no daughter was ever more afraid it was a best kitchen, which was always, as it of disclosing a clandestine marriage to a severe was intended to be, a comfortable sitting-room; parent than both these women were of making this was more like a scullery), we always took their intention known to their mistress, such was our meals, and generally lived. The best room the ascendency that she possessed over them. was never opened but for company, except now She had reconciled herself to the indulgence of and then on a fine day to be aired and dusted, if her ungoverned anger by supposing that a bad dust could be detected there. In the other par- temper was naturally connected with a good un. lor I was allowed sometimes to read, and she derstanding and a commanding mind. wrote her letters, for she had many correspond- Besides her servants, there were two persons ents; and we sat there sometimes in summer, over whom she had acquired the most absolute when a fire was not needed, for fire produced control. Miss Palmer was the one: a more comashes, and ashes occasioned dust, and dust, visi- plete example can not be imagined of that magic ble or invisible, was the plague of her life. I which a strong mind exercises over a weak one. have seen her order the tea-kettle to be emptied The influence which she possessed over my mothand refilled because some one had passed across er was equally unbounded and more continual, the hearth while it was on the fire preparing for but otherwise to be explained: it was the asher breakfast. She had indulged these humors cendency of a determined and violent spirit over till she had formed for herself notions of unclean- a gentle and yielding one. There was a differness almost as irrational and inconvenient as those ence of twelve years between their ages, and the of the Hindoos. She had a cup once buried for authority which Miss Tyler had first exerted as six weeks, to purify it from the lips of one whom an elder sister she never relaxed. My mother she accounted unclean; all who were not her fa- was one of those few persons (for a few such vorites were included in that class. A chair in there are) who think too humbly of themselves. which an unclean person had sat was put out in Her only fault (I verily believe she had no oththe garden to be aired; and I never saw her more er) was that of yielding submissively to this imannoyed than on one occasion, when a man, who perious sister, to the sacrifice of her own inclincalled upon business, seated himself in her own ation and judgment, and sense of what was right. chair: how the cushion was ever again to be ren- She had grown up in awe and admiration of her, dered fit for her use, she knew not! On such as one who moved in a superior rank, and who, occasions, her fine features assumed a character with the advantage of a fine form and beautiful either fierce or tragic; her expressions were ve- person, possessed that, also, of a superior and culhement even to irreverence; and her gesticula- tivated understanding: withal, she loved her with tions those of the deepest and wildest distress- a true sisterly affection which nothing could dihands and eyes uplifted, as if she was in hopeless minish, clearly as she saw her faults, and severely misery, or in a paroxysm of mental anguish. as at last she suffered by them. But never did: As there are none who like to be upon ill terms I know one person so entirely subjected by anwith themselves, most people find out some de- other, and never have I regretted any thing more vice whereby they may be reconciled to their deeply than that subjection, which most certainown faults; and in this propensity it is that much ly, in its consequences, shortened her life. of the irreligion in the world, and much of its If my mother had not been disfigured by the false philosophy, have originated. My aunt used small-pox, the two sisters would have strikingly frequently to say that all good-natured people resembled each other except in complex:on, my were fools. Hers was a violent temper rather mother being remarkably fair. The expression, than an ill one; there was a great deal of kind- however, of the two countenances was as oppo }ETAT. 12, 13. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 51 site as the features were alike, and the difference mile and a half further down the river, to search in disposition was not less marked. Take her.for for the bee and fly orchis. Some book had taught all in all, I do not believe that any human being me that these rare flowers were to be found there; ever brought into the world, and carried through and I sought for them year after year with such it, a larger portion of original goodness than my persevering industry, for the unworthy purpose dear mother. Every one who knew her loved of keeping them in pots at home (where they her, for she seemed made to be happy herself, uniformly pined and died), that I am afraid botand to make every one happy within her little anists who came after me may have looked for sphere. Her understanding was as good as her them there in vain. Perhaps I have never had heart: it is from her I have inherited that alert- a keener enjoyment of natural scenery than when ness of mind, and quickness of apprehension, roaming about the rocks and woods on the side without which it would have been impossible for of the Avon with Shad and our poor spaniel me to have undertaken half of what I have per- Phillis. Indeed, there are few scenes in the islformed. God never blessed a human creature and finer of their kind, and no other where merwith a more cheerful disposition, a more gener- chant vessels of the largest size may be seen sailous spirit, a sweeter temper, or a tenderer heart. ing between such rocks and woods-the shores I remember that when first I understood what being upon a scale of sufficient magnitude to death was, and began to think of it, the most fear- supply all that the picturesque requires, and not ful thought it induced was that of losing my moth- upon so large a one as to make the ships appear er; it seemed to me more than I could bear, and comparatively insignificant. I used to hope that I might die before her. Na- Had it not been for this companion, there ture is merciful to us. We learn gradually that would have been nothing to counteract the efwe are to die; a knowledge which, if it came feminating and debilitating tendency of the habsuddenly upon us in riper age, would be more its to which my aunt's peculiarities subjected than the mind could endure. We are gradually me. Pricking play-bills had been the pastime prepared for our departure by seeing the objects which she encouraged as long as I could be of our earliest and deepest affections go before prevailed on to pursue it, and afterward she enus; and even if no keener afflictions are dis- couraged me to cut paper into fantastic patterns. pensed to wean us from this world, and remove But I learned a better use of my hands in Shad's our tenderest thoughts and dearest hopes to an- company; and we became such proficients in other, mere age brings with it a weariness of carpentry, that, before I went to Westminster, life, and death becomes to the old as natural and we set about the enterprise of making and fitting desirable as sleep to a tired child. up a theater for puppets. This was an arduous My father's house being within ten minutes' and elaborate work, of which I shall have more walk of Terril Street (or rather run, for I usu- to say hereafter, as our design extended with ally galloped along the by-ways), few days passed our progress. At this time, little more had on which I did not look in there. Miss Tyler been done than to finish the body of the theater, never entered the door, because there was an where there were pit, boxes, and gallery, and an enmity between her and Thomas Southey. She ornamented ceiling, which, when it was put on, had given just occasion to it. They hated each made the whole look on the outside like a box other cordially now, and took no pains to con- of unaccountable form. The spectator was to ceal it. My visits at home, therefore, were short, look through a glass behind the gallery, which and I was seldom allowed to dine or pass the was intended to have been a magnifier, till, to evening there. My brother Tom was at school our great disappointment, we were assured at the difference of age between us made us at that the optician's that no single magnifier could protime not very suitable companions when we were duce any effect at the distance which this was together. There-was not a single boy of my own required to act. The scenery and stage conage, or near it, in any of the few families with trivances I shall speak of in due time, for this whom either my mother or aunt were acquaint- was an undertaking which called forth all our ed; and my only friend and companion was my ingenuity, and continued for several years to ocaunt's servant-boy, Shadrach Weeks, her maid's cupy me during the holidays. brother. Shad, as we called him, was just my Before I went to Westminster, my brother own age, and had been taken into her service Henry had been taken into Miss Tyler's housesoon after she settled in Bristol. He was a hold, when he was about five years old. In good-natured, active, handy lad, and became 1787 a daughter was born, and christened Marvery much attached to me, and I to him. At garetta. I remember her as well as it is posthis hour, if he be living, and were to meet me, sible to remember an infant-that is, without I am sure he would greet me with a hearty shake any fixed and discriminating remembrance. She by the hand; and, be it where it might, I should was a beautiful creature, and I was old enough return the salutation. We used to work togeth- to feel the greatest solicitude for her recovery, er in the garden, play trap in the fields, make when I set off for London early in the spring of kites and fly them, try our hands at carpentry, 1788. A thoughtless nurse-maid had taken her and, which was the greatest of all indulgences, out one day to the most exposed situation withgo into the country to bring home primrose, vio- in reach, what is called the Sea Banks, and kept let, and cowslip roots; and sometimes to St. her there unusually long while a severe east ViUccit's Rocks, or, ratler, the heights about a wind was blowing. From that hour she drooped; 52 EARLY LIFE OF /ETAT. 14. cough and consumption came on. I left her movement of the countenance could be perceived. miserably and hopelessly ill, and never saw her I wished for Shad, and the carpentry, and poor more. This was the first death that I had ever Phillis, and our rambles among the woods and apprehended and dreaded, and it affected me rocks. At length, upon the first of April (of deeply. all ominous days that could be chosen), Mr. Palmer took me in his carriage to Dean's Yard, introduced me to Dr. Smith, entered my name LETTER XVI. with him, and, upon his recommendation, placed me at the boarding house, then called Otley's, IS PLACED AT WESTMINSTER-SCHOOLFELLOWVS frorm its late mistress, but kept by Mrs. Farren -FIRST HOLIDAYS-ANECDOTE OF GEORGE and left me there, with Samuel Hayes, the usher THE THIRD-LATIN VERSES. of the house, and of the fifth form, for my tutor. August 29th, 1824. Botch Hayes, as he was denominated, for the THE business of placing me at Westminster manner in which he mended his pupil's verses, afforded my aunt an excuse for going to London. kept a small boarding house next door; but at Miss Palmer was easily persuaded to accompa- this time a treaty of union between the two ny her, and to hire a carriage for the season, houses was going on, which, like the union of and.we set off in February, 1788. I had never Castile and Aragon, was to be brought about before been a mile from Bath in that direction, by a marriage between the respective heads of and when my childish thoughts ever wandered the several states..This marriage took place into the terra incognita which I was one day to during the ensuing Whitsun holidays; and the explore, this had been the road to it, simply be- smaller flock was removed, in consequence, to cause all the other outlets from that city were our boarding house, which then took the name familiar to me. We slept at Marlborough the of Hayes's, but retained it only a few months, first night, at Reading the second, and on the for Hayes, in disgust at not being appointed unthird day we reached Salt Hill. Tom and der master, withdrew from the school. His Charles Palmer were summoned from Eton to wife, of course, followed his fortunes, and was meet their aunt there, and we remained a day succeeded by Mrs. Clough, who migrated thither for the purpose of seeing Windsor, which I have with a few boarders from Abingdon Street. But never seen since. Lodgings had been engaged as Botch Hayes is a person who must make his in a small house in Pall Mall, for no situation appearance in the Athenm Cantabrigienses (if that was less fashionable would, content Miss my lively, happy, good-natured friend Mr. Hughes Tyler, and she had a reckless prodigality at fits carries into effect his intention of compiling such and starts, the effects of which could not be a work), I will say something of him here. counteracted by the parsimony and even penu- He was a man who, having some skill and riousness of her usual habits. Mr. Palmer was much facility in versifying, walked for many at that time'controller of the Post-office, holding years over the Seatonian race-ground at Camthe situation which he had so well deserved, and bridge, and enjoyed the produce of Mr. Seaton's from which he was not long afterward most in- Kislingbury estate without a competitor. He juriously displaced. We visited him, and the was, moreover, what Oldys describes Nahum Newberrys, and Mrs. Dolignon, and went often Tate to have been-" a free, good-natured, fudto the theaters; and my aunt appeared to be as dling companion;" to all which qualities his happy as if she were not incurring expenses countenance bore witness. With better conduct which she had no means of discharging. My and better fortune, Hayes would have had learnfather had given her thirty pounds for the jour- ing and talents enough to have deserved and ney, a sum amply sufficient for taking me to obtained promotion. His failings were so notoschool and leaving me there, and, moreover, as rious, and the boys took such liberties with him much as he could afford; but she had resolved (sticking his wig full of paper darts in school, upon passing the season in town, as careless of and, indeed, doing or leaving undone whatever all consequences as if she had been blind to they pleased, in full reliance upon his easy and them. indolent good-nature), that it would have been About six weeks elapsed before I was depos- a most unfit thing to have appointed him under ited at my place of destination. In the interval master, in course of seniority, when Vincent sucI had passed a few days with the Newberrys at ceeded Dr. Smith. Perhaps he would not have Addiscombe, and with the Miss Delameres at taken offense at being passed by, if a person Cheshunt. At the latter place I was happy, for thoroughly qualified had been chosen in his they were excellent women, to whom my heart stead; but he could not bear to have an inferior opened, and I had the full enjoyment of the coun- usher, who was a man of no talents whatever, try there, without any drawback. London I promoted over him, and therefore, to the great very much disliked: I was too young to take injury of his worldly affairs, which could ill bear any pleasure in the companies to which I was such a sacrifice, he left the school altogether. introduced as an inconvenient appendage of my Hayes it was who edited those sermons which aunt's; nor did I feel half the interest at the Dr. Johnson is supposed to have written for his theaters, splendid as they were, which I had friend Dr. Taylor. been wont to take at Bath and Bristol, where I was placed in the under fourth, a year lower every actor's face was familiar to me, and every than I might have been if I could have mado JETAT. 14. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 53 Latin verses, and yet more than a year too high of those figures which you always remember for being properly trained to make them. The vividly. I heard nothing of him till the Irish manner of introducing a boy into the ways of rebellion: he served in the army there; and the school was by placing him for a week or ten there was a story, which got into the newspadays under the direction of one in the same re- pers,- of his meeting a man upon the road, and move, who is called his substance, the new- putting him to death without judge or jury, upon comer being the shadow; and, during this sort suspicion of his being a rebel. It was, no doubt, of novitiate, the shadow neither takes nor loses an act of madness. I know not whether any place by his own deserts, but follows the sub- proceedings took place (indeed, in those dreadful stance. A diligent and capable boy is, of course, times, any thing was passed over); but he died selected for this service; and Smedley, the usher soon afterward, happily for himself and all who of the fourth, to my great joy, picked out George were connected with him. Strachey, the very individual on whom my phys- Miss Tyler returned to Bristol before the ibgnomical eyes would have rested if I might Whitsun holidays, having embarrassed herself, have made a choice throughout the whole school. and had recourse to shifts of which I knew too Strachey and I were friends at first sight. But much. To spare the expense of a journey so he boarded at home; and it is in the boarding soon after my entrance at school, I was invited house, more than in the school, that a friend is for the holidays by the good Miss Delameres to wanted; and there, God knows, I had, for some Cheshunt. I passed three weeks there very haptime, a solitary heart. pily, having the use of an excellent microscope, The present Lord'Amherst was head of the and frequently taking my book into the greenhouse; a mild, inoffensive boy, who interfered house, and reading there for the sake of the with no one, and, having a room to himself temperature and the odor of the flowers. Dur(which no other boy had), lived very much to ing part of the time there were two other guests himself in it, liked and respected by every body. in the house. The one was a nice, good-huI was quartered in the room with --, who mored, warm-hearted girl, in the very flower of afterward married that sweet creature, Lady youth and feeling, who was engaged to a French -, and never was woman of a dove-like na- or Swiss clergyman, Mercier by name. Her ture more unsuitably mated, for --, when in own was La Chaumette. She was of Swiss exanger, was perfectly frantic. His face was as traction, and, having passed the preceding year fine as a countenance could be which expressed among her relations in the Pays de Vaud, had so ungovernable and dangerous a temper; the brought home something like a'maladie du pays, finest red and white, dark eyes and brows, and if that phrase may be applied to a longing after black curling hair; but the expression was rath- any country which is not our own: it was, hower that of a savage than of a civilized being, and ever, a very natural affection for one who was no savage could be more violent. He had sea- compelled to exchange Lausanne for Spitalfields. sons of good nature, and at the worst was rath- I used to abuse Switzerland as a land of bears er to be dreaded than disliked, for he was plain- and wolves, and ice and snow, for the sake of ly not master of himself. But I had cause to seeing the animation with which she defended dread him, for he once attempted to hold me by and praised it. Not long afterward she married the leg out of the window. It was the first floor, to her heart's content, and, to the very great reand over a stone area: had I not struggled in gret of all who knew her, died in her first childtime, and clung to the frame with both hands, bed. Poor Betsey la Chaumette! after a lapse my life would probably have been sacrificed to of nine-and-twenty years, I thought of her in this freak of temporary madness. He used to Switzerland, and when I was at Echichens with pour water into my ear when I was abed and the Awdrys, met with a Swiss clergyman who asleep, fling the porter-pot or the poker at me, knew her and remembered her visit to that and in many ways exercised such a capricious country. and dangerous tyranny, merely by right of the I have heard her mother relate an anecdote strongest (for he was not high enough in the of herself which is well worthy of preservation, school to fag me), that at last I requested Mr. because of another personage to whom it relates Hayes to remove me into another chamber. also. She was a most lively, good-humored, enThither he followed me; and, at a very late hour tertaining woman; and her conversation was the one night, came in wrapped in a sheet, thinking more amusing because it was in broken English, to frighten me by personating a ghost, in which intermingled plentifully with French interjeccharacter he threw himself upon the bed, and tions.' In person she was strong-featured, large, rolled upon me. Not knowing who'it was, but' and plain even to ugliness, if a countenance can certain that it was flesh and blood, I seized him be called ugly which was always brightened by the throat, and we made noise enough to bring with cheerfulness and good nature. There was up the usher of the house, and occasion an in- a Mr. Giffardiere, who held some appointment quiry, which ended in requiring' —-'s word in the queen's household (I think he used to read that he never would again molest me.. French to her), and was one of those persons He kept his word faithfully, and left school a with whom the royal family were familiar. Mrs. few months afterward, when he was about seven- La Chaumette was on a visit to himnat Windsor, teen or eighteen, and apparently full grown-a and it was insisted upon by the Giffardieres that singularly fine and striking youth; indeed, one she must have one of the Lunardi bonnets (im 54 EARLY LIFE OF BETAT. 14. mortalized by Burns) which were then in fashion, verses, but it is plain that you have taken great it being the first age of balloons. This she re- pains in making these, and therefore I am sure sisted most woomanffldly, pleading her time of life the usher will give you credit for what you have and ugliness with characteristic volubility and done," returned them to me, saying, " Sir, I liveliness, but to no purpose. Her eloquence see you will be another Virgil one of these days." was overruled; and as nobody could appear I knew that this was neither deserved as praise without such a bonnet, such a bonnet she had. nor as mockery; and I felt then, as I have conAll this went to the palace; for kings and queens tinued through life to do, that unmerited censure are sometimes as much pleased at being ac- brings with it its own antidote in the sense of quainted with small private affairs as their sub- injustice which it provokes, but that nothing is jects are in conversing upon great public ones. so mortifying as praise to which you are conMrs. La Chaumette's conversation was worth scious that you have no claim. repeating, even to a king; and she was so orig- Smedley spoke to me sensibly and kindly about inal a person, that the king knew her very well this exercise, and put me in training as far as by character, and was determined to see her. could then be done. He had no reason to comAccordingly, he stopped his horse one day be- plain of my want of good will, for before the fore Giffardiere's apartments, and, after talking next holidays I wrote about fifty long and short a while with him, asked if Mrs. La Chaumette verses upon the death of Fair Rosamund, which was within, and desired she might be called to I put into his hands. The composition was bad the window. She came in all the agitation or enough, I dare say, in many respects, but it gave fluster that such a summons was likely to excite. proofs of good progress. They were verses to The king spoke to her with his wonted good the ear as well as to the fingers; and I rememnature, asked her a few questions, hoped she ber them sufficiently to know that the attempt liked Windsor, and concluded by saying he was was that of a poet. It is worth remembering, glad to hear she had consented at last to have a as being the only Latin poem that I ever comLunardi bonnet. Trifling as this is, it is a sort posed voluntarily; for there my ambition ended. of trifling in which none but a kind-hearted king When I was so far upon a footing with the rest would have indulged; and I believe no one ever of the remove that I could make verses decent heard the story without liking George III. the enough to pass muster, I was satisfied. It was better for it: I am sure this was the effect it in English, and not in heathen Latin, that produced in the circle of her acquaintance. How "The sacred Sisters for their own well do I remember the looks, and tones, and Baptized me in the springs of Helicon;" gestures, and mon Dicus! with which she ac- and I also knew, though I did not know Lope de companied the relation. Vega had said it, that James Beresford was the other visitor at Ches- Todo paxaro en su nido Natural canto mantiene, hunt; an unsuccessful translator of the ZEneid En que sr pereto viene: into blank verse, but the very successful author Porque en el canto aprendido of the Miseries of Human Life. He was then a Mil imperfeciones tiene." young man, either just in orders, or on the point of being ordained. This story was then remembered of him at the Charter House: that he had LETTER XVII. been equally remarkable when a boy for his noisiness and his love of music; and having one day RECOLLECTIONS OF WESTMINSTER CONTINUED. skipped school to attend a concert, there was March 16th, 1825. such an unusual quietness in consequence of his THE Christmas before my entrance at Westabsence, that the master looked round, and said, minster, I remember seeing in the newspapers " Where's Beresford? I am sure he can not be the names of those boys who acted in the Westin school!" and the detection thus brought about minster play that year (1787). For one who cost poor Beresford a flogging. Him also, like knew nothing of the school, nor of any person in Betsey la Chaumette, I never saw after that vis- it, it was something to be acquainted with three it; and, with all his pleasantness and good na- or four boys, even by name; and I pleased myture, he left upon me an unpleasant impression: self with thinking that they were soon to be my from a trifling circumstance which I remember friends. This was a vain fancy in both senses as indicative of my own moral temper at that of the word: by their being selected to perform time. Our holidays' exercise was to compose in the play, I supposed they were studious and a certain number of Latin verses from any part clever boys, with whom I should, of course, beof Thomson's Spring. I did my task doggedly, come familiar; and I had no notion of the inein ouch a manner that it was impossible any ex- quality which station produces at a public school. ercise could have been more unlike a good one, It is such that, when I came to Westminster, I and yet the very best could not more effectually never exchanged a word with any of these perhave proved the diligence with which it had been sons. Oliphant, Twistleton, and Carey were three made. There was neither a false quantity, nor of them. Carey was a marked favorite with Vina grammatical fault, nor a decent line in the cent, and afterward with Cyril Jackson at Christ whole. The ladies made me show it to Beres- Church; he is now Bishop of Exeter, having ford; and he, instead of saying, in good-natured been head master of the school where, at the sincerity, " You have never been taught to make time of which I am now writing, he was one of SETAT. 14,15. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 55 the monitors. It is said that he is indebted to serious composition than good schoolboy's exerCyril Jackson for his promotion to the bench, cises; but it had no lucky hits of a lighter kind; the dean requesting a bishopric for him, or, rath- and when forty numbers had been published, er, earnestly recommending him for one when more to the contentment of the writers than of he refused it for himself. Twistleton was re- any body else, the volume was closed and was markable for a handsome person, on which he forgotten. The only disgraceful circumstance prided himself, and for wearing his long hair attending it was that a caricature was put forth, loose and powdered in school, but tied and dressed representing Justice as weighing the Microcosm when he went out; for in those days hobble-de- against the Trifler, and the former, with its auhoys used to let their hair grow, cultivating it thors, and the king as a make-weight on their for a tail, which was then the costume of man- side, was made to kick the beam. This was hood. The Westminster play gave him a taste designed and etched by James Hook, then a for private theatricals. Immediately after leav- junior king's scholar, and now the very Reverend ing school he married a girl with whom he had Dean of Worcester. I do not suppose it was figured away in such scenes; she became an act- sold in the print-shops, but the boys were exress afterward in public of some pretensions and pected to subscribe for it at a shilling each. much notoriety, as being the wife of an honora- My first attempt to appear in print was in the ble and a clergyman. For a while Twistleton aforesaid Trifler. I composed an elegy upon my figured in London as a popular preacher, which poor little sister's death, which took place just too frequently is but another kind of acting; he at that time. The verses were written with all then went out to India, and died there lately as sincerity of feeling, for I was very deeply affectarchdeacon in Ceylon, where he had latterly ed; but that they were very bad I have no doubt; taken a very useful and becoming part in pro- indeed, I recollect enough of them to know it. moting the efforts which are made in that island However, I sent them by the penny-post, signfor educating and converting the natives. Oli- ing them with the letter B.; and in the next phant was the more remarkable person of the number this notice was taken of the communicathree, and would probably have risen to celebrity tion: " B.'s Elegy must undergo some alterahad he lived. He was from Liverpool, the son, tions, a liberty all our correspondents must allow I believe, of a tradesman, one of the queerest us to take." After this I looked for its appearfellows in appearance that I ever remember to ance anxiously, but in vain; for no further menhave seen; and so short-sighted, that we had tion was made of it, because no alteration could stories of his walking into a grave in the clois- have rendered it fit for appearance, even among ters, and running his head through a lamp-light- the compositions of elder schoolboys. Oliphant er's ladder in the street. The boys in the sixth and his colleagues never knew from whence it form speak in public once a week, in rotation, came; I was far too much below them to be three king's scholars and three town boys. Gen- suspected, and, indeed, at that time, I was known erally this is got through as a disagreeable task; out of my remove for nothing but my curly head. but now and then an ambitious fellow mouths Curly heads are not common; I doubt whether instead of mumbling it; and I remember Twis- they can be reckoned at three per cent. upon the tleton and Oliphant reciting the scene between population of this country; but, luckily for me, Brutus and Cassius with good effect, and with the present Sir Charles Burrell (old Burrell, as voices that filled the school. After leaving Cam- we then called him, a very good-natured man) bridge Oliphant tried his fortune as an author, had one as well as myself. The space between and published a novel, which I never saw; but Palace Yard and St. Margaret's Church-yard it had some such title as " Memoirs of a Wild was at that time covered with houses. You Goose Philosopher." He died soon afterward. must remember them, but I knew all the lanes His first efforts in authorship were, however, and passages there; intricate enough they were, made as a periodical essayist before he left school. and afforded excellent cover, just in the most The Microcosm, which the Etonians had recent- dangerous part, on the border, when we were ly published, excited a spirit of emulation at going out of bounds, or returning home from such Westminster; and soon after I went there, some an expedition. The improvements which have of the senior king's scholars, of whom Oliphant laid all open there have done no service to the was at the head, commenced a weekly paper Westminster boys, and have deprived me of some called the Trifler. As the master's authority in of the pleasantest jogging-places for memory that our age of lax discipline could not prevent this, London used to contain. In one of these pasSmith contented himself, in his good-natured, sages was the door of a little schoolmaster, whose easy way, with signifying his disapprobation by academy was announced by a board upon the giving as a text for a theme, on the Monday front of a house, close to St. Margaret's Churchafter the first number appeared, these words, yard. Some of the day boys in my remove took scribimus indocti doctique. There were two or it into their heads, in the pride of Westminster, three felicitous papers in the Microcosm which to annoy this academician by beating up his made a reputation for the book; indeed, Eton quarters, and one day I joined in the party. has never produced men of more genius than The sport was to see him sally with a cane in those who contributed to it. The Trifler may in his hand, and to witness the admiration of his general have been on a par with it; that is to say, own subjects at our audacity. He complained neither of them could contain any thing better in at last, as he had good cause, to Vincent; but 56 EARLY LIFE OF.ETAT. 14, 15. no suspicion fell or could fall upon the real par- generally speaking, in most instances where I ties; for it so was, that the three or four'ring- have had opportunity of observing; the man has leaders in these regular rows were in every re- been what the boy promised, or, as we should spect some of the best boys in the school, and say in Cumberland, offered to be. the very last to whom any such pranks would Our boarding house was under the tyranny have been imputed. The only indication he of W. F —. He was, in Westminster lancould give was that one of the culprits was a guage, a great beast; that is, in plain truth, a curly-headed fellow. One evening, a little to great brute-as great a one as ever went upon my amusement, and not a little to my conster- two legs. But there are two sorts of human nation, I heard old Burrell say that Vincent had brutes-those who partake of wolf-nature or of just sent for him, and taxed him with making a pig-nature, and F — was of the better breed, row at a schoolmaster's in St. Margaret's Church- if it be better to be wolfish than swinish. He yard, and would hardly believe the protestations of would have made a good prize-fighter, a good innocence, which he reiterated with an oath when buccaneer, or, in the days of Cmur de Lion or he told the story, and which I very well knew to of my Cid, a good knight, to have cut down the be sincere. It was his curly head, he said, that misbelievers with a strong arm and a hearty brought him into suspicion. I kept my own coun- good will. Every body feared and hated him; sel, and did not go near the academy again. and yet it was universally felt that he saved the At a public school you know something of house from the tyranny of a greater beast than every boy in your own boarding house and in himself. This was a fellow by name B — your own form; you are better acquainted with who was mean and malicious, which F — was those in your own remove (which at Westminster not. I do not know what became of him; his means half a form); and your intimacies are such name has not appeared in the Tyburn Calendar, as choice may make from these chances ofjuxta- which was the only place to look for it; and if position. All who are above you you know by he has been hanged, it must have been under an sight and by character, if they have any: to alias, an observation which is frequently made have none indicates an easy temper, inclined when he is spoken of by his schoolfellows. He rather to good than evil. Of those who are be- and F- were of an age and standing, the low you, unless they are in the same house, you giants of the house, but F — was the braver, are acquainted with very few, even by'name. and did us the good office of keeping him in orThe number, however, of those with whom you der. They hated each other cordially, and, the are more or less brought in contact, is such, that evening before we were rid of " Butcher B-," after-life seldom or never affords another oppor- F gave the whole house the great satisfactunity of knowing so many persons so well, and tion of giving him a good thrashing. forming so fair an estimate of human nature. Is It was so obviously impossible to put Latin and that estimate a favorable one? and what says Greek into F —, at either end, even if there my own experience? Of the three hundred had been any use in so doing, that no attempt boys who were my cotemporaries during four was made at it.'The Greek alphabet he must years (about fifty, perhaps, being changed annual- have known; but he could have known nothing ly), there were very few upon whose countenance more of Greek, nor, indeed, of any thing else, Nature had set her best testimonials. I can call than just to qualify him for being crammed to to mind only one wherein the moral and intel- pass muster, at passing from one form to another; lectual expression were in perfect accord of ex- and so he was floated up to the Shell, beyond cellence, and had full effect given them by the which the tide carried no one. He never did an features which they illuminated. Those who exercise for himself of any kind; they were done bore the stamp of reprobation, if I may venture by deputy, whom the fist appointed; and, after to use a term which is to be abhorred, were cer- a while, it was my ill fortune to be promoted to tainly more in number, but not numerous. The that office. My orders were that the exercises great majority were of a kind to be whatever must always be bad enough; and bad enough circumstances might make them; clay in the they were. I believe, indeed, that the habit of potter's hand, more or less fine; and as it is fit- writing bad Latin for him spoiled me for writing ting that such subjects should be conformed to it well, when, in process of time, I had exercises the world's fashion and the world's uses, a pub- of the same kind to compose in my own person. lie school was best for them. But where there It was a great deliverance when he left school. is a tendency to low pursuits and low vices, such I saw him once afterward, in the High Street at schools are fatal. They are nurseries, also, for Oxford. He recognized me instantly, st6pped tyranny and brutality. Yet, on the other hand, me, shook me heartily by the hand, as if we had good is to be acquired there, which can be at- been old friends, and said, "I hear you became tained in no other course of education. a devilish fine fellow after I left, and used to row Of my own cotemporaries there, a fair pro- Dodd (the usher of the house) famously!" The portion have filled that place and maintained that look and the manner with which these words character in the world which might have been were spoken I remember perfectly; the more expected from the indications of their boyhood. so, perhaps, because he died soon afterward, and Some have manifested talents which were com- little as it was to have been expected, there was pletely latent at that time; and others who put something in his death which excited a certain forth a fair blossom have produced no fruit. But, degree of respect as well as pity. He went into jETAT. 14, 15. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 57 the army, and perished in our miserable expedi- monks, tenants, dependents, and guests all as tion to St. Domingo, where, by putting himself happy as indulgence, easy good-nature, and forward on all occasions of service, and especially hearty hospitality could make, them. As it was, by exerting himself in dragging cannon when flesh of a better grain never went to the landthe soldiers were unequal to the fatigue, he crabs, largely as in those days they were fed. brought on the yellow fever, and literally fell a There was another person in the remove, who, victim to a generosity and good-nature which he when he allowed himself time for such idle enhad never been supposed to possess. tertainment, was as fond of Blair's conversation That fever proved fatal to a good many of my as I was (our intercourse with him was only Westminster schoolfellows, who, some of them during school hours), but to whom I was attachbecause they were fit for the army, and others ed by sympathies of a better kind. This was because they were fit for nothing else,, took to William Bean, the son of an apothecary at Camthat profession at the commencement of the Rev- berwell, from which place he walked every day olutionary war. Rather a large proportion of to school, a distance of more than three miles to them perished in the West Indies. "Who the and fro. He had a little of the Cockney pronundevil would have thought of my burying old ciation, for which Blair used to laugh at him Blair!" was the, exclamation of one who re- and mimic him. His appearance was odd, as turned, and who of the two might better have well as remarkable, and made the worse by his been buried there himself. Blair was a cousin dress. One day, when he had gone into the of the present Countess of Lonsdale, and I was boarding house with me, Dickenson (the presas intimate with him as it was possible to be ent member for Somersetshire, a good-natured with one who boarded in another house, though man) came into the room, and, fixing his eyes it would not have been easy to have found a boy upon him, exclaimed, with genuine surprise, in the whole school more thoroughly unlike my- "0 you cursed quiz, what is your name?" One self in every thing, except in temper. He was, Sunday afternoon, when with my two most intias Lord Lonsdale told me, a spoiled child-idle, mate associates (Combe and Lambe) I had been careless, fond of dogs and horses, of hunting rats, taking a long ramble on the Surrey side of the baiting badgers; and, above all, of driving stage- river, we met Bean somewhere near the Elecoaches. But there was a jovial hilarity, a per- phant and Castle, returning home from a visit, petual flow of easy good spirits, a sunshine of in his Sunday's suit of dittos, and in a cocked good humor upon his countenance, and a merri- hat to boot. However contented he might have ment in his eye, which bring him often to my been in this costume, I believe that, rather than mind, and always make me think of him.with a have been seen in it by us, he would have been great deal of kindness. He was remarkably fat, glad if the earth had opened, and he could have and might have sat for the picture of Bacchus, gone down for five minutes to Korah, Dathan, or of Bacchus's groom but he was active withal. and Abiram. However, the next'morning, when Blair spent one summer. holidays with his he threw himself upon our mercy, and entreated mother, Lady Mary, at Spa, and used to amuse that we would not say that we had met him in me greatly by his accounts of the place and the a cock and pinch, my companions promised him, people, and the delight of traveling abroad, but, as willingly as I did, to be silent. above all, by his description of the French pos- With this quizzical appearance, there were tillions. He had brought back a postillion's in Bean's swarthy face and in his dark eyes the whip, having learned to crack it in perfection; strongest indications of a clear intellect, a steady and that French flogger, as he called it, did all mind, and an excellent heart, all which he had his exercises for him; for if Marsden, whom he in perfection. He had been placed at Westminhad nominated to the office of secretary for this ster in the hope of his getting into college; but, department, ever demurred when his services being a day scholar, and having no connections were required, crack went the French flogger, acquainted with the school, he had not been put and the sound of what he never felt produced in the way of doing this, so that when the time prompt obedience. The said Marsden was a came for what is called standing out, while all person who could have poured out Latin verses, the other candidates were in the usual manner such as they were, with as much facility as an crammed by their helps, Bean stood alone, withItalian improvisatore performs his easier task. I out assistance, and consequently failed. Had heard enough about Spa, at that time, to make the mode of examination been what it ought to me very desirous of seeing the place; and when be, a fair trial of capacity and diligence, in which I went thither, after my first visit to the field of no cramming was allowed, his success would Waterloo, it was more for the sake of poor Blair have been certain; and had he gone off from than for any other reason. Poor fellow, the yel- Westminster to either university, he would most low fever made short work with his plethoric certainly have become one of the most distinframe, when he went with his regiment to the guished men there. Every thing might have West Indies. The only station that he would been expected from him that could result from thoroughly have become would have been that the best capacity and the best conduct. But he of abbot in some snug Benedictine abbey, where failed, and was immediately taken from school the rule. was comfortably relaxed. In such a to learn his father's profession. I had too sinstation, where the habit would just have imposed cere a regard for him to lose sight of him thus, tle restraint he needed, he would have made and several times, in summer afternoons. when 58 EARLY LIFE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY.. TAT. 14,15. the time allowed, walked to Camberwell Green he left to his mother, an unhappy and unworthy just to see and shake hands with him, and hur- woman, who had forsaken her family, but still ry back; and this I continued to do as long as retained a strong affection for this eldest son, I remained at Westminster. and wished, when he was a boy, to withdraw In 1797 or 1798, he stopped me one day in him from his father. With that view she came the street, saying he did not wonder that I should one day to Westminster, and waited in the cloishave passed without recognizing him, for he had ters to waylay him when the school was over. had the yellow fever three times, and, not having A scene ensued which was truly distressing to long recovered, still bore strong vestiges of it in those who felt as they ought to do, for he flew his complexion. He had gone into the army in from her, and both were so much agitated as to his professional line, and had just then returned act and speak as if there had been no spectators. from the West Indies. I never saw him more; I was not present, but what I heard of it strengthbut, going along Camberwell Green some ten ened my regard for him; and I had his situation years ago, and seeing the name still over the with respect to his mother in my mind when door, I went in and inquired for him of his broth- certain passages in Roderick were written. er, who immediately remembered my name, and Dr. Pinckland has mentioned him with respect told me that William had been doing well in the in his notes on the West Indies, as one of the East Indies, and that they soon hoped for his re- assistants in some military hospital in which the turn; upon which I left a message for him, to doctor was employed. I was pleased at meeting be communicated in their next letter, and my with this brief and incidental notice of his name direction, whenever he might arrive. Shortly while he was yet living, though with a melanafter this I became acquainted with poor Nash, choly feeling that the abler man was in the suborwhose father's house was nearly opposite to dinate station. That brief notice is the only meBean's; and, to my great pleasure, I found that morial of one who, if he had not been thus miseraNash knew him well, had seen him at Bombay, blycut off, would probably have left some durable and spoke of him as having proved just such a monument of himself; for, during twenty years man as I should have expected, that is, of ster- of service in all parts of the globe, he had seen ling sense and sterling worth. You may imag- much, and I have never known any man who inc how I was shocked at learning subsequent- would more certainly have seen things in the ly, through the same channel, what had been right point of view, morally as well as intellecthis fate. Tidings had been received, that, going ually. Had he returned, I should have invited somewhere by sea (about Malacca, I think) upon him hither, and he would have come. We a short passage, with money for his regiment, of should have met like men who had answered which he acted as paymaster at that time, for each other's expectations, and whom years and the sake of that money he had been murdered various fortunes, instead of alienating, had drawn by the Malay boatmen. nearer in heart and in mind. That meeting He had saved about O~5000 or X6000, which will take place in a better world. THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. CHAPTER I. having come to the time when they had commenced: these were with Mr. C. W. W. Wynn, SCHOOL FRIENDSHIPS -THE FLAGELLANT-IS and Mr. Grosvenor Charles Bedford (late of the COMrPELLED to LEAVE WESTMINSTEr — WRECK COMPELLED to LEAVE WESTMINSTER-WRECKExchequer), with whom he seems at school to OF HIS FATHER S AFFAIRS AND HIS DEATH-IS have been on terms of the closest intimacy, and REFUSED ADMITTANCE AT CHRIST CHURCH, who continued through life among his most valAND ENTERS AT BALIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD IuAD ENTERS AT BLIOL CLLEGEOXO -able friends. That even long prior to his going COLLEGE LIFE-HIS STUDIES-PHILOSOPHIC-D to Westminster he had found his chief pleasure AL SPECULATIONS-EXCURSION TO HEREFORD- in his pen, and that he had both read and writSHIRE-VISIT BTO BRIXTON-JOAN OF ARC — ten largely, he has himself recorded, and he has RETURN TO BRISTOL - LETTERS O ON A UNI- also mentioned his having made an unsuccessful VERSITY LIFE, ETC.FITS OF DESPONDENCY attempt to obtain admission for one of his youthPOETRY AND PHILOSOPHY R. LOEL ful compositions in a Westminster Magazine callAMERICA -- NUMBER OF VERSES DESTROYED >, ANDIEPRICA- NUHEER OF VERSES DESTROYED ed " The Trifler," which appears to have had only AND PRESERVED —A.D. 1791-1793. a brief existence. It was not long, however, beMY father has entered so fully into the histo- fore he found an opportunity of making his first ry of his family and the details of his early life, essay in print, which proved not a little unfortuthat it is only needful for me to take up the nate in its results. Having attained the upper thread of the narrative where he has laid it classes of the school, in conjunction with several down. I can not, however, but regret that he of his more particular friends, he set on foot a had not at least completed the account of his periodical entitled " The Flagellant," which schoolboy days, and given us a little more in- reached only nine numbers, when a sarcastic atsight into the course of his studies, feelings, and tack upon corporeal punishment, as then inflicted, opinions at that period, and also into the origin it seems, somewhat unsparingly at Westminster, of those more lasting friendships he formed dur- roused the wrath of Dr. Vincent, the head masing the latter part of his stay at Westminster. ter, who immediately commenced a prosecution But, while it may justly be regretted that he for libel against the publisher. has not carried down his autobiography to a This seems to have been a harsh and extraorlater date, it is not much to be wondered at that dinary proceeding, for the master's authority, juhe found the task becoming more difficult and diciously exercised, might surely have controlled more painfful. Recollections must have crowded or stopped the publication; neither was there upon his mind almost faster than he could ar- any thing in the paper itself which ought to have range and relate them (as we perceive they had made a wise man angry. Like most of the othalready done, from the many collateral histories ers, it is merely a schoolboy's imitation of a painto which he has diverged), and he was coming per in the Spectator or Rambler. A letter of to that period of his life which of all others it complaint from an unfortunate victim to the rod would have been most difficult for him accurately is supposed to have been called forth by the preto record. He had, indeed, in early life, often vious numbers, and the writer now comments on contemplated "writing the history of his own this, and enters into a dissertation on flogging mind," and had imagined that it would be the with various quotations, ascribing its invention most pleasing and the most profitable task he to the author of all evil. The signature was a could engage in; but he probably found it was feigned one; but my father immediately acmore agreeable in anticipation than in reality, knowledged himself the writer, and reluctantly and when once the thread was broken, he seems apologized. The doctor's wrath, however, was neither to have found time nor inclination to re- not to be appeased, and he was compelled to sume it. leave the school. He has spoken of his early Westminster ac- Having quitted Westminster under these unquaintances, but he has not mentioned the two toward circumstances early in the spring of the chief friendships he formed there, apparently not year 1792, he remained until the close of it, as 60 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 19. usual, with his aunt, Miss Tyler, in the College swer and a refusal. Fortunately, my aunt had Green, Bristol; and there, partly from want of prevented the necessity; but her goodness does regular employment and society, partly from his not extenuate his unnatural parsimony. He is naturally excitable disposition, we find him in single, and possessed of property to the amount every imaginable mood of mind, now giving way of ~100,000, without a child to provide for. to fits of despondency, revolving first one scheme That part of his fortune which he inherited must of future life and then another, and again bright- one day be mine; it will, I hope, enable me to ening up under the influence of a buoyant and despise the world and live independent."@ happy temper, continually writing verses, and But his father's health was now completely eager again to come before the public as an au- broken by his misfortunes: he sank rapidly; and thor, despite the unfortunate issue of his first my father, having gone up to matriculate at Oxattempt. ford, was only recalled in time to follow him to "The Flagellant is gone," he writes at this the grave. time to his schoolfellow and'coadjutor in that It had been intended that he should enter at luckless undertaking, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford; Christ Church, and his name had been put down'still, however, I think that our joint produc- there for some time; but the dean (Cyril Jacktions may acquire some credit. The sooner we son), having heard of the affair of the Flagelhave a volume published, the better:' The Med- lant, refused to admit him, doubtless supposing ley,''The Hodge-podge,''The What-do-you- he would prove a troublesome and disaffected call-it,' or, to retain our old plan,'Monastic Lu- under-graduate, and little dreaming the time cubrations;' any of these, or any better you may would come when the University would be proud propose, will do. Shall we dedicate to Envy, to bestow on him her highest honors. Hatred, and Malice, and all Uncharitableness? Having been rejected at Christ Church, he Powerful arbitrators of the minds of men, who entered at Baliol College,t and returned to his have already honored us with your marked at- home at Miss Tyler's, to remain there till the tention, ye who can convert innocence into trea- time when his residence at Oxford should comson, and, shielded by the arm of power, remain mence. The following letter will illustrate sufsecure, &c., &c., &c.; or shall we dedicate it to ficiently his character at this period. the doctor, or to the devil, or to the king, or to ourselves.? Gentlemen, to you in whose breasts To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. neither envy nor malice can find a place, who (With a rude sketch of a church.) will not be biased by the clamors of popular "Nov. 20,1792. prejudice, nor stoop to the authority of igno- " M DEAR BEDFORD, rance and power, &c., &c. "I doubt not but you will be surprised at my "I see no reason why we should not publish sending a church neither remarkable for beauty pretty soon; it will be at least four months be- of design nor neatness of execution. Waiving, fore we can prepare it for the press, and, surely, however, all apologies for either, if you are dis. by that time we may venture again upon the posed at some future time to visit the'Verdan. world. House' of your friend when he shall be at sup"..... We haveventured, per-'not when he eats, but when he is eaten' Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders, -you will find it on the other side of this idenThese last nine numbers in a sea of glory, tical church. The very covering of the vault But far above our depth; the high-blown bubble At length burst under us, and now has left us affords as striking an emblem of mortality as (Yet smarting from the rod of persecution would even the moldering tenant of the tomb. Though yet unwearied) to the merciless rage Ye Of the rude sea that swallowed Number Five." Yesterday, I know not from what strange humor, I visited it for the second time in my life; These boyish schemes, however, were not to the former occasion was mournful, and no earthbe carried into effect; and " the wreck of his fa- ly consideration shall ever draw me there upon ther's affairs," to which he has alluded in the a like. My pilgrimage yesterday was merely Autobiography, taking place at this time, he the result of a meditating moment when philoswas occupied for a while by some of the more ophy had flattered itself into apathy. I am repainful realities of life. " Since my last," he ally astonished when I reflect upon the indifferwrites again to Mr. Bedford, " I have been con- ence with which I so minutely surveyed the heavtinually going backward and forward upon busi- ing turf, which inclosed within its cold bosom ness, which would not allow me to fix sufficient ancestors upon whom fortune bestowed rather attention upon any thing else. It is now over. more of her smiles than she has done upon their I have time to look about me; I hope, with fair- descendants-men who, content with an indeer prospects for the future. One of myjourneys pendent patrimony, lay hid from the world, toc was to my father's brother at Taunton, to re- obscure to be noticed by it, too elevated to fear quest him to assist my father to recover that its insult. Those days are past. Three Edsituation into which the treachery of his rela- Oct. 2 tions and injustice of his friends had thrown him.long is extracted from he Rester of A t The following is extracted from the Register of AdI had never seen this uncle, and you may guess missions at Baliol College: how unpleasant so humiliating an errand must "Termino Michaelis, 1792, Nov. 3. prove to so proud a spirit. He was absent. I Robertus Southey Filius natu maximus Roberti Southey pr rove * so p d a s. He ws G. enerosi de Civitate Bristol; Admissus est left a letter, and two days ago received an an- Commensalis." IETAT. 19. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 61 ward Hills there sleep forever. I send the ep- " Within this half hour I have received a letitaph which, at present, is inscribed upon one of ter from my uncle at Lisbon, chiefly upon a subthe cankered sides; perhaps the production of ject which I have been much employed upon some one of my forefathers, who possessed more since March 1. I will show it you when we piety than poetry: meet. It is such as I expected from one who "' Farewell this world has been to me more than a parent-without asWith all Its Vanity; perity, without reproaches..... To-morrow I We hope, through Christ, answer it, and, as he has desired, send him the To live e y.Flagellant. I then hope to drop the subject for"Yd'u have the exact orthography, and the ever in this world; in the next all hearts are inscription will probably cover the remains of open, and no man's intentions are hid. one who has written so much for others, and "I can now tell you one of the uses of philosmust be content with so humble an epitaph him- ophy: it teaches us to search for applause from self, unless you will furnish him with one more within, and to despise the flattery and the abuse characteristical. of the world alike; to attend only to an inward " Were you to walk over the village (Ashton) monitor; to be superior to fortune: why, then, with me, you would, like me, be tempted to re- is the name so prostituted? Do give me a lecpine that I have no earthly mansion here-it is ture upon philosophy, and teach me how to bethe most enchanting spot that nature can pro- come a philosopher. The title is pretty, and duce. My rambles would be much more fre- surely the philosophic S. would sound as well as quent were it not for certain reflections, not al- the philosophic Hume or the philosopher of Fertogether of a pleasant nature, which always re- ney. Would it not be as truly applied? I am cur. I can not wander like a stranger over loth to part with my poor Flagellants; they have lands which once were my forefathers', nor pass cost me very dear, and perhaps I shall never see those doors which are now no more open, with- them more.* One copy ought to be preserved, out feeling emotions altogether inconsistent with in order to contradict the inventions of future pleasure and irreconcilable with the indifference malice. Are you not ashamed of your idleness? of philosophy. R. SOUTHEY. " What is there, Bedford, contained in that "P.S.-If I can one day have the honor of word of such mighty virtue? It has been sound- writing after my name Fellow of Baliol College, ed in the ear of common sense till it is deafened that will be the extent of my preferment. Someand overpowered with the clamor. Artifice and times I am tempted to think'that I was sent into vanity have reared up the pageant, science has this world for a different employment; but, as adorned it, and the multitude have beheld at a the play says, beware of the beast that has three distance and adored. It is applied indiscrimin- legs. Now, Bedford, as you might long puzzle ately to vice and virtue, to the exalted ideas of to discover the genus of the beast, know that his Socrates, the metaphysical charms of Plato, the grasp is always mortal; that, in short (here folfrigid maxims of Aristotle, the unfeeling dictates lows a sketch). But, as that drawing wants exof the Stoics, and the disciples of the defamed planation as much, if not more, than the descripEpicurus. Rousseau was called a philosopher tion, know it is-the gallows. while he possessed sensibility the most poignant. " About the 17th of January I began my resVoltaire was dignified with the name when he idence at Oxford, where the prime of my life is deserved the blackest stigma from every man of to pass in acquiring knowledge, which, when I principle. Whence all this seeming absurdity? begin to have some ideas of, it will be cut short or why should reason be dazzled by the name by the doctor, who levels all ranks and degrees. when she can not but perceive its imbecility? Is it not rather disgraceful, at the moment when "So far I wrote last night; upon running it Europe is on fire with freedom-when man and over, I think you will fancy you have a rhapso- monarch are contending-to sit and study Eudy for the Flagellant instead of a letter; and, did or Hugo Grotius? As Pindar says, a good really, had I continued it in the same mood, it button-maker is spoiled in making a king; what would have been little different. If I had any will be spoiled when I am made a fellow of Baknowledge of drawing, I would send you some liol? That question I can not resolve. I can of the most pleasing views you can conceive, only say I have spoiled a sheet of paper, and whether rural, melancholy, pleasing, or grand. you fifteen minutes in reading it. At some future period I hope to show you the "N.B.-If you do not soon answer it, you place, and you will then judge whether I have will spoil my temper." praised it too lavishly.... In the course of next summer the Duke of Portland will be in- My father went up to reside at Baliol in Janstalled at Oxford: the spectacle is only inferior uary, 1793, being at this time ill suited to a colto a coronation. I have rooms there, and am lege life both by his feelings and opinions. "My glad of the opportunity to offer them to you. prepossessions," he writes, are not very favorWe are permitted to have men in college upon We are permitted to have men in college upon * This proved to be the case: he never saw the latter the occasion: the whole University makes up numbers of the Flagellant again. Mr. Hill preserved the the procession. It will be worth seeing, as per- copy which had been sent to him, but in after years kept it haps coronations, like the secular games, will carefully from my father's knowledge, thinking he would destroy it. This copy is now before me, and is, perhaps, soon be as a tale that is told. the only one in existence. 62 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATAT. 19. able. I expect to meet with pedantry, preju- a style of inflated declamation, which, as we dice, and aristocracy, from all which, good Lord, shall see, before many years had passed, subdeliver poor Robert Southey."* And almost sided into a more natural and tranquil tone unimmediately on his arrival: "Behold me, my der the influence of his matured taste. friend, entered under the banners of science or A few of these are here laid before the reader. stupidity-which you please-and, like a recruit got sober, looking to the days that are past, and To G. C. Bedford, Esq. feeling something like regret. Would you think Friday, Jan. 25, 1793, 6 in the evening. it possible that the wise founders of an English " Such is the hour when I begin this letter; university should forbid us to wear boots?t when it will be finished is uncertain. ExpectWhat matters it whether I study in shoes or ing Wynn to drink tea with me every moment, boots? to me it is matter of indifference; but I have not patience to wait without employfolly so ridiculous puts me out of conceit with ment, and know of none more agreeable than the whole. When the foundation is bad, the that of writing to you. My Mentor, while he fabric must be weak. None of my friends are prohibits my writing, must nevertheless allow yet arrived, and as for common acquaintance, I an exception in your favor; and believe he, I do not wish for them. Solitude I do not dislike, look upon it as one great proof of my own reffor I fear it not; but there is a certain demon ormation, or whatever title you may please to called Reflection that accompanies it, whose ar- give, when I can pass a whole week without rows, though they rankle not with the poison of composing one word. Over the pages of the guilt, are yet pointed by melancholy. I feel philosophic Tacitus the hours of study pass as myself entered upon a new scene of life, and, rapidly as even those which are devoted to my whatever the generality of Oxonians conceive, it friends, and I have not found as yet one hour appears to me a very serious one. Four years which I could wish to have employed otherwise: hence I am to be called into orders, and during this is saying very much in praise of a collegithat time (short for the attainment of the requi- ate life; but remember that a mind disposed to site knowledge) how much have I to learn! I be happy will find happiness every where; and must learn to break a rebellious spirit, which why we should not be happy is beyond my phineither authority nor oppression could ever bow: losophy to account for. Heraclitus certainly it would be easier to break my neck. I must was a fool, and, what is much more rare, an learn to work a problem instead of writing an unhappy one. I never yet met with any fool ode. I must learn to pay respect to men re- who was not pleased with the idea of his own markable only for great wigs and little wisdom."t sense; but for your whimpering sages, let senHe was, indeed, but little disposed to pay much timent say what it will, they are men possessed deference either to the discipline or the etiquette with more envy than wisdom." of the college. It was usual for all the members to have their hair regularly dressed and powder- To G. C. Bedford, Esq. ed according to the prevailing fashion, and the' Saturday, Feb. 12, 5 in the morning. college barber waited upon the " freshmen" as "Now, Bedford, this is more than you would a matter of course. My father, however, per- do for me-quit your bed after only five hours' emptorily refused to put himself under his hands; rest, light a fire, and then write a letter; really, and I well remember his speaking of the aston- I think it would not have tempted me to rise ishment depicted in the man's face, and of his unless assisted by other inducements. To-day earnest remonstrances on the impropriety he was I am going to walk to Abingdon with three going to commit in entering the dining hall with men of this college; and having made the pious his long hair,~ which curled beautifully, in its resolution (your good health in a glass of red primitive state. A little surprise was manifest- negus) of rising every morning at five to study, ed at first, but the example was quickly followed that the rest of the day may be at my own disby others. posal, I procured an alarum clock and a tinderIt does not appear what particular course of box. This morning was the first. I rose, reading he pursued while at the University; but called up a neighbor, and read about three hundone of his college friends declares that he was a red lines of Homer, when I found myself hunperfect "helluo librorum" then as well as gry; the bread and cheese were called in as throughout his life; and among his diversified auxiliaries, and I made some negus: as I spiced writings there is abundant evidence that he had it my eye glanced over the board, and the asdrunk deeply both of the Greek and Latin poets. semblage seemed so curious that I laid all aside His letters, which at this time seem to have for your letter-a lexicon, Homer, inkstand, been exercises in composition, give evidence of candles, snuffers, wine, bread and cheese, nuthis industry, and at the same time indicate a meg grater, and hour-glass. But I have given mind imbued with het.nen philosophy and Gre- up time enough to my letter; the glass runs cian republicanism. They are written often in fast, and for once the expression is not merely.. —----- --. _... fiourative. * To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Dec., 1792. t This law belongs to Baliol College, and in still, or was "Slonday. very lately, in 1orce. i; How rapidly does Time hasten on when his ITo Grosvenor'": f Be d^fo rd, Esq., Jn.. Co7f3. wi's are not clogged by melancholy! Perhaps t There is a portraait of ni-y ather eer eLaved i.p Mr. Cot-vng s.i cl b y m holy Per tIe's ienhiliscences, which shows the long lair, &c. 1ro hianan b-in s' er m'ore forcibly caperien.ced ETAT. 19. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 63 this than myself. Often have I counted the be only trials. Patience will withstand the hours with impatience when, tired of reflection pressure, and faith will lead to hope. Religion and all her unpleasant train, I wished to forget soothes every wound, and makes the bed of myself in sleep. Now I allow but six hours to death a couch of felicity. Make the contrast my bed, and every morning, before the watch- yourself: look at the warrior, the hypocrite, man rises, my fire is kindled and my bed cold: and the libertine, in their last moments, and rethis is practical philosophy; but every thing is flection must strengthen every virtuous resoluvalued by comparison, and, when compared tion. May I, however, practice what I preach. with my neighbor, I am no philosopher. Two Let me have O200 a year and the comforts of doyears ago Seward drank wine, and ate butter mestic life, and my ambition aspires not further. and sugar; now, merely from the resolution of "Most sincerely yours, abridging the luxuries of life, water is his only "ROBERT SOUTHEY." drink, tea and dry bread his only breakfast. In one who professed philosophy this would be only To G. C. Bedford, Esq. practicing its tenets, but it is quite different with " March 16, 1793. Seward. To the most odd and uncommon ap- " I am now sitting without fire in a cold day, pearance he adds manners, which, as one gets waiting for Wynn to go upon the Isis,'silaccustomed to them, are the most pleasing. At ver-slippered queen,' as Warton calls her; the the age of fourteen he began learning, and the epithet may be classical, but it certainly is ridicreally useful knowledge he possesses must be ulous. Of all poetical figures, the prosopopceia imputed to a mind really desirous of improve- is that most likely to be adopted by a savage ment.'Do you not find your attention flag?' nation, and which adds most ornament, but not I said to him as he was studying Hutchinson's to composition; but, in the name of common Moral Philosophy in Latin.'If our tutors sense, what appropriate idea does'silver-slipwould but make our studies interesting, we pered' convey? Homer's Xpvao7edtbog* probshould pursue them with pleasure.'' Certainly ably alludes to some well-known statue so habwe should,' he replied;'but I feel a pleasure in ited. Nature is a much better guide than anstudying them, because I know it is my duty.' tiquity. This I take to be true philosophy, of that species "Wednesday. which tends to make mankind happy, because " On the water I went yesterday, in a little it first makes them good. We had verses here skiff, which the least deviation from the balance upon the 30th of January to the memory of would overset. To manage two oars and yet Charles the Martyr. It is a little extraordinaryunable to handle one!t My first setting off was that you should quote those very lines to poor curious. I did not step exactly in the middle; Louis which I prefixed to my ode:'His virtues te boat tilted up, and a large barge from which plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the I embarked alone saved me from a good duckdeep damnation of his taking off.'.... Morose ing my arm, however, got completely wet. I austerity and stern enthusiasm are the character- tugged at the oar very much like a bear in a istics of superstition; but what is, in reality, boat; or, if you can conceive any thing more more cheerful or happy than Religion? I have awkward, liken me to it, and you will have a in my own knowledge more than one instance better simile..... When I walk over these of this, and doubt not you have likewise. Ought streets, what various recollections throng upon not, therefore, that wretch who styles himself a me! what scenes fancy delineates from the hour philosopher to be shunned like pestilence, who when Alfred first marked it as the seat of learnbecause Christianity has to him no allurement, il Bacon's study is demolished, so I shall seeks to deprive the miserable of their only re-never have the honor of being killed by its fall maining consolation?.... I keep a daily jour- Before my window Latimer and Ridley were nal for myself, as an account of time which I burned, and there is not even a stone to mark ought to be strict in; but this, being only des-the place where a monument should be erected tined for my own eye, is uninteresting and un-to religious li berty..... I have walked over important. Boswell might compile a few quar-the ruins of Godstow Nunnery with sensations tos from the loose memorandums, but they would such as the site of Troy or Carthage would intire the world more than he has already done. spire: a spot so famed by our minstrels, so celeTwenty years hence this journal will be either a brated by tradition, and so memorable in the ansource of pleasure or of regret; that is, if I live nals of legendary, yet romantic truth. Poor twenty years, and for life I have really a very Rosamond! some unskillful impostor has paintstrong predilection; not from Shakspeare's fear- ed an epitaph upon the chapel wall, evidently fully beautiful passage,'Ay, but to die and go within this century. The precise spot where we know not whither,' but from the hope that she lies is forgotten, and the traces are still my life may be serviceable to my family, and visible of a subterranean passage-perhaps the happy to myself; if it be the longer life the bet- scene of many a deed of darkness; but we should ter, existence will be delightful, and anticipation suppose the best. Surely, among the tribe who glorious. The idea of meeting a different fate " p wou ha been nerr e mark. *D. Tptp 9DgYEt+a ould have bee. cearer..e m.ark. in another world is enough to overthrow every iVarton was imitating Milton, who uses the te-rm "tinselatheistical doctrine. The very dreadful trials slippered." It I ly father used to say he learned two things only at under which virtue so often labors mlust surely Oxford, to row and to swim. 64 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 19. were secluded from the world, there may have frames, where the high grass waves to the lonebeen some whose motives were good among so ly breeze; and that'beautiful moss, which at many victims of compulsion and injustice. Do once ornaments and carpets the monastic pile, you recollect Richardson's plan for Protestant rapt me to other years. I recalled the savage nunneries?* To monastic foundations I have sons of superstition, I heard the deep-toned mass, little attachment;but were the colleges ever to and the chanted prayer for those that fell in be reformed (and reformation will not come be- fight; but fancy soon recurred to a more enfore it is wanted), I would have a little more of chanting scene-'The Blind Beggar of Beththe discipline kept up. Temperance is much nal Green and his Daughter:' you know how wanted; the waters of Helicon are far too much intimately connected with this now moldering polluted by the wine of Bacchus ever to produce scene that ballad is. Over this abbey I could any effect. With respect to its superiors, Ox- detain you, Collins, forever, so many, so various ford only exhibits waste of wigs and want of are the reveries it caused. We reached Worwisdom; with respect to under-graduates, every cester to dinner the second day..... Here we species of abandoned excess. As for me, I re- stayed three days; and I rode with Mr. Sevgard myself too much to run into the vices so ern to Kidderminster, with intent to breakfast common and so destructive. I have not yet at --, but all the family were out. We rebeen drunk, nor mean to be so. What use can turned by Bewdley. There is an old mansion, be made of a collegiate life I wish to make; but, once Lord Herbert's, now moldering away, in in the midst of all, when I look back to Rousseau, so romantic a situation, that I soon lost myself and compare myself either with his Emilius or in dreams of'days of yore-the tapestried room-, the real pupil of Madame Brulenck, I feel asham- the listed fight-the vassal-filled hall-the hosed and humbled at the comparison. Never shall pitable fire-the old baron and his young daughchild of mine enter a public school or a uni- ter: these formed a most delightful day-dream. versity. Perhaps I may not be able so well to How horrid it is to wake into common life from instruct him in logic or languages, but I can at these scenes! at a moment when you are trahsleast preserve him from vice. ported to happier times to descend to realities! "Yours sincerely, Could these visions last forever! Yesterday we " ROBERT SOUTIIEY.) walked twenty-five miles over Malvern Hills to Ledbury, to Seward's brothers. Here I am before To Charles Collins, Esq. breakfast, and how soon to be interrupted I know "Ledbury, Herefordshire; Easter Sunday, 1793. not. Believe me, I shall return reluctantly to Had I, my dear Collins, the pen of Rousseau, Oxford. These last ten days seem like years to I would attempt to describe the various scenes look back-so crowded with different pictures. which have presented themselves to me, and the... This peripatetic philosophy pleases me various emotions occasioned by them. On Wed- more and more; the twenty-six miles I walked nesday morning, about eight o'clock, we sallied yesterday neither fatigued me then nor now. forth. My traveling equipage consisted of my Who, in-the name of common sense, would travel diary, writing-book, pen, ink, silk handkerchief, stewed in a leathern box when they have legs, and Milton's Defense. We reached Woodstock and those none of the shortest, fit for use? What to breakfast, where I was delighted with read- scene can be more calculated to expand the soul ing the Nottingham address for peace. Perhaps than the sight of Nature, in all her loveliest you will call it stupidity which made me pass works? We must walk over Scotland: it will the very walls of Blenheim without turning from be an adventure to delight us all the remainder the road to behold the ducal palace: perhaps it of our lives. We will wander over the hills of was so; but it was the stupidity of a democratic Morven, and mark the driving blast, perchance philosopher who had appointed a day in summer bestrodden by the spirit of Ossian." for the purpose..... Evesham Abbey detained On his return to Balio] he writes to another me some time: it was here where Edward de- friend thus characteristically, affording a curious feated and slew Simon de Montfort. Often did picture of his own mind at this time. I wish for your pencil, for never did I behold so'0 April 4, 1793. beautiful a pile of ruins. I have seen the ab- " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, beys of Battle and Malmsbury, but this is a con- My philosophy, which has so long been of a plete specimen of the simple Gothic: a tower, kind peculiar to myself-neither of the school of quite complete, fronts the church, whose roof is Plato, Aristotle, Westminster, nor the Miller-is drooping down, and admits through the chasm at length settled: I am become a peripatetic the streaming light; the high, pointed window philosopher. Far, however, from adopting the tenets of any self-sufficient cynic or puzzling * "Considering the condition of single women in the sophist,, my sentiments will be found more enmiddle classes, it is not speaking too strongly to assert that by e brilliant colors of fncy, nature, the establishment of Protestant nunneries upon a wide plan and liberal scale would be the greatest benefit that and Rousseau than the positive dogmas of the gould possibly be conferred upon these kingdoms. The Stagirite or the metaphysical refinements of his name, indeed, is deservedly obnoxious, for nunneries, a n t t h such as they exist in Roman Catholic countries, and such antagonist. I aspire not to te honorary titles as at this time are being re-established in this, are connect- of subtle disputant or divine doctor. I wish to ed with the worst corruptions of popery, being only nurs- to drive no scholars mad. Ideas eies of superstition and of misery."-Sothey's Colloquies, h t o. vol. i., p. 338. rise up with the scenes I view i some pass away iETAT. 19. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 65 vith the momentary glance, some are engraved In the following month (August) he went to upon the tablet of memory, and some impressed visit his old schoolfellow and constant correupon the heart. You have told me what phi- spondent, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford, who then relosophy is not, and I can give you a little more sided with his parent at Brixton Cause-way, four information upon the subject. It is not reading miles on the Surrey side of the metropolis; and. Johannes Secundus because he may have some there, the day after completing his nineteenth poetical lines; it is not wearing the hair un- year, he resumed, and in sixx weks completed, dressed, in opposition to custom, perhaps (this I his poem of Joan of Arc, the subject of which feel the severity of, and blush for); it is not re- had been previously suggested to him in conjeeting Lucan lest he should vitiate the taste, versation with Mr. Bedford, and of which he had and reading without fear what may corrupt the then written above three hundrec lines. In one heart it is not clapped on with a wig, or corn- of the prefaces to the collected edition of his municated by the fashionable hand of the barber. poems, he says, " My progress would not have It had nothing to do with Watson when he burn- been so rapid had it not been for the opportunied his books; it does not sit upon a wool-sack; ty of retirement which I enjoyed there, and the honor can not bestow it, persecution can not take encouragement I received. Tranquil, indeed, it away. It illumined the prison of Socrates, the place was, for the neighborhood did not but fled the triumph of Octavius: it shrank from extend beyond half a dozen families, and the the savaeoo murdereri Constantine; it dignified London style and habits of life had not obtained the tent of Julian. It has no particular love for among them. Uncle Toby might have enjoyed colleges; in crowds it is alone, in solitude most his rood and a half of ground there, and not have engaged; it renders life agreeable, and death had it known. A fore-court separated the house enviable..... I have lately read the'MIan of from the foot-path and the road in front; behind Feeling:' if you have never yet read it, do now, these wxas a large and well-stocked garden, with from my recommendation; few works have ever other spacious premises, in which utility and pleased me so painfully or so much. It is very ornament vere in some degree combined. At strange that man should be delighted with the the extremity of the garden, and under the shade highest pain that can be produced. I even be- of four lofty Linden-trees, was a summer-house, gin to think that both pain and pleasure exist looking on an ornamented grass-plat, and fitted only in idea. But this must not be affirmed; up as a conveniently habitable room. That sumthe first twince of the toothache, or retrospective mer-house was allotted to me, and there my glance, will undeceive me with a vengeance. mornings were passed at the desk." -" Purity of mind is something like snow, best Three months were most happily spent here in the shade. Gibraltar is on a rock, but it in various amusements and occupations, of which would be imprudent to defy her enemies, and call iwriting Joan of Are was the chief; but the poetthem to the charge. MIy heart is equally easy of ical bow was not always bent; a war of extermimpression with Rousseau, and perhaps more te- ination was carried on against the wasps, which nacious of it. Refinement I adore, but to me the abounded in unwonted numbers, and which they highest delicacy appears so intimately connect- exercised their skill in shooting with horse-pised with it, that the union is like body and soul." tols loaded with sand, the only sort of sporting, And again, a few weeks afterward, he says, I have heard my father say, he ever attempted. in reference to some observations which had been The following amusing letter was written made as to his not sufficiently cultivating his soon after this visit. abilities: " Wynn accuses me of want of ambition; the accusation gave me great pleasure. To Grosvcnor Charles Bedford, Esq. He wants me to wish distinction, and to seek it. "Bristol, Oct. 26, 1793. I want it not, I wish it not. The abilities which Never talk to me of obstinacy, for, contrary Nature gave me, which Fashion has not cramp- to all the dictates of sound sense, long custom. ed, and xwhich Vanity often magnifies, are never and inclination, I have spoiled a sheet of paper neglected. I will cultivate them with diligence, by cutting it to the shape of your fancy. Acbut only for my friends. If I can bring myself cuse me not of irascibility, for I wrote to you ten sometimes to their remembrance I have attained days back, and, though you have never vouchthe ne plus ultra of my anmbition."' safed me an answer, am now writing with all The early part of the long vacation was spent the mildness and goodness of a philosopher. in an excursion into Herefordshire to visit a col- " Call me Job, for I am without clothes, exlege friend. "Like the Wandering Jew," he pecting my baggage from day to day; and much writes from thence, " you see I am here, and as I fear its loss unrepining, own I am modest in there, and every where; now tramping it to assuming no merit for all these good qualities. Worcester, now peripateticating it to Cambridge, Know then, most indolent of mortals, that my and now an equestrian in the land of cider, trav- baggage is not yet arrived, that I am fearful of ersing the shores of the Wye, and riding list- its safety, and yet less troubled than all the rest lessly over the spot where Ariconium stood, of the family, who cry out loudly upon my pupwalking above the dusty tombs of my progeni- pet-show dress, and desire I will write to inquire tors in the Cathedral."t concerning it........ *..To.C..., Ma 6, 1733.. -~ "Now I am much inclined to fill this sheet, and * To G. C. Bedford, May 6, 1793. t To Grosvenor C. Bedford, July 31, 1793.: that with verse, but I will punish myself to tor 66 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 20. ment you: you shall have halfa prose letter. The acquainted: the enthusiast requested his royal college bells are dinning the king's proclamation highness would give him a ruined city in Campain my ear, the linings of my breeches are torn, nia, which he might rebuild and people with phiyou are silent, and all this makes me talkative losophers, governed bythe laws of Plato, and from and angrily communicative; so that, had you whom the city should be called Platonopolis. Galmerited it, you would have received such a let- lienus, who was himself an elegant scholar, was ter-so philosophic, poetical, grave, erudite, pleased with the plan, but his friends dissuaded amusing, instructive, elegant, simple, delightful, him from the experiment. The design would simplex munditiis-in short, ro ayaOov tKa TO certainly have proved impracticable in that de aperCTo, rO 0ie3.TLTov-such a letter, Grosvenor, dining and degenerate age-most probably in full of odes, elegiacs, epistles, monodramas, co- any age. New visionary enthusiasts would have modramas, tragodramas, all sorts of dramas, been continually arising, fresh sects formed, and though I have not tasted spirits to-day. Don't each would have been divided and subdivided till think me drunk, for if I am,'tis with sobriety; all was anarchy. Yet I can not help wishing and I certainly feel most seriously disposed to be the experiment had been tried; it could not have soberly nonsensical. Now you wish I would dis- been productive of evil, and we might, at this pose my folly to a short series; which sentence period, have received instruction from the history if you comprehend, you will do more than I can. of Platonopolis. Under the Antonines or under You must not be surprised at nonsense, for I Julian the request would have been granted: have been reading the history of philosophy, the despotism is perhaps a blessing under such men. ideas of Plato, the logic of Aristotle, and the.... I could rhapsodize most delightfully upon heterogeneous dogmas of Pythagoras, Antis- this subject; plan out my city-her palaces, her thenes, Zeno, Epicurus, and Pyrrho, till I have hovels-all simplex munditiis (my favorite quometaphysicized away all my senses, and so you tation); but if you were with me, Southeyopolis are the better for it.... would soon be divided into two sects: while I " Now good-night! Egregious nonsense, ex- should be governing with Plato (correcting a few ecrably written, is all you merit. O my clothes! of Plato's absurdities with some of my own),,0 Joan!"* and almost deifying Alceus, Lucan, and Milton, you (as visionary as myself) would be dreaming, "Sunday morning. of Utopian kings possessed of the virtue of the Now, my friend, whether it be from the day Antonines, regulated by peers every one of whom itself from the dull weather, or from the dream should be a Falkland, and by a popular assemof last night, I know not, but I am a little more i i to 5. TX~ ~,.' bly where every man should unite the integrity serious than when I laid down the pen. My of a Cato, the eloquence of a Demosthenes. and baggage makes me very uneasy: the loss of the loyalty of a Jacobite. what is intrinsically worth only the price of the Yours most sincerely, paper would be more than ever I should find Y s mt S." time, or perhaps ability, to repair; and even supposing some rascal should get them and publish For some reason which does not appear, he ttem, I should be more vexed than at the utter did not reside during the following term at Ba loss. Do write immediately. I direct to you, liol, and the latter part of the year was consethat you may have this the sooner. Inform me quently passed at Bristol at Miss Tyler's. Some when you receive it, and with what direction. extracts from his letters will sufficiently illusIt is almost a fortnight since I left Brixton, and trate this period. I am equipped in such old shirts, stockings, and "For once in my life I rejoiced that Grosshoes, as have been long cast off, and have lost venor Bedford's paper was short, and his letter all this time, in which I should have transcribed at the end. To suppose that I felt otherwise half of Joan.... than grieved and indignant at the fate of the un" Of the various sects that once adorned the fortunate Queen of France was supposing me a republic of Athens, to me that of Epicurus, while brute, and to request an avowal of what I felt it maintained its original purity, appears most implied a suspicion that I did not feel. You consonant to human reason. I am not speaking seemed glad, when arguments against the sysof his metaphysics and atomary system; they are tem of republicanism had failed, to grasp at the (as all cosmogonies must be) ridiculous; but of crimes of wretches who call themselves Repubthat system of ethics and pleasure combined, licans, and stir up my feelings against my judgwhich he taught in the garden. When the phi- ment."' losopher declared that the ultimate design of life To another of his Westminster friends at Christ is happiness, and happiness consists in virtue, he Church he writes: " Remember me to Wynn. laid the foundation of a system which might have... I have much for his perusal. Perhaps all benefited mankind. His life was the most tem- my writings are owing to my acquaintance with perate, his manner the most affable, displaying him; he saw the first, and I knew the value of that urbanity which can not fail of attracting his praise too much to despise it. Wynn will esteem, Plotinus, a man memorable for cor- like many parts of my Joan, but he will shake rupting philosophy, was in favor with Gallienus, his head at the subject, and with propriety, if I with whose imperial qualifications you are well had designed it for publication; but as the amuse* The first MS. of Joan of Arc was in his baggage. * Oct. 29, 1793. IETAT. 20. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 67 ment of my leisure, I heeded no laws but those To Horace Walpole Bedford, Esq. of inclination. He will be better pleased to hear (With verses.) I have waded through the task of correcting and "College Green, Bristol, Nov. 13, 1793. expunging my literary rubbish. There is some- * - * * -s thing very vain in thus writing of myself, but I "I lay down Leonidas to go on with your letknow that the regard which Wynn entertains ter. It has ever been a favorite poem with me. for me, while he sees the vanity, will make him I have read it, perhaps, more frequently than any pleased with the intelligence."* other composition, and always with renewed Soon afterward he again refers to the then pleasure: it possesses not the "thoughts that all-engrossing topic of the day-the French Rev- breathe and words that burn," but there is a olution, the heinous enormities of which were something very different from those strong efforts beginning a little to disturb his democratic views. of imagination, that please the judgment and feed "I am sick of this world, and discontented with the fancy without moving the heart. The inevery one in it. The murder of Brissot has con- terest I feel in the poem is, perhaps, chiefly owpletely harrowed up my faculties, and I begin to ing to the subject, certainly the noblest ever unbelieve that virtue can only aspire to content in dertaken. It needs no argument to prove this obscurity; for happiness is out of the question. assertion. I look round the world, and every where find " Milton is above comparison, and stands alone the same mournful spectacle-the strong tyran- as much from the singularity of the subject as nizing over the weak, man and beast. The same the excellence of the diction: there remain Hodepravity pervades the whole creation; oppres- mer, Virgil, Lucan, Statius, S. Italicus, and V. sion is triumphant every where, and the only dif- Flaccus, among the ancients. I recollect no ference is, that it acts in Turkey through the others, and among their subjects you will find anger of a grand seignior, in France of a revo- none so interesting as the self-devoted Leonidas. lutionary tribunal, and in England of a prime'Among the moderns we know Ariosto, Tasso, minister. There is no place for virtue. Seneca Camoens, Voltaire, and our own immortal Spenwas a visionary philosopher; even in the deserts ser; the other Italian authors in this line, and the of Arabia, the strongest will be the happiest, and Spanish ones, I know not. Indeed, that period of the same rule holds good in Europe and in Abys- history upon which Glover's epics are founded is sinia. Here are you and I theorizing upon prin- the grandest ever yet displayed. A constellation ciples we can never practice, and wasting our of such men never honored mankind at any other time and youth-you in scribbling parchments, time, or, at least, never were called into the enerand I in spoiling quires with poetry. I am ready gy of action. Leonidas and his immortal band — to quarrel with my friends for not making me a Eschylus, Themistocles, and Aristides the percarpenter, and with myself for devoting myself to feet republican-even the satellites of Xerxes pursuits certainly unimportant, and of no real were dignified by Artemisia and the injured Sparutility either to myself or to others."t tan, Demaratus. To look back into the page of In a letter to another friend, Horace Bedford, history-to be present at Thermopyla, at Salathat heavy depression which the objectless na- mis, Platiea-to hear the songs of _Eschylus and ture of his life at this time brought upon him is the lessons of Aristides-and then behold what painfully shown. Greece is-how fallen even below contempt" I read and write till my eyes ache, and still is one of the most miserable reflections the classic find time hanging as heavy round my neck as the mind can endure. What a republic! what a stone round the neck of a drowning dog.... province! Nineteen years have elapsed since I set sail upon' If this world did but contain ten thousand the ocean of life, in an ill-provided boat; the ves- people of both sexes visionary as myself, how sel weathered many a storm, and I took every delightfully would we repeople Greece and turn distant cloud for land. Still pushing for the out the Moslem. I would turn Crusader, and Fortunate Islands, I discovered that they existed make a pilgrimage to Parnassus at the head of not for me, and that, like others wiser and bet- my republicans (N.B., only lawful head), and ter than myself, I must be content to wander there reinstate the Muses in their original splenabout and never gain the port. Nineteen years! dor. We would build a temple to Eleutherian certainly a fourth part of my life; perhaps how Jove from the quarries of Paros-replant the great a part; and yet I have been of no service grove of Academus-ay, and the garden of Epito society. Why, the clown who scares crows curus, where your brother and I would cornfor twopence a day is a more useful member of mence teachers; yes, your brother; for if he society; he preserves the bread which I eat in would not comb out the powder and fling away idleness..... Yesterday is just one year since the poultice to embark in such an expedition, he I entered my name in the vice-chancellor's book. deserves to be made a German elector or a West It is a year of which I would wish to forget the India planter. Charles Collins should occupy the transactions, could I only remember their effects. chair of Plato, and hold forth, to the Societas SciMy mind has been very much expanded; my entium Literariorum Studiosorum (not unaptly hopes, I trust, extinguished; so adieu to hope styled the' Society of Knowing Ones'); and we and fear, but not to folly."t would actually send for -- to represent Euclid. Now, could I lay down my whole plan* To Charles Collins, Esq., Bristol, Oct. 30, 1793. t To Grosvenor Bedford, Nov. 11,1793. T Nov. 3,1793. build my house in the prettiest Doric stylo 63 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 20. plant out the garden like Wolmer's, and imagine superficially acquainted with him feel wonder; just such a fimily to walk in it, when here comes those who know him, love. This character I a rascal by crying' Hare skins and rabbit skins,' hear. He is on the point of marrying a young and my pool' house, which was built in the air, woman with whom I spent great part of my falls to pieces, and leaves me, like most visionary younger years. We were bred up together, I projectors, staring on disappointment. * * may almost say, and that period was the happiV* * * *, 3 X est of my life. Mr. Lovel has very great abiliWAhen we meet at Oxford, which I hope we shall ties: he writes well; in short, I wish his acin January, there are a hundred things better quaintance myself; and, as his stay in town is communicated in conversation than by corre- very short, you will forgive the introduction. spolndelce. I have no object of pursuit in life Perhaps you may rank him with Duppa, and, but to fill the passing hour and fit myself for supposing excellence to be at 100, Duppa is death; beyond these views I have nothing. To certainly much above 50. N ow, my dear Grosbe of service to my friends would be serving my- venor, I doubt I am acting improperly; it was self most essentially and there are few enter- enough to introduce mlyself so rudely; but abilprises, however hazardous and however roman- ities always claim respect, and that Level has tie, in which I would not willingly engage. these I think very certain. Characters, if any"It was the favorite intention of Cowley to ways marked, are well worth studying; and a retire with books to a cottage in America, and young man of two-and-twenty, who has been his seek that happiness in solitude which he could own master since fifteen, and who owes all his not find in society. My asylum there would be knowledge to himself, is so far a respectable sought for different reasons (and no prospect in character. My knowledge of him, I again relife gives me half the pleasure this visionary one peat, is very confined. His intended bride I affords). I should be pleased to reside in a coun- look upon as almost a sister, and one should try where men's abilities would insure respect; know one's brother-in-law..... where society was upon a proper footing, and man " What is to become of me at ordination, was considered as more valuable than money; Heaven only knows! After keeping the strait and where I could till the earth, and provide bypath so long, the Test Act will be a stumblinghonest industry the meat which my wife would block to honesty; so chance and Providence dress with pleasing care-redeunt spectacula must take care of that, and I will fortify myself mane —reason comes with the end of the paper. against chance. The wants of man are so very " Yours most sincerely, few that they must be attainable somewhere, R. SOUTHEY." and, whether here or in America, matters little. To a proposal from Mr. Grosvenor Bedford to have long learned to look upon the world as join with him in some publication, something, I m country. suppose, after the manner of the Flagellant, he Now, if you are i the mood for a reverie replies: hefancy only me in America; imagine my ground "Your plan of a general satire I am ready to uncultivated since the creation, and see me xwieldpartake when you please. Pope, Swift, and At- ing the ax, now to cut loxn the tree, and now terb-ury. you knoow, once attempted it, but alev- the snakes that nestled in it. Then see me grubyou know, once attempted it, but alev-bing up roots, and building a nice olence intruded into the design, and Martin Scrib- the roots and b ce, snug little ierns bore too strong a resemblance to Woodward. dairy with them: three rooms in my cottage, and Swift's part is more leveled at follies than at vice: my only companion some poor negro whom I have establish the empire of justice, and vice and folly bouht on purpose to emancipate. After a hard will be annihilated together. Draw out your day's toil, see e sleep on rushes, and, in very and send it me. if you have resolution for so ar-bad weather, take out my casette and write to d(uous a task: yon know mine. you, for you shall positively write to me in Amer"I have plans lying by me enough for many ca. Donot imagine I shall leave rhmin or years or many lives. Yours, however, I shall be philosophizing; so thus your friend will realize glad to enogage in. Whether it be the devil orthe romance of Cowley, and even outdo the senot, I know not, but my pen delights in lashing elusion of Rousseau; till at last comes an illvice and fold."ing ian with a tomahawk, and scalps me The following letters will conclude the year. a most melancholy proof that society is very In the latter one we have a curious picture of thebad and that I sh ve done er itte to i marvelous industry.with which he must have fol- prove it! So vanity, vanity ill come from my lovw ed his poetical pursuits. and poor Southey will either be cooked for a Cherokee, or oysterized by a tiger. To Grosvenor C. Bedlford, Esq." I have finished transcribing Joan, and bound "Bath, Dec. 14,1793. her in marble paper with green ribbon, and now The gentleman who brings this letter must am about copying all my remainables to carry occupy a few lines of it. His name is Lovel. t Oxford. Thence once more a clear field, and I know him but very little personally, though hen another epic poem, and then another, and long by report: you must already see he is ec- on, till Truth shall write on my tomb,' Here centric. Perhaps I do wrong in giving him this, lies an odd mortal, whose life only benefited the but I wish your opinion of him. Those who are paper manufacturers, and whose death will only * Nov. 22, 1793. hurt the post-office.' IETAT. 20. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 69 "Do send my great-coat, &c. My distresses thought: to-day I begin Cowper's Homer, andt are so great that I want words to express the in- write an ode; to-morrow read and write someconvenience I suffer. So, as breakfast is not yet thing else." ready (it is almost nine o'clock), you shall have an ode to my great-coat. Excellent subject, excellent trifler-or blockhead, say you; but, Bed- CHAPTER II. ford, I must either be too trifling or too serious; the first can do no harm, and I know the last OPINIONS, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS-SCHEMES does no good. So come forth, my book of Epis- OF FUTURE LIFE-FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH ties." M. COLERIDGE -PANTISOCRACY QUARREL WITH MTISS TYLER — LETTER TO THOMAS To Horace Bedford, Esq. SOUTHEY.-A.D. 1794. "Dec. 22, 1793.''I have accomlpisDhed a most arduous task. So passed the close of 1793. At the latter transcribing all my verses that appear worth the end of the following January my father was trouble, except letters. Of these I took one list, aai in residence at Baliol. Before, however, another of my pile of stuff and nonsense, and a we come to the events of the year, it is necessathird of what I have burned and lost. Upon an ry to make a few preliminary remarks. average, 10,000 verses are burned and lost, the The expenses of my father's education, both same number preserved, and 15,000 worthless. at school and college, had been defrayed by his Consider that all my letterse- are excluded, and uncle, the Rev. Herbert Hill, at that time chapyou may judge what waste of paper I have oc- lain to the British Factory at Lisbon, whom he casioned. Three years yet remain before I can so touchingly addresses i the Dedication to the become anyways settled in life, and during that "Colloquies interval my object must be to pass each hour in " friend! O more than father! whom I found Forbearing always, always kind; to whom employment. The million would say I must No gratitude can speak the debt I owe." study divinity; the bishops would give me folios And the kindness with which this was done had to peruse, little dreaming that to me every blade been the more perfectly judicious, as, although of grass and every atom of matter is worth all it had been both wished and hoped that my fathe Fathers. I can bear a retrospect; but when ther would take holy orders, his uncle had never I look forward to taking orders, a thousand dread- even hinted to him that he was educating him fiul ideas crowd at once upon my mind. Oh, witl that view. Other friends, however, had Horace, my views in life are surely very hum- not shown the same judgment, and he had up to ble; I ask but honest independence, and that this time considered himself as " destined for the will never be my lot...... Church"-a prospect to which he had never rec-' I have many epistolary themes in embryo. onciled himself, and which now began to weigh Your brother's next will probably be upon the heavily upon him. advantages of long noses, and the recent service It is not to be concealed or denied that the mine accomplished in time of need. Philosophy state of my father's mind with respect to religand folly take me by turns. I spent three hours ion, and more especially with respect to the one night last week in cleaving an immense doctrines of the Church of England, was very wedge of old oaken timber without ax, hatchet, different in very early life from the opinions and or wedges; the chopper was one instrument, feelings which he held in the maturity of his latone piece of wood wedged another, and a third er years. Neither is this much to be wondered made the hammer. Shadi liked it as well as at when we remember the sort of "bringing up" myself, so we finished the job and fatigued our- he had received, the state of society at that time, selves. I amused myself, after writing your let- and the peculiar constitution of his own mind. ter, with taking profiles; to-day I shall dignify His aunt, Miss Tyler, although possessing many my own and Shad's with pasteboard, marbled good qualities, could hardly be said to have been border, and a bow of green ribbon, to hang up a religiously-minded person. He had been rein my collection room..... The more I see of moved from one school to another, undergoing this strange world, the more I am convinced'; many of those sad changes through which a that society requires desperate remedies. The gentle spirit has to pass in this uneasy and disfriends I have (and you know me to be cautious ordered world';' and he has said himself, in choosing them), are many of them struggling doubtless from his own experience, that such with obstacles, which never could happen were schools are " unfavorable to devotional feelings, man what Nature intended him. A torrent of and destructive to devotional habits; that nothideas bursts into my mind when I reflect upon ing which is not intentionally profane can be this subject. In the hours of sanguine expecta- more irreligious than the forms of worship which tion these reveries are agreeable, but more fre- are observed there; and that at no time has a quently the visions of fiturity are dark and schoolboy's life afforded any encouragement, any gloomy, and the only ray that enlivens the scene inducement, or any opportunity for devotion."t beams on America. You see I must fly from It must also be borne in mind that the aspect of the Church in this country at that time, as it * Many of his early letters are written in verse, often presented itself to those who did not look below on four sides of folio paper. _ _ __ t A servant of his aunt's, Miss Tyler. * Life of Cowper, vol. i., p. 6. t Ibid., p. 12. 70 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 20 the surface, was very different from that which harpsichord in Burnett's room. Lightfoot stil it now presents. A cloud, as it were, hung melodizes on the flute, and, had I but a Jews over it; if it had not our unhappy divisions, it harp, the concert would be complete.....O had not, also, the spur to exertion, and the sort Friday next my anatomical studies begin; they of spiritual fieshness, which the storms of those must be pursued with attention. Apollo ha? dissensions have infused into it-good coming hitherto only received my devotion as the deity out of evil, as it so often does in the course of of poets; I must now address him as a physi God's providence. cian. I could allege many reasons for my pref It is not so strange, therefore, that he should erence of physic. Some disagreeable circum have entertained an invincible repugnance to stances must attend the study, but they are moro taking holy orders. Enthusiastic and visionary than counterbalanced by the expansion it gives in the extreme, imbued strongly with those po- the mind, and the opportunities it affords of do litical viewst- which rarely fail to produce lax ing good. Chemistry I must also attend: of and dangerous views in religion, as his uncle this study I have always been fond, and it is now quietly observes in one of his letters to him- necessary to pursue it with care."* " I knew what your politics were, and therefore And again, a few days after, he writes to Mr. had reason to suspect what your religion might Grosvenor Bedford: "I purpose studying physbe"-viewing the Church only as she appeared ic: innumerable and insuperable objections apin the lives and preaching of many of her un- peared to divinity: surely the profession T have worthy, many of her cold and indolent minis- chosen affords at least as many opportunities of ters; never directed to those studies which benefiting mankind..... In this country, a libwould probably have solved his doubts and set- eral education precludes the man of no fortune tied his opinions, and unfortified by an acquaint- from independence in the humbler lines of life ance with " that portion of the Church's history, he may either turn soldier, or embrace one of the knowledge of which," as he himself says, three professions, in all of which there is too;' if early inculcated, might arm the young heart much quackery...... Very soon shall I comagainst the pestilent errors of these distempered mence my anatomical and chemical studies. times,"'t it is little to be wondered at if he fell When well grounded in these, I hope to study into some of these errors. under Cruikshank to perfect myself in anatomy, His opinions at this time were somewhat attend the clinical lectures, and then commence unsettled, although they soon took the form -Doctor Southey!! of Unitarianism, from which point they seemn He accordingly attended, for some little time, gradually to have ascended, without any abrupt the anatomy school, and the lectures of the medtransition, as the troubles of life increased his ical professors, but he soon abandoned the idea devotional feelings, and the study of religious as hastily as he had adopted it; partly from beauthors informed his better judgment, until they ing unable to overcome his disgust to a dissectfinally settled down into a strong attachment to ing-room, and partly because the love of literary the doctrines of the Church of England. For pursuits was so strong within him: that, without the present he felt he could not assent to those his being altogether aware of it at the time, it doctrines, and therefore, although no man could prevented his applying his mind sufficiently to possibly have been more willing to labor perse- the requisite studies. His inclinations pointed veringly and industriously for a livelihood, he ever to literature as the needle to the north; began to feel much anxiety and distress of mind and however he might resolve, and however as to his future prospects, and to make several temporary circumstances led him for some years fruitless attempts to find some suitable profession. to attempt other objects and to frame other plans, These several projects are best narrated by an invisible arcm seemed to draw him away from himself: them, and place him in that path which he was " Once more am I settled at Baliol, once more finally destined to pursue, for which he had been among my friends, alternately studying and phi- fitted by Providence, and in which he was to losophizing, railing at collegiate folly, and en- find happiness, distinction, and permanent usejoying rational society. BMy prospects in life fulness both to his country and to his kind. are totally altered. I am resolved to come out Among other schemes which at this time _Esculapius secundus..... Our society at Ba- crossed his mind was the possibility of selling liol continues the same in number. The fresh- the reversion of some property which he conmen of the term are not estimable (as Duppa ceived he should inherit from his uncle, John says), and we are enough with the three Corpus Southey, of Taunton; and he now requests his men, who generally join us. The fiddle with friend, Mr. Grosvenor Bedford, to make some one string is gone, and its place supplied with a inquiries at Doctors Commons on the subject.' The information you may there receive," he * In the following passage, written with reference to writes " will perhaps have some weight in my the times of Charles I., my father has evidently in view the causes of his own early Republican bias: "And, at scale of destiny: it rests partly on the will of the same time, many of the higher classes had imbibed John Cannon Southey, who died in 1760. Hope from their classical studies prejudices in favor of a popu- a.d fear have almost lost their influence over m lar government, which were as congenial to the generous temper of inexperienced youth as they are inconsistent If my reversion can be sold for any comfortable with sound knowledge and mature judgment."-Book of independence, I am sure you would advise me the Church, vol. ii., p. 356._ t Book of the Church; Preface, p. 1. * To Iorace Bedford, Esq., Jan. 24, 1794. ETAT. 20. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 71 to seize happiness with mediocrity than lose it In reply to this, Mr. Bedford urges upon him in waiting for affluence. My wishes are not all the objections to which such a situation would above mediocrity..... Every day do I repine be liable, and begs him to reconsider his determat the education that taught me to handle a lex- ination with respect to taking holy orders, probicon instead of a hammer, and destined me for ably thinking that a little time might calm his one of the drones of society. Add to this, that feelings and settle his opinions. His arguments, had I a sufficiency in independence, I have ev- however, were of no avail. My father repeats ery reason to expect happiness. The most his determination not to enter the Church, and pleasing visions of domestic life would be real- continues: " Is it better that I should suffer inized..... When I think on this topic, it is convenience myself, or let my friends suffer it rather to cool myself with philosophy than to in- for me? Is six hours' misery to be preferred to dulge in speculation. Twenty is young for a wretchedness of the whole twenty-four?.... I Stoic, you will say; but they have been years have only one alternative-some such situation, of experience and observation.... They have or emigration. It is not the sally of a momentshown me that happiness is attainable; but, ary fancy that says this; either in six months I withal, taught me by repeated disappointments fix myself in some honest way of living, or I never to build on so sandy a foundation. It will quit my country, my friends, and every fondest be all the same a hundred years hence, is a vul- hope I indulge forever." gar adage which has often consoled me. Now But, before many steps had been taken in the do I execrate a declamation which I must make. matter. an obstacle appeared which had not preO for emancipation from these useless forms, viously occurred to my father's mind, and which this Useless life, these haunts of intolerance, vice, at once put a stop to all further anticipations of and folly!' the kind. It was evident that, before an official Respecting the reversion here mentioned no appointment of any kind, however trifling, could satisfactory information could be obtained, and be procured, inquiry would be made at Oxford he next turned his thoughts toward obtaining respecting his character and conduct; and, his some official employment in London. " You political opinions once known, all chances of know my objection to orders," he writes to Mr. success would be destroyed. His Republican Grosvenor Bedford, " and the obstacles to any views were so strong and so freely expressed, other profession: it is now my wish to be in the that there was no possibility of any inquiry besame office with you..... Do, my dear Grosve- ing made that would not place an insurmountanor, give me some information upon this topic. ble obstacle to his obtaining any employment unI speak to you without apologizing; you will der a Tory ministry. This being once suggestserve me if you can, and tell me if you can not: ed by a friend, was so apparent, that the scheme it would be a great object to be in the same of- was as quickly abandoned as it had been hastily fice with you. In this plan of life, the only dif- and eagerly conceived.* ficulty is obtaining such a place, and for this my "I think --'s objection is a very strong one," hopes rest on Wynn and you. In case of sue- he writes:' my opinions are very well known. cess, I shall joyfully bid adieu to Oxtord, settle I would have them so; Nature never meant me myself in some economical way of life, and, for a negative character: I can neither be good when I know my situation, unite myself to a nor bad, happy nor miserable, by halves. You woman whom I have long esteemed as a sister, know me to be neither captious nor quarrelsome, and for whom I now indulge a warmer senti- yet I doubt whether the quiet, harmless situation ment.... Write to me soon. I am sanguine I hoped for were proper for me: it certainly, by in my expectations if you can procure my ad- imposing a prudential silence, would have sulmission. Promotion is a secondary concern, lied my integrity. I think I see you smile, and though of that I have hopes. My pen will be your imagination turns to a strait waistcoat and my chief dependence. In this situation, where Moorfields. Aussi bien. a small income relieves from want, interest will' Some think him wondrous wise, urge me to write, but independence secures e And some believe him mad."t from writing so as to injure my reputation. In the midst of his disappointment at the failEven the prospect of settling honestly in life has ure of these plans, upon which he seems to have relieved my mind from a load of anxiety. set his hopes somewhat strongly, his first ac" In this plan of life every thing appears with- quaintance commenced with Mr. Coleridge, and in the bounds of probability; the hours devoted from this sprang a train of circumstances fraught to official attendance, even if entirely taken up with much importance to the after lives of both. by business, would pass with the idea that I was Mr. Coleridge was at this time an under-graddoing my duty and honestly earning my subsist- uate of Jesus College, Cambridge, where he had ence. If they should not be fully occupied, I entered in February, 1791, and he had already can pursue my own studies; and should I be given proofs both of his great talents and his ecfortunate enough to be in the same office with centricities. In the summer of that year he had you, it would be equally agreeable to both. gained Sir William Brown's gold medal for the What situation oan be pleasanter than that which Greek ode. It was on the slave trade, and its places me with all my dearest friends?"f poetic force and originality were, as he said __*_ —-_ —---- —,__ June 1, 1794. * May 11, 1794. t May 28, 1794. t To Grosvenor Bedford, Esq., June 25, 1794. 7o2 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATAT. 20 himself, much beyond the language in which I large part of their time would still remain for they were conveyed. In the winter of 1792-3 social converse and literary pursuits. The fe. he had stood for the University (Craven) schol- males of the party-for all were to be married arship with Dr. Keats, the late head master of men-were to cook and perform all domestic Eton, Mr. Bethell, of Yorkshire, and Bishop But- offices; and having even gone so far as to plan ler, who was the successful candidate. In 1793 the architecture of their cottages and the form he had written without success for the Greek of their settlement, they had pictured as pleasode on astronomy, a translation of which is ant a Utopia as ever entered an ardent mind. among my father's minor poems. In the latter The persons who at first entered into the part of this year, " in a moment of despondency scheme were my father; Robert Lovell, the son and vexation of spirit, occasioned principally by of a wealthy. Quaker, who married one of the some debts, not amounting to -100, he sudden- Misses Fricker; George Burnett, a fellow-collely left his college and went to London," and gian from Somersetshire; Robert Allen, then at there enlisted as a private in the 15th Light Corpus Christi College; and Edmund Seward, Dragoons, under an assumed name bearing his of a Herefordshire family, also a fellow-colleown initials. In this situation, than which he gian. for whom my father entertained the sincould not, by possibility, have chosen one more cerest affection and esteem. incongruous to all his habits and feelings, he re- Seward, however, did not long continue to apmained until the following April, when the term- prove of the plan; his opinions were more moderination of his military career was brought about ate than those of his friends, although he was inby a chance recognition in the street. His fam- dined to hold democratic views, and he was ily were apprised of his situation; and, after strongly attached to the doctrines of the Church some difficulty, he was duly discharged on the of England, in which he intended to take orders. 10th of April, 1794, at Hounslow.* His letters on the subject of Pantisocracy are inIn the following June Mr. Coleridge went to dicative of a very thoughtful and pious mind, and Oxford, on a visit to an old schoolfellow; and, he expresses much regret that he should at first being accidentally introduced to my father, an have given any encouragement to a scheme intimacy quickly sprung up between them, hast- which he soon saw must fail, if attempted to be ened by the similarity of the views they then carried out. held, both on the subjects of religion and pol- He perceived that the two chief movers, my itics. Each seems to have been mutually taken father and Mr. Coleridge, were passing through with the other. Coleridge was seized with the a period of feverish enthusiasm which could not most lively admiration of my father's person and last; and he especially expresses his fear that conversation; my father's impression of him is the views on religious subjects held by the parwell told by himself. "Allen is with us daily, ty generally were not sufficiently fixed and pracand his friend from Cambridge, Coleridge, whose tical, and that discussions and differences of poems you will oblige me by subscribing to, ei- opinion on these points would probably arise, ther at Hookham's or Edwards's. He is of which, more than on any other, would tend to most uncommon merit-of the strongest genius, destroy that perfect peace and unanimity they so the clearest judgment, the best heart. My fondly hoped to establish. friend he already is, and must hereafter be These apprehensions, however, were not paryours. It is, I fear, impossible to keep him ticipated in by the rest of the party. Mr. Coletill you come, but my efforts shall not be want- ridge quitted Oxford for a pedestrian tour in ing."t Wales; and from Gloucester he writes his first We have seen that in one or two of his ear- letter to my father: " You are averse," he says, ly letters my father speaks of emigration and " to gratitudinarian flourishes, else would I talk America as having entered his mind, and the about hospitality, attention, &c., &c.; however, failure of the plans I have just mentioned now as I must not thank you, I will thank my stars. caused him to turn his thoughts more decidedly Verily, Southey, I like not Oxford, nor the inin that direction, and the result was a scheme habitants of it. I would say thou art a nightinof emigration, to which those who conceived it gale among owls; but thou art so songless and gave the euphonious name of " Pantisocracy." heavy toward night that I will rather liken thee This idea, it appears, was first originated by to the matin lark; thy est is in a blighted cornMr. Coleridge and one or two of his friends, and field, where the sleepy poppy nods its red-cowl.. he mentioned it to my father on becoming ac- ed head, and the weak-eyed mole plies his dark quainted with him at Oxford. Their plan was work, but thy soaring is even unto heaven. Or to collect as many brother adventurers as they let me add (for my appetite for similes is truly could, and to establish a community in the New canine at this moment), that as the Italian noWorld upon the most thoroughly social basis. bles their new-fashioned doors, so thou dost Land was to be purchased with their common make the adamantine gate of Democracy turn contributions, and to be cultivated by their com- on its golden hinges to most sweet music."* mon labor. Each was to have his portion of The long vacation having commenced, my work assigned him; and they calculated that a father went down to his aunt at Bath, and fiont thence writes as follows: * Coleridge's Biographia Literaria. Biographical Supplement, vol. ii., p. 33f, 337. -_________ t To Grosvenor Bedford, Esq., June 12, 1794. * July 6, 1794. ETAT.20. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 73 To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ants in him and Seward; Allen, too, resides only "Bath, July 20, 1794. six weeks longer in the University; so it would " Grosvenor, I believe nearly three weeks have be a melancholy place for me, were I to visit it elapsed since your last letter at Oxford damped again for residence. My tutor will much wonder my breakfast with disappointment. To see you at seeing my name;* but, as Thomas Howe is at all times would be a source of much pleasure; half a Democrat, he will be pleased. What mirbut I should have been particularly glad to have acle could illuminate him, I know not; but he introduced you to Allen and Coleridge; they surprised me much by declaiming against the shared in my disappointment, but that part of war, praising America, and asserting the right human unhappiness is not alleviated by partition. of every country to model its own form of govColeridge is now walking over Wales. You ernment. This was followed by,'Mr. Southey, have seen a specimen of Alien's poetry, but nev- you won't learn any thing by my lectures, sir; er of his friend's; take these; they are the only so, if you have any studies of your own, you had ones I can show, and were written on the wain- better pursue them.' You may suppose I thankscot of the inn at Ross, which was once the dwell- fully accepted the offer. Let me hear from you ing-house of Kyrle." soon. You promised me some verses. [Here follow the well-known lines to " The" Sincerely yours, Man of Ross."] ROBERT SOUTITEY. "Admire the verses, Grosvenor, and pity that P.S.- ow are the wasps this year? My mind that wrote them from its genuine feelings. dog eats flies voraciously, and hunts wasps for'Tis my intention soon to join him in Wales, then the same purpose. If he catches them, I fear proceed to Edmund Seward, seriously to arrange he will follow poor Hyder.t I saved him twice with him the best mode of settling in America. to-day from swallowing them like oysters." Yesterday I took my proposals for publishing The Pantisocratic scheme seemed now to Joan of Arc to the printer: should the publica- flourish; all were full of eager anticipation. tion be any ways successful, it will carry me" Every thing smiles upon me," says my father; over, and get me some few acres, a spade, and: my mother is fully convinced of the propriety a plow. My brother Thomas will gladly go of our resolution; she admires the plan; she goes with us, and perhaps two or three more of my with us. Never did so delightful a prospect of most intimate friends. In this country I must happiness open upon my view before; to go with either sacrifice happiness or integrity: but when all I love; to go with all my friends, except your we meet I will explain my notions more fully. family and Wynn; to live with them in the most " I shall not reside next Michaelmas at Oxford, agreeable and most honorable employment to because the time will be better employed in cor- eat the fruits I have raised, and see every face recting Joan and overlooking the press. If I get happy around me; my mother sheltered in her fifty copies subscribed for by that time... declining years from the anxieties which have Grosvenor, I shall inscribe Joan of Arc to you, pursued her; my brothers educated to be useful unless you are afraid to have your name prefixed and virtuous."'t to a work that breathes some sentiments not per- In the course of this month (August), Mr. fectly in unison with court principles. Correc- Coleridge, having returned from his excursion tions wili take up some time, for the poem shall in Wales, came to Bristol; and my father, who go into the world handsomely: it will be my was then at Bath, having gone over to meet him, legacy to this country, and may, perhaps, pre- introduced him to Robert Lovell, through whom, serve my memory in it. Many of my friends it appears, they both at this time became known will blame me for so bold a step, but as many to Mr. Cottle; and here, also, Mr. Coleridge encourage me; and I want to raise money first became acquainted with his future wife, enough to settle myself across the Atlantic. If Sarah Fricker, the eldest of the three sisters, one I have leisure to write there, my stock of image- of whom was married to Robert Lovell, the other ry will be much increased..... My proposals having been engaged for some time to my father. will be printed this evening. I remain here till They were the daughters of Stephen Fricker, to-morrow morning, for the sake of carrying some who had carried on a large manufactory of sugarto Bristol. Methinks my name will look well in pans or molds at Westbury, near Bristol, and print. I expect a host of petty critics will buzz who, having fallen into difficulties in consequence about my ears, but I must brush them off. You of the stoppage of trade by the American war, know what the poem was at Brixton; when well had lately died, leaving his widow and six chilcorrected, I fear not its success. dren wholly unprovided for. "I have a linen coat making, much like yours; During this visit to Bath, the tragedy entitled'tis destined for much service. Burnett ambu- "The Fall of Robespierre"~ was written, the lated to Bristol with me from Oxford; he is a history of which is best explained by the followworthy fellow, whom I greatly esteem. We ing extract of a letter from my father to the late have a wild Welshman, red hot from the mount- Henry Nelson Coleridge, Esq.:' It originated ains, at Baliol, who would please and amuse you in sportive conversation at poor Lovell's, and much. He is perfectly ignorant of the world, * As the author of Joan of Arc. but with all the honest, warm feelings of nature, t A dog belonging to Mr. Bedford's father, which died a good head, and a good heart. Lightfoot is from the stig of a i te t t A.B.; old Baliol Coll. has lost its Grosvenor Bedford, Esq., August 1, 1794. Printed in "Remains of S. T. Coleridge." 74 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF EATAr. 21. we agreed each to produce an act by the next " Since I quitted this room, what and how imeveninl —S. T. C. the first, I the second, and Lov- portant events have been evolved! America! ell the third. S. T. C. brought part of his 1 and Southey! Miss Fricker!.. Pantisocracy! Lovell, the whole of ours. But L.'s was not in Oh! I shall have such a scheme of it! My keeping, and therefore I undertook to supply the head, my heart, are all alive. I have drawn up third also by the following day. By that time my arguments in battle array: they shall have S. T. C. had filled up his. A dedication to Mrs. the tactitian excellence of the mathematician, Hannah More was concocted. and the notable with the enthusiasm of the poet. The head shall performance was offered for sale to a bookseller be the mass; the heart, the fiery spirit that fills, in Bristol, who was too wise to buy it. Your informs, and agitates the whole." And then, in uncle took the MSS. with him to Camnbridge, and large letters, in all the zeal of Pantisocratic frathere rewrote the first act at leisure, and pub- ternity, he exclaims, " SHAD GOES WITH lished it. My portion I never saw from the US: HE IS MY BROTHER!!" and; descendtime it was written till the whole was before the ing thence to less emphatical calligraphy, I am world. It was written with newspapers before longing to be with you: make Edith my sister. me as fast as newspapers could be put into blank Surely, Southey, we shall be frendotatoi meta verse. I have no desire to claim it now; but frendous-most friendly where all are friends. neither am I ashamed of it; and, if you think She must, therefore, be more emphatically my proper to print the whole, so be it." sister.... C, the most excellent, the most From Bath Mr. Coleridge went up to London, Pantisocratic of aristocrats, has been laughing apparently with the view of consulting some at me. Up I arose, terrible in reasoning. IHe friend respecting the publication of the " Fall of fled from me, because' he would not answer for Robespierre." From thence he thus writes to his own sanity, sitting so near a madman of genmy father: " The day after my arrival I finish- ius.' He told me that the strength of my imed the first act: I transcribed it. The next agination had intoxicated my reason, and that morning Franklin (of Pembroke Coll., Cam., a the acuteness of my reason had given a directci-dcvant Grecian of our school-so we call the ing influence to my imagination. Four months first boys) called on me, and persuaded me to go ago the remark would not have been more elewith him and breakfast with Dyer, author of gant than just; now it is nothing."''The Complaints of the Poor,:' A Subscription,' In the mean time, my father, though not quite &c., &c. I went; explained our system. He was so much carried away as Mr. Coleridge: was enraptured; pronounced it impregnable. He is equally earnest in forwarding the plan as far as intimate with Dr. Priestley, and doubts not that it could be forwarded without that which is the the doctor will join us. He showed me some sinews of emigration as well as of war, and withpoetry, and I showed him part of the first act, out which, though the " root of all evil," not even which I happened to have about me. He liked Pantisocracy could flourish. " In March we it hugely; it was'a nail that would drive.'.... depart for America," he writes to his brother Every night I meet a most intelligent young man, Thomas, then a midshipman on board the Aquiwho has spent the last five years of his life in lon frigate; " Lovell, his wife, brother, and two America, and is lately come from thence as an of his sisters; all the Frickers; my mother, Miss agent to sell land. He was of our school. I Peggy, and brothers; Heath, apothecary, &c.; had been kind to him: he remembers it, and G. Burnett, S. T. Coleridge, Robert Allen, and comes regularly every evening to'benefit by Robert Southey. Of so many we are certain, conversation,' he says. He says o2000 will and expect more. Whatever knowledge of navdo; that he doubts not we can contract for our igation you can obtain will be useful, as we shall passage under c2400; that we shall buy the land be on the bank of a navigable river, and appoint a great deal cheaper when we arrive at America you admiral of a cock-boat... than we could do in England;'or why,' he adds, " My aunt knows nothing as yet of my inam I sent over here?' That twelve men may tended plan; it will surprise her, but not very easily clear 300 acres in four or five months; agreeably. Every thing is in a very fair train, and that, for 600 dollars, a thousand acres may and all parties eager to embark. What do your be cleared, and houses built on them. He rec- common blue trowsers cost? Let me know, as ommends the Susquehanna, from its excessive I shall get two or three pairs for my working beauty, and its security from hostile Indians. winter dress, and as many jackets, either blue Every possible assistance will be given us: we or gray: so my wardrobe will consist of two may get credit for the land for ten years or more, good coats, two cloth jackets, four linen ones, as we settle upon it. That literary characters six brown Holland pantaloons, and two nankeen make money there, &c., &c. He never saw a ditto for dress..... btson in his life, but has heard of them: they are " My mother says I am mad; if so, she is bit quite backward. The musquitoes are not so bad by me, for she wishes to go as much as I do. as our gnats; and, after you have been there a Coleridge was with us nearly five weeks, and little while, they don't trouble you much."* made good use of his time. We preached PanFrom London Mr. Coleridge returned to Cam- tisocracy and Aspheteism every where. These, bridge, and writes from thence, immediately on Tom, are two new words, the first signifying the his arrival, full of enthusiasm for the grand plan: equal government of all, and the other the gen-' September 6, 1794. * September 18, 1794. ]ETAT. 21. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 75 eralization of individual property; words well in more need than on Friday, the 17th of Octounderstood in the city of Bristol. We are busy ber, 1794. in getting our plan and principles ready to dis- "Well, Tom, here I am. My aunt has detribute privately.....The thoughts of the dared she will never see my face again, or open day and the visions of the night all center in a letter of my writing. So be it; I do my duty, America. Time lags heavily along till March, and will continue to do it, be the consequences but we have done wonders since you left me. what they may. You are unpleasantly situated;.... I hope to see you in January; it will then so is my mother; so were we all till this grand be time for you to take leave of the navy, and scheme of Pantisocracy flashed upon our minds, become acquainted with all our brethren, the and now all is perfectly delightful. Pantisocrats. You will have no objection to par- "Open war-declared hostilities! the chiltake of a wedding dinner in February."*.... dren are to come here on Wednesday, and I meet By the middle of the following month the plan them at the Long Coach on that evening. My was still progressing favorably, but the main dif- aunt abuses poor Lovell most unmercifully, and ficulty was beginning to occur to them. My fa- attributes the whole scheme to him; you know ther writes again to his brother: " Our plan is it was concerted between Burnett and me. But, in- great forwardness; nor do I see how it can of all the whole catalogue of enormities, nothing be frustrated. We are now twenty-seven ad- enrages my aunt so much as my intended marventurers. Mr. Scott talks of joining us; and riage with Mrs. Lovell's sister Edith; this-will if so, five persons will accompany him..... hardly take place till we arrive in America; it I wish I could speak as satisfactorily upon money rouses all the whole army of prejudices in my matters. Money is a huge evil which we shall aunt's breast. Pride leads the fiery host, and a not long have to contend with. All well. pretty kick-up they. must make there.' Thank you for the hanger; keep it for me. "I expect some money in a few days, and You shall not remain longer in the navy than then you shall not want; yet, as this is not quite January. Live so long in hope; think of Ameri- certain, I can not authorize you to draw on me. ca! and remember that while you are only think- Lovell is in London; he will return on Tuesday ing of our plan, we are many of us active in for- or Wednesday, and I hope will bring with him warding it. some ten or twenty pounds; he will likewise ex" Would you were with us! we talk often of amine the wills at Doctors' Commons, and see you with regret. This Pantisocratic scheme has what is to be done in the reversion way. Every given me new life, new hope, new energy; all thing is in the fairest train. Favell and Le Grice, the faculties of my mind are dilated; I am weed- two young Pantisocrats of nineteen, join us; they ing out the few lurking prejudices of habit, and possess great genius and energy. I have seen looking forward to happiness. I wish I could neither of them, yet correspond with both. You transfuse some of my high hope and enthusiasm may, perhaps, like this sonnet on the subject of into you; it would warm you in the cold winter our emigration, by Favell: nights."t.... "'No more my visionary soul shall dwell Hitherto all had gone on pretty smoothly. The On joys that were; no more endure to weigh plan of emigration, as well as my father's engage- The shame and anguish of the evil da,.~ n 7 2: ~~~n VWisely fqrgetful! O'er the ocean swell, ment to marry, had been carefully concealed from Sublime of Hope, I seek the cottaged dell his aunt, Miss Tyler, who, he was perfectly aware, re Virtue calm with careless step may stray, And, dancing to the moonlight roundelay, would most violently oppose both; and now, when The wizard passion wears a holy spell. at last she became acquainted with his intention, Eyes that have ached with anguish! ye shall weep her aner knew no bound. The c e Tears of doubt-mingled joy, as those who start her anger knew no bounds. The consequence From precipices of distemper'd sleep, can not be more graphically described than by On which the fierce eyed fiends their revels keep, him self.'And see the rising sun, and feel it dart New rays of pleasure trembling to the heart.' To Thomas Southey.' "This is a very beautiful piece of poetry, and "Bath, October 19, 1794. we may form a very fair opinion of Favell from M"HeY DEAR BROTHER ADIRAL., it. Scott, a brother of your acquaintance, goes Here's a row! here's a kick-up! here's a with us. So much for news relative to our pripretty commence! We have had a revolution vat politics in the College Green and I havThis is the abe of revolutions, and a huge out of doors in a wet night. Lo and behold, h o t C n I one we have had on the CollegTe Green; Poor even like mine own brother, I was penniless. It even like mine own brother, I was penniless It Shadrach is left there, in the burning fiery furwas late in the evening; the wind blew and the nace of her displeasure, and a prime hot birth nace of her displeasure, and a prime hot birth rain fell, and I had walked from Bath in the. rain fell, and I had walked from Bath in the has he got of it: he saw me depart with astonmorning. Luckily, my father's old great-coat ishment.'Why, sir, you ent going to Bath at was at Lovell's. I clapped it on, swallowed a this time of night, and in this weather! o let glass of brandy, and set off. I met an old drunk- me see you sometimes, and hear from you and en man three miles off, and was obliged to drag sed fo me we yo ar going. v n send for me when you are going.' him all the way to Bath, nine miles! Oh, Pa- al well and all eager to depart. tience, Patience, thou hast often helped poor arch will soon arrive and I hope you will b Robert Southey, but never didst thou stand him with us before that time. * September 20, 1794. t Bath, October 14,1794. " Why should the man who acts from convic 76 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF /iETAT. 21. tion of rectitude grieve because the prejudiced plan, which the roll of the Atlantic seemed to are offended? For me, I am fully possessed by obscure from their sight. "For God's sake. my the great cause to which I have devoted myself; dear fellow," he writes in remonstrance to my my conduct has been open, sincere, and just; father, " tell me what we are to gain by taking and, though the world were to scorn and neglect a Welsh farm? Remember the principles and me, I should bear their contempt with calmness. proposed consequences of Pantisocracy, and reFare thee well. Ifleet in what degree they are attainable by Cole"Yours in brotherly affection, ridge, Southey, Lovell, Burnett, and Co., some "ROBERT SOUTHEY.) five men going partners together! In the next It t he bn h d tt this sr place, supposing that we have found the preIt might have been hoped that this storm r' J1 " p,..,7 wounl have blown over, andthat, when Pants ponderating utility of our aspheterizing in Wales, would have blown over, and that, when Pantishd died a a i v let us, by our speedy and united inquiries, dis ocracy had died a natural death, and the mar- 7 riage had taken plac, ss' cover the sum of money necessary. Whether riage had taken place, Miss Tyler's angry teel- i I r Tyler' angr feel-D such a farm, with so very large a house, is to bo ings might have softened down; but it was not i y l o, an th autadnpe eee in procured without launching our frail and unpi so, and the aunt and nephew never met again 1 I loted bark on a rough sea of anxieties. How One other incident belongs to the close of this,, tT p 1 p Imuch money will be necessary for fitrnishing so year-the publication of a small volume of po- much money will beHo necessary for thes large a house. How much necessary for the ems, the joint production of Mr. Lovell and my i a 5ems, Jh Jin p^dt l,,' Lvi i" I maintenance of so large a family-eighteen peo father. Many of them have never been repub-lef or a year at a lished. The motto prefixed to them was an ap- p ut-for a year at least." ~propriate one Mnuentur atrBut the plan of going into Wales did not pros. propriate one: -. p, "iuentur aper any more than that of genuine Pantisocracy: Carmine curae." the close of the year and the beginning of the next found matters still in the same unsatisfac'- — ""-'- tory state. Mr. Coleridge had kept the Mich. CHAPTER III. aelmas Term at Cambridge-the last he kept; and, having gone from thence to London, re PANTISOCRACY PROPOSED TO BE TRIED IN WALES mained there until early in the following Janu -LETTERS TO MIR. G. C. BEDFORD-DIFFICUL- ary, when he returned to Bristol with my father, TIES AND DISTRESSES-HISTORICAL LECTURES who had chanced to go up to town at that time. -DEATH OF EDMIUND SENWARD-M I R. COTTLE The following letters will illustrate this periPURCHASES THE COPYRIGHT OF JOAN OF ARC od. In the latter one we have a vivid picture - PANTISOCRACY ABANDONED - MISUNDER- of the distresses and difficulties of his present STANDING WITH MR. COLERIDGE-LETTER TO position. MR. G. C. BEDFORD —MEETING WITH HIS UNCLE, MR. HILL-CONSENTS TO ACCOMPANY HIM To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. TO LISBON —MARRIAGE-LETTERS TO MR. BED- " Bath, Jan. 5, 1795. FORD AND MR. COTTLE.-1794-1795. "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, " If I were not very well acquainted with your nMY father was now a homeless advelnturer; disposition, I should apprehend, by your long siconscious of great resources in himself, but notence th knowing how to bring them into use; full of l Inknowig how to bi. the iato use; full of letter I spoke too warmly, but you know my afhope and the most arden t aspira- fections are war, I was sorry at having done rounded with present wants and difficulties. The oltin of arou so, and wrote to say so. The jolting of a rough America was still the haven of his hopes, and j n cart over rugged roads is very apt to excite tufor a little while he indulged in the pleasing an- mults in the intestinal canal even foaitlwIieiemults in the intestinal canal; even so are the ticipation, "Would that March were over!" he rubs of fortune prone to create gizzard u writes at this time to Mr. Bedford. " Affection blis of te e. has one or two strong cords round my heart, and Now ifyou are not angry (and on mv soul will try me painfully-you and Wynn! A little I believe ou an aer to be ctl hetero net-work must be broken here; that I mind not, you will w e very shortly i geneous), you will write to me very shortly; if' but my mother does. My mind is full of futu-y ar, h t emn so r a fortrity, and lovely is the prospect; I am now like then, it s probable, I shall pass two days a traveler crossing precipices to get home, but inLondon, on my way to Cambridge; and as my foot shall not slip.' one of them will be purely to be with you, if I The difficulty of raising sufficient funds for do not remove all cause of complaint you have their purpose was now, however, becoming daily aainst Robe Southey, you shall punish him more and more evident; and it appears to have with your everlasting displeasure. been next proposed by my father that the exper- "Fro Horace, too, I hear nothin. Were iment of Pantisocracy should be first tried in on te Alleghany Mountains, or buried in the some retired part of Wales, until some luckywilds of Caernarvonshire, I could not have less turn of fortune should enable them to carry out intercourse with you. Perhaps you are weantheir scheme of transatlantic social colonization.ng like a chid. And now, Bedfod, I shall To this Mr. Coleridge at first strongly objects, shortly see G. S.,+ if he be in London or at Trinand sees now more clearly the difficulties of the Oct.- -19,179.m~ * A schoolfellow with whom. he had once been very in* Oct. 19, 1794. timate. iETAT. 21. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 77 ity. Two days in London: one with you, when at by all; hated by the aristocrats; the very I shall call on him; the other with some friends oracle of my own party. Bedford! Bedford! of Coleridge and correspondents of mine, admi- mine are the principles of peace, of non-resistrable poets and Pantisocrats. How will G. S. ance; you can not burst our bonds of affection. receive me? is he altered? will he be reserved, Do not grieve that circumstances have made me and remelmber only our difference? or is there thus; you ought to rejoice that your friend acts still the same goodness of heart in him as when up to his principles, though you think them we first met? I feel some little agitation at the wrong. thought. G. S. was the first person I ever met Coleridge is writing at the same table; our with who at all assimilated with my disposition. names are written in the book of destiny, on the I was a physiognomist without knowing it. He same page. was my substance. I loved him as a brother " Grosvenor, I must put your brains in requionce: perhaps he is infected with politesse; is sition. We are about to publish a magazine on polite to all, and affectionate to none. a new plan. One of the prospectuses, when' Coleridge is a man who has every thing of printed, will be forwarded to you.'Tis our in---- but his vices: he is what ---- would tention to say in the title-page, S. T. C. and R. have been, had he given up that time to study S., Editors; and to admit nothing but what is which he consumed you know how lamentably. good. A work of the kind must not be under" I will give you a little piece which I wrote, taken without a certainty of indemnification, and and which he corrected.'Twas occasioned by then it bids very fair to be lucrative, so the bookthe funeral of a pauper, without one person at- sellers here tell us. To be called The Provincial tending it.* Magazine, and published at Bristol if we settle'I like this little poem, and there are few of here. We mean to make it the vehicle of all mine of which I can say that. our poetry: will you not give us some essays,'Bedford, I can sing eight songs: 1. The &c., &c.? We can undoubtedly make it the antique and exhilarating Bacchanalian, Back and best thing of the kind ever published; so, BedSides go Bare. 2. The Tragedy of the Mince- ford, be very wise and very witty. Send us pie, or the Cruel VMaster Cook. 3. The Comical whole essays, hints, good things, &c., &c., and Jest of the Farthing Rush-light. 4. The Bloody they shall cut a most respectable figure. The Gardener's Cruelty. 5. The Godly Hymn of poetry will be printed so as to make a separate the Seven Good Joys of the Virgin Mary; being volume at the end of the year. a Christma: Carol. 6. The Tragedy of the Bea- " What think you of this? I should say that ver Hat; or, as newly amended, The Brunswick I the work will certainly express our sentiments, Bonnet; containing three apt Morals. 7. The so expressed as never to offend; but, if truth Quaint Jest of the Three Crows. 8. The Life spoken in the words of meekness be offense, we and Death of Johnny Bulan. may not avoid it. - Now I shall outdo Horace!.. Farewell, I am in treaty with The Telegraph, and hope and believe me always to be their correspondent. Hireling writer to a "Your sincere and affectionate newspaper!'Sdeath!'tis an ugly title: but, "ROBERT SOUTHEY." n'ineporte, I shall write truth, and only truth. Have you seen, in Friday's Telegraph, a letter To Grosvncor C. Bedford, Esq. to Canning, signed Harrington?'Twas the "Bristol, Feb. 8, 1795. specimen of my prose. "I have been reading the first four numbers "You will be melancholy at all this, Bedford; of'The Flagellant:' they are all I possess. My | I am so at times, but what can I do? I could dearest Grosvenor, they have recalled past times not enter the Church, nor had I finances to study forcibly to my mind, and I could almost weep at physic; for public offices I am too notorious. I the retrospect. Why have I not written to you have not the gift of making shoes, nor the happy )efore? Because I could only have told you art of mending them. Education has unfitted of uncertainty and suspense. There is nothing me for trade, and I must, perforce, enter the more to say now. The next six months will af- muster-roll of authors.' ford more variety of incidents. But, my dear Bedford, though you will not love me the less, " Monday morning. you will shake your head, and lament the effects'" Mv days are disquieted, and the dreams of of -what you call enthusiasm. Would to God that the night only retrace the past to bewilder me we agreed in sentiment, for then you could en- in vague visions of the future. America is still ter into the feelings of my heart, and hold me the place to which our ultimate views tend; but still dearer in your own. it will be years before we can go. As for Wales, " There is the strangest mixture of cloud and it is not practicable. The point is, where can I of sunshine! an outcast in the world! an adven- best subsist?... London is certainly the place turer! living by his wits! yet happy in the full for all who, like me, are on the world..... conviction of rectitude, in integrity, and in the London must be the place. If I and Coleridge affection of a mild and lovely woman; at once can only get a fixed salary of elO00 a year bethe object of hatred and admiration; wondered tween us, our own industry shall supply the __ _ _ __ ___ _ _ rest. I will write up to'The Telegraph:' they y fathere mfollows offered mTh e a reporter's plaueral," printed amonn - mv father' s minor poems. offered me a reporter's place, but nightly em 78 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 21. ployments are out of the question. My trouble- " 7th. State of the Eastern Empire, to the some guest, called honesty, prevents my writing Capture of Constantinople by the Turks; includin The True Briton. God knows I want not to ing the Rise and Progress of the Mohammedan thrust myself forward as a partisan: peace and Religion, and the Crusades. domestic life are the highest blessings I could " 8th. History of Europe, to the Abdication implore. Enough! this state of suspense must of the Empire by Charles the Fifth. soon be over: I am worn and wasted with anx- " 9th. History of Europe, to the Establishment iety, and, if not at rest in a short time, shall be of the Independence of Holland. disabled from exertion, and sink to a long repose. " 10th. State of Europe, and more particularPoor Edith! Almighty God protect her! ly of England, from the Accession of Charles the "You can give me no advice, nor point out First to the Revolution in 1688. any line to pursue; but you can write to me, and " 11th. Progress of the Northern States. Histell me how you are, and of your friends. Let tory of Europe to the American War. me hear from you as soon as possible: moralize,' 12th. The American War. metaphysicize, pun, say good things, promise' Tickets for the whole course, 10s. 6d., to me some aid in the magazine, and shake hands be had of Mr. Cottle, bookseller, High Street." with me as cordially by letter as when we parted in the Strand. I look over your letters, and find Of these lectures I can find no trace among but little alteration of sentiment from the begin- my father's papers. Mr. Cottle states that they ning of'92 to the end of'94. What a strange were numerously attended, and " their compomass of matter is in mine during those periods! sition greatly admired." My father thus alludes I mean to write my own life, and a most useful to them at the time in a letter to his brother book it will be. You shall write the Paraleipo- Thomas: "I am giving a course of Historical mena; but do not condole too much over my Lectures at Bristol, teaching what is right by mistaken principles, for such pity will create a showing what is wrong; my company, of course, mutiny in my sepulchred bones, and I shall break is sought by all who love good Republicans and prison to argue with you, even from the grave. odd characters. Coleridge and I are daily enGod love you! I think soon to be in London, gaged..... John Scott has got me a place if I can get a situation there: sometimes the of a guinea and a half per week, for writing in prospect smiles upon me. I want but fifty pounds some new work called The Citizen, of what kind a year certain, and can trust myself for enough I know not, save that it accords with my princibeyond that...... Fare you well, my dear ples. Of this I daily expect to hear more. Grosvenor! Have you been to court? quid' If Coleridge and I can get o 150 a year beRome facias? 0 thou republican aristocrat! tween us, we purpose marrying and retiring into thou man most worthy of republicanism! what the country, as our literary business can be carhast thou to do with a laced coat, and a chapeau, ried on there, and practicing agriculture till we and a bag wig, and a sword? can raise money for America-still the grand " Ah spirit pure object in view. That error's mist had left thy purged eye! So I have c my.cable, and am drifting on ~* * * * * * the ocean of life; the wind is fair, and the port "Peace be with you, and with all mankind, of happiness, I hope, in view. It is possible that is the earnest hope of your I may be called upon to publish my Historical'c R. S." Lectures; this I shall be unwilling to do, as they are only splendid declamation."* My father having ceased to reside at Oxford, The delivery of these lectures occupied sevand having no longer his aunt's house as a home, eral months; but the employment they furnished was compelled now to find some means of sup- did not prevent occasional fits of despondency, porting himself; and Mr. Coleridge being in the although his naturally elastic mind soon shook same predicament, they determined upon giving them off. He seems to have purposed paying a each a course of public lectures. Mr. Coleridge visit to his friends at Brixton at this time, but it selected political and moral subjects; my father, was not accomplished. To this he refers in the history, according to the following prospectus: following curious letter: "Robert Southey, of Baliol College, Oxford, proposes to read a course of Historical Lectures, To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. in the following order: "May 27, 179. "1st. Introductory; on the Origin and Prog- MY DEAR GROSVENOR, ress of Society. I " You and Wynn could not more enjoy the " 2d. Legislation of Solon and Lycurgus. idea of seeing me than I anticipated being with " 3d. State of Greece from the Persian War you; as for coming now, or fixing any particular to the Dissolution of the Achaian League. time, it may not be. My mind, Bedford, is very 4th. Rise, Progress, and Decline of the Ro- languid; I dare not say I will go at any fixed man Empire. period. If you knew the fearful anxiety with " 5th. Progress of Christianity. which I sometimes hide myself to avoid an in" 6th. Manners and Irruptions of the North- vitation, you would perhaps pity, perhaps despise ern Nations. Growth of the European States. me. There is a very pleasant family here, litFeudal System. * March 21, 1795. IETAT. 21. ROBERT SOUTIIEY. 79 erary and accomplished, that I have almost of- derstruck.' Good God! I saw her but a few fended by never calling on. Coleridge is there weeks ago.' Ay, sir, ten days ago she was three or four times in the course of the week; as well as you are; but she is in Freshford the effort to join in conversation is too painful to church-yard now!' me, and the torpedo coldness of my phizmahog-' Grosvenor, I can not describe to you what any has no right to chill the circle. By-the-by, I felt; the man thought I had lost a relation. my dear Grosvenor, if you know any artist about It was with great difficulty I could resolve on to paint a group of banditti, I shall be very fit proceeding to see him; however, I thought it a to sit for a young cub of ferocity'; I have put on kind of duty, and went. Guess my delight on the look at the glass so as sometimes to frighten finding another Mr. Perkins, to whom I had myself.. been directed by mistake! "Well, but there is no difficulty in discover- " You do not know what I suffered under the ing the assiduities of affection; the eye is very impression of her death, at the relief I felt at eloquent, and women are well skilled in its lan- discovering the mistake. Strange selfishness! guage. I asked the question. Grosvenor: you this man, too, had lost a wife, a young wife but will love your sister Edith. I look forward lately married, whom perhaps he loved; and I with feelings of delight that dim my eyes to the -I rejoiced at his loss, because it was not my day when she will expect you, as her brother, friend! yet, without this selfishness, man would to visit us-brown bread, wild Welsh raspber- be an animal below the orang outang. It is ries-heigh-ho! this schoolboy anticipation fol- mortifying to analyze our noblest affections, and lows us through life, and enjoyments uniformly find them all bottomed on selfishness. I hear disappoint expectation. * * * of thousands killed in battle - I read of the * * * * * * * * young, the virtuous, dying, and think of them "Poetry softens the heart, Grosvenor. No no more-when, if my very dog died, I should man ever tagged rhyme without being the bet- weep for him; if I lost you, I should feel a last. ter for it. I write but little. The task of cor- ing affliction; if Edith were to die, I should folrecting Joan is a very great one; but as the low her. plan is fundamentally bad, it is necessary the' I am dragged into a party of pleasure topoetry should be good. The Convict, for which morrow* for two days. An hour's hanging you asked, is not worth reading; I think of. would be luxury to me compared with these desome time rewriting it. If I could be with you testable schemes. Party of pleasure! Johnson another eight weeks, I believe I should writenever wrote a better tale than that of the Ethianother epic poem, so essential is it to be hap- opian king. Here is the firel at home, and a pily situated. great chair, and yet I must be moving off for "I shall copy out what I have done of Ma- pleasure. Grosvenor, I'will steal Cadman'st doe, and send you ere long; you will find more long pipe, chew opium, and learn to be happy simplicity in it than in any of my pieces, and, with the least possible trouble. of course, it is the best. I shall study three'" Coleridge's remembrances to you. He is works to write it-the Bible, Homer, and Os- applying the medicine of argument to my missian..... anthropical system of indifference. It will not "Some few weeks ago I was introduced to do; a strange dreariness of mind has seized me. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins: they were on a visit, I am indifferent to society, yet I feel my private and I saw them frequently; he pleased me very attachments growing more and more powerful, much, for his mind was active and judicious, and weep like a child when I think of an absent and benevolence was written in every feature friend. God bless you." of his face. I never saw a woman superior to her in mind, nor two people with a more ra- A few weeks later he writes again in much tional affection for each other. On their quit- affliction at the death of his friend Seward. ting this place, they urged me to visit them at Bradford. A few days ago I was with my To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. mother at Bath, and resolved to walk over to "Bristol, June 15, 1795. tea: it is but six miles distant, and the walk "Bedford-he is dead; my dear Edmund extremely beautiful. I got to Bradford: and in- Seward! after six weeks' suffering. quiring for Mr. Perkins, was directed two miles' These, Grosvenor, are the losses that gradin the country, to Freshford. My way lay by ually wean us from life. May that man want the side of the river; the hills around were well consolation in his last hour who would rob the wooded, the evening calm and pleasant; it was survivor of the belief that he shall again behold quite May weather; and as I was alone, and be- his friend! You know not, Grosvenor, how I holding only what was beautiful, and looking on loved poor Edmund: he taught me all that I to a pleasant interview, I had relapsed into my have of good. When I went with him into old mood of feeling benevolently and keenly for Worcestershire, I was astonished at the general all things. A man was sitting on the grass ty- joy his return occasioned-the very dogs ran ing up his bundle, and of him I asked if I was right for Freshford; he told me he was going * AD account of this party of pleasure is given in Cotthere.'Does Mr. Perkins live thee?''Yes; tle's Reminiscences of Coleridge. Apparently the reality was not more agreeable than the anticipation. be buried his wife last Tuesday.' I wa n thun- t The name of a mutual acquaintance. SO LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF./1TAT. 21. out to him. In that room -w%-here I have so often 0 Edlmund! thou hast first seen, he now lies in i coffi-n Beuno the travel of eternity! seen him, he now lies in his coifn! I loolk pon tlhe stars, " It is like a dream, the idea that he is dead And think that thou art there, -that his. heart is cold-that he, whom but UnIetter'd as the thought that follows thee. yesterday morning I thought and talked of as 3. * r I * t T ^ 1, * And we have often said how sweet it were, alive- as the friend I knew and loved-is dead w h en sod ho~ sweet it S i',.,Vith unseeo n minitlry of anowl I-oxvwi, WVhen these thin's come home to the heart, they To watch the friendcs wev loved. palsy it. i amn sick at heart and, if I feel thius Edimutl! we did lot rl Sure I have fii t thy presence! Thou hast s.iven acutely, what must his sisters feel? what his A birth to holy thou ht, poor old mother, whose life was wrapped up in Hast kept mo from the wor!d unistir d al w-. Edmund! we did not err! Edlmund? I have seen her look at him till the Our bect affectionll heIre, tears ran down her chee. They are not like the toys o' inllfncy; Tlhere is a strange vacancy in my heart. he oo stow th o - y~~~~ We do not cast them oin; The sun shines as usual, but there is a blank in Oh, if it could be so, existence to me. I have lost a friend, and such It were inieed a dreadful thina to dic! a one! God bless you, mv dear, dear Grosve- 4. nor! Write to me imnmediately. I will try, N o v otto l te o rdav, y t s oul, Follow thy friiend beloved! by assiduous employment, to get rid of very But in the lonely hou., melancholy thoug-hts. I am continually dwell- ut in the evening wal, Thinki thatt he companies tliy solitude; ing on the days w-hen we were together: there Tlhink that he holds with thee was a time when the suin never rose that I did iMysterious intercourse; or)~ It - ~ rc~ *i~~ z And thougrh remembrance wake a tear, not see Seward. It is very wrong to leel thus- Andlh er e will be jo in grief it is unmianly. God bless you! o" Vestnbury, 1799."' OBERT SOUTIETY. " P.S.-I w-rote to Edmiund on receiving your In the midst of these griefs anl pel;xities, last: my letter arrived the hour of his death, a bright spot showed itself in the laying i of- whlat four o'clock on Wednesdayl last. Perhaps he I may call the foundation stone of mly father's remembered mae at that holu. literary reputation. " Grosvenor. I am a child; and all are chil- His poem of Joan of Arc, as we hav-e seen, dren -who fix their happiness on such a reptile had been written in the sunnmmer of 1793, and he as man: this great, this self-ennobled beino had for some time ardently desired to publish it. called man, the next ehange of w-eather may but, for want of means, w-as unable to do so. blast him. Toward the close of the follovYing year it had'; There is another world where all these been announced for publication by subscription; things will be amended. but subscribers came slowly forward, and it! God help the man who survives all his seemed very doubtful whether a sufficient numfriends.' ber could be obtained. Shortly afterward, his acquaintance wxith Mlr. Cottle commenced. For The passionate grief to w-hich this letter gave the result I will quote his own words, ias conmntterance did not pass lilihtly away. In the memorating, in a very interesting manncer. when " Hymn to the Penates,"' first printed in 1796, he had almost arrived at the close of his literary he alludes touchingly to his dear friend departed caareer, that w-hich may be called its comm!nenceand the followitng veryh beautiful poem, wvhich ment, and Twhich was so important an epech in will be read with increased interest in connec- his troubled early life. tion with the subject c-whici gave rise to it, was One eveningl I read to him part of the poem, written four years later. without any thought of making a proposal concerning it, or expectation of receiving one. He, " THE DEAD FP fEND. Z I tl TH DD RENhowever, of-iredl me fifty guineas for the copyNotl ie 1. tl v o ga sright, and fifty copies for mny subscribers, which,' Not to thle grave, not to the grave, my soul, Descend to co ontempllate was more than the list amounted to; and the The form- that olnce was dear! ofler was accepted as promptly as it was made. Which sdirie d t dead h ye,e It canl rarely happeil that a young autlor should WVhitch throb)b'd ii tchat cold heart, meet with a bookseller as inexperienced and as WVcinch in that motionless hand ardent as himself, and it would be still more exHath net thvy fiendly grasp. The spirit is not there I traordinary if such mutual indiscretion did not It is cut lifeless, perisnahbe flesh brihng with it cause for regret to both. But this That molders in the grave; Earth, nair, and vaite-r's ministering particles Earth, aircdxni a-icuisierinSt g particles transaction was the conmmencement of an intiNow to the elemnents macy which has continued without the slightest Resoivedi their ciuses dcone. shade of displeasure at any time on either side Not to the grave, not to the grave, my soul, Follow ithy friend beloved, to the present day. At that time few books The spirit is not there! cere printed in the country, and it was seldom: "t9ehhy akof.da indeed, that a quarto volume issued from a proOften.toether h ee tad of det; vineial press. A font of new type was ordered How swveet it were to see All doubtful triings m ade clear for what was intended to be the handsomest Hlow sxweet it l ere with powers book that Bristol had ever yet sent forth; and, Such as the Cherubiim, To view the depth of heaven! when the paper arrived, and the printer was STAT. 22. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 81 ready to commence his operations, nothing had conjointly with Mr. Coleridge was carried into been done toward preparing the poem for the effect, probably owing to a temporary estrangepress, except that a few verbal alterations had ment, which now took place between himself been made. and my father, in consequence of the latter be"I was not, however, without misgivings ing the first to abandon the Pantisocratic scheme. and, when the first proof-sheet was brought me, This had greatly disturbed and excited Mr. Colethe more glaring faults of the composition stared ridge, who was by no means sparing in his reme in the face. But the sight of a well-printed preaches, and manifested, by the vehemence of page, which was to be set off with all the ad- his language, that he must have felt for the time vantages that fine wove paper and hot pressing no common disappointment. could impart, put me in spirits, and I went to My father's next letter to Mr. Bedford gives work with good will. About half the first book an interesting sketch of the progress of his own was left in its original state; the rest of the poem mind. was recast and recomposed while the printing went on. This occupied six months."* To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. In this work of correction my father was now "Bath, October 1,1795. occupied, having laid aside "Madoc," which "I have been living over three years and a had been commenced in the autumn of the pre- half in your letters, Grosvenor, with what varivious year, for that purpose. Meantime the ety of reflections you may imagine, from the scheme of Pantisocracy was entirely abandoned, date of the'Flagellant,' through many a various and the arrival from Lisbon of Mr. Hill changed plan! You asked Collins, when you first saw the current of his thoughts. " My uncle is in him after his residence at Oxford, if I was alterEngland," he writes to Mr. Bedford: "I am in ed, and his'No' gave you pleasure. I have daily expectation of seeing him again... been asking myself the same question, and, alas! Grosvenor, when next I see you it will not be in truth, must return the same answer. No, I for a visit: I shall fix my residence near you to am not altered. I am as warm-hearted and as study the law!!! My uncle urges me to enter open as ever. Experience never wasted her the Church; but the gate is perjury, and I am lessons on a less fit pupil; yet, Bedford, my mind little disposed to pay so heavy a fine at the turn- is considerably expanded, my opinions are better pike of orthodoxy...... On seeing my uncle, grounded, and frequent self-conviction of error I shall communicate to him my intentions con- has taught me a sufficient degree of skepticism corning the law. If he disapproves of them, I on all subjects to prevent confidence. The frehave to live where I can, and how I can, for fif- quent and careful study of Godwin was of essenteen months. I shall then be enabled to enter tial service. I read, and all but worshiped. I. and marry. If he approves, why then, Grosve- have since seen his fundamental error-that he nor, my first business will be to write to you, theorizes for another state, not for the rule of and request you to procure me lodgings some- conduct in the present.... I can confute his where at Stockwell, or Newington, or any where principles, but all the good he has done me reas far from London, and as near your road, as mains'tis a book I should one day like to read possible. I can not take a house till my finances with you for our mutual improvement. When will suffer me to furnish it; and for this I de- we have been neighbors six months, our opinpend upon my Madoc, to which, after Christmas, ions will accord-a bold prophecy, but it will be I shall apply with assiduity, always remember- fulfilled. ing John Doe and Richard Roe. And now will " My poetical taste was much meliorated by you permit me, in a volume of poems which go Bowles, and the constant company of Coleridge. to the press to-morrow, to insert your'Witch....... For religion, I can confute the Atheof Endor,' either with your name or initials, and ist, and baffle him with his own weapons; and to be corrector plenipotent? This is an office can, at least, teach the Deist that the arguments Coleridge and I mutually assume, and we both in favor of Christianity are not to be despised; of us have sense enough, and taste enough, to metaphysics I know enough to use them as debe glad of mutual correction. His poems and fensive armor, and to deem them otherwise difmine will appear together; two volumes ele- ficult trifles. gant as to type and hot-pressed paper, and for " You have made me neglect necessary busihis, meo periculo, they will be of more various ex- ness. I was busy with this huge work of mine cellence- than any one volume this country has when your letters tempted me, and gave me an ever yet seen. I will rest all my pretensions to appetite for the pen; somehow they have made poetical taste on the truth of this assertion."t me low-spirited, and I find a repletion of the It does not appear that this idea of publishing lachrymal glands. Apropos: do kill some dozen men for me anatomically, any where except * Preface to Joan of Are, Collected Edition of the in the head or heart. Hang all wars I am Poems, 1837. t In one of Mr. Coleridge's letters to my father (Sept. as much puzzled to carry on mine at Orleans as 18,1794), after some verbal criticism on several of his son- our admirable minister is to devise a plan for nets combined with much praise, he thus prefaces the te nt c o quotation of one of his own: "I am almost ashamed to the next campaign....Pardonnez m! my. write the following, it is so inferior. Ashamed I no, republican royalist! my philanthropic aristocrat. Southey; God knows my heart. I am delighted to feel I am obliged to Nares for a very handsome yon superior to mre in genius as in virtue." Here was an honorable rivalry of praise! + August 22, 1795. review. It is my intention to write a tragedy F 82 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 22. the subject from the Observer-the Portuguese The long-expected and perhaps somewhat accused before the Inquisition of incest and mur- dreaded meeting with Mr. Hill soon took place; der. Read the story. but there was no diminution of kindness on his " Madoc is to be the pillar of my reputation. part, notwithstanding the great disappointment How many a melancholy hour have I beguiled he felt at his nephew's determination not to enter by writing poetry!'* * x ~ the'Church, in which it would have been in his * * * ** * ~ * -power immediately and effectually to have as"Friday, October 9 sisted him. He now seems to have given up all " I found your letter on my arrival to-day'. hope of prevailing upon him to change his resolution; and it was soon arranged that my father My uncle writes not to me, and I begin to think luton and was soon arranged that my father he is so displeased at my rejecting a good settle- shoud acompany him to Lisbon for a few ment, for the foolish prejudice I have against months, and then return to Engand in order to perjuring myself, that he gives me up). ft5ssi qualify himself for entering the legal profession. bien! so be it, any thing' but this terrible sus- Mr. Hll's object in this was partly to take him pense. Zounds, Grosvenor, suspense shall be out of the arena of political discussion into which the subject of my tragedy. Indeed, indeed, I he had thrown himself by his lectures, and bring have often the heartache. Can not you come him round to more moderate views, and also to to Bath for a week? I have so much to say to wean him, if possible, om hat he considered you, and I will never quit Edith: every day en- an imprudent attachment." In the former obdears her to me. I am as melancholy here at jet he partly suceeded in attempting to gain Bath as you can imagine, and yet I am very lit- the latter, he had not understood my father's tie here-not two days in the week: the rest I character. He was too deeply and sincerely atpass with Cottle, that I may be near her. Cot- tached to the object of his choice to be lightly tle offered me his house in a letter which you turned from it; and the smilarty of her worldly circumstances to his own would have made him shall see when we meet, and for which he will circumstances to his own would have made him ever hold a high place in your heart. I bear a consider t honorable even to postpone good face, and keep all uneasiness to myself: the flfillm t o his engagement. indeed, the port is in view, and I must not mind This matter, however, he does not appear to a little sickness on the voyage. a little sickness on the voyage. have entered into with his uncle. He consented * >, ~.: * to accompany him to Lisbon, and thus communiBedford, I have beheld that very identical tiger. cates his resolution to his constant correspondent: There's a grand hexameter for you! " Bedford, I have beheld that very identicalo Gos or C. Bedford, Esq. tiger who stopped the mail coach on the king's "Oct. 23, 1795. highway, not having the fear of God and th he re, Grosvenor, do you suppose the I fantes haee condemned me for the next six months? king before his eyes-no, nor of the guard and have condemned me for the net six months his blunderbuss. What a pity, Grosvenor, that to Spain and Portugal! Inded, myheart is very that blunderbuss should be leveled at you! how hevy Iwould have refused, but I was weary of incessantly refusing all my mother's wishes, it would have struck a Democrat! Never mind, of incessantly refusing all my mother's wishes,'tis only a flash, and you, like a fellow whoseand t s only one mode of wearing out a period.uttermost upper nder gri is bein torn out by the that must e npleasat to me any where.,roots by a mutton-fisted barber, will grin and "I now know neither when I go, nor here, endure it. except that we cross to Corunfa, and thence by "Gayety suits ill with me. The above ex- land to Lisbon. Cottle is delighted with the idea tempore witticisms are as old as six o'clock of. a volume of travels. My Edith persuades me Monday morning last, and noted down in my to go and then weeps that I a going, though pocket-book for you. she would not permit me to stay. It is well that " God bless you! Good night. my mind is never unemployed. I have about 900 lines and half a preface yet to compose, and this "Oct. 10. I am resolved to finish by Wednesday night next.' I visited Hannah More, at Cowslip Green, It is more than probable that I shall go in a forton Monday last, and seldom have I lived a pleas- night. anter day. She knew my opinions, and treated' Then the advantageous possibility of being them with a flattering deference. Her manners captured by the French, or the still more agreeare muild, her information considerable, and her able chance of going to Algiers.... Then to taste correct. There are five sisters, and each give my inside to the fishes on the road, and of them would be remarked in a mixed company. carry my outside to the bugs on my arrival; the Of Lord Orford they spoke very handsomely. and luxury of sleeping with the mules, and if they gave me a better opinion of Wilberforce than I should kick in the night. And to travel, Groswas accustomed to entertain. They pay for and venor, with a lonely heart!.. When I am redirect the education of 1000 poor children; and turned I shall be glad that I have been. The for aristocracy, Hannah More is much such an knowledge of two languages is worth acquiring, aristocrat as a certain friend of mine. and perhaps the climate may agree with me, and * * * * * * * counteract a certain habit of skeletonization, that, " God love you, my dear friend! though I do not apprehend it will hasten me to "ROBERT SOUTHEY." the worms, will, if it continues, certainly cheat ETAT.. 2a. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 83 them of their supper.... We will write a good ed. My mother wore her wedding-ring hung opera; my expedition will teach me the costume round her neck, and preserved her maiden name of Spai n. until the report of the marriage had spread abroad. " By-the-by, I have made a discovery respect- The following letters will explain these circuming the story of the' Mysterious Mother.' Lord stances, and fill up the interval until his return: O. tells it of Tillotson: the story is printed in a work of Bishop Hall's, 1652; he heard it from To Gosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. Perkins (the clergyman whom Fuller calls an ex- "Nov. 21, 1795. Nan Swithin, near St. Columbs. cellent chirurgeon at jointing a broken soul: he " Grosvenor, what should that necromancer would pronounce the word' damn' with such an deserve who could transpose our souls for half an emphasis as left a doleful echo in his auditors' hour, and make each the inhabitant of the other's cars a good while after. Warton-like, I must go tenement? There are so many curious avenues on with Perkins, and give you an epigram. He in mine, and so many closets in yours, of which was lame of the right hand: the Latin is as blunt you have never sent me the key. as a good-humored joke need be:' Here I am, in a huge and handsome man"Dextera quantumvis fuerat tibi manca, docendi sion, not a finer room in the county of Cornwall Pollebas mira dexteritate tamen; than the one in which I write; and yet have I " Though Nature thee of thy right hand bereft, been silent, and retired into the secret cell of my Right well thou writest with thy hand that's left: ownheart. This day week, Bedford! There and all this in a parenthesis). Hall adds that he is a something in' the bare name that is now mine afterward discovered the story in two German that wakens sentiments I know not how to deauthors, and that it really happened in Germany. scribe: never did man stand at the altar with If you have not had your transcription of the such strange feelings as I did. Can you, Grostragedy bound, there is a curious piece of inform- venor, by any effort of imagination, shadow out ation to annex to it.... I hope to become mas- my emotion?.. She returned the pressure of ter of the two languages; and to procure some my hand, and we parted in silence. Zpunds! of the choicest authors; from their miscellanies what have I to do with supper! and collections that I can not purchase, I shall "Nov. 22. transcribe the best or favorite pieces, and trans- I love writing, because to write to a dear late, for we have little literature of those parts, friend is like escaping from prison. Grosvenor, and these I shall request some person fond of my mind is confined here; there is no point of poetry to point out, if I am fortunate enough to similarity between my present companions and find one. Mais helas! JFen dozute, as well as myself. But,'If I have freedom in,' &c.: you you, and fear me I shall be friendless for six know the quotation.t months!" This is a foul country: the tinmen inhabit " Grosvenor, I am not happy. When I get to the most agreeable part of it, for they live under bed, reflection comes with solitude, and I think ground. Above, it is most dreary-desolate. of all the objections to the journey; it is right, My sans culotte,f like Johnson's in Scotland, however, to look at the white side of the shield. becomes a valuable piece of timber, and I a The Algerines, if they should take me, it might most dull and sullenly silent fellow; such effects make a very pretty subject for a chapter in my has place! I wonder what Mr. Hoblyn thinks Memoirs; but of this I am very sure, that my of me. He mentioned that he had seen my pobiographer would like it better than I should. ems in the B. Critic. My uncle answered,'It " Have you seen the' Meviad?' The poem is more than I have.' Never had man so many is not equal to the former production of the same relations so little calculated to inspire confidence. author, but the spirit of panegyric is more agree- My character is open, even to a fault. Guess, able than that of satire, and I love the man for Grosvenor, what a Kamtschatka climate it must his lines to his own friends; there is an imitation be to freeze up the flow of my thoughts, which of Otium Dives very eminently beautiful. Merry you have known more frisky that your spruce has been satirized too much and praised too beer! much..... My bones are very thinly cushioned with " I am in hopes that the absurd fashion of wear- flesh, and the jolting over these rough roads has ing powder has received its death-blow; the sear- made them very troublesome. Bedford, they are city we are threatened with (and of which we at this moment uttering aristocracy, and I am have as yet experienced only a very slight earn- silent. Two whole days was I imprisohed in est) renders it now highly criminal. I am glad stage-coaches; cold as a dog's nose; hungry, and you are without it. a t * * such a sinking at the heart as you can little con* * * * X X * ceive. Should I be drowned on the way, or by " God bless you! " ROBET SOTHEY. * " Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage; Minds innocent and quiet take When the day was fixed for the travelers to That for a hermitage. depart, my father fixed that also for his wedding- "If I have freedom in my love, day - and on the 14th of November, 1795, was And in my soul am free, day; and on the 14th of November, 1795, was Angels alone, that soar above, united at Radclift church, Bristol, to Edith Frick- Enjoy such liberty."-Lovelace's Poems. er. Immediately after the ceremony they part- t His walking-stick. 84 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 2.2 any other means take possession of that house cherish, and yield all possible consolation to my where anxiety never intrudes, there will be a widow. Of such an evil there is but a possibilstrange page or two in your life of me. ity; but against possibility it was my duty to " My Joan of Arc must by this time be print- guard.... Farewell! ed: the first of next month it comes out. To" Yours sincerely, me it looks like something that has concerned "ROBERT SOUTHEY.?' me, but from which my mind is now completely T G C B.~~ ~ ~~.', ~ ~../~.p i^~To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. disengaged. The sight of pen and ink reminds n=/~~~~~ nb~~~~~~ In. t$)1~ n~,29th Nov., 1795. me of it. You will little like some parts of it. Bedford, our summons arrived this mornin For me, I am now satisfied with the poem, and the vessel goes Tuesday, and when you receiv care little for its suIccess. care little for its success. this I shall be casting up my accounts with the "You supped upon Godwin and oysters withfis. Carlisle. Have you, then, read Godwin, and "Grosvenor, you have my will, if the ship that with attention? Give me your thoughts founders, or any other chance sends me to supupon his book; for, faulty as it is in many parts, 1 per. All my papers are yours: part are with there is a mass of truth in it that must make ev- p w ery man think. Godwin, as a man, is very con- sp is fonded upn h a eeli ad ship is founded upon human feelings, and youL temptible. I am afraid that most public charaid that most public char- will value them. There is little danger of acciacters will ill endure examination in their private dents but there an be no harm in these few lives. To venture upon so large a theater, much lines. All y letters ae at your disposal and vanity is necessary, and vanity is the bane of vir- I be drowned, do not you be surpised if pay tue —'tis a foul upas-tree, and no healing herbpermitted, and if it cn b lintwithersbenathit e w, then, h you a visit; for if permitted, and if it can be but withers beneath its shade: what, then, hadng or any ways injuring done without terrifying or any ways injuringI to do with publishing? This, Grosvenor, is a certiny i o it. ~ 7:,1~ ~you, I certainly will do it. question to which I can give myself no self-sat- I s v y ^ n {a But I shall visit you in propri7a persona[ il isfying solution. For my Joan of Arc there is summer an obvious reason; here I stand acquitted of any "Would you had been with me on the 14th thing like vanity or presumption. Grosvenor, twas amelancholy day, yet mingled with such what motive created the F.? certainly it was feelino not a bad one..... e cdren in te net room ae You will get a letter from Madrid-writo tt tlking- you to Lisbon. I expect to find letters there, a harpsichord not far distant annoys me griev- epecttion will form the pleasanest and this expectation will form the pleasantest ously-but then there are a large company of thouht I shall experience in my journey. rooks, and their croak is always in unison with "I shl lie in r Musmus at Briswhat is going on in my thorax. I have a most tn f you w re t is tol on my return. If you will direct it to MiApss foul pain suddenly seized me there. Grosvenor, Ftice (heigh-ho Grosvenor), at Mr. Cottleoss, Fricker (heigh-ho! Grosvenor), at Mr. Cottle's, if a man could but make pills of philosophy for ig Street Bristol he will convey it to her; the mind! but there is only one kind of pill that r g ay t and, I believe, next to receiving any thing from wvill cure mental disorders, and a man must b me, something for me and from my friend will laboring under the worst before he can use that. te most agreeable occurrence duing my abI —. be the most agreeable occurrence during my ab-.... I am waiting for the packet, and shall be direction, as i ill be "I,sence. I give you this direction, as it Nill be here ten days. Direct to me at Miss Russell's, Edith will e as a parlo, sure to reach her. Edith will be as a parlor Falmouth: there I shall find your letters- and Falmouth: there I shall find your letters; and boarder with the Miss Cottles (his sisters), two remember, that by writing you will give some maners. met wit ver lit women of elegant and accomplished manners. pleasure to one who meets with very little. he eldest lived as governess in Lord Derby's Farewell! Yours, R. S." family a little while; and you will have some To Joseph Cottle, Esq. opinion of them when I say that they make even bigotry amiable. They are very religious and "Falmouth, 1695. n "MY D-AR FRIEND, the eldest (who is but twenty-three) wished me to read good books-the advice comes from the "I have learned from Level the news fromtoead ood oks-the advice coes from the heart. She thinks very highly of me, but fanBristol, public as well as private, and both of but f n i g n M a i cies me irreligious, because I attend no place of an interesting nature. MVy marriage is become public. You know my only motive for wishingworshp, and indulge speculations beyond reason. it otherwise, and must know that its publicity God bless and prosper you, and grant I may can give me no concern. I have done my duty. find you as happy on my arrival as I hope and Perhaps you may hardly think my motives for expect to be. Yors sinerely,. ROBERT SOUTHEY." marrying at that time sufficiently strong. One, and that to me of great weight, I believe, was'Falmouth, Monday evening. never mentioned to you. There might have aris- " Well, Grosvenor, here I am, waiting for a en feelings of an unpleasant nature at the idea wind. Your letter arrived a few hours before of receiving support from one not legally a hus- me.... Edith you will see, and know, and band; and (do not show this to Edith) should I love; but her virtues are of the domestic order, perish by shipwreck or any other casualty, I have and you will love her in proportion as you knovw relations whose prejudices would then yield to her. I hate your daffydowndilly women, ay, and the anguish of affection, and who would love, men too; the violet is ungaudy in the appear jETAT. 22. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 85 ance, though a sweeter flower perfumes not the and an omelet of oil and eggs. He leaped out of evening gale.'Tis equally her wish to see you. bed in the middle of his first night in Spain, in orOh! Grosvenor, when I think of our winter even- der to catch the fleas, who made it too hot for him. ings that will arrive, and then look at myself ar- Miss* remains in Lord Bute's stables in Madrayed for a voyage in an inn parlor! I scarcely rid. She amused me on the road by devouring know whether the tear that starts into my eye one pair of horse-hair socks, one tooth-brush, one proceeds from anticipated pleasure or present comb, a pound of raisins, ditto of English beef; melancholy. I am never comfortable at an inn; and one pair of shoes: Maber has as much reason boughten ospitalities are two ill-connected ideas. to remember her. So you see Miss lived well Grosvenor, I half shudder to think that a plank upon the road. Tossed about as I have been by only will divide the husband of Edith from the the convulsions of air, water, and earth, and enunfathomed ocean! and, did I believe its effica- during what I have from the want of the other cy, could burn a hecatomb to Neptune with as element, I am in high health. My uncle and I much devotion as ever burned or smoked in Phm- never molest each other by our different princiacia. Farewell! ples. I used to work Maber sometimes, but "ROBERT SOUTHEY." here there is no one whom I am so intimate with, or with whom I wish intimacy. Here is _-'"~~-"~ —- as much visiting and as little society as you can wish, and a Bristol alderman may have his fill CHAPTER IV. of good eating and drinking; yet is this metropolis supplied only from hand to mouth, and when LETTERS TO MR. LOVEL AND MR. BEDFORD FROM the boats can not come from Alentejo, the markLISBON-RETURN TO ENGLAND-DEATII OF ets are destitute: at this time there is no fuel MR. LOVEL-LETTERS TO MR. BEDFORD- to be bought! Barbary supplies them with corn, LITERARY EMPLOYMENTS AND INTENTIONS.- and that at so low a rate that the farmers do not 1796. think it worth while to bring their corn to markTHE two following letters are the only ones et, so that the harvest of last year is not yet written from Lisbon at this time that I shall lay touched. They can not grind the Barbary corn before the reader. A series of descriptive let- i England: it is extremely hard, and the force ters, written during a subsequent and longer visit and velocity of Englih mills reduce the husk as to that country, will appear in the next volume. well as te grain to powder I learned all this from the vice-consul, who has written much to To Robert Lovel. Lord Grenville on the subject, and proposed "Feb. 19, 1796. damping the corn previous to grinding it, so as I have an invincible dislike to saying the to prevent the bran from pulverizing. Lord G. same things in two different letters, and yet you has even sent for grindstones to Lisbon, in hopes must own it is no easy matter to write half a they might succeed better. It is melancholy to dozen different ones upon the same subject. I reflect on what a race possesses the fertile coasts am at Lisbon, and therefore all my friends ex- of Barbary! Yet are these Portuguese not a depect some account of Portugal; but it is not gree above them. You may form some idea how pleasant to reiterate terms of abuse, and contin- things are managed in this country from the hisually to present to my own mind objects of filth tory of the present war. By treaty, the Portuand deformity. By way of improving your En- guese were to furnish the English with a certain glish cookery, take the Portuguese receipt for number of ships, or a certain sum of money; and dressing rabbits. The spit is placed either above the Spaniards with troops or money; the money the fire, below the fire, by the side of the fire, was expected, but the secretary of state, Mello, or in the fire (this is when they have a spit, and' argued that it was more politic to lay it out that is little better than an iron skewer, for they among their own countrymen, and make soldiers roast meat in a jug, and boil it in a frying-pan); and sailors. The old boy's measures were vigto know if it is done, they crack the joints with orous. He sent for the general of one of the their fingers, and then lay it aside till it cools; I provinces, appointed him commander in Brazil, then they seize the rabbit, tear it piecemeal with and ordered him to be ready at an hour's notice; their fingers into rags, and fry it up with oil, I but old Mello fell ill, and the general, after regarlic, and anise seed. I have attempted saus- maining three months at Lisbon (for during ages made of nothing but garlic and anise seed. Mello's illness the other party managed affairs), They cut off the rump of a bird always before found no more probability of departing than on they dress it, and neither prayers nor entreaties the first day, and he accordingly sent for his furcan save a woodcock from being drawn and niture, wife, and family to Lisbon. Soon after quartered. R —- (who never got up till we they arrived the secretary recovered; every thing were in sight of Corunna) lay in his bed study- was hurried for the expedition, and the wife, ing what would be the best dinner when we family, and furniture sent home again. Mello landed; he at last fixed upon a leg of mutton, fell ill again; every thing was at a stand, and soles and oyster sauce, and toasted cheese, to the general once more called his family to Listhe no small amusement of those who knew he bon. The old fellow recovered, sent them all could get neither, and to his no small disappointment when he sat down to a chicken fried in oil, * A favorite dog. 86 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE Of iETAT. 22. home again, put every thing in readiness, fell ill To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. again, and died. The measures of the govern- "Feb. 24, 1796, Lisbon, from which God grant ment have ever since been uniformly languid me a speedy deliverance. and, though the stupid hounds sent ships to En- " am bitterly disappointed at not finding gland and troops to Spain, they never believed'The Flagellant' here, of which I sent my only themselves at war with France till the French to le It was my intention to have took their ships at the mouth of the river! brought it home again with me. You see, Gros" The meeting of the two courts at Badajos venor, this relic is already become rare. Have is supposed to have been political, and it was you received the original Joan of Arc written surmised that Spain meant to draw Portunralat Brixton, bound decently, &c.? I left it with into an alliance with France: they, howeverCottle, to send with your copy: he has the tranparted on bad terms. War with Spain is not script of it himself, which he begged with most improbable, and, if our minister knew how to friendly devotion, and, I believe, values as much conduct it, would amply repay the expenses of as a monk does the parings of his tutelary saint's the execrable contest. The Spanish settlements great toe nail. Is not the preface a hodge-podge could not resist a well-ordered expedition, and of inanity? I had written the beginning only humanity would be benefited by the delivery of before I quitted Bristol. The latter days of m that country from so heavy a yoke. There is a resdence there were occupied by concerns too very seditious Spaniard there now, preachin narly interesting to allow time for a collected Atheism and Isocracy; one of Godwin's school; mass ofcomposition; and you will believe that, for Godwin has his pupils in Spain. after quitting Edith on Sunday evening, I was "I can see no paper here but the London little fit to write a preface on Monday morning. Chronicle, and those every other day papers alre I never saw the whole of it together; and, I begood for nothing. Coleridge is at Birminham, I lieve, after making a few hasty remarks on epic I hear; and I hear of his projected'Watchman.' poems, I forgot to draw the conclusion for which I send five letters by this post to Bristol, and two only they were introduced. N'ilporte; the illto London-a tolerable job for one who keeps no natured critic may exercise malignity in dissectsecretary. I shall send four by the Magician ng it, and the friendly one his ingenuity in findfrigate, and four more by the next packet. Thisnout some excuse. is pretty well, considering I read very hard, and What has all this to do with Lisbo? say spend every evening in company.... I klo you. Take a sonnet for the ladies, imitated not why I have lost all relish for theatrical amuse- fom the Spansh of Bartoloi Leonardo, in which ments, of which no one was once more fond. I have given the author at least as many ideas The round of company here is irksome to me, as he has given me. and a select circle of intimate friends is the sum- Nay, cleanse this filthy mixture from thy hair, And give the untrick'd tresses to the gale; mnurn bonun I propose to myself. I leave this The sun, as lightly on the breeze they sail, country in April; and, when once I reach En- Shall gild the bright brown locks: thy cheek is fair, Away then with this artificial hue, gland, shall cross the seas no more. 0 the super- Ts blsh eternal! lad, t th y face uland, This blush eternal! lady, to thy face celestial delights of the road from Falmouth to Nature has given no imitable grace. Launceston! Yet I do believe that Christian, Why these black spots obtruding on the view The lily cheek, and these ear jewels too, in the'Pilgrim's Progress,' felt little more pleas- That ape the barbarous s India's vanity! ure at his journey's end than I shall in traversing Thou need'st not with that necklace there invite 1the lovely hills and plains of Cornwall. The prying gaze; we know thy neck is white. the lovely hills and plains of Cornwall.... Go to thy dressing-room again. and be John Kett was of great service to me in Spain, Artful enough to learn simplicity. and will return to England, where, as soon as I "Could you not swear to the author if yo shall have pitched my tent, I purpose burning had seen this in the newspaper? You must him a sacrifice to the household gods, and inurn-know, Bedford, I have a deadly aversion to anv ing his ashes with a suitable epitaph. Then thing merely ornamental in female dress. Let shall sans culotte be hung upon the wall, and I the dress be as elegant (i. e., as simple) as poswill make a trophy of my traveling shoes and fur sible, but hang on none of your gewgaw evecap. I am now going out to dinner; then to aps see a procession; then to talk French; then to ie t and promise me a visit at I Do write to me, and promise me a visit at a huge assembly, from whence there is no re- Bristol in the summer; for, after I have returned turning before one o'clock. 0 midnight! mid- to Edith, I will never quit her again, so that we night! when a man does murder thee, he onught lshall remain there till I settle doggedly to law, at least to get something by it. i wi at least to get somethin by it. which I hope will be during the next winter. "Here are most excellent wines, w.hich I do, w h in no small degree enjoy: the best Port; Bucel- Friday, 24th. las of exquisite quality; old Hock, an old gen- "Timothy Dwight (Bedford, I defy you or tleman for whom I have a very great esteem; Mr. Shandy to physiognomize that man's name Cape, and I have' good hope' of getting some rightly. What historian is it who, in speaking to-day; and Malmsey such as makes a man envy of Alexander's Feast, says they listened to one Clarence. * * * * * * Timothy, a musician?) Timothy Dwight, an * * * * * * * * American, published, in 1785, an heroic poem "Farewell! Love to Mrs. L. on the conquest of Canaan. I had heard of it, "ROBERT SOUTIHEY." and long wished to read it, in vain; but now the ,ETAT. 22. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 87 American minister (a good-natured man, whose would have been to hide a morsel from the hunpoetry is worse than any thing except his crit- gry; and, suo periculo, he altered it to.' Each icism) has lent me the book. There certainly man conceals,' and spoiled the climax. I was is some merit in the poem; but, when Colonel very much vexed, and yet I loved Cottle the Humphreys speaks of it, he will not allow me to better for it. put in a word in defense of John Milton. If I "No, Grosvenor, you and I shall not talk polhad written upon this subject, I should'have been itics. I am weary of them, and little love polterribly tempted to take part with the Canaan- iticians; for me, I shall think of domestic life, ites, for whom I can not help feeling a kind of and confine my wishes within the little circle of brotherly compassion. There is a fine ocean of friendship. The rays become more intense in ideas floating about in my brain-pan'for Madoc, proportion as they are drawn to a point. Heighand a high delight do 1 feel in sometimes in- ho! I should be very happy were I now in Endulging them till self-forgetfulness follows. gland. With Edith by the fireside. I would list"'Tis a vile kind of philosophy, that for to- en to the pelting rain with pleasure; now it is morrow's prospect glooms to-day; apropos; sit melancholy music, yet fitly harmonizing with my down when you have no better employment, hanging mood. and find all the faults you can in'The Retro-' Farewell! write long letters. spect'* against I return. It wants the pruning- " R. S. knife before it be republished....... When "P.S.-In many parts of Spain they have feI correct Joan, I shall call you in-not as ple- male shavers: the proper name of one should nipotent amputator-you shall mark what you be Barbara." think the warts, wens, and cancers, and I will take care you do not cut deep enough to destroy My father's visit to Lisbon did not exceed the the life. The fourth book is the best. Do you anticipated time-six months; and his next letknow I have never seen the whole poem togeth- ter to his friend is written in the first moments er, and that one book was printing before an- of joy on his return. other was begun? The characters of Conrade " Portsmouth, May 15, 1796. and Theodore are totally distinct; and yet, per- " Thanks be to God, I am in England! haps, equally interesting. There is too much " Bedford, you may conceive the luxury of fighting; I found the battles detestable to write, that ejaculation, if you know the miseries of a as you will do to read; yet there are not ten sea voyage; even the stoic who loves nothing, better lines in the whole piece than those begin- and the merchant whose trade-tainted heart loves ning,'Of unrecorded name died the mean man, nothing but wealth, would echo it. Judge you yet did he leave behind,' &c.t with what delight Robert Southey leaped on ter" Do you remember the days when you wrote ra firma. No. 3, at Brixton? We dined on mutton chops To-night I go to Southampton; to-morrow and eggs. I have the note you wrote for Dodd t will past pains become pleasant. among your letters. I anticipate a very pleasant "Now, Grosvenor, is happiness a sojourner evening when you shall show the cedar box~ to on earth, or must man be cat-o'-ninetailed by Edith.' Oh, pleasant days of fancy!' By-the- care until he shields himself in a shroud? My by, if ever you read aloud that part of the fifth future destiny will not decide the problem, for I book, mind that erratum in the description of the find a thousand pleasures and a thousand pains Famine, of which nine tenths of the world know nothing. " With jealous eye,... Come to Bristol; be with me there as long Hating a rival's look, the husband hides as you can. I almost add, advise me there; Hlis miserable meal." but your advice will come too late. After I had corrected the page and left town, am soy you could ask if you di wrong poor Cottle, whose heart overflows with the milk in showing Wynn my letter. I have not a thought of human kindness, read it over, and he was as secret from him.... My passage was very little able to bear the picture of the husband as he g I must be the best-tempered fellow good, and I must be the best-tempered fellow "The Retrospect" was published, among somepoems in Great Britain, for the devil a drop of gall by my father and Mr. Lovel, in the autumn of 1794. is there left in my bile bag. I intend a hymn T sd dd "Of unrecorded name to the Dii Penates. Write to me directly, and The soldier died; and yet he left behind One who then never said her daily prayers direct to Cottle. I have, as yet, no where to Of him forgetful; who to every tale choose my place of rest. I shall soon have Of the distant war lending an eager ear, Grew pale and trembled. At her cottage door enough to place me above want, and till that The wretched one shall sit, and with fixed eye arrives, shall support myself in ease and comGaze on the path where on his parting steps Her last look bu Nor ever shall she know fort, like a silk-worm, by spinning my own Her last look hung. Nor ever shall she know Her husband dead, but cherishing a.hope, brains. If poor Necessity were without hands Whose falsehood inwardly she knows too well, aS well as legs, badly would she be off. Feel life itself with that false hope decay; And wake at night with miserable dreams Lord Somerville is dead-no matter to me, Of his return, and, weeping o'er her babe, I believe, for the estates were chiefly copyhold, Too surely think that soon that fatherless child Must of its mother also be bereft." and Cannon Southey minded wine and women Joan of Arc, 7th Book. too much to think of renewing for the sake of One of the Westminster masters. hi F The depository of the contributions to "The Flagel- his hers. arewell lant."' We landed last night at eleven o'clock. Left 88 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT.22, Lisbon on Thursday, the 5th, and were becalm- of my household) is the sole survivor of those ed south of the rock till breakfast time on Satur- whose eager hopes once centered in Pantisocraday, so that our passage was remarkably good.' cy: one of the last of that generation so fast passing away from us! My father's visit to Lisbon seems chiefly to To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. have been useful to him by giving him an ac- May 27, 1796. quaintance with the Spanish and Portuguese * * * *,, languages, and by laying the foundation of that Poor Lovel I am in hopes of raising somelove for the literature of those countries, which thing for his widow by publishing his best pieces, continued through life, and which he afterward if only enough to by her a harpsichord. turned to good account. These advantages, The poems will make a five-shilling volume, however, could not be perceived at the time; however, could not be perceived at the time; which I preface, and to which I shall prefix an and as he returned to England with the same epistle to Mary Lovel. Will you procure me determination not to take orders, the same polit- some subscribers?....Many a melancholy ical bias, and the same romantic feelings as he reflection obtrudes. What I am doing for him left it, Mr. Hill felt naturally some disappoint- you, Bedford, may one day perform for me. ment at the result. How short my part in life may be, He only His comments on his nephew's character at His comments on his nehew's haracter at knows who assigned it; I must be only anxious this time are interesting: "He is a very good to discharge it well. scholar," he writes to a friend, of great read- " How does time mellow down our opinions ing, of an astonishing memory. When he speaks Little of that ardent enthusiasm which so lately he does it with fluency, with a great choice of fevered my whole character remains. I have words. He is perfectly correct in his behavior, contracted my sphere of action within the little of the most exemplary morals, and the best of circle of y own friends, and even my wishes hearts. Were his character different, or his abil- seldom stray beyond it. A little candle will give ities not so extraordinary, I should be the less light enough to a moderate-sized room; place it concerned about him; but to see a young man in a church, it will only'teach light to counterof such talents as he possesses, by the misappli- fet a gloom' and in the street, the first wind cation of them, lost to himself and to his family. extinguishes it. Do you understand this, or is what hurts me very sensibly. In short, he shall I send you to Quarles's Emblems? has every thing you would wish a young man to "I am hardly yet in order; and, while that have, excepting common sense or prudence." last word was writing, arrived the parcel conOf this latter quality my father possessed more tainin what, through all my English wander than his uncle here gives him credit for. In all accompanied meyour letters. Ay his early difficulties (as well as through life), Grosvenor, our correspondence is valuable, for he never contracted a single debt he was unable it is the histor of the human heart during its promptly to discharge, or allowed himself a sin- most intrestin staes. I have now bespoke a gle personal comfort beyond his means, which, letter-case, where they shall repose in compan never abundant, had been, and were for many with another series, now, blessed be God, comyears, greatly straitened; and from them, nar-plete-my letters to Edith. Bedford, who will row as they were, he had already begun to give be worthy to possess them when we are gone? that assistance to other members of his family' Odi profanum vulgus?' must I make a funeral which he continued to do until his latest years. pile by death-bed? It is probable, however, that Mr. Hill here chief- ould that I were so settled as not to look ly alludes to his readiness to avow his peculiar on to another removal. I want a little room to views in politics and religion. arrange my books in, and some Lares of my own. Immediately on his return, my father and Shall we not be near one another? Ay, Bedmother fixed themselves in lodgings in Bristol, as intimate as John Doe and Richard Roe where they remained during the ensuing summer ith whose memoirs I shall be so intimately acand autumn. My father's chief employment at quainted; and there are two other cronies-John this time was in preparing a volume of " Letters Nokes and Jack a Styles, always, like Gyas from Spain and Portugal" for the press, and also d Cloanthus, and the two kings of Brentford, in writting occasionally for the Monthly Maga- hand in hand. h, I will e a he lawyer. zine. His own letters will describe the course - Come soon. My'dearof his occupations, opinions, and prospects during t friend' expects yo with almost as much this period. The first of them alludes to the asure and impatience as death of his brother-in-law, as well as brother- ROBERT SOUTHEY ",poet, Mr. Lovel, who had been cut off, in the.early prime of youth, during my father's absence To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq..abroad. He had been taken ill with a fever "June 12, 1796. while at Salisbury, and traveling home in hot * * * * * weather, before he was sufficiently recovered, re- "I have declared war against metaphysics, lapsed immediately, and died, leaving his widow and would push my arguments, as William Pitt and one child without any provision. She (who, would his successes, even to the extermination of during my father's life, found a home with him, the enemy.' Blessed be the hour I'scaped the -and who now, at an advanced age, is a member wrangling crew.' ETAT. 22. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 89 "I think it may be proved that all the ma- sounds into the wall, and vibrating so strongly terial and necessarian controversies are'much as to shake it down. Now, Grosvenor, to those ado about nothing;' that they end exactly where lines in the fourth book of Joan that allude to they began; and that all the moral advantages Orlando's magic horn, was I going to make a said to result from them by the illuminated are note, which, by the help of you and Lightfoot, fairly and more easily deducible from religion, would have been a very quaint one. and by the or even from common sense. * * * help of Dr. Geddes, not altogether unlearned, * " * * X * * not to mention great erudition in quotations from What of Carlisle's wings? I believe my flying Boiardo, Ariosto, Archbishop Turpin, and Spenscheme-that of breaking in condors and riding ser. them-is the best; or if a few rocs could be nat- " Farewell, Grosvenor! Have you read Count uralized-though it might be a hard matter to Rumford's Essays? I am ashamed to say that break them. Seriously, I am very far from con- I have not yet. Have you read Fawcett's Art vinced that flying is impossible, and have an ad- of War? With all the faults of Young, it posmirable tale of a Spanish bird for one of my let- sesses more beauties, and is, in many parts, in ters, which will just suit Carlisle..... Yes, my opinion, excellent. your friends shall be mine, but it is we (in the "R. S." dual number) who must be intimate. If Momus had made a window in my breast, I should by To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. this time have had sense enough to add a win- "' June 26, 1796. dow-shutter. London is not the only place for * * * * * me: I have an unspeakable loathing for that huge Take the whole of the Spanish poem; it is city.'God made the country, and man made by George of Montemayor, addressed by Sireno the town.' Now, as God made me likewise, I to a lock of Diana's hair, whom, returning after love the country. Here I am in the skirts of twelve months' absence, he finds married to anBristol; in ten minutes in a beautiful country; other. and in half an hour among rocks and woods, me, thou relic of that faithless fair with no other company than the owls and jack- Sad changes have I suffered since that day, daws, with whom I fraternize in solitude; but When in this valley from her long loose hair London! it is true that you and Wynn will sup- I bore thee-relic of my love-away. Well did I then believe Diana's truth, ply the place of the owls and jackdaws, but For soon true love each jealous care represses, Brixton is not the country: the poplars of Pow- And fondly thought that never other youth Should wanton with the maiden's unbound tresses. nail Terrace can not supply the want of a wild wood; and, with all my imagination, I can not "' There, on the cold clear Ezla's breezy side, wood and, with all my imagination I can ot My hand amid her ringlets wont to rove, mistake a mile stone for a rock; but these are She proffered now the lock, and now denied, among the ra ov e'. It is within doors With all the baby playfulness of love. Iong the 7a 02rK. It is within doors, There the false maid, with many an artful tear, and not without, that happiness dwells, like a Made me each rising thought of doubt discover, vestal watching the fire of the Penates. * And vowed, and wept, till hope had ceased to fear, " I have told you what I am about. Writing Ah me I beguiling like a child her lover. letters to the world is not, however, quite so' Witness thou, how that fondest, falsest fair, Has sighed and wept on Ezla's sheltered shore, agreeable as writing to you, and I do not love And vowed eternal truth, and made me swear shaping a good thing into a good sentence.... My heart no jealousy should harbor more. Then for a volume of poems, and then for the Ah! tell me, could I but believe those eyes, en or a volume o poems, and ten or te Those lovely eyes with tears my cheek bedewing, Abridgment of the Laws, or the Lawyer's When the mute eloquence of tears and sighs Pocket Companion, in fifty-two volumes folio! I felt and trusted, and embraced my ruin Is it not a pity, Grosvenor, that I should not ex- "So false, and yet so fair so fair a mien cute m intention of writin more verses than Vailing so false a mind, who ever knew? ecute my intentio n of writing more verses than So true, and yet so wretched! who has seen Lope de Vega, more tragedies than Dryden, and A man like me, so wretched and so true? more epic poems than Blackmore? The more Fly from me on the wind! for you have seen Hm p The more ow kind she was, how loved by her you knew me. I write, the more I have to write. I have a Fly, fly I vain witness what I once have been, Helicon kind of dropsy upon me, and crescit in- Nor dare, all wretched as I am, to view me dulgens sibi. The quantity of verses I wrote at "'One evening, on the river's pleasant strand, Brixton is astonishing; my mind was never more The maid, too well beloved I satwith me, And with her finger traced upon the sand, employed: I killed wasps, and was very happy. Death for Diana, not inconstancy. And so I will again, Grosvenor, though employ- And love beheld us from his secret stand, I,:~~...T.. v-~ i And marked his triumph, laughing to behold me; ed on other themes; and, if ever man was hap- To see me trust a writing traced in sand, py because he resolved to be so, I will. * * To see me credit what a woman told me.'* Of Lightfoot it is long since I have heard any If you can add any thing to the terseness thing. * * * * * * * of the conclusion or the simplicity of the whole, "' When blew the loud blast in the air, do it. The piece itself is very beautiful. So shrill, so full of woe, My letters occupy more of my time and Unable such a voice to bear, r Down fell Jericho.' less of my mind than I could wish. Conceive "Lightfoot, on the authority of some rum old * Since copying this beautiful translation, I have found book, used to assert the existence of a tune that that my father had inserted it in his " Letters from Spain and Portugal." I think, notwithstanding, the reader will would shake a wall down, by insinuating its not be displeased to see it here. 90 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 22. Garagantua eating wood strawberries one at a To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. time, or green peas, or the old dish-pap with a fork, and you will have some idea how my July 17, 1796. mind feels in dwelling on desultory topics. Joandes my le s, of Arc was a whole —it was something to think " Besldes my l rs, I write for the Monthly of every moment of solitude, and to dream of at Magazine This is a new job: you may easily trace me there, if it be worth your while. They night; my heart was in the poem; I threw my traceme there give five guineas a sheet. but their sheets are own feelings into it in my own language, ay, give five guineas a sheet, but their sheets ar sixteen closely-printed pages. I manufacture and out of one part of it and another, you may find my own character. Seriously, Grosvenor, up my old rubbish for them, with a little about to go o with Madoe is elmost necessary to Spanish literature. I shall be glad to get rid to go on with Madoc is almost necessary to my i happiness: I had rather leave off eating than all "* * p 1, *, T *11 A So you abuse Anna St. Ives, and commend poetizing; but these things must be. I will y a A S I feed'upon law and digest it, or it shall choke e. Grosvenor, it was not I who said'I have not me. Did you ever pop upon a seditious ode in the ludicrous style, addressed to the cannibals? readthat book I be t that It was in the Courier and Telegraph; a stra I did say it, and plague take the boobies who sheep marked Caius Gracchus, to which you mutilated it in my absence-I said,'I have may place another signature. never been guilty of reading the Pucelle of Volmay place another signature. n "Grosvenor, I do not touch on aught inter- taire.' Report speaks it worthy of its author estin to-night I am conversing with you now -a man whose wit and genius could only be estinog to-niht. I am conversing with you now in that easy calm, good-humored stateof mind, equaled by his depravity. I will tell you what a in that easy, calm, good-humored state of mind,at v X is m. which is, perhaps, the summumen bonum; the less man, not particularly nicein his mora opinions, we think of the world the better....y feel- said to me upon the subject of that book:'I ings were once like an ungovernable horse; should think the worse of any man who, having now I have t; he r s hs read one canto of it, could proceed to a second. now I have tamed Bucephalus he retains his spiriit and his strength, but they are made use- Now, my opinion of Anna St. Ives is diafle, and he shall not break my neck.... This ful, and he shall not break my neck..... This metrically opposed to yours. I think it a book of consummate wisdom, and I shall join my is, indeed, a change; but the liquor that ceases of consummate wisdom, and I shall join my to ferment does not immediately become flat; forces to Mrs. Knowles, to whom I desire yo the beer then becomes fine, and continues so till would make my fraternal respects. it is dead. " Sunday. " To-morrow Wynn comes; shall I find him " ow has this letter been neglected! No altered? Would that I were among you. If more delays, however. I am continually writunremitting assiduity can procure me independ- ing or reading: the double cacoethes grows ence, that prize shall be mine. Christian went upon me every day; and the physic of John a long way to fling off his burden in the Pil- Nokes, by which I must get cured, is sadly grim's Progress.... I doubt only my lungs nauseous. N'importe. I wish I were in LonI find my breath affected when I read aloud, but don, for if industry can do any thing for any exercise may strengthen them. body, it shall for me. My plan is to study from "When do you come? It was wisely done five in the morning till eight, from nine to twelve, of the old conjuror, who kept six princesses and from one to four. The evening is my own. transformed into cats, to tie each of them fast, Now, Grosvenor, do you think I would do this if and put a mouse close to her nose without her I had a pig-sty of my own in the country? being able to catch it; for the nearer we are to "So goes the world! There is not a man a good, the more do we necessarily desire it: in it who is not discontented. However, if no the attraction becomes more powerful as we ap- man had more reason for discontent than you proach the magnet..... and I have, it would be already a very good " Do not despise Godwin too much...... He world; for, after all, I believe the worst we will do good by defending Atheism in print, be- complain of is, that we do not find mankind as cause, when the arguments are known, they good as we could wish..... Many of our menmay be easily and satisfactorily answered. Tell tal evils-and God knows they are the worstCarlisle to ask him this question: If man were we make ourselves. made by the casual meeting of atoms, how could " If a young man had his senses about him he have supported himself without superior as- when he sets out in life, he should seriously desistance? The use of the mucles is only at- liberate whether he had rather never be misertained by practice-how could he have fed I able or sometimes be happy. I like the up and himself? how know from what cause hunger down road best; but I have learned never to proceeded? how know by what means to rem- despise any man's opinion because it is diflredy the pain? The question appears to me de- ent from my own. Surely, Grosvenor, our restcisive.... Merry (of whose genius, erroneous lessness in this world seems to indicate that we as it was, I always thought highly) has pub- are intended for a better. We have all of us a lished the'Pains of Memory;' a subject once longing after happiness; and surely the Creator given me, and from which some lines in Joan will gratify all the natural desires that he has of Arc are extracted. Farewell! implanted in us. If you die before me, will you "R. S." visit me? I am half a believer in apparitions, ~.TAT. 22. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 91 and would purchase conviction at the expense with me; and it seems you have bespoke a place of a tolerable fright. in my heart for Carlisle, but I will not let in too " George Burnett's uncle was for three months many there, because I do not much like being terribly afflicted by the nightmare; so much so, obliged to turn them out. that, by being constantly disturbed, his health "Lenora is partly borrowed from an old Enwas considerably impaired. One night he de- glish ballad: termined to lie awake and watch for HER.'Is there any room at your head, William? "'Oh Bedford, Bedford, Is there any room at your feet? "'Oh Bedford, Bedford, Is there any room at your sde,illiam If ever thou didst a good story love' Is there any room at your side, Weep illiam, One night, he says, he determined to lie awake "There's no room at my head, Margerett, and watch for HER. At the usual hour he heard There's no room at my feet; There's no room at mlly side, Margerett, HER coming up the stairs; he got up in the bed My cofT n is made so m erett in aMy coffnld sweat; he heard made so mtheet! in a cold sweat; he heard HER come into the But the other ballad of Biirger, in the Monthly room; he heard HER open the curtain, and then Magazine, is most excellent. I know no com-he leaped out of bed and caught HER by the -he leaped out of bed and caught HER by mendation equal to its merit; read it again, Groshair before SHE-for SHE it was-could fall most incompara- venor, and read it aloud. The man who wrote pon his breast. Then did this that should have been ashamed of Lenora. Who ble hero bellow to John for a candle. They is this Taylor? I suspected they were by Sayers. f'ought; she pulled and he pulled, and bellowede you read Cabal and Love? In pite till John came with a light; and then-she vantill Jon came with a l; ad of a translation for which the translator deserves ished immediately, and he remained with a hand- anging, the fifth act is dreadfully affecting. I ful of HER hair. "o Bedford, woud yu nt want to write my tragedies of the Banditti:' Now, Bedford, would you not have had that "Of Sebastian,. 1',-, rm4'~~ i.Of Sebastian, made into a locket? The tale, methinks, is no " Of Ifez de Castro bad companion for your father's dream. The Of the Revenge of Pedro. exploit of Mr. Burnett is far beyond that of St. "My epic poem, in twenty books, of Madoc. Withold-though, by-the-by, he met the nine "My novel, in three volumes, of Edmund foals into the bargain-and they made a bargain. Oliver. " I have written you an odd letter, and an ugly My romance of ancient history of Alcas. one, upon very execrable paper. By-the-by, if My Norwegian tale of - Harfagne. you have a Prudentius, you may serve me by My Oriental poem of The Destruction of the sending me all he says about a certain Saint Eu- Dom Daniel. lalia, who suffered martyrdom at Merida. I And, in case I adopt Rousseau's system, passed through that city, and should like to see " -- Pains of Imagination. his hymn upon the occasion; and if there be any There, Grosvenor, all these want to write rood in it, put it in a note. How mortifying is Z' OTOT" OTO7TL this confinement of' yours! I had planned so many pleasant walks, to be made so much more " A comical Cornish curate, who saw me once pleasant by conversation; or twice, has written me a quaint letter, and sent "For I have much to tell thee, much to say me a specimen of his Paradise Found!!!! Of the odd things we saw upon our journey, "Wynn wishes me to live near Lincoln's Inn, Much of the dirt and vermin that annoyed us. because, in a year's time, it will be necessary for And you should have seen my letters before they me to be with a special pleader; but I wish to went to press, and annotated them, and heard the live on the other side of Westminster Bridge, beplot of my tragedy; but now! I have a mortal cause it will be much more necessary to be within aversion to all these disjunctive particles: but, an evening's walk of Brixton. To all serious and if, and yetj always herald some bad news. studies I bid adieu when I enter upon my Lon-.. I shall be settled in London, I hope, before don lodgings. The law will neither amuse me, Christmas. I do not remember a happier ten nor ameliorate me, nor instruct me; but, the moweeks than I passed at Brixton, nor, indeed, a ment it gives me a comfortable independencebetter employed period. God grant me ten such and I have but few wants-then farewell to Lonvweeks of leisure once more in my life, and I will don. I will get me some little house near the finish Madoc. God bless you. R. S." sea, and near a country town, for the sake of the post and the bookseller; and you shall pass. as To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. much of the summer with me as you can, and I " July 31,1796. will see you in the winter-that is, if you do not' Oh that you could bring Bristol to the sea! come and live by me; and then we will keep f';r as for bririning the sea to Bristol, that could mastiffs like Carlisle, and make the prettiest thenot be' done, as Trim says,'unless it pleased ories, and invent the best systems for mankind: God;' and, as Toby says, how the devil should ay, and become great philanthropists, when we it? I must not ask you to come to me, and I associate only among ourselves and the fraternity can not come to you.... For your club, I grant of dogs, cats, and cabbages; for as for poultry, youn a few hours once a fortnight will not make I do not like eating what I have fed, and as for ine worse; but will they make me better? and pigs, they are too like the multitude. There, in if they will not, why should I quit the fireside? the cultivation of poetry and potatoes I will be You will be in a state of requisition perpetually jinnocently employed not but I mean to aspire 92 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 2,3. to higher things; ay, Grosvenor, I will make ci- old ideas, in Joan of Are.... If we were together der and mead, and try more experiments upon now, we would write excellent letters from Porwine than a London vintner; and perhaps, Gros- tugal. I have begun a hymn to the Penates, venor, the first Christmas day you pass with me which will, perhaps, be the best of all my lesser after I am so settled, we may make a Christmas pieces; it is to conclude the volume of poems. fire of all my law books. Amen, so be it......... It is a great advantage to have a London " I hope to get out my Letters by Michaelmas bookseller: they can put off an edition of a book, day, and the Poems will be ready in six weeks however stupid; and, without great exertions in after that time. That done, farewell to Bristol, its favor, no book, however excellent, will sell. my native place, my home for two-and-twenty The sale of Joan of Arc in London has been very years, where from many causes I have endured slow indeed. Six weeks ago Cadell had only sold much misery, but where I have been very hap- three copies..... py..... " Would I were with you! for, though I hate to " No man ever retained a more perfect knowl- be on the sea, I yet wish to pitch my tent on the edge of the history of his own mind than I have shore. I do not know any thing more delightdone. I can trace the development of my char- ful than to lie on the beach in the sun, and watch acter from infancy; for developed it has been, the rising waves, while a thousand vague ideas not changed. I look forward to the writing of pass over the mind, like the summer clouds over this history as the most pleasing and most useful the water; then, it is a noble situation to Shanemployment I shall ever undertake. This re- deize. Why is it salt? why does it ebb and moval is not, however, like quitting home. I a flow? what sort of fellows are the mermen? never domesticated in lodgings; the hearth is &c., &c.: these are a thousand of the prettiest unhallowed, and the Penates do not abide there. questions in the world to ask, on which you may Now, Grosvenor, to let you into a secret: though guess away ad secula seculormn; and here am I I can not afford to buy a house, or hire one, I tormented by Mr. Rosser's dilatory devils, and have lately built a very pretty castle, which is, looking on with no small impatience to the time being interpreted, if I can get my play of the when I shall renounce the devil and all his works.'Banditti' brought on the stage, and if it succeed " I am about to leave off writing just when I -hang all those little conjunctions-well, these have learned what to write and how to write.'ifs' granted-I shall get money enough to fur-... I mean to attempt to get a tragedy on the nish me a house.... God bless you! R. S." stage, for the mere purpose of furnishing a house, which a successful play would do for me. I To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. know I can write one; beyond this, all is mere "Bristol, August 29, 1796, by the fireside. conjecture; it is, however, worth trying, for I "....Do not hurt the polypi for the sake of find lodgings very disagreeable. Lodge, howtrying experiments; mangle the dead as much as ever, I must in London, and you will be good you please, but let not Carlisle dissect dogs or frogs enough to look out for me, I hope ere long, two alive. Of all experimental surgeons, Spallanzani rooms on the Brixton side the water. is the only fair one I ever heard of. He kept a "I have a thousand things to say to you. kite, and gave him all his food in little bags tied Long absence seems to have produced no effect to a long string, which he used to pull up again on us, and I still feel that perfect openness in to see the process of digestion. Now this was writing to you that I shall never feel to any othusing the kite very ill, but he served himself in er human being. Grosvenor, when we sit down the same manner. in Shandy Hall, what pretty speculations shall " You will, perhaps, hear of me in Sussex, cer-we make! You shall be Toby, and amuse yourtainly if you go to Rye, which is only ten miles self by marching to Paris; I will make systems. distant from Hastings. I wish you ntay see the and Horace shall be Doctor Slop. Lambs... I was a great favorite there once, " I have projected a useful volume, which more so than I shall ever be any where again, would not occupy a month-specimens of the for the same reason that people like a kitten bet- early English poets, with a critical account of ter than a cat, and a kid better than the venera- all their works-only to include the less known ble old goat... I have been very happy at Rye, authors and specimens never before selected. Grosvenor, and love to remember it. You know My essays would be historical and biographical the history of the seventeen anonymous letters as well as critical. I can get this printed withthat Tom and I sent down the day before we went out risking any thing myself. ourselves.* There is a wind-mill on the bank "Yours sincerely, R. S." above the house: with the glass, I used to tell the hour by Rye clock from the door; which To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. clock, by-the-by, was taken among the spoils of "Bristol, Oct., 1796. the Spanish Armada. "I know not even the day of the month, but "I hope you may go there. I wrote a good October is somewhat advanced, and this is Frimany bad verses in Sussex, but they taught me day evening. Why did I not write sooner? Exto write better, and you know not how agreeable cuses are bad things. I have much to employ it is to me to meet with one of my old lines, or me, though I can always make a little leisure. * I can find no account of this excursion. It was prob-If y were married Grosvenor, you would know ably during one of his Westminster holidays. the luxury of sitting indolently by the fireside; aTAT. 23. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 93 at present you only half know it. There is a To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. state of complete mental torpor, very delightful, Nov. 21,1796. when the mind admits no sensation but that of " When do I come to London? A plain mere existence; such a sensation I suppose plants question. I can not tell, is as plain an answer. to possess, made more vivid by the dews and My book will be out before Christmas, and I gentle rains. To indulge in fanciful systems is shall then have no further business in Bristol; a harmless solitary amusement, and I expect yet, Bedford, this is not saying when I shall many a pleasant hour will be thus wore away, leave it. The best answer is, as soon as I can, Grosvenor, when we meet. The devil never and the sooner the better. I want to be there. meddles with me in my unemployed moments; I want to feel myself settled, and God knows my day dreams are of a pleasanter nature. I when that will be, for the settlement of a lodgshould be the happiest man in the world if I ing is but a comfortless one. To complete compossessed enough to live with comfort in the fort, a house to one's self is necessary.... country; but in this world, we must sacrifice However, I expect to be as comfortable as it is the best part of our lives to acquire that wealth possible to be in that cursed city,'that huge which generally arrives when the time of enjoy- and hateful sepulcher of men.' I detest cities, ing it is past. and had rather live in the fens of Lincolnshire * * * * * * * * or on Salisbury Plain than in the best situation "I ardently wish for children; yet, if God London could furnish. The neighborhood of shall bless me with any, I shall be unhappy to you and Wynn can alone render it tolerable. I see them poisoned by the air of London. fear the air will wither me up, like one of the "'Sir-I do thank God for it-I do hate miserable myrtles at a town parlor window. Most heartily that city.'.... Oh, for'the house in the woods and the So said John Donne;'tis a favorite quotation of great dog!' mine. My spirits always sink when I approach "I already feel intimate with Carlisle; but I it. Green fields are my delight. I am not only am a very snail in company, Grosvenor, and pop better in health, but even in heart, in the coun- into my shell whenever I am approached, or roll try. A fine day exhilarates my heart; if it myself up like a hedgehog in my rough outside. rains, I behold the grass assume a richer ver-It is strange, but I never approach London withdure as it drinks the moisture: every thing that out feeling my heart sink within me; an unconI behold is very good, except man; and in n L- querable heaviness oppresses me in its atmosdon I see nothing but man and his works. A phere, and all its associated ideas are painful. country clergyman, with a tolerable income, is With a little house in the country, and a bare surely in a very enviable situation. Surely we independence, how much more useful should I have a thousand things to transfuse into each be and how much more happy It is not talkother, which the lazy language of the pen can in nonsense, when I say that the London air is not express with sufficient rapidity. Your ill- as bad for the mind as for the body, for the mind noess was very unfortunate. I could wish once is a chameleon that receives its colors from surhess was very unfortunate. I could wish once rounding objects. In the country, every thinto show you the pleasant spots where I have so rounding objects. In the country, every thing often wandered, and the cavern where I have is good, every thing in nature is beautiful. The written so many verses. You should have known benevolence of Deity is every where presented Cottle, too, for a worthier heart you never knew. to the eye, and the heart participates in the tran" You love the sea. Whenever I pitch my quillity ofthesee the scene I the ton my soul is tent, it shall be by it. When will that be? Is continually disgusted by the vices, follies, and it not a villainous thing that poetry will not sup- consequent miseries of mankind. port a man, when the jargon of the law enriches'y futnre studies, too. Now, I never read so many?.. I had rather write an epic a book without learning something, and never poem than read a brief. write a line of poetry without cultivating some "Have you read St. Pierre? If not, read that feeling o benevolence and honesty; but the law most delightful work, and you will love the au- is a horrid jargon-a quibbling collection of vo thor as much as I do. luminous nonsense; but this I must wade through "I am as sleepy an animal as ever. The -ay, and I will wade through-and when I shall rain beats hard, the fire burns bright,'tis but have got enough to live in the country, you and eight o'clock, and I have already begun yawn- I will make m first Chstmas fire of all my ing. Good-night, Grosvenor, lest I set you to new books Oh Grosvenor, whata blessed bonr a s went to bd a nine fire! The devil uses the statutes at large for sleep. My father always went to bed at nine sleep. My father always wnt to bed at ninefuel when he gives an attorney his house warmo'clock. I have inherited his punctuality and el en he gives n attorney his house war his drowsiness. God bless you. ing " ROBERT SOUTHEY., I shall have some good poems to send you "I am the lark that sings early, and early re- shortly. Your two birth-day odes are printed; tires. What is that bird that sleeps in the morn- your name loos well in caitals, and I have ing and is awake at night, Grosvenor? Do you pleased myself by the motto prefxed to them: remember poor Aaron?'* it is from Akenside. Shall I leave you to guess ________________________it? I hate guessing myself. * Aaron was a tame owl, kept by either my father or "'Oh, my faithful friend! Mr. Bedford, I forget which, at Westminster. Oh early chosen! ever found the same, 94 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATAT. 23, And trusted, and beloved; once more the verse, like Camoens, I could dub it Babylon, and write Lond-destined, always obvious to thine ear, l s fr te'' of m Attend indulgent.' lamentations for the Sion' of my birth-place, Atte-ndT indulgent! * c i having, like him, no reason to regret the past, "My Triumph of Woman is manufactured into having, like him, no reason to regret the past, a t e p. My Hmn to t Pna ll except that it is not the present: it is the couna tolerable poem. My Hymn to the Penates will be the best of my minor pieces. The B. B. Ec- try I want. A field thistle is to me worth all be the best of my minor pieces. The B. B. Ee- flowers of Covent Garden. logu may possibly become popular. the flogueers of Covent Garden. logues may possibley become dpop ular. "However, Bedford, happiness is a flower that "Read St. Pierre, Grosvenor; and, if you ever will blossom any where; and I expect to be hapturn pagan, you will certainly worship him for a demi-god. I want to get a tragedy o, to py, even in London. You know who is to watch demi-god.....- I want to get a tragedy out, to dermishgod I want itspofgts a tre oa, t' at my gate; and if he will let in any of your club, furnish a house with its profits. Is this a prac- well and good. ticable scheme, allowing the merit of the drama? Time and experience seem to have assimior would a good novel succeed better? Heigh- lated us: we think equally ill of mankind, and, ho! ways and means i... ho! Yors sincerely, R. from the complexion of your last letters, I beYours sincerely, R. S."1 lieve you think as' badly as I do of their rulers. I fancy you are mounted above the fieezing point of aristocracy, to the temperate degree where I have fallen... Methinks, Grosvenor, the last CHAPTER V. two years have made me the elder; but you GOES TO LONDON TO STUDY THE LAW-LETTERS know I never allow the aristocracy of years. FROMH THENCE —TAKES LODGINGS AT BURTON "I have this day finished my Letters, and now IN HAMPSHIRE -LETTERS TO IR. MAY AND my time is my own-my'race is run;' and perMR. BEDFORD GOES TO BATH-LINES BY haps the next book of mine which makes its apCHARLES LAMB-RETURNS TO LONDON —LET- pearance will be my'posthumous works!'.... TER TO MR. WYNN —VISIT TO NORFOLK-LET- I must be on the Surrey side of the water; this TERS FROM THENCE-TAKES A HOUSE AT WEST-will suit me and please you. I am familiar with BURY, NEAR BRISTOL-EXCURSION INTO HERE- the names of your club-shall I ever be so with FORDSHIRE. 1797. themselves? Naturally of a reserved disposition, there was a considerable period of my life MY father continued to reside in Bristol until in which high spirits, quick feelings, and princithe close of the year 1796, chiefly employed, as ples enthusiastically imbibed, made me talkawe have seen, in working up the contents of his tive: experience has taught me wisdom, and I foreign note-books into "Letters from Spain and am again as silent, as self-centering as in early Portugal," which were published in one volume youth. early in the following year. This task complet- " After the nine hours' law study, I shall have ed, he determined to take up his residence in a precious fragment of the day at my own disLondon, and fairly to commence the study of the posal. Now, Grosvenor, I must be a miser of law, which he was now enabled to do through time, for I am just as sleepy a fellow as you rethe true friendship of Mr. C. W. W. Wynn, from member me at Brixton. You see I am not colwhom he received for some years from this time lected enough to write; this plaguy cough inan annuity of XE160-the prompt fulfillment of terrupts me, and shakes all the ideas in my brain a promise made during their years of college in- out of their places. timacy. This was indeed one of those acts of Jan. 7 rare friendship-twice honorable-" to him that "A long interval, Grosvenor, and it has not gives and him that takes it " bestowed with been employed agreeably. I have been taken pleasure, received without any painful feelings, ill at Bristol.... I was afraid of a fever.... a and often reverted to as the staff and stay of giddiness of head, which accompanied the seizthose years when otherwise he must have felt to ure, rendered me utterly unfit for any thing. I the full all the manifold evils of being, as he him- was well nursed, and am well.... When I get self expressed it, "cut adrift upon the ocean of to London I have some comfortable plans; but life." much depends on the likeability of your new How reluctantly he had looked forward to his friends. You say you have engaged some of legal studies, his past letters have shown; nor them to meet me: now, if you taught them to did the prospect appear more pleasing when the expect any thing in me, they must owe their disanticipation was about to be changed to the re- appointment to you. Remember that I am as ality. reserved to others as I am open to you. You have seen a hedgehog roll himself up when noTo Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ticed, even so do I shelter myself in my own "Jan. 1, 1797. thoughts... " So, Bedford, begins the year that will term- I have sketched out a tragedy on the martyrinate our correspondence. I mean to spend one dom of Joan of Arc, which is capable of making summer in North Wales, studying the country for a good closet drama. My ideas of tragedy difMadoc, and do not intend writing to you then, fer from those generally followed. There is selbecause you shall be with me. And for all the dom nature enough in the dialogue; even Shaksrest of the days I look on to clearly, the view is peare gets upon the stilts sometimes; the drambounded by the smoke of London. Methinks, atist ought rather to display a knowledge of the )ETAT. 23. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 95 workings of the human heart than his own imag- To Joseph Cottle. ination; high-strained metaphor can rarely be "London, Feb., 1797. introduced with propriety-similes never. Do MY DEAR FRIEND, you think I shall strip tragedy of all its orna- "I am now entered on a new way of life, ments? this, time must discover. Yet look on which will lead me to independence. You know the dramatic parts of Joan of Arc; they are the that I neither lightly undertake any scheme, nor best; the dialogue is impassioned, but it is nat- lightly abandon what I have undertaken. I am ural. John Doe and Richard Roe must, howev- happy because I have no wants, and because the er, form the chief personages in the last act of independence I labor to obtain, and of attaining my life. Grosvenor, will it be a tragedy or a which my expectations can hardly be disappointcomedy? However, I will not now think of the ed, will leave me nothing to wish. I am incatastrophe, but rather look on to the pleasant debted to you, Cottle, for the comforts of my scenes when we shall meet. Fare you well.... latter time. In my present situation I feel a "Yours affectionately, R. S." pleasure in saying thus much. "As to my literary pursuits, after some conIn the course of the next month (February) sideration I have resolved to postpone every other my father went up to town for the purpose of till I have concluded Madoc. This must be the fixing himself in some convenient situation for greatest of all my works. The structure is comhis legal studies. "Now, my dear Edith," he plete in my mind; and my mind is likewise writes from there, "am I of Gray's Inn, where stored with appropriate images. Should I deI this day paid twelve pounds fifteen shillings lay it, these images may become fainter, and. for admission.... Edith, you must come to me. perhaps age does not improve the poet. I am not merely uncomfortable, I am unhappy "Thank God! Edith comes on Monday next. without you. I rise in the morning without ex- I say thank God! for I have never, since my peeting pleasure from the day, and I lie down at return, been absent from her so long before, and night without one wish for the morning. This sincerely hope and intend never to be so again. town presents to me only a wilderness.... I On Tuesday we shall be settled; ~ on Wednesday am just returned from —; they can receive my legal studies begin in the morning, and I us for c40 a year: two rooms, they are not shall begin with Madoc in the evening. Of this large, but they are handsomely furnished, and it is needless to caution you. to say nothing, as I there is a good book-case, and every thing looks must have the character of a lawyer; and, though clean.... Direct to me at Mr. Peacock's, No. I can and will unite the two pursuits, no one 20 Prospect Place, Newington Butts, near Lon- would credit the possibility of the union. In two don; but, my dear Edith, there is'no prospect' years the poem shall be finished, and the many in this vile neighborhood.".... And again, a years it must lie by will afford ample time for few days later, he writes in that playful and af-correction. Mary* has been in the Oracle; also fectionate strain in which all his letters to my some of my sonnets in the Telegraph, with outmother are couched: " Grosvenor has just been rageous commendation. I have declined being talking of you. He was correcting an error in a member of a Literary Club which meets weekMuseus. I had laid down my pen, and begun ly, and of which I have been elected a member. one of my melodious whistles, upon which he Surely a man does not do his duty who leaves cried for mercy for God's sake, and asked if you his wife to evenings of solitude, and I feel duty liked my whistling; adding that he would spirit and happiness to be inseparable. I am happier you up to rebellion if ever I did any thing you at home than any other society can possibly make did not like. I said you had often threatened to me..... God bless you! tell Grosvenor Bedford. Well, Edith, on the" Yours sincerely, fifth day I shall see you once more; and you do "ROBERT SOUTHEY." not know with what comfort I think at night that one day more is gone. I do not misemploy the To Joseph Cottlc. leisure I make here. Such books as, from their London, March 13, 1797. value, ought not to be lent from the library, I * * * am now consulting, and appropriating such of "Perhaps you will be surprised to hear that. their contents as may be useful to my red book. of all the lions or literati that I have seen here, R"... ichards, I understand, was much there is not one whose countenance has not some pleased with me on Sunday. I was, as always unpleasant trait. Mary Imlay'st is the best, inin the company of strangers, thoughtful, reserved, finitely the best: the only fault in it is an exand almost silent. God never intended that I pression somewhat similar to what the prints of should make myself agreeable to any body. I Hone Tooke display-an expression indicating am glad he likes me. however; he can and will superiority; not haughtiness, not sarcasm in assist me in this ugly world."t Mary Imlay, but still it is unpleasant. Her The following letters will show the course of eyes are light brown, and, though the lid of one his London life during the few months he resided of them is affected by a little paralysis, they are there at this time. the most meaning I ever saw. * * * "When I was with George Dyer one morning * This letter is without date, but the receipt for these —entrance foes. which I have before me, fixes the time, * His ballad of Mary, the Maid of the Inn. February 7, 1797. t Feb. 16, 1797. t The daughter of Mary Wollstonecroft. 96 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATriAT. 23. last week, Mary Hayes and Miss Christal enter- bookseller's job on my hands: it is to translate ed, and the ceremony of introduction followed. a volume from the French-about a month's Mary Hayes writes in the'Monthly Magazine' work;* and the pay will be not less than fiveunder the signature of M. H., and sometimes and-twenty guineas, an employment more profitwrites nonsense there about Helvetius. She has able than pleasant; but I should like plenty such. lately published a novel-' Emma Courtenay;' Three or four such jobs would furnish me a a book much praised and much abused. I have house..... Your description of the Spanish not seen it myself, but the severe censures passed coast about St. Sebastian has very highly deon it by persons of narrow mind have made me lighted me. I intend to versify it, put the lines curious, and convinced me that it is at least an in Madoc, and give your account below in the uncommon book. Mary Hayes is an agreeable note. To me, who had never seen any other woman, and a Godwinite. Now, if you will read but the tame shores of this island, the giant rocks Godwin's book with attention, we will consider of Galicia appeared stupendously sublime. They between us in what light to consider that secta- even derived a grandeur from their barrenness: rian title. As for Godwin himself, he has large, it gives them a majestic simplicity that fills the noble eyes, and a nose-oh, most abominable undistracted mind. I have in contemplation nose! Language is not vituperatious enough another work upon my journey-a series of poto describe the effect of its downward elonga- ems, the subjects occasioned by the scenes I tion.* He loves London, literary society, and passed, and the meditations which those scenes talks nonsense about the collision of mind; and excited. Do you perceive the range this plan Mary Hayes echoes him. But Miss Christal- includes? History, imagination, philosophy, all have you seen her poems?-a fine, artless, sens- would be pressed into my service.... A noble ible girl! Now, Cottle, that word sensible must design! and it has met with some encouragenot be construed here in its dictionary accepta- ment. But time is scarce; and I must be a tion. Ask a Frenchman what it means, and he lawyer-a sort of animal that might be made of will understand it, though, perhaps, he can by worse materials than those with which nature no circumlocution explain its French meaning. tempered my clay. Her heart is alive, she loves poetry, she loves * * * * * * * retirement, she loves the country: her verses are Should I publish the series of poems I mentioned, very incorrect, and the literary circles say she it is my intention to annex prints from the sketchhas no genius; but she has genius, Joseph Cot- es my uncle took upon our road. I sometimes tie, or there is no truth in physiognomy. Gil- regret that, after leaving the College Green, I bert Wakefield came in while I was disputing have never had encouragement to go on with with Mary Hayes upon the moral effects of towns. drawing. The evening when Shad and I were He has a most critic-like voice, as if he had so employed was then the pleasantest part of the snarled himself hoarse. You see I like the day, and I began at last to know something women better than the men. Indeed, they are about it. I would gladly get those drawings; better animals in general, perhaps because more but my aunt never lets any thing go; and tho is left to nature in their education. Nature is greater part of my books, and all those drawings. very good, but God knows there is very little of and my coins, with a number of things of little it left. intrinsic value, but which I should highly prize, "I wish you were within a morning's walk, are all locked up in the Green. but I am always persecuted by time and space. " The poor old theater is going to ruin, for Robert Southey and Law and Poetry make up which I have worked so many hours, and which an odd kind of triunion. We jog on easily to- so deeply interested me once. Such are the revgether, and I advance with sufficient rapidity in olutions of private life, and such strange alteraBlackstone and Madoc. I hope to finish my poem tions do a few years produce! and to begin my practice in about two years. My aunt told Peggyt it was pretty well in God bless you! me to write a book about Portugal who had not "Yours affectionately, been there six months; for her part, she had' ROBERT SOUTHEEY." been there twelve months, and yet she could not write a book about it-so apt are we to To Thomas Southey. measure knowledge by time. I employed my "March 31, 1797. time there in constant attention, seeing every "I have stolen time to write to you, though thing and asking questions, and never went uncertain whether you may still be at Plymouth to bed without writing down the information.1 but, if the letter should have to follow you, well had acquired during the day. I am now tolerand good; if lost, it matters little. I have a ably versed in Spanish and Portuguese poetry, and am writing a series of essays upon the sub* Godwin's nose came in for no small share of condemnation. In another letter he says, "We dine with Mary Wollstonecroft (now Godwin) to-morrow. Oh, he has a * The work was tolerably hard. "I am running a race foul nose, and I never see it without longing to cut it off. with the printers again," he writes to Mr. Cottle, April 5, By-the-by, Dr. - told me that I had exactly Lavater's "translating a work from the French (Necker on the Revnose; to my no small satisfaction, for I did not know what olution, vol. ii.-Dr. Aiken and his son translate the first to make of that protuberance or promontory of mine. I vol.). My time is now wholly engrossed by the race, for could not compliment him. He has a very red, drinking I run at the rate of sixteen pages a day, as hard going as face; and little, good-humored eyes, like cunning and sixteen miles for a hack horse." short-sightedness united."-To Joseph Cottle, May, 1797. t His cousin, Margaret Hill. ETAT. 23. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 97 ject in the L'Monthly Magazine'-a work which, My last dip was in the Atlantic Ocean, at the probably, you do not see. foot of the Arrabida Mountain-a glorious spot. "Farewell! I hope you may soon come to I have no idea of sublimity exceeding it..... Portsmouth, that we may see you. Have you ever met with MAary Wollstonecroft's "Yours affectionately, letters from Sweden and Norway? She has' ROBERT SOUTHEY." made me in love with a cold climate, and frost and snow, with a northern moonlight. Now I "EApril28,1797. am turned lawyer, I shall have no more books'" MY DEAPr THOMAS, send you, except, indeed, second editions, "I have been regretting that you were not to endy yoe caled, anded then y alterations when they are called for, and then my alterations at Portsmouth in the great insurrection,* that I ill enough, perhaps, to give one interested will be enough, perhaps, to give one interested might have had a full, true, and particular ac- the author some pleasure in the compaison. count of that extraordinary business-a business God bless you. at which every body is astonished..... Ass affectionaely, have no business in London (except, indeed, to ROBERT SOUTHET.' dine at Gray's Inn once at the latter end of June) till November, we intend spending the As the spring advanced, my father began to summer and autumn somewhere by the sea; pine more and more for country air, and, conwhere is not yet determined, but most probably ceiving that his legal studies could be as well somewhere in Hampshire.. London is a pursued by the sea-side as in the smoke of Lonplace for which I entertain a most hearty hatred, don, went down into Hampshire to look for some and Edith likes it as little as myself; and as for place to settle in for the summer months Souththe sea, I like it very much when on shore. ampton was their first halting-place, and from "I Lhad a 1etter fromn Lisbon yesterday. MIy thence he writes to Mr. Bedford complaining of uncle's family has been very unfortunate: his their ill success poor old Twonman is dead, and so is his dog Lin- "In every village of the Susqehanna Inda. His mlare, which was lame, he had given dians there is a vacant dwelling called the Stranaway to be turned into the woods; she has not s Hous hen a traveler arrives there at been seen lately, and he thinks the wolves have e of tese villaes, e stops and halloos; tro one of these villages, he stops and halloos; two eaten her: it as an account that madie me of the elders of the tribe immediately go out to mealacoly. I had been long enough an inhab-the meiae cllo1y. I had been lon' enough anl inihab- meet hilm; they lead him to this house, and then itant of h;s house to become attached to every inhabitants that a straner thing connected with it; and poor old Ursula r d e e iaiat and hungry is arrived, fatigued and hungry. was an excellent wvoman: he will never find f ed hngy as al cellnt oan: he ill never fid " They do not order these things quite so her equal, and I shall never think of Lisbon ell in Egland. We arrived at Southampton again without some feelings of regret... at six last evening. Lodoin.s' were hung out My acquaintance here are more than are at almost every house, t soe would not let convenient, and I meet with invitations unpleas-less than eleven rooms, some seven, and so on, ant to refuse, and still more unpleasant to ac- and we walked a very long and uncomfortable cept. This is another motive to me to wish for hour before we could buy hospitality, and that a country residence as long as possible. I findat a dear rate. I mean to walk to-morrow the distance in this foul city very inconvenient;through Lyndhurst and Lymington to Christ'tis a morning's walk to call upon a distant Church-that is, if Edith be better, for she is friend, and I return from it thorougly fatigued. now very nwel. I hope and believe it i only WVe are going to dine on Wednesday next wit the temporary effect of fatigue; but, Grosvenor, Mary Wollstonecroft-of all the literary charac- a single ma does not now what anxiety is. ters, the one I most admire. My curiosity is " Edith is not well enough to walk out. I fully satisfied, and the greater part of these peo- erefre have seen onl enouh of this plce to ple, after that is satisfied, leave no other remain- dislike it.. I want a quiet, lonely place, in ing. This is not the case with her. She is asiht of something geen. Surely in a walk of first-rate woman, sensible of her own worth, but tty miles this may e fund; but if I find the without arrorgance or affectation. whole coast infected by visitors, I will go to "I have two reasons for preferring a resi-Bristol, where I shall have the printer on the dence near the sea: I love to pickle myself in one side, Charles Danvers on the other, Cottle that grand brine tub; and I wish to catch its ___ morning, evening, and mid-day appearance for, Here. with Cadwallon and a chosen band, poetry, with the effect of every change of weath- I left the ships. Lincoya guided us er. Fancy will do much; but the poet ought A toilsome way among the heights; at dusk to be an accurate observer of natere and I We reach'd the village skirts; he bade us halt, to be an accurate observer of nature and I Anraised his voice; the elders of the land shall watch the clouds, and the risingn and set- Came forth, and led us to an amcple hut, tin~g sun, aced the sea-birds vitie no inWatteetive Vhieh in the center of their dwellings stood, t ~g su and the sea-1rr1s with no inatte.ive The Strangers' House. They eyed us wondering, eye. I have remedied one of my deficiencies, Yet not for wonder ceased they to observe too, since a boy, and learned to swim enough to Their hospitable rites; from hut to hut The tidings ran that strangers were arrived, like the exercise. This I began at Oxford, and Fatigued, and hungry, and athirst; anon, practiced a good deal in the summer of 1795. Each from his means supplying us, came food And beverage such as cheer the weary man." * The mutiny of the fleet at Spithead..Madoc, Book V. G 98 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 23. in front, the woods and rocks of Avon behind; will hereafter appear as one of his most constant and be in the center of all good things. correspondents and most valued friends.' Our journey was hot and dusty, but through The surrounding country seems to have afa lovely country. At one time the coach was forded him great pleasure, keenly alive as he full, and all but me asleep. Something fell off ever was to all natural beauties, and just at this the roof, and I had the unutterable pleasure of time doubly inclined to enjoy them. coming from waking all of them by bellowing out for the the " no prospect" of Prospect Place, Newingcoachman to stop.... Would we were settled, ton Butts. The sea he delighted in; the New ay, and for life, in some little sequestered val- Forest was near at hand, and "a congregation ley! I would be content never to climb over of rivers, the clearest you ever saw." The only the hills that sheltered me, and never to hear drawbacks were his detested legal studies, and music or taste beverage but from the stream the idea of returning to London. that ran beside my door. Let me have the sea, A few of his letters will fill up the present too, and now and then some pieces of a wreck year. The first of these is addressed to Mr. to supply me with fire-wood and remind me of May. whom he had met during his visit to Lisbon, commerce. This New Forest is very lovely; I and with whom he had already formed a friendshould like to have a house in it, and dispeople ship, as close as it was destined to be lasting. the rest, like William the Conqueror. Of all Mr. May, it seems, had promised to lend him land objects a forest is the finest. Gisborne has the Pucelle of Chapelain. written a feeble poem on the subject. The feelings that fill me when I lie under one tree, and To John My, Esq. contemplate another in all the majesty of years, "Burton, June 26, 1797. are neither to be defined nor expressed, and their indefinable and inexpressible feelings are " Neither the best friends nor the bitterest those of the highest delight. They pass over enemies of Chapelain could have felt more curithe mind like the clouds of the summer evening osity than I do to see his poem. Good it can -too fine and too fleeting for memory to detain. not be; for, though the habit of writing satire, "And now, Grosvenor, would I wager six- as, indeed, the indulgence of any kind of wit, inpence that you are regretting my absence, be- sensibly influences the moral character, and discause you feel inclined to come to tea with us. poses it to sacrifice any thing to a good point, I could upbraid you;' but this is one of the fol- yet Boileau must have had some reason for the lies of man, and I have my share of it, though, extreme contempt in which he held this unforthank God! but a small share. What we can tunate production. I am inclined to think it betdo at any time is most likely not to be done at ter, however, than it has always been representall. We are more willing to make an effort. ed. Chapelain stood high in poetical reputation Is this because we feel uneasy at the prospect when he published this, the work on which he of labor and something to be done? and we are meant to build his fame. He is said to have stimulated to industry by a love of indolence. I written good odes; certainly, then, his epic laam a self-observer, and, indeed, this appears to bors can not be wholly void of merit; and for me the secret spring.t God bless you. its characteristic fault, extreme harshness, it is "R. SOUTHEY." very probable that a man of genius, writing in so unmanly a language, should become harsh by Having succeeded in finding lodgings at Bur- attempting to be strong. The French never ton, near Christ Church, my father and mother can have a good epic poem till they have repubsettled themselves there for the summer months, licanized their language. It appears to me a which passed very happily. Here his mother thing impossible in their meter; and for the prose joined them from Bath, and his brother Thomas, of Fenelon, Florian, and Betaube, I find it pethen a midshipman on board the Phmebe frigate, culiarly unpleasant. I have sometimes read the who, having lately been taken by the French, works of Florian aloud: his stories are very inhad just been released from a short imprison- teresting and well conducted; but in reading ment at Brest. They had also at this time a them I have felt obliged to simplify as I read, and young friend domesticated with them. Mr. omit most of the similes and apostrophes; they Charles Lloyd, son of a banker at Birmingham, disgusted me, and I felt ashamed to pronounce who had been living for some time with Mr. them. Ossian is the only book bearable in this Coleridge at Nether Stowey, in Somersetshire, style: there is a melancholy obscurity in the and who subsequently became known as an au- history of Ossian, and of almost all his heroes, thor, and coming to reside in Westmoreland, was that must please. Ninety-nine readers in a hundclassed among the lake poets. Here also Mr. red can not understand Ossian, and therefore they Cottle visited them. and here my father first be- like the book. I read it always with renewed came acquainted with Mr. Rickman (late one pleasure. of the clerks of the House of Commons), who "Have you read Madame Roland's Appel a Ttof-rsP i l'impartiale Posterite? It is one of those books ~ The two friends seem to have had less intercourse when both were in London than they had anticipated. I that make me love individuals, and yet dread, find a not uncommon reason hinted at. Mr. Bedford had detest, and despise mankind in a mass. There been unsuccessful in some attachment; and the sight orf s a time when I believed in the ersuadibili domestic happiness, just at that time, brouht back pain as a te whe I believed the peuadibiliful thoughts. t May 5, 1797. ty of man, and had the mania of man-mending. iETAT. 23. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 99 Experience has taught me better. After a cer- me: I would fain be thought well of by the'ten tain age the organs of voice can not accommo- righteous men,' and communicate frequently with date themselves to the utterance of a foreign you as one of them. I suffer no gloomy pronunciation; so it is with the mind: it grows presages to disturb the tranquil happiness with stiff and unyielding, like our sinews, as we grow which God has blessed me now, and which I older. The ablest physician can do little in the know how to value, because I have felt what it great lazar-house of society: it is a pest-house is to want every thing except the pride of a wellthat infects all within its atmosphere. He acts satisfied conscience. the wisest part who retires from the contagion; "The sister and niece of Chatterton are now nor is that part either a selfish or a cowardly wholly destitute. On this occasion I appear as one: it is ascending the ark, like Noah, to pre- editor of all his works for their relief; this is serve a remnant which may become the whole. a heinous sin against the world's opinion for a As to what is the cause of the incalculable young lawyer, but it would have been a real wretchedness of society, and what is the panacea, crime to have refused it. We have a black I have long felt certified in my own mind. The scene to lay before the public: these poor women rich are strangely ignorant of the miseries to have been left in want, while a set of scoundrels which the lower and largest part of mankind have been reaping hundreds from the writings are abandoned..... The savage and civilized of Chatterton. I hope now to make the catasstates are alike unnatural, alike unworthy of the trophe to the history of the poor boy of Bristol: origin and end of man. Hence the prevalence you shall see the proposals as soon as they are of skepticism and Atheism, which, from being printed. Cottle has been with me a few days, the effect, becomes the cause of vice.... and we have arranged every thing relative to " I have lived much among the friends of this business: he is the publisher, and means to Priestley, and learned from them many peculiar get the paper at prime cost, and not receive the opinions of that man, who speaks all he thinks. usual profit from what he sells. The accounts No man has studied Christianity more, or be- will be published, and we hope and expect to lieves it more sincerely; he thinks it not improb- place Mrs. Newton in comfort during the last able that another revelation may be granted us, years of her life. for the obstinacy and wickedness of mankind call " Cottle brought with him the new edition of for no less a remedy. The necessity of another Coleridge's poems: they are dedicated to his revelation I do not see myself. What we have, brother George in one of the most beautiful read with the right use of our own reasoning poems I ever read.... It contains all the faculties, appears to me sufficient; but in a Mil- poems of Lloyd and Lamb, and I know no vollenarian this opinion is not ridiculous, and the ume that can be compared to it. You know many yet unfulfilled prophecies give it an ap- not how infinitely my happiness is increased by pearance of probability.... residing in the country. I have not a wish be" The slave trade has much disheartened me. yond the quietness I enjoy; every thing is tranThat their traffic is supported by the consump- quil and beautiful; but sometimes I look forward tion of sugar is demonstrable: I have demonstra- with regret to the time when I must return to a ted it to above fifty persons with temporary sue- city which I so heartily dislike.... God bless cess, and not three of those persons have perse- you! Yours affectionately, vered in rejecting it. This is perfectly astonish- " ROBERT SOUTHEY." ing to me; and what can be expected from those who will not remedy so horrible an iniquity by o John May, Esq. so easy an exertion? The future presents a "July 15, 1799. dreary prospect; but all will end in good, and I " MY DEAR FRIEND) can contemplate it calmly without suffering it to "I sincerely thank you for your letter..... cloud the present. I may not live to do good I am inclined to think, when my uncle blamed to mankind personally, but I will at least leave me for not doing my utmost to relieve my family, something behind me to strengthen those feelings he must have alluded to my repeated refusal of and excite those reflections in others from whence entering orders; a step which undoubtedly would virtue must spring. In writing poetry with this almost instantly have relieved them, and which end, I hope I am not uselessly employing my occasioned me great anguish and many conflicts leisure hours. God bless you.... of mind. To this I have been urged by him "Affectionately yours, and by my mother; but you know what my re" ROBERT SOUTEIEY." ligious opinions are, and I need not ask whether I did rightly and honestly in refusing. Till To Johns cay; Esq. Christmas last, I supported myself wholly by " Burton, July 11, 1797. the profits of my writings..... Thus you may " I thank you for Chapelain: I read his poem see that the only means I have ever possessed wvith the hope of finding something good, and of assisting my mother was by entering the would gladly have reversed the sentence of con- Church. God knows I would exchange every demnation, which I must, in common honesty, intellectual gift which he has blessed me with confirm. It is very bad indeed, and can please for implicit faith to have been able to do this. only by its absurdity........ I care not for the opinion of the world, " I thank you, also, for your good opinion of but I would willingly be thought justly of by a 100 LIFE AND CO RRE SPONDENCE OF jETAT. 24. few individuals. I labor at a study which I very periods of this bad society, the straightest path much dislike to render myself independent, and is most cursedly crooked. I work for the bookseller whenever I can get "I shall be. with you in November. Send employment, that I may have to spare for others. me miy Coke, I pray you. I want law food,.... now do all I can; perhaps I may some and, though not over hungry, yet must I eat and day be enabled to do all I wish; however, there execrate like Pistol..... Something odd came is One who will accept the w-ill for the deed. into my head a few hours since. I was feeling God bless you ROBERTS SOUTHEY.") that the love of letter writing had greatly gone from me, and inquiring why: my mind is no The next letter refers to a proposal of Mr. longer agitated by hopes and fears, no longer Bedford's, that, when my father and mother doubtful, no longer possessed with such ardent came again to re:ide in London, they should oc- enthusiasm: it is quiet, and repels all feelings cupy the same house with him. that would disturb that state. When I write I August 2, 1797. have nothing to communicate, for you know all " MIY DE AR G-ROSVaEeaNOR, ugslmy opinions and feelings; and no incidents can "I like the plan you propose, and see no ob- occur to one settled as I am.... jecion to it at present; but you know how Yours sincerely, feasible those things appear which we wish. " R. S. One circumstance only may happen to prevent it. I hiave some hopes tlhat my mother vwill. Grosvenor, I have found out a better fence come and live -with me. This I very earnestly for our Utopia than Carlisle's plantation of viwish, and shall use every means to induce her, pers and rattlesnakes: it is-to surround it it but it does not appear so probable as I could a vacuum for you know, Grosvenor, this would desire. This I shall know in a short time and puzzlethephilosophersonthe other side, and if then you have not changed your intentions, we might see them making experiments on the you knov how gladly I should domesticate un- atmosphere, to the great annoyance of dogs, der the same roof w-ith you....xvwhom they would scientifically torture. Be" I think you would derive more, good from sides if e had any efactoy inmat, we might Epictetus than from studying yourself. The push him into the void. is a very proud independence in the Stoic phi-. h the journey and yet, oing ".... I hate the journey; and yet, going to losophy which has always much pleased me. London I may say with Quarles, You would find certain sentences in the Enchiridion which would occur to the mind when such "My journey' better than y journey's end.' maxims were w-anted, and operate as motives A little home, Grosvenor, near the sea, or in any besides, when you are examining yourself, you quiet country where there is water to bathe in, ought to have a certain standard whereby to and what should I wish for in this life? and how measure yourself; and, however far an old Stoic could I be so honorably or so happily employed may be from perfection, he is almost a god when as in writing? compared to the present race, who libel that na- " If Bonaparte should come before I look like ture which appeared with such exceeding luster Sir John Comyns! Oh, that fine chuckle-head at Athens, at Lacedaemon, and in Rome. I was made for the law! I am too old to have could send you to a better system than that of my skull molded. the bondsman Epictetus, where you would find..... Why not trtust the settled quietness to a better model on which to form your conduct. which my mind has arrived? It is wisdom to But the mind should have arrived at a certain avoid all violent emotions. I would not annistage to profit properly by that book which few hilate my feelings, but I would have them unhave attained: it should be cool and confirmed. der a most Spartan despotism. Grosvenor, In-.... God bless you! veni portum, spes et fortuna valete. "! ROBERT SOUTHIEY."' Tu quoque, si vis Lumine claro Cernere rectum, To Grosvenor C. Be(dford, Esq. Gaudia pelle, "Bath, Sept. 22, 1797. pemte tier, " Me voici then at Bath! And why had you Nee dolor adsit.' not your birth-day poem? In plain, downright, v I have laid up the advice of Boethius in my sincere sincerity, I totally forgot it, till on the i sincere sincerity, I totally IOot it, till on the heart, and prescribe it to you; so fare you well. morning of the 11th of September, when I found ROBERT SO IrEY." myself on Poole Heath, walking through desolation s* with that gloomy capability which my lat.on, with that gloomy capability vhich my The beautiful and affecting lines found in the nativity-caster marks as among the prominent n l next letter would have found a fitting place in features of my character. We left Burton yes-. Talfours "Final e il. Ir. Justice Talfourd's' Final Memorials"' of terday morning. The place was very quiet, Chales Lmb, here all the circumstances of and I was very comfortable, nor know I when Jto expect again so pleasant a sunm. We ive this domestic tragedy are detailed. I may here to expect again so pleasant a summer. We live add that they would have been sent to himn had in odd times, Grosvenor; and even in the best th h ____*__________they come into my hands prior to the publica* See antu, p. 23. tion of those most interesting volumes. ETAT.24. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 101 waste my time-an article I can but little afTo C. TW. VU. Wyngzn, Esq. ford to throw away. I have my law, which will'Bath, Nov. 20, 1797. soon occupy me fiom ten in the morning till " My Dr tER WYxN, feigrht in an office, excepting the dinner-time. ".... You will be surprised, perhaps, at My Joan of Arce takes up more time than you hearing that Cowper's poem does not at all would suppose, for I have had a mine of riches please me: you must have taken it up in some laid open to me in a library belonoing to the moment when your mind was predisposed to be Dissenters, and have been disturbing the spiders; pleased, and the first impression has remained add to this that I write now for the' Critical indeed, I think it not above mediocrity. I can Review,' and you will see that I can not afford not trace the author of the' Task' in one line. to keep levee days..... I keep a large copy I know that our tastes differ much in poetry. of my poems for you. They have sold uncomnand yet I think you must like these lines by monly well; 1000 were printed, and I hear 750 Charles Lamb. I believe you know his history, are already cone. The Joan of Are is scandaland the dreadful death of his mother. ously delayed at Bristol. I have had only five "' Thou shouldst have longer lived, and to the grave proofs in all, and this delay, as the book is wantHave peacefully gone down in full old aee; ed, is a serious loss. A print of the Maid will Thy children would have tended thy gray hairs. prefixed, solely for the sake of giving Robert We might have sat, as we have often done, gi By our fireside, and talked whole nights away, Hancock some employment, and making his Old time, old friends, and old events recalling, name known as an enraver. I have got a promWith many a circumstance of trivial note,.. a. ve gt a To memory dear, and of importance orown. ise of having him introduced to Alderman BoyHow shall we tell them in a stranger's earl dell, the great publisher of engravings; he is "' A wayward son ofttimes was I to thee: still at Bath, and I am in hopes I shall be the And yet, in all our little bickerings, essentially servin him. Domestic jars, there was I know not what n ni n Of tender feeling that were ill exchanged "You will be surprised to hear that I have For this world's chilling friendships, and their smiles been planning a charitable institution, which Familiar whom the heart calls strangers still. will, in all probability, be established. It was "A heavy lot hath he, most wretched man, planned with John May and Carlisle, and the Who lives the last of all his familyv! He looks around him, and his eye discerns outline is simply this: Many poor victims perThe face of the stranger; and his heart is sick. ish, after they have been healed at the hospitals, Clan of the world, what cast thou do for him? by returning to unwholesome air, scanty and bad Wealth is a burden which he could not bear; Mirth a strange crime, the which he dares not act; food, cold, and filth. We mean to employ them And generous wines no cordial to his soul. in a large arden for many persons may be useFor wounds like his, Christ is the only cure. Go, preach thou to him of a world to come, fully employed in some manner there. When Where fiiends shall meet and know each other's face; in good order, the produce of the garden will Say less than this, and say it to the winds.' 1, 1 Say less than this, and say it to the winds.' support the institution; in the long winter even"I am aware of the danger of studying sim- ings the people will be employed in making plicity of language; but you will find in my nets, baskets, or matting, and the women in blank verse a fullness of phrase when the sub- making sheeting-all things that will be wanted ject requires it; these lines may instance: at home, and for the overplus a ready sale will "'It was a goodly sight be had among the supporters of the ConvalesTo see the embattled pomp, as with the step cent Asylum. My name will not appear in the Of stateliness the barbed steeds came on; business: I leave the credit to lords and esuires. To see the pennons rolling their long waves the credit to lords and esquires. Before the gale; and banners broad and bright I will send you our printed plan as soon as it is Tossing their blazonry; and high-plumed chiefs, Six hours' labor is all that will be reready. Six hours' labor is all that will be reVidames, and seneschals, and castellans, Gay with their bucklers' gorgeous heraldry, quired from the strongest persons: for extra And silken surcoats on the buoyant wind work they will be paid; then they may leave Billowing.' the Asylum with some little money, and with God bless you! some useful knowledge. "Yours affectionately, " We are much pleased with this scheme, as "R. SOUTHEY." it will make every body useful whom it benefits: a man with one leg may make holes for A few days after the date of this letter, my cabbages with his wooden leg, and a fellow with father and mother again took up their abode in one arm follow and put in the plants. London; but the plan of occupying lodgings Would you were here to-morrow! we would conjointly with Mr. Bedford was not accom- keep holiday; but'tis very long since Christmas plished, chiefly on account of Charles Lloyd be- has been a festival with us. God bless you. ing still with them. From thence he writes to" Yours affectionately, his brother Thomas. R. SOUTHEY." To Thomas Sozuthey. My father remained in London only a very "London, Dec. 24, 1797. short time, when, finding it extremely prejudi" MY DEAR To.I) cial both to his own health and my mothers, he ".... I have also another motive for wish — ___ ing to liv out of the town to avoi the s s * le was at present engaged in revising Joan of Arc for a second edition, in which all that part which had been of acquaintances who buzz about me and sadly written by Mr. Coleridge was omitted. 102 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 24. determined to seek some other place of resl- sive for the future. A few months will deterrm dence, and went down to Bristol with that inten- ine all these uncertainties, and perhaps change tion. Soon afterward he writes to his friend, my views in life-or rather destroy them. This Mr. Wynn, in somewhat depressed spirits. is the first time that I have expressed the feelings that often will rise. Take no notice of them To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. when you write. "Bath, Wednesday, April 4, 1798. " God bless you. If nothing intervene, I shall " MY DEAR WYNN, see you in May. I wish, indeed, that month were I should have thought you would have liked over. Few men have ever more subdued their the Merida Inscription. It was designed for my feelings than myself, and yet I have more left Letters, but, on consideration, the point appears than are consistent with happiness. more applicable to our own country, and as one " Once more, God bless you. martyr is as good as another, Sahora Eulalia "Yours affectionately, must give place to old Latimer and Ridley. Its "ROBERT SOUTHEY." appearance in the Oracle makes me let out what I intended not to have told you till Christmas. I To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. then thought to have taken you into a house of "Bristol, May 5, 1798. my own, and shown you the chairs and tables "MY DEAR WYNN, into which I had transmuted bad verses. Imme- "... You have seen my brother in the Gadiately before I left town I agreed to furnish the zette, I suppose-mentioned honorably, and in Morning Post with occasional verses without a the wounded list. His wounds are slight, but signature.* My end in view was to settle in a his escape has been wonderful. The boatswain house as soon as possible, which this, with the came to know if they should board the enemy Reviewwould enable me at Christmas to do. I forward, and was told, by all means. Tom took told no person whatever but Edith. I signed the a pike and ran forward. He found them in great Inscription because I meant to insert it in my confusion, and, as he thought, only wanting a letters. Of all the rest Lord William is the only leader; he asked if they would follow him, and piece that bears the mark of the beast. I did not one poor fellow answered' Ay.' On this Tom tell you, because you would not like it now, and got into the French ship, followed, as he thought, it would have amused you at Christmas: Lord by the rest, but, in fact, only by this man. Just William's is certainly a good story, and will, as he had made good his footing, he received two when corrected, make the best of my ballads. I thrusts with a pike in his right thigh, and fell. am glad you like it. There is one other, which, They made a third thrust as he fell, which glanced if you have not seen, I will send you: it is ludi- from his shoulder blade, and took a small piece crous, in the Alonzo meter, called the' Ring't- of flesh out of his back. He fell between the two a true story, and, like the'Humorous Lieuten- ships, and this saved his life, for he caught a rope ant,'S it is not good for much, and yet one or two and regained the deck of the Mars.' * * stanzas may amuse you. I do not know whether it would be prudent in "I write this from Bath, where I was sum- Tom to accompany Lord Proby to Lisbon, as moned in consequence of my mother's state of Lord Bridport has sent him word that he would health. She is very ill, and I hope to remove her not forget him when he has served his time, and to Lisbon speedily. The climate would, I am offered him a berth on board his own ship. He certain, restore her, though I fear nothing else can. will use his own judgment, and probably, I think, "You call me lazy for not writing; is it not follow the fortunes of Butterfield, the first lieuthe same with you? Do you feel the same in- tenant. When I saw him so noticed by Butterclination for illing a folio sheet now, as when, in field, I felt, as he says of himself during the en-'90 and'91, we wrote to each other so fully and gagement,' something that I never felt before.' so frequently? The inclination is gone from me. I felt more proud of my brother when he received I have nothing to communicate-no new feelings ten pounds prize-money, and sent his mother half; -no new opinions. We move no longer in the and yet it gave me something like exultation that same circles, and no longer see things in the same he would now be respected by his acquaintance, point of view. I never now write a long letter though not for his best virtues. He is an excelto those who think with me: it is useless to ex- lent young man, and, moreover, a good seaman. press what they also feel; and as for reasoning God bless him, and you also. with those who differ fiom me, I have never seen" Yours affectionately, any good result from argument. I write not in R. SOUTHEY." the best of spirits; my mother's state of health depresses me-the more so, as I have to make her Among my father's college friends, and as cheerful. Edith is likewise very unwell; indeed, forming one of the enthusiastic party who were so declining as to make me somewhat apprehen- to have formed a " model republic" on the banks of the Susquehanna, has been mentioned George * For this he was to receive a guinea a week. A similar Burnett, who, of all the number, suffered most offer was made about this time by the editor of the Morn- p i p i ing Chronicle to Burns, and refused.permanently from having taken up those visionary t This ballad is called "King Charlemagne" in the later views. He had intended to enter the Church of editions of his poems._ _ $ This was probably one of his early poems, which was * This was in the engagement between the Mars and never republished. L'Hercule. .TAT. 24. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 103 England, and, had he not been tempted to quit tiful hedge of lilachs, laburnums, the Guelder the beaten track, would probably have become rose, Barbary shrubs, &c., &c. Edlith, you a steady, conscientious, and useful clergyman. would not wish a sweeter scene, and, being here, Carried away by the influence chiefly of my fa- I wish for nothing but you; half an hour's walk ther and Mr. Coleridge, he imbibed first their would reach the sea-shore. political and then their religious opinions; and "I had almost forgot one with whom I am thus, being led to abandon the intention with more intimate than any other part of the famwhich he had entered Oxford, he became so corn- ily, Rover-a noble dog, something of the spanpletely unsettled as to render his short life a se- iel, but huge as a mastiff and his black and ries of unsuccessful attempts in many professions. brindled hair curling close, almost like a lady's Much of this was, indeed, owing to the vacillat- wig. A very sympathizing dog, I assure you, ing character of his mind; but it was not the less, for he will not only shake hands, but, if I press through life, a subject of regret to my father, not his paw, return the pressure. Moreover, there unmixed with self-reproach. is excellent Nottingham ale, sent annually by At the present time he was minister to a Uni- Mr. Manning's son-in-law from Nottingham; tarian congregation at Yarmouth, whither my what my uncle would call'fine stuff,' such as father now went for a short visit, having the Robin Hood and his outlaws used to drink unadditional motive of seeing his brother Henry, der the greenwood tree. Robin Hood's bevwhom, some time previously, he had placed with erage! how could I choose but like it? It is Burnett as a private pupil. Through Burnett's sweet and strong-very strong: a little made means he was now introduced to William Tay- me feel this... The cows in this country have lor, of Norwich, with whose writings he was al- no horns; this, I think, a great improvement in ready acquainted, and toward whom he found the breed of horned cattle, and this kind is found himself immediately and strongly drawn by the more productive. Another peculiarity about similarity of their tastes and pursuits. This Yarmouth is the number of arches formed by meeting led to a correspondence (chiefly upon the jaw-bones of a whale: they trade much with literary subjects), which has been already given Greenland there. The old walls and old gates to the public, and to a friendship which would of the town are yet standing, the town is cerhave been a very close one, had there not, un- tainly a pleasing one. I left it, however, with happily, been a total want of sympathy between pleasure, to enjoy the society of Ormsby, and I the parties on the most important of all subjects shall leave Ormsby with pleasure for the society -William Taylor's religious opinions being of of Norwich. In short, every movement is agreethe most extravagant and rationalistic kind. This able, because it brings me homeward. difference my father felt much in later life, as his "Thursday. own religious feelings deepened and strengthen- We went yesterday in the morning to the ed, although he always entertained toward him ruins of Caister Castle, once the seat of Fasthe sincerest regard, and a great respect for his tolffe, where, after wasting a great part of his many good qualities. fortune in the French wars, and being defeated The other incidents of this visit may be gather- at Patay, and disgraced in consequence of his ed from the following letters, the latter of which, flight he retired to quarrel with his neighbors. if there is nothing particularly striking in the vers- The ruin is by no means fine, compared with ification, yet affords too pleasing a picture of his several I have seen, but all these things produce mind to be omitted. a pleasant effect upon the mind; and, besides, it is well, when I am writing about the man, to To AMrs. Southsy. have some knowledge of every thing knowable "May 29, 1798. respecting him. In the evening we returned.... "I am writing from Ormsby, the dwell- with William Taylor to Norwich. On the way ing-place of Mr. Manning, distant six miles from we left the chaise, and crossed a moor on foot, Yarmouth. We came here yesterday to dinner, in hopes of hearing the bittern cry. It was not and leave it to-morrow evening. I have begun till we were just quitting the moor that one of some blank verse to you and laid it aside, be- these birds thought proper to gratify us; then cause, if I do not tell you something about this he began, and presently we saw one, so that I place now, I shall not do it at all..... This re-entered the chaise highly satisfied..... God part of England looks as if Nature had wearied bless you. Your affectionate herself with adorning the rest with hill and dale, " ROBERT SOUTHEY." and squatted down here to rest herself. You must even suppose a very Dutch-looking Nature To Mrs. Southey. to have made it of such pancake flatness. An June 4,798 unpromising country, and yet, Edith, I could be " Edith, it ever was thy husband's wish, very haplpy with such a home as this. I am Since he hath known in what is happiness, To find some little home, some low retreat, looking through the window over green fields, Where the vain uproar of the worthless world as far as I can see-no great distance; the Might never reach his ear; and where, if chance i all grued up in siht of the ho, The tidings of its horrible strifes arrived, hedges are all grubbed up in sight of the house, They would endear retirement, as the blast which produces a very good effect. A few fine Of winter makes the sheltered traveler acacias hite-tornsand other tres re sct- Draw closer to the hearth-side, every nerve acacias, white-thorns,'and otro wte a. seat- S Awake to the warm comfort. Quietness tered about; a walk goes all round, with a beau- Should be his inmate there; and he would live 104 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF SETAT. 24. To thee, and to himself, and to our God. one of the happiest portions of my life. I havo To dwill in that foul city-to endure The commnon, hollow, cold, lip intercoursenever, before or since, produced so much poetry Of life; to walk abroad and never see in the same space of time. The smaller pieces Green field, or running brook, or setting sun! nW i it ldot wither up my faculties, were communicated by letter to Charles Lamb, Will it not wither up ny faculties, Like some poor myrtle that in the town air and had the advantage of his animadversions. I Pines on the parlor window? lwas then, also, in habits of the most frequent "Everywhere and familiar intercourse with Davy, then in the Nature is lovely: on the mountain height, flower and feshness ofhis youth. We ere Or where the imbosomed mountain glen displays Secure sublimity, or where around within an easy walk of each other, over solme The undulated surface gently slopes of the most beautiful ground in that beautiful With nmingled hill and valley: every where Nature is lovely; even in scenes like these, part of England. When I went to the PneuWVhere not a hillock breaks the unvaried plain, matic Institution, he had to tell me of some new The eye may find new charms that seeks delight. experiment or discovery, and of the views which "At eve I walk abroad; the setting sun e it opened for him; and when he came to WestHath softened with a calm and mellow hue The cool fresh air; below, a bright expanse bury, there was a fresh portion of Madoc' for The waters of the BroadP lie luminous. his hearing. Davy encouraged me with his I gaze around; the unbounded plain presents approbation during its progress; and the Ocean imensity, whose circling line hearty approbation during progress and the The bending heaven shuts in. So even here bag of nitrous oxyd with which he generally reIM{ethinks I could be well content to fix Methinks I could be well content to fixsc s aled me upon my visit to him was not required My sojourn; grow familiar with these scenes.. Till time and memory make them dear to me. for raising my spirits to the degree of settled fair, And wish no other home. and keeping them at that elevation." "There have been hours In addition to " Madoc," my father was at this When I have longed to mount the winged bark, time preparing for the press a second volume of And seek those better climes, where orange groves Breathe on the evening gale voluptuous joy. his minor poems, and a second edition of his And, Edith! though I heard from thee alone Letters from Spain and Portugal;" and he The pleasant accents of my native tongue, And saw no wonted countenance but thine, was also engaged in editing the first volume of I could be happy in the stranger's land, the' Annual Anthology," which was published P ^ossessingK alt in tlae. 0 hest heloved in Bristol in the course of the following year. Companion, firiend, and yet a dearer name I I trod those better climes a heartless thing, Other literary employments are mentioned in his Cintra's cool rocks, and where Arrabida letters, but Blackstone, and Coke upon Littleton, Lifts from the ocean its sublimer heights, Thine image wandered with me, and one wish seem to have been almost wholly thrown aside; Disturbed the deep delight. the study of the law was daily becoming more " Even now that wish, and more distasteful to him, and he was beginMaking short absence painful, still recurs. ning to find, that, however he might command The voice of friendship, that familiar voice, the full force ofhis From which in other scenes I daily heard his attention, and bring the full force of his nFirst greeting, poorly satisfies the heart. derstanding to bear upon the subject, the memAnd wantitg thee, thoush in best intercourse, S1uch as in tea y a n a best itercourse, ory was not to be controlled by the will; and Such as in after years remembrance oft Will love to dwell upon; yet when the sun that the time and trouble so employed, not being Goaes douwn, I sem his setting beams with joy, upon a "labor of love," was purely "' labor lost." And counlt again the allotted days, and thinklii The hour will soon arrive when I shall meet His mother was now residing with him, and The eager greeting of affection's eye, also the "Cousin Margaret" mentioned in the And hear the welcome of the voice I love. Autobiography. " What have I to tell you? Can you be in- To Thomas Southey. terested in the intercourse I have with people Martin Hall, Westbury, June 27, 1703. whose very names are new to you? On Sunday " MY DEARt TOes, I went to dine with Sir Lambert Blackwell... " Here we are, and you see have christened -Ie has a very pretty house, and the finest pic- the house properly, I assure you, as the martins ture I ever saw: it is St. Cecilia at the moment have colonized all round it, and doubly lucky mlst when the heads of her parents are brought in to the house be on which they so build and bemire. terrif her into an abandonmlent of Christianity. We hesitated between the appropriate names of I never saw a countenance so full of hope, and Rat Hall, Mouse Mansion, Vermin Villa, Cockresignation, and purity, and holy grief: it is by roach astle, Cobweb Cottage, and Spider Carlo Dolce. I have seen many fine pictures, Lodge; but, as we routed out the spiders, brushbut never one so perfect, so sublime, so interest- ed away the cobwebs, stopped the rat holes, and ing, irresistibly interesting, as this.... God blessfo no cockroaches, we bethought us of the you. Your ROBERT SOUTTIEY." animals without, and dubbed it Martin Hall. "I am sorry, Tom, you could not have seen Upon my father's return from this visit to Norfolk, he rejoined my mother at Bristol, and very No oject for resgret shortly afterward he took a small house at West- To me the present gives All cause fir full content. bury, a beautiful village about two miles distant All cause fr i cheerful noo L:~~~~~ n. The future? It is now the cheerful noon, from thence. Here they resided for twelve And on the sunny, smiling fields I gaze months. " This," he says, in one of the pref- With eyes alive to joy; vs t:cn.. ri When the dark night descends, aces to the collected edition of his poems, was I willingly shall close my weary lids In sure and certain hope to wake again." So they call the wide spread of a river in the fens. Minor Poems, Westbury, 1798. ETAT. 24. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 105 us settled; you would like the old house; and as many of my most valuable ones are lying in the view from the drawing-room and garden is London. I shall be very glad to get settled in delightful: we have turned to most notably. a house at London, where I may collect all my But once the house was an inn, or ale-house, so chattels together, and move on contentedly for we have had application to sell beer, and buy a some dozen years in my profession. You will stock of tobacco-pipes. Much has been done, find little difficulty either in Anacreon or in Hoand much is yet to do. The rooms are large, mer; the language will soon become familiar to the garden well stocked; we cut our own cab- you, and you will, I hope, apply yourself to it bages, live upon currant puddings, and shall soon with assiduity. I remember William Taylor be comfortably settled. promising to give you some instruction in Ger* * * * * * * man when you were well enough acquainted "I wish you had been here, you might have with the ancient languages to begin the modern been up to your eyes in dirt and rubbish. * * ones. I need not tell you how valuable such inWe have bespoke a cat-a great carroty cat." struction would be, or how gladly I should'avail myself of such an opportunity were it in my To H. H. Southey. power. It is of very great advantage to a young "Martin Hall, July 14, 1798. man to be a good linguist: he is more respected, " MY DEAR HARRY, and may be more useful; his sources of pleasure'" I thank you for your ode of Anacreon: the are increased; and, what in the present state of Greek meter in which you have translated it is the world is to be considered, in case of necescertainly the best that could be chosen, but per- sity, he has additional means of supporting himhaps the most difficult, as the accent should flow self. The languages, Harry-which I learned so easily that a bad reader may not be able to almost as an amusement-have considerably conspoil them. This is the case with your fourth tributed and do contribute to my support. and fifth lines: an old woman can't read them "You will send me your other translations out of the proper cadence. * * * * from Anacreon, and, in return, I will always I think this meter much improved to an English send you some piece which you had not before ear by sometimes ending a line with a long syl- seen. I wish you would sometimes, on a fine lable instead of a trochee. This you will see evening, walk out, and write as exact a deseripregularly done in the following translation from tion of the sunset, and the appearance of every the Spanish of Villegas. The original meter is thing around, as you can. You would find it a that of O9fe o teyEtv ArpetLaf, and the verses flow pleasant employment, and I can assure you it as harmoniously as those of Anacreon. would be a very useful one. I should like you "'The maidens thus address me: to send me some of these sketches; not of sunHow is it, Don Esteban, set only, but of any natural scene. If you have That you of love sing always, And never sing of war? Ossian at hand, you may see what I mean in the "'I answer thus the question, description of night by five Scotch bards. Your Ye bachelor* young damsels: neighborhood to the sea gives you opportunities of It is that men ale gly, seeing the finest effects of sunrise-fine weather, It is that you are fair. or storms; or you may contrast it with inland' "For what would it avail met views and forest scenery, of which I believe you'I'o singl' to drums and trumpets, w While marching sorely onward, will see much in Nottinghamshire. Encumbered by my shield?" Let me hear from you soon, and often, and "'Think you the tree of glory regularly. God bless you! Delights the common soldier; "Your affectionate brother, That tree so full of blossoms R o ffi That never bears a fruit? ROBERT SOUTHEY." "' Let him who gains in battles His glorious wounds, enjoy them; A few weeks spent in Herefordshire, and a Let him praise war who knows not pedestrian excursion into Wales, accompanied The happiness of peace. by his friend Mr. Danvers, were the chief variaL' I will not sing of soldiers, I will not sing of combats, tions in my father's life during this summer. In But only of the damsels- these journeys he found temporary relief from a My combats are with them.' state of ill health, which was beginning gradually * * * * * * * to creep over him, partly induced, probably, by * -' "' We are now tolerably settled at his ordinary sedentary habits, and intense mental Martin Hall. I have labored much in making application, and that anxiety about his " ways it comfortable, and comfortable it now is. Our and means" which necessarily followed him sitting-room is large, with three windows and through life, and of which he had already a full two recesses-once windows, but now converted share, from the various relations who were wholly into book-eases, with green baize hanging half or chiefly dependent on him. The two following way down the books, as in the College Green. letters were written during these excursions. The room is papered with cartridge paper, bordered with yellow vandykes edged with black. To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. I have a good many books, but not all I want; "Hereford, August 15, 1798. MY DEAR WYNN, * This is literal. The original is muchachas bachilleras MY DEi Wn, bachelor girls. You will; I think, be somewhat amused at H 106 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF GETAT. 24. this copy of a note from a West-country farmer's gan to doubt whether or no you were in the land daughter: it is genuine, I assure you: of the living. We have been a fortnight in this "Dear Miss, part of the world, part of the time at Dilwyn, "'The energy of the Races prompts me to assure you the orininal seat of the Tylers; and Shobdon that my request is forbidden; the idea of which I had awkwardly nourished, notwithstanding my propensity to was one of the places we visited. Our absence reserve. Mr. T. will be there; let me with confidence as- from home will not exceed a month, and though sure you that him and brothers will be very happy to meet you and brothers. Us girls can not go for reasons; the time has passed pleasantly, I shall not be the attention of the cows claims our assistance in the even- sorry to sit quietly down once more at Martin ing. Unalterably yours. IHall..... I have heard high commendation of Is it not admirable? you, somewhat in a roundabout way, from a "1 have seen myself Bedforized,* and it has Taunton lady, who writes to a friend of hers, been a subject of much amusement. Holcroft's' The gallant Southey for me.' Now, Tom, who likeness is admirably preserved. I know not the devil this Taunton damsel is, I could not find what poor Lamb has done to be croaking there. out, for the name was dropped by the way, so What I think the worst part of the anti-Jacobin you must guess if you can. abuse is the lumping together men of such op- My Letters* are in the press, and my volposite principles: this was stupid. We should ume will soon-it will include the' Vision.' I have all been welcoming the Director, not the have begun my English Eclogues, and written Theophilanthrope. The conductors of the Anti- two which I rather like. My Calendar also is Jacobin will have much to answer for in thus greatly advanced since you left us: it now exinflaming the animosities of this country. They tends to some 1400 lines, and much of the reare laboring to produce the deadly hatred of Irish mainder is planned out. I have learned to rise faction-perhaps to produce the same end. Such early when at home, and written two new books an address as you mention might probably be of of' Madoc' wholly, before any one else in the great use; that I could assist you in it is less house was up. certain. I do not feel myself at all calculated' Do you know that I have been caricatured for any thing that requires methodical reasoning; in the Anti-Jacobin Magazine, together with and though you and I should agree in the main Lloyd, Lamb, the Duke of Bedford, Fox, &c.. object of the pamphlet, our opinions are at root &c. The fellow has not, however, libeled mv different. The old systems of government I likeness, because he did not know it; so he think must fall; but in this country, the imme- clapped an ass's head on my shoulders. diate danger is on the other hand-from an un- " I have done a great deal in the planning constitutional and unlimited power. Burleigh way since I- have been in Herefordshire. You saw how a Parliament might be employed against would, I think, be pleased with the skeleton of a the people, and Montesquieu prophesied the fall long poem upon the destruction of the Dcm Danof English liberty when the Legislature should iel, of which the outline is almost completed; become corrupt. You will not agree with me when it will get further, I know not. I have in thinking his prophecy fulfilled. much on my hands: my Calendar will probably Violent men there undoubtedly are amongfill three volumes, and the more the work gets the Democrats, as they are always called, but is on, the better does it please me. there any one among them whom the ministeri- Edith has learned to ride; she thinks of enalists will allow to be moderate? The Anti- tering among the light horsewomen, and I hope Jacobin certainly speaks the sentiments of gov-to get her the rank of a corporella. ernment. " Did you hear of the glorious take in about Bo"Heywood's Hierarchie is a most lamentable naparte at Bristol? Oh, Tom, I saw the newspoem, but the notes are very amusing. I fancy paper boy pass by Martin Hall with a paper it is in most old libraries. I do not see any cap, inscribed Bonaparte taken! and the bells thing that promises well for ballads. There are rung Sunday, and all day Monday. Tuesday I some fine Arabic traditions that xwould make no- was at Cottle's when the mail was expected. ble poems. I was about to write one upon the The volunteers were ready to strike up, and two Garden of Irem; the city and garden still exist men kneeling on the church and post-office with in the deserts invisibly, and one man only has the flags ready to let fly. N.B.-It rained very seen them. This is the tradition, and I had hard. The four streets full of people, all assernmade it the ground-work of what I thought a bled to see the triumphal entry of the mail-coach, very fine story; but it seemed too great for a as it was to be crowned with laurels: you never poem of 300 or 400 lines. saw so total a blank as when all proved to tIe " 1 do not much like Don Carlos: it is by far false..... the worst of Schiller's plays. "I shall now do better one year than the last; "Yours affectionately, so, Tom, let us hope all things, for we have R. SOUTHEY." weathered worse times than we shall ever knovw, To Thomas Southey. again, I trust. God bless you. R. S." "Hereford, Aug. 29, 1798. To Mrs. Southey. " MY DEAR TOM, "Bwlch, Brecknockshire, Oct..4, 1798. "Your letter was very agreeable, for we be- " Without a map, ny dear Edith will know * This is explained in the next letter.* Letters from Spain and Portugal, I2d edit. 2ETAT. 25. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 107 nothing of the place I date from, and if she have well. Now for the Black Mountain and St. Daa map to refer to, very probably she may miss vid's." the name.... What have we seen? Woods, mountains, and mountain glens and streams. In To John May, Esq. those words are comprehended all imaginable "Westbury, Dec. 14,1798. "~ I..MY DEAR FRIEND, beauty. Sometimes we have been winding up e are RIE " We are enduring something like a inamtthe dingle side, and every minute catching thething like a *n * *1n.. t. schatkan winter here. I am obliged to take my stream below through the wood that half hid it, atkan winter here. I am obliged to take my alwas hearing its roar; then over montains, daily walk, and, though I go wrapped up in my always hearing its roar; then over mountains P, v~n.,) great-coat almost like a dancinc bear in hirsute where nothing was to be seen but hill and sky, t e a sides rent by the winter streams; some appearance, still the wind pierces me. We are their sides rent by the winter streams; some- very deficient in having no winter dress for such times a little tract of cultivation appeared up e some coomb-place, so lonely, so beautiful: they weather as this. I am busy upon the Grecian looked as though no tax-gatherer ever visited history, or rather, it s the employment o all them. I have loned to dwell in these solitary my leisure. The escape of my Pythoness* was them. I hv l t de i t sit in the early ages, and they, I believe, Nillsuit houses in a mountain vale, sheltered by the hills in the early ages, and the, I believe, wi' suit me best. I must have the Pythian games celeand the trees that grow finely round the houses; the vale rich by te soil swept down the hillsbrated; for the story, I have only invention to the vale rich by the soil swept down the hills; a. s m b r d,. rl trust to. The costume of Greece will be new a stream before the door, rolling over large,.-.~ CT.to the En-lish drama, owin(r to the defects of stones-pure water, so musical, too! and a child, i t t d might cross it; yet at wet seasons it must thun- our theaters; but I had rather get to some 1dr down a torrent. In such senes ther is a country and some people less known. Among der down a torrent. In such scenes thero is a t a t s ta h a * 1 -.. * * *.*. the many thoughts that have passed over my simpleness of sublimity fit to feed imagination mind upon this subject, have had the idea of Yesterd, at t w emind upon this subject, I have had the idea of... Yesterday, at two, we reached Brecon, a distance of eihteen miles. little but clean grounding stories upon the oppression exercised at different periods of time upon particular classale-house afforded us eight pennyworth of bread, eese, e and we d d fr Cric l, es of people; the Helots, for instance, the Albicheese, and ale, and we departed for Criclkhowel,,, s i a stage of thirteen more. A wvoman whom we genses, or the ews. The idea of a tragedy met, and of whom we asked the upon one of the early martyrs has for some years met, and of who we asked t he distance. meas- been among my crude plans; but it would not ured it by the'great inn' at Bwlch, on the way, bee a g c e it would not and we determined to halt there. Before we suit the sta, because it would not suit the times. There is something more noble in such got there heavy rain overtook us, and we were time Ter e i ohin oe noe in got, tipi a character than I can conceive in any other: wet the lower half when we reached the great firm to the decace of deat in aing ther * 1 1,.... *. / 1 1 firm to the defiance of death in avowing the inn at Bwlch, which is not quite so good as the I n n i memo rable ale-house at Tintern. However, we truth, and patient under all oppression, without memorable ale-house at Ttin'ern. Htowever, w enthusiasm, supported by the calm conviction have very good beds here; the cream was good, the c onv c and the tea excellent, that this is his duty. Among the HIelots, soicand the thve ate, drant, dried ourselves, and thing may be made of the infernal Crypteia; but So we have ate, drank, dried ourselves and n I am afraid to meddle with a Spartan; there i:;s grown comfortable; also we have had the pleasgrown comf; ao we he hd te p - neither feeling, thinking, nor speaking like one ure of the landlord's company, who, being some- who has been educated according to te s of what communicative and somewhat tipsy, gave o h n t us the history of himself and family.... I much owledge o f L onan nature e stnt like the appearance of the Welsh women: they kno ol f Laeedemonwan nature. The state have all a character in their countenances, an in- o sry g r o rn early period is better; the grievances of wz ard-. telligenee which is very pleasant. Their round, early period is better; the grievances of ward.. telgencwhich is very plessan. Their round, hip, and the situation of a fief or villan. Dranmshrewd, national physiognomy is certainly better ship, an th e sitation o a ie. early, b atists and novelists have ransacked early history, than that of the English peasantry, and we have as man crusaders on the stage a nd uniformly met with civility. There is none of 1 t euniformly met with civility. wicheh ei in the circulating library as ever sailed to Palesthe insolence and brutality which characterize our colliers andl milk-women. tine; but they only pay attention to the chronolour colliers and milk-women. 0ogy, and not to the manners or mind of the pe" At Merthyr we witnessed the very interest- rod * * * riod. * * * * * ing custom of strewing the graves. They arefctionately n ".. n., *; Yours affectionately; fenced round wath little white stones, and the earth in the coffin shape planted with herbs and flowers. and strewn with flowers. Two women With one brief extract referring to his health, were thus decorating a grave-the one a mid- I will conclude this chapter. It is from a letrile-aged woian, and much affected. This af- ter to William Taylor, of Norxw"ich, who had now fcted me a good deal; the custom is so congenial become one of his regular correspondcrts, and to one's heart; it prolongs the memory of the to whom he was in the habit of sumllitting many dead, and links the affictions to them... of his minor pieces for criticism as he wrote them. This part of Brecknockshire is most beautiful: "I was very glad to see your hand-writi.Lr the Usk rolling through a rich and cultivated again. I have been iuch indisposed, and nmy vale, and mountains rising on every side. We recovery, I fear, will be slow. My heart is affeel no fatigue, and I cret more comfortable every ay now our faces arc turned homeward. * MhIy father thad been urged by several friends to try his lay now our faces are tuorned homeward. hand at dranatic compositiotn; and this refers to one sf "God bless Syou my dear Edith. For:c- thh subjlcts oa whlcht he hat J;u:;ioe. d to write a p)ia,.. 108 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF STAT. 25. fected, and this at first alarmed me, because I expected work, but double work, because all excould not understand it; however, I am scien- tracts were to be translated. Well, that I did, tifically satisfied it is only a nervous affection. and by that time the end of the month catme Sedentary habits have injured my health; the round, and I am now busy upon English books prescription of exercise prevents me from pro- again. What with this and my weekly communiceeding with the work that interests me, and cations with Stuart,$ and my plaguy regimen of only allows time for the task labor, which is exercise, I have actually no time for any volunneither pleasant to look at nor to remember. tary employment. In a few days I hope to My leisure is quite destroyed: had it not been breathe a little in leisure. for this, I should, ere this, have sent you the re- "I am sorry it is low water with you, and mainder of my Eclogues.A that we can not set you afloat. We are heavily laden, and can, with hard work, barely keep.* — ^K~ — ~ above water. I have been obliged to borrow; by-and-by we shall do better; but we are just CHAPTER VI. now at the worst, and these vile taxes will take twenty pounds from me, at the least. RESIDENCE AT WESTBUOY -DORAMATIC P TLANS- "We had an odd circumstance happened to ILL HEALTH —GOES TO LONDON TO KSEEP THE IL' INN-HE EST OMADOC TO EEPTE us on Wednesday. Just as we were beginning TERM AT GRAY S INN —MADOC COMPLETED- breakfast, a well-dressed woman, in a silk gown ExCURSION INTO DEVONSHIRE —LETTERS FROM i r 1 L -r and muff; entered the room.' I am come to take THENCE —GOES AGAIN TO RESIDE AT BURTON a little breakfast,' said she. Down she laid her -SEVERE ILLNESS —RETURNS TO BRISTOL — muff, took a chair, and sat down by the fire. We THALABA —PROJECT OF ESTABLISHING BEGUIN- thought she was mad; but she looked so stupid, AGES —POE-M IN 11EXAMETERS, ON MOHAMMED, AGEs-P-OE IN EAETER,,ON MOAED that we soon found that was not the case. Sure COIMMiENCED-CONTINUED ILL HEALTH —MIAKES CO NCED-CONTINUED ILL HEALTH 1I S enough, breakfast she did. I was obliged once ARRANGEMIENTS FOR GOING TO LISBON. —1799, cmecmnof LBO1800. to go down and laugh. My mother and Edith behaved very well, but Margery could not come THE commencement of the year 1799 found into the room. When the good lady had done, my father still at Westbury, and still employed she rose, and asked what she had to pay.'Nothat some one or other of his many literary avoca- ing, ma'am,' said my mother.'Nothing! why, tions. I have not thought it needful to notice how is this?''I don't know how it is,' said my particularly the reception which his writings had mother, and smiled;'but so it is.'' What, don't hitherto met with from the public, because it was you keep a public?''No, indeed, ma'am;' so we not of that peculiarly marked character which ma- had half a hundred apologies, and the servant had terially influences an author's career. He had, a shilling. We had a good morning's laugh for however, been gradually "working his way up ourselves, and a good story for our friends, and the hill," and the booksellers were ready enough she had a very good breakfast. I wish you had to find him abundant periodical employment, been here. which, though it " frittered away his time," and "Harry is going to a Mr. Maurice, a gentlewas but indifferently remunerated, he still found man who takes only a few pupils, at Normanmore profitable than any other way in which he ston, near Lowestoff; Suffolk. You may, perhaps, could employ his pen. I can not but regret that know Lowestoff, as the more easterly point of the no list of his many contributions to magazines island. It is a very fortunate situation for him. and reviews, and other periodicals, during his "The frost has stopped the pump and the press. early life, can be found. Although the articles My letters are just done, but not yet published. themselves might not be worth preservation;still, Our bread has been so hard frozen, that no one could the number of them be added to the rest in the house except myself could cut it, and it of his works, especially taking into account his made my arm ache for the whole day. very numerous writings in the Annual and Quar- " I do not know where Lloyd is; it is a long terly Reviews, he would unquestionably be found time since I have heard from him. Indeed, my to have been one of the most voluminous writers own employments make me a vile correspondent. of any age or of any country. The following let- " The Old Woman of Berkeley cuts a very reters will give some idea of his untiring industry: spectable figure on horseback; and Beelzebub is so admirably done, that one would suppose he To Thomas Southey. had sat for the picture.t..... I know not how "Jan. 5, 1799. you exist this weather. My great-coat is a love" MY DEAR TOM, ly garment, my mother says; and, but for it, I " Ever since you left us have I been hurried should, I believe, be found on Durdham Down in from one job to another. You know I expected the shape of a great icicle. At home the wind a parcel of books when you went away. They comes in so cuttingly in the evenings, that I have came, and I had inunediately to kill off one de- taken to wear my Welsh wig, to the great imtachment; that was but just done, when down provement of my personal charms! Edith says came a bundle of French books, to be returned I may say that. with all possible speed. This was not only un- * Editor of the Morning Post. t This engraving was copied from the Nuremberg * Westbury, Dec. 27, 1758. Chronicle. JETAT. 25. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 109' I shall make a ballad upon the story of your his. The king's confessor intercedes for Pache shipmate the marine,* who kept the fifth com- co, but his execution is fixed for the day when mandment so well. By the help of the devil, it Inez is to be crowned. At the decisive mowill do; and there can be no harm in introducing ment, Leonora brings the children of Inez to inhim to the devil a little before his time. God tercede, and is successful. She refuses to marry bless you. Yours affectionately, the noble, and expresses her intention of enter" ROBERT SOUTHEY. ing a nunnery after her mother's death. "A happy new year." "This is a half plot-you see, capable of powerful scenes, but defective in general interTo C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. est, I fear. "Jan. 9, 1799. I have thought of a domestic story, founded " MY DEAR WYNN, on the persecution under Queen Mary. To this "As for the verses upon Mr. Pitt, I never my objection is, that I can not well conclude it wrote any. Possibly Lewis may have seen a without either burning my hero, or making the poem by Coleridge, which I have heard of, but queen die very a propos-which is cutting the have never seen-a dialogue between Blood, i knot, and not letting the catastrophe necessarily Fire, and Famine, or some such interlocutors.t arise from previous circumstances. However, Strangers are perpetually confounding us. the story pleases me, because I have a fine "My Eclogues, varying in subject, are yet Catholic woman and her confessor in it. too monotonous, in being all rather upon melan- "For feudal times, something may be made, choly subjects. perhaps, of a fief with a wicked lord, or of the " I have some play plots maturing in my head, wardship oppressions; but what will young Colbut none ripe. My wish is to make something man's play be? It may forestall me. better than love the main-spring; and I have " Then I have thought of Sparta, of the Crypone or two sketches, but all the plots seem rath- teia, and a Helot hero; but this would be interer calculated to produce one or two great scenes preted into sedition. Of Florida, and the cusrather than a general effect. My mind has been tomary sacrifice of the first-born male: in this turned too much to the epic, which admits a case, to have a European father, and an escape. longer action, and passes over the uninteresting Sebastian comes into my thoughts; and Beatrix parts. of Milan, accused by Orombello on the rack, and " The escape of the Pythoness with a young executed. A Welsh or English story would be Thessalian seems to afford most spectacle. If better; but, fix where I will, I will be well acyou have Diodorus Siculus at hand, and will re- quainted with country, manners, &c. God bless fer to lib. 16, p. 428: you may find all the story, you. You have these views as they float before for I know no more than the fact. me, and will be as little satisfied with any as "Pedro the Just pleases me best. This is myself. Helpme if you can. my outline: You know one of Inez's murderers "Yours affectionately, escaped-Pacheco. This man has, by light- "ROBERT SOUTHEY."' ning or in battle, lost his sight, and labors under the agony of remorse. The priest, to whom he To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. has confessed, enjoins him to say certain prayers "January 21, 1799. where he committed the murder. Thus disfig- "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, ured, he ran little danger of discovery; what he " You ask me why the devil rides on horsedid run enhanced their merits. A high reward back.+ The Prince of Darkness is a gentlehas been offered for Pacheco, and the confessor man, and that would be reason enough; but, sends somebody to inform against him and re- moreover, the history doth aver that he came on ceive it. horseback for the old woman, and rode before " Leonora, his daughter, comes to Coimbra to her, and that the color of the horse was black. demand justice. Her mother's little property Should I falsify the history, and make Apollyon has been seized by a neighboring noble, who a pedestrian? Besides, Grosvenor, Apollyon is trusts to the hatred Pedro bears the family, and cloven-footed; and I humbly conceive that a bitheir depressed state, for impunity. This, too, ped-and I never understood his dark majesty may partly proceed from Leonora having re- to be otherwise-that a biped, I say, would walk fused to be his mistress. A good scene may be clumsily upon cloven feet. Neither hath Apolmade when she sees the king, and he thinks she lyon wings, according to the best representais going to entreat for her father; but Pedro was tions; and, indeed, how should he? For, were inflexibly just, and he summons the nobleman. they of feathers, like the angels, they would be "Pacheco is thrown into prison. The noble- burned in the everlasting fire; and were they of man: irritated at the king, is still attached to leather, like a bat's, they would be shriveled. I Leonora. He is not a bad man, though a vio- conclude, therefore, that wings he hath not. Yet lent one. He offers to force the prison, deliver do we find, from sundry reputable authors and Pacheco, and retire into Castille, if she will be hr * The allusion here is to the illustration of my father's "pithy and profitable" ballad of the "Old Woman of * This man persuaded his father to murder his mother, Berkeley," which is referred to in the last letter but one. and then turned king's evidence, and brought his father to It seems that Mr. Bedford, whose humor on such subthe gallows. jeet.s tallied exactly with his own, had questioned the i "Fire, Famine, Slaughter," was the title of this poem. propriety of the portraiture. 110 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ZETAT. 25. divers histories, that he transporteth himself marriage, that the union with a woman of such from place to place with exceeding rapidity. known sentiments might divert suspicion. GilNow, as he cal not walk fast or fly, he must bert is a sincere but bigoted man, one of the old have some conveyance. Stage-coaches to the Reformers, ready to suffer death for his opinions, infernal regions there are none, though the road or to inflict it. Stephen, so violent in his hate be much frequented. Balloons would burst at of heresy as half to be ignorant of his own intersetting out, the air would be so rarefied with ested motives in seeking Walter's death. But the heat; but horses he may have of a particu- it is fiom delineating the progress of Walter's lir breed. mind that I expect success. At first he is rest" I am learned in Duemonology, and could say less and unhappy, dreading the sacrifices which more; but this sufficeth. I should advise you his principles require; the danger of his friend not to copy the ballad, because the volume will and his death excite an increasing enthusiasm; soon be finished. I expect to bring it with me the kindness of the priest, and Mary's love, overon Ash-Wednesday to town..... come him; he consents to temporize, and is ar"I am better, but they tell me that constant rested; then he settles into the suffering and exercise is indispensable, and that at my age, and steady courage of a Christian. To this I feel with my constitution, I must either throw off the equal, and long to be about it. I expect a good complaint now; or it will stick to me forever. effect from the evening hymn to be sung by Mary, Edith's health requires care: our medical friend and from the death of Gilbert. From the great dreads the effect of London upon both. When window, Mary and the Confessor see the promy time is out in our present house (at Midsum- cession to the stake, and hear the Te Deem; mer), we must go to the sea a while. I thought they turn away when the fire is kindled, and I was like a Scotch fir, and could grow any kneel together to pray for his soul; the light of where; but I am sadly altered, and my nerves the fire appears through the window, and Walare in a vile state. I am almost ashamed of my ter is described as performing the last office of own feelings; but they depend not upon volition. kindness to his martyred friend. You will perThese things throw a fog over the prospect of ceive that such a story can excite only good feellife. I can not see my way: it is time to be in ings; its main tendency will be to occasion charan office, but the confinement would be ruinous. ity toward each other's opinions. The story has You know not the alteration I feel. I could once the advantage of novelty. The only martyrdomhave slept with the seven sleepers without a mir- plays I know are mixed with much nonsense: acle; now the least sound wakes me, and with the best is Corneille's'Polyeucte:' in English we alarm. However, I am better.... God bless have two bad ones from Massinger and Dryden. you. When I see you I will tell you more; the little "Yours affectionately. thoughts for minute parts, which are almost too " R. SOUTHEY.: minute to relate formally in a letter. " I come to town the week after next again: To John May, Esq. the thought of the journey is more tolerable, as " Jan. 22, 1799. I expect relief from the exercise, for very great " MY DEAR FRIEND, exercise is necessary. I do not, and will not, " Since my last my dramatic ideas have been neglect my health, though it requires a very infermenting, and have now, perhaps, settled-at convenient attention. My medical guide tells least, among my various thoughts and outlines, me that, with my habits, the disorder must be there is one which pleases me, and with which flung off now, or it will adhere to me through Wynn seems well satisfied. I am not willing to life. God bless you. labor in vain, and before I begin I would con-" Yours affectionately, suit well with him and you, the only friends who " ROBET SOUTHEY." know my intention. The time chosen is the latter part of Queen Mary's reign; the characters My father's health still continued in a very -Sir Walter, a young convert to the Reforma- unsatisfactory state, although he was less alarmtion; Gilbert, the man who has converted him; ed about it himself than he had been a short time Stephen, the cousin of Sir Walter, and his heir previously. In reply to some anxious inquiries in default of issue, a bigoted Catholic; Mary, the from his friend William Taylor, who, with a sinbetrothed of Walter, an amiable Catholic; and gular misapprehension of his character, tells him her Confessor, a pious, excellent man. Gilbert that he has a " mimosa sensibility, an imaginais burned, and Walter, by his own enthusiasm, tion excessively accustomed to summon up trains and the bigotry and interested hopes of his cousin, of melancholy ideas, and marshal funeral procescondemned, but saved by the queen's death. The sions; a mind too fond by half, for its own comstory thus divides itself: 1. To the discovery of fort, of sighs and sadness, of pathetic emotion Walter's principles to Mary and the Confessor. and heart-rending woe;" he says: "Burnett has 2. The danger he runs by his attentions to the mistaken my complaint, and you have mistaken accused Gilbert. 3. Gilbert's death. 4. Wal- my disposition. I was apprehensive of some ter's arrest. 5. The death of the queen. In local complaint of the heart, but there is no danMary and her Confessor I design Catholics of the ger of its growing too hard, and the affection is most enlarged minds, sincere but tolerating, and merely nervous. The only consequence which earnest to save Walter, even to hastening his there is any reason to dread is, that it may totally SETAT. 25. ROBERT SOUTHEY. ]1 unfit me for the confinement of London and a me a visit. To-morrow must be given up to lawyer's office. I shall make the attempt some- writing for him, as he has had nothing since I what heartlessly, and discouraged by the prog- came to town. The more regularly these perinostics of my medical advisers. If my health odical works are done, the easier they are to do. suffer, I will abandon it at once. The world I have had no time since I left home-in fact, I swill be again before me, and the prospect suffi- can do nothing as it should be done any where ciently comfortable. I have no wants, and few else. wishes. Literary exertion is almost as neces- * * * - Do not suppose I sary to me as meat and drink, and, with an un- have forgotten to look out for a book for you; divided attention, I could do much. to-day I saw a set of Florian, which pleases me, "Once, indeed, I had a mimosa sensibility, unless a better can be found. - * * but it has long ago been rooted out. Five years Do you know that I am truly and actually learnago I counteracted Rousseau by dieting upon ing Dutch, to read Jacob Cats. You will, perGodwin and Epictetus: they did me some good, haps, be amused at a characteristic trait in that but time has done more. I have a dislike to all language: other people say, I pity; but the strong emotion, and avoid whatever could excite Dutch verb is, I pity myself." it. A book like Werter gives me now unmingled The two following letters were also written pain. In my own writings you may observe I during this absence from home. dwell rather upon what affects than what agitates." To Mrs. Southey. Notwithstanding the little encouragement my Brixton, May 9, 1799. father found to continuing the study of the law, " Your letter, my dear Edith, reached me not both from the state of his health, and the pecul- till late last evening, and it could hardly have iar inaptitude of his mind to retain its technicali- arrived more opportunely, for it was on my reties, even though, at the time of reading, it fully turn from a visit to Mr. -- that I found it. apprehended them, he still thought it right to We had dined there; B., and C., and I, with continue to keep his terms at Gray's Inn, and fourteen people, all of. whom were completely early in May went up to London for that pur- strange to me, and most of whom I hope and pose. Here his friends had now become numer- trust will remain so. There were some blockous, and he had to hurry from one to another heads there, one of whom chose to be exposed with so little cessation, that his visits there were by engaging in some classical and historical disalways a source of more fatigue than pleasure. putes with me; another gave as a toast General His great delight was the old book-stalls, and his Suwarrow, the man who massacred men, womchief anxiety to be at home again. en, and children for three successive days at " At last, my dear Edith," he writes the day Warsaw, who slew at Ockzakow thirty thousand after his arrival,' I sit down to write to you in persons in cold blood, and thirty thousand at Isquiet and with something like comfort...... mael. I was so astonished at hearing this deMy morning has been spent pleasantly, for it has mon's name as only to repeat it in the tone of been spent alone in the library; the hours so wonder; but, before I had time to think or to employed pass rapidly enough, but I grow more reply, C. turned to the man who gave the toast, and more home-sick, like a spoiled child. On and said he would not drink General Suwarrow, the 29th you may expect me. Term opens on and off we set, describing the man's actions till the 26th. After eating my third dinner, I can they gave up all defense, and asked for some drive to the mail, and thirteen shillings will be substituted name; and Carlisle changed him for well bestowed in bringing me home four-and- Count Rumford. It was a hateful day; the feltwenty hours earlier: it is not above sixpence lows would talk politics, of which they knew an hour, Edith, and I would gladly purchase an nothing. * * * hour at home now at a much higher price. * After being so put to the torture for five hours, * *, M'* *f a- your letter was doubly welcome. My stall-hunting, the great and only source of * * * * * my enjoyment in London, has been tolerably sue- G. Dyer is foraging for my Almanac, and cessful. I have picked up an epic poem in promises pieces from Mrs. Opie, Mr. Mott of French, on the Discovery of America, which Cambridge, and Miss Christall. I then went to will help out the notes of Madoc; another on Arch's, a pleasant place for half an hour's book the American Revolution, the Alaric, and an news: you know he purchased the edition of the Italian one, of which I do not know the subject, Lyrical Ballads: he told me he believed he for the title does not explain it; also I have got should lose by them, as they sold very heavily. Astraea, the whole romance, a new folio, almost.... My books sell very well. Other book news a load for a porter, and the print delightfully have I none, except, indeed, that John Thelwall small-fine winter evenings' work; and I have is writing an epic poem, and Samuel Rogers is had self-denial enough-admire me, Edith!-to also writing an epic poem; George Dyer, also, abstain from these books till my return, that I hath similar thoughts. * - * * may lose no time in ransacking the library. William Taylor has written to me from Nor"I met Stuart one day, luckily, as it saved wich, and sent me Bodmer's Noah, the book that I wanted to poke through and learn German by. * March 12, 1799. He tempts me to write upon the subject, and 112 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 25. take my seat with Milton and Klopstock; and of the press. I pray you to send me the old in my to-day's walk, so many noble thoughts for woman who was circularized, such a poem presented themselves, that I am half tempted, and have the Deluge floating in my brain with the Dom Daniel and the rest of my unborn family. As we went to dinner yesterday, a coachful of who saw her own back, whose head was like women drew up to the door at the moment we the title-page of a Jew's prayer-book, who was arrived there: it rained merrily, and Carlisle of- an emblem of eternity, the omikron of old womfered his umbrella; but the prim gentry were en. You will make a good ballad of this quaint somewhat rudely shy of him, and me too, for his tale: it is for subjects allied to humor or oddity hair was a little ragged, and I had not silk stock- that you possess most power. * * ings on. He made them ashamed of this at din- Find such subjects, and you will find pleasure ner. Never did you see any thing so hideous as in writing in proportion as you feel your own their dresses: they were pink muslin, with round strength. I will, at my first leisure, transcribe little white spots, waists ever so far down, and for you St. Anthony and the Devil. buttoned from the neck down to the end of the " The time of removal is so near at hand, that waist. * * * * * * I begin to wish every thing were settled and * * * * * * * $ over. This is a place which I leave with some Home Tooke's letter to the Income Commis- reluctance after taking root here for twenty-five sioners has amused me very much: he had stated years, and now our society is so infinitely his under sixty pounds a year; they said they mended. were not satisfied; and his reply begins by say- " Davy, the Pneumatic Institution experimenting he has much more reason to be dissatisfied alist, is a first-rate man, conversable on all subwith the smallness of his income than they have. jects, and learnable-from (which, by-the-by, is * * * * * * * as fine a Germanly compounded word as you' God bless you. may expect to see). I am going to breathe some "Yours affectionately, wonder-working gas, which excites all possible " ROBERT SOUTHEY." mental and muscular energy, and induces almost a delirium of pleasurable sensations without any My father was now, much to his regret, coi- subsequent dejection. pelled to quit his house at Westbury; and Bur- " * * * * * ton, in Hampshire, being the place which, next I was fortunate enough to meet Sharpe, of whom to Bristol, he had found in all respects best suit- you said so much, on the Sunday that I left Brixed to him, he went thither to look for a house, ton. I was with Johnson in the King's Bench and with some difficulty succeeded in procuring when he came in. I missed his name as he enone; but, not being able to obtain immediate tered, but was quite surprised at the novelty possession, the intervening time, after a short and good sense of all his remarks. He talked interval, was passed in an excursion into Devon- on many subjects, and on all with a strength and shire. Of these movements the following let- justness of thought which I have seldom heard: ters give an account: the meeting pleased me much. I wish much to see more of Sharpe; he seems a man whom it To Grosvenor Bedford, Esq. would be impossible not to profit by. He talked "Bristol, June 5,1799. of Combe, who is in the King's Bench. You " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, said that Combe wrote books which were not "Here is de koele June-we have a March known to be his. Sharpe mentioned as his, Lord wind howling, and a March fire burning: it is Lyttleton's Letters, many of Sterne's Letters, and diabolus diei. On my journey I learned one nEneas Anderson's Account of China. God bless piece of information, which you may profit by: you! Yours affectionately, that on Sunday nights they put the new horses "ROBERT SOUTHEY." into the mail always, because, as they carry no letters, an accident is of less consequence as to To Thomas Southey. the delay it occasions. This nearly broke our "Friday, July 1, 1799. necks, for we narrowly escaped an overturn; so " MY DEAR ToM, I travel no more on a Sunday night in the mail. "I write to you from Danvers's, where we "' * * * * * * * are and have been since we left Westbury. I I am the better for my journey, and inclined to have been to Biddlecombe's,* and surveyed attribute it to the greater quantity of wine I Southey Palace that is to be. We shall not get drank at Brixton than I had previously done; possession till Michaelmas. The place will be therefore I have supplied the place of ather by comfortable; the garden is large, but unstocked, the grape-juice, and supplied the place of the with a fish-pond and a pigeon-house. My mothtable-spoon by the cork-screw. I find printer's er is in the College Green. Edith and I are faith as bad as Punic faith. New types have going into Devonshire, first to the north coast been promised from London for some weeks, beend promised from London efor some weekssi * The name of a fiiend residing at Christ Church, and are not yet arrived; therefore I am still out Hampshire. ETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 113 Minehead, the Valley of Stones, and Ilfracombe, is a prospect most magnificent; on either hand, the wildest part of the country; perhaps we may the coombes and the river before the little village. cross over to the south on our way to Burton. I The beautiful little village, which, I am assured wish to see Lightfoot at Kingsbridge, and there by one who is familiar with Switzerland, resemwould be a likelihood of seeing you. bles a Swiss village-this alone would constitute "My miscellaneous volume, which is to be a view beautiful enough to repay the weariness christened Annual Poems, comes on rapidly; of a long journey; but, to complete it, there is they are now striking off the eleventh sheet. the blue and boundless sea, for the faint and fee"Yesterday I finished Madoc, thank God! ble line of the Welsh coast is only to be seen on and thoroughly to my own satisfaction; but I the right hand if the day be perfectly clear. Ashave resolved on one great, laborious, and rad- cending from Lynmouth up a road of serpentining ical alteration. It was my design to identify perpendicularity, you reach a lane which by a Madoc with Mango Capac, the legislator of slight descent leads to the Valley of Stones, a Peru: in this I have totally failed, therefore spot which, as one of the greatest wonders inMango Capac is to be the hero of another poem; deed in the West of England, would attract many and instead of carrying Madoc down the Mara- visitors if the roads were passable by carriages. non, I shall follow the more probable opinion, Imagine a narrow vale between two ridges of and land him in Florida: here, instead of the hills somewhat steep; the southern hill turfed; Peruvians, who have no striking manners for my the vale, which runs from east to west, covered poem, we get among the wild North American with huge stones and fragments of stones among Indians. On their customs and superstitions, the fern that fills it; the northern ridge comfacts must be grounded, and woven into the pletely bare, excoriated of all turf and all soil, work, spliced so neatly as not to betray the june- the very bones and skeleton of the earth; rock tion. These alterations I delay.... So much reclining upon rock, stone piled upon stone, a for Madoc: it is a great work done, and my huge and terrific mass. A palace of the Preadbrain is now ready to receive the Dom Daniel, amite kings, a city of the Anakim, must have apthe next labor in succession. Of the meter of peared so shapeless, and yet so like the ruins of this poem I have thought much, and my final what had been shaped after the waters of the resolution is to write it irregularly, without flood subsided. I ascended with some toil the rhymes: for this I could give you reasons in highest point; two large stones inclining on each plenty; but, as you can not lend me your ear, other formed a rude portal on the summit: here we will defer it till you hear the poem. This I sat down; a little level platform, about two work is intended for immediate publication. yards long, lay before me, and then the eye im" My first poems are going to press for a third mediately fell upon the sea, far, very far below. edition; by the time they are completed, I shall I never felt the sublimity of solitude before... probably have a second volume of the Annual " Of Beddoes you seem to entertain an erroPoems ready; and so I and the printers go mer- neous opinion. Beddoes is an experimentalist in rily on. cases where the ordinary remedies are notoriously "Oh, Tom! such a gas has Davy discovered, and fatally inefficacious. If you will read his the gaseous oxyd! Oh, Tom! I have had some; late book on consumption, you will see his opinit made me laugh and tingle in every toe and fin- ion upon this subject; and the book is calculated ger tip. Davy has actually invented a new pleas- to interest unscientific readers, and to be of use ure, for which language has no name. Oh, Tom! to them. The faculty dislike Beddoes, because I am going for more this evening; it makes one he is more able, and more successful, and more strong, and so happy! so gloriously happy! and celebrated than themselves, and because he lawithout any after-debility, but, instead of it, in- bors to reconcile the art of healing with common creased strength of mind and body. Oh, excel- sense, instead of all the parade of mystery with lent air-bag! Tom, I am sure the air in heaven which it is usually enveloped. Beddoes is a canmust be this wonder-working gas of delight! did man, trusting more to facts than reasonings. Yours, ROBERT SOUTHEY." I understand him when he talks to me, and, in case of illness, should rather trust myself to his To John May, Esq. experiments than be killed off secundem artenr, "Stowey, August, 1799. and in the ordinary course of practice. " MY DEAR FRIEND, " God bless you. " * * * * * * " Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." My walk to Ilfracombe led me through Lynmouth, the finest spot, except Cintra and the Ar- To Joseph Cottle. rabida, that I ever saw. Two rivers join at Lyn- "Exeter, Sept. 22, 1799. mouth. You probably know the hill streams of' MY DEAR COTTLE, Devonshire: each of these flows down a coombe, " You will, I hope, soon have a cargo to send rolling down over huge stones like a long water- me of your own (for the 2d vol. of the Antholofall; immediately at their junction they enter the gy), and some from Davy. If poor Mrs. Yearssea, and the rivers and the sea make but one ley were well, I should like much to have her sound of uproar. Of these coombes the one is name there.... As yet, I have only Colerichly wooded, the other runs between two high, ridge's pieces and my own, amounting, in the bare, stony hills. From the hill between the two whole, to some eighty or one hundred pages. 114 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 26. "Thalaba the Destroyer is progressive. There mon-place book printed, one wishes it to hold is a poem called'Gebir,' of which I know not more than half an hour's turning over, a little whether my review be yet printed (in the Crit- turtle soup and a little pine-apple; but one wants ical), but in that review you will find some of the a huge basin of broth and plenty of filberts... most exquisite poetry in the language. The I soon talked of Bampflylde, and Jackson rose poem is such as Gilbert, if he were only half, in my esteem, for he talked of him till I saw the as mad as he is, could have written. I would tears. I have copied one ode, in imitation of go a hundred miles to see the anonymous author. Gray's Alcaic, and nineteen sonnets. After I "My other hard work now is gutting the had done, Jackson required a promise that I libraries here, and laying in a good stock of notes i would communicate no copy, as he was goillr to and materials, arranged in a way that would do publish them. He read me the preface: it will honor to any old bachelor. Thalaba will be very tell you what a miraculous musician Bamptlyldo rich in notes...... was, and that he died insane; but it will not tell " There are some Johnobines in Exeter, with you Bampfylde's history. whom I have passed some pleasant days. It is " His wish was to live in solitude and write a the filthiest place in England: a gutter running play. From his former lodging near Chudley, down the middle of every street and lane. We often would he come to town in winter before leave it on Monday week, and I shall rejoice to Jackson was up-and Jackson is an early riser taste fresh air and feel settled. Exeter, how- -ungloved, open-breasted, with a pocket-full of ever, has the very best collection of books for music, and poems, to know how he liked them. sale of any place out of London; and that made His friends-plague on the word-his relations, by a man who some few years back was worth I mean, thought this was a sad life for a man of nothing: Dyer-not Woolmer, whose catalogue family, so they drove him to London.'Poor you shoxeed me. Dyer himself is a thinking, fellow!' said Jackson;'there did not live a extraordinary man. of liberal and extraordinary purer creature; and if they would have let him talents for his circumstances. I congratulate alone, he might have been alive now. In Lonvou on being out of bookselling: it did not suit don his feelings took a wrong course, and he you. Would that we authors had one bookseller paid the price of debauchery.' at our direction, instead of one bookseller direct- " His sixteen printed sonnets are dedicated to ing so many authors! Miss Palmer, now Lad$t Tnchiquin, a niece of Sir "My list of title-pages increases. I have Joshua Reynolds. Her he. was madly in love lately made up my mind to undertake one great with. Whether Sir J. opposed this match on historical work, the History of Portugal; but for account of Bampfylde's own irregularities in this, and for many other noble plans, I want un- London, or of the hereditary insanity, I know interrupted leisure time, wholly my own, and not not; but this was the commencement of his fittered away by little periodical employments. madness. On being refused admittance at Sir..., God bless you. Joshua's, he broke the windows, and was taken " Yours affectionately, to Newgate! Some weeks after, Jackson, on "ROBERT SOUT'IEY." knowing of what had passed, went to London, and inquired for Bampfylde. Lady B., his mothTo S. T. Coleridge. er, said she knew little of him; she had got him "Exeter, Oct. 3, 1799. out of Nelwgate; he was in some beggarly place. "Bonaparte was remarkably studious, and'Where?' In King Street, Holborn, she bemathematics his particular study. He associated lieved, but did not know the number. Away little, or not at all, with the other officers, and in went Jackson, and knocked at every door till he company was reserved and silent. This is Mrs. found the right. It was a miserable place. The Keenan's account, to whom I looked up with woman of the house was one of the worst class more respect, because the light of his counte- of women in London. She knew B. had no nance had shone upon her. Banfill tells me that money, and that he had been there three days the mathematical tutor of Bonaparte is in Exe- without food. Jackson found him with the levter-an emigrant. He says that he was an ex- ity of derangement-his shirt-collar black and cellent mathematician-in the military branch r1agged, his beard of two months' growth. Ho chiefly-and that he was always the great man, said he was come to breakfast, and turned to a always the first, always Bonaparte.... harpsichord in the room, literally, he said, to let " Jackson has taste to a certain extent.... B. gorge himself without being noticed. IHo His music I take for granted; his pictures are took him away, gave his mother a severe lecture, always well conceived, the creations of a man of and left him in decent lodgings and with a decent genius; but he can not execute; his trees are allowance, earnestly begging him to write. He like the rustic work in a porter's lodge, sea- never wrote. The next news was his confineweed landscapes, cavern drippings chiseled into ment, and Jackson never saw him more. Almost ramifications-cold, cramp, stiff, stony. I thank the last time they met, he showed him several him for his'Four Ages.' A man with a name poems; among others, a ballad on the murder may publish such a book; but when a book is — merely a lounging collection of scraps, the corn- * I might have hesitated in publishing this melancholy account of poor Bampfylde's private history, had it not already been related in the Autobiography of Sir Egerton * Author of " The Hurricane." Brydges. 2ETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 115 of David Rizzio.'Such a ballad!' said J. He killed in an action previous to your capturecame to J. to dinner, and was asked for copies. and, after all, it is a lie!'I burned them,' was the reply;'you did not "Five weeks were we at Exeter. I wrote seem to like them, and I wrote them to please to you, directing Torbay, and I walked round you, so I burned them.' After twenty years' Torbay. You cruised at an unlucky time. Howconfinement his senses returned, but he was dy- ever, if you have picked up a hundred pounds, I ing in a consumption. He was urged by his am glad we did not meet. We are in Hampapothecary to leave the house in Sloane Street, shire, and shall get into our palace on Wednesday where he was well treated, and go into Devon- next. You will direct as formerly-Burton, near shire.'Your Devonshire friends will be very Ringwood. So much hope had I of seeing you glad to see you.' He immediately hid his face. when I walked down to Dartmouth, and round'No, sir,' said he;'they who knew me what I by Brixham and the bay, that I put the Annual was, shall never see me what I am.' Anthology and the concluding books of Madoc in * * * * * X my knapsack for you. "Yours affectionately, R. S."' Our dwelling is now in a revolutionary state, and will, I hope, be comfortable. Small it is, and To S. T. Coleridge. somewhat quaint, but it will be clean; and there "Christ Church. [No date.] is a spare bed-room, and a fish-pond, and a gar* * * * * den, in which I mean to work wonders; and then "I went to the Chapter Coffee-house Club. my book-room is such a room, that, like the ChapA man read an essay upon the comparative evils ter House at Salisbury, it requires a column to of savage and civilized society; and he preferred support the roof. the first, because it had not the curses of govern- * * * * * ment and religion! He had never read Rousseau. "But you ought to have been taken, Tom; for What amused me was to find him mistaken in consider how much uneasiness has been thrown every fact he adduced respecting savage man- away; and here were we, on seeing your handners. I was going to attack him, but perceived writing, expecting a long and lamentable, true that a visitor was expected to be silent. They and particular, account of the loss of the Ville de elected me a member of one of these meetings, Paris, the lapelles, the new shirts books, and all which I declined..... the lieutenant paraphernalia; and then comes a " A friend of Wordsworth's has been uncom- pitiful account of a cruise, and c~100 prize-monmonly kind to me-Basil Montague. He offered ey, instead of all these adventures! me his assistance as a special pleader, and said, "There was my mother working itway to make if he could save me 100 guineas, it would give a new shirt, thinking you would come home shirthim more than 100 guineas' worth of pleasure. less, breechesless, all oil, one great flea-bite, and I did thank him, which was no easy matter; but able to talk Spanish. I have been told that I never thank any body for "I have no news to tell, except that we exa civility, and there are very few in this world pect Harry home for the Christmas holidays. who can understand silence. However, I do not Concerning my own employment, the Dom Danexpect to use his offer: his papers which he of- iel romance is rechristened, anabaptized Thalaba fered me to copy will be of high service. Tell the Destroyer, and the fifth book is begun; this Wordsworth this. I should like to show you.... God bless you. " I commit willful murder on my own intellect" Yours affectionately, by drudging at law, but trust the guilt is partly "ROBERT SOUTHEY." expiated by the candle-light hours allotted to Madoc. That poem advances very slowly. I My father had now, as he hoped, fairly settled am convinced that the best way of writing is to himself for a time. He had revolutionized two write rapidly, and correct at leisure. Madoc adjoining cottages into a dwelling-house, and, at would be a better poem if written in six months, some inconvenience, had got his books about him, than if six years were devoted to it. However, for already he had collected far more than were I am satisfied with what is done, and my outline easily either moved or accommodated, though for the whole is good.... far fewer than he either wished or required. In " God bless you. R. S." this respect, indeed, the old proverb of "a rolling stone" was wholly inapplicable to him, and To Thomas Sozthey. the number that accumulated made every new Sylph Brig. movement more troublesome and more expensive. "Burton, October 25, 1799. But he was not yet destined to find a " rest for " MY DEAR TOMI, the sole of his foot." Hardly was his new home "For these last three weeks you have been cleared from "the deal shavings and the brick'poor Tom,' and we have been lamenting the and mortar," than he was laid prostrate by secapture of the Sylph, and expecting a letter from vere illness-" so reduced by a nervous fever as you, dated'Ferrol.' The newspapers said you to be able neither to read nor write;" and, on had been captured and carried in there; and I partially recovering from this attack, the uneasy have written word to Lisbon, and my uncle was feelings about his heart, which he had before exto write to Jardine, at Corunna; and my mother perienced, returned with so much force as to has been frightened lest you should have been compel him at once to repair to Bristol for abler 116 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 26. advice than the retired neighborhood of Burton Vienna, and say something to him on my part afforded. From thence he writes to Mr. Bed- expressive of respect-of a wish one day to see ford and Mr. Coleridge: more of him. "But of these plans you shall know more To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. when they are more molded into form. In the " Kingsdown, Bristol, Dec. 21, 1799. mean time I must raise the supplies, and for this " Grosvenor, I think seriously of going abroad. purpose there is Thalaba. My expedition will Mly complaint, so I am told by the opinion of not be a ruinous one, and it shall be as econommany medical men, is wholly a diseased sensi- ical as it ought. I will at least return wiser, if bility (mind you, physical sensibility), disorder- not better. ing the functions, now of the heart, now of the " But now for more immediate affairs. The intestines, and gradually debilitating me. Cli- Anthology prospers. Send me something.- O mate is the obvious remedy. In my present for another parody, such as'The Rhedycinian state, to attempt to undergo the confinement of Barbers'-a ballad good as'The Circular Old legal application were actual suicide. I am anx- Woman.'* There is a poem called Gebir, writious to be well, and to attempt the profession: ten by God knows who, sold for a shilling: it much in it I shall never do: sometimes my prin- has miraculous beauties; and the Bishop of St. ciples stand in my way, sometimes the want of Giles's said the best poems in the Anthology readiness which I felt from the first-a want were by Mrs. Opie and George Dyer! and he which I always know in company, and never in writes reviews! solitude and silence. Howbeit, I will make the "I expect to see my brother Henry to-morattempt; but mark you, if by stage writing, or row, after twenty months' absence. He is now any other writing, I can acquire independence, sixteen, and promises much. If I go abroad. I I will not make the sacrifice of happiness it will shall make every effort to take him with me. inevitably cost me. I love the country, I love Tom is cruising, and, I think, likely to rise in study-devotedly I love it; but in legal studies his profession. it is only the subtlety of the mind that is exer- * * * * cised. However, I need not philippicize, and it "Yours, ever the same, is too late to veer about. In'96 I might have " ROBERT SOUTHEY." chosen physic, and succeeded in it. I caught at the first plank, and missed the great mast in my To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. reach; perhaps I may enable myself to swim by- "Bristol, Dec. 27, 1799. and-by. Grosvenor, I have nothing of what the "Geese were made to grow feathers, and world calls ambition. I never thought it possi- farmers' wives to pluck them. I suspect bookble that I could be a great lawyer; I should as sellers and authors were made with something soon expect to be the man in the moon. My of the like first cause. With Thalaba I must views were bounded-my hopes to an income make sure work and speedy, for abroad I must of ~500 a year, of which I could lay by half to go. Complaints of immediate danger I have effect my escape with. Possibly the stage may none, but increased and increasing nervous afexceed this..... I am not indolent; I loathe fections threaten much remote. I have rushes indolence; but, indeed, reading law is laborious of feeling nightly, like fainting or death, and inindolence-it is thrashing straw. I have read, ducd, I believe, wholly by the dread of them. and read, and read, but the devil a bit can I re- Even by day they menace me, and an effort of member. I have given all possible attention, and mind is required to dispel them..... So I must attempted to command volition. No! The eye go, and I will go. Now, then, the sooner the read, the lips pronounced, I understood and re- better. Some progress is made in the sixth read it; it was very clear; I remembered the book of Thalaba; my notes are ready for the page, the sentence; but close the book, and all whole-at least there is only the trouble of arwas gone! Were I an independent man, even ranging and seasoning them. If the bargain on less than I now possess, I should long since were made, it would be time to think of beginhave made the blessed bonfire, and rejoiced that ning to print, for the preliminaries are usually I was free and contented....... full of delays, and time with me is of importance. "I suffer a good deal from illness, and in a I must have the summer to travel in, and ought way hardly understandable by those in health. to be in Germany by the beginning of June. I start from sleep as if death had seized me. I Treat, therefore, with Longman, or any man, am sensible of every pulsation, and compelled to for me. attend to the motion of my heart till that atten- " The W.'st are at Clifton: if they saw the tion disturbs it. The pain in my side is, I think, probable advantages of a journey to Italy-of the lessened, nor do I at all think it was consump- possible reach to Constantinople, the Greek Isltion; organic affection it could not have been, ands, and Egypt-in a light as strong as I do, else it had been constant; and a heart disease they would, I think, wish to delay the new birth would not have been perceived there. I must of Lessing; but this is, on your part, a matter go abroad, and recruit under better skies. Not of feeling; and when I spoke of your joining us, to Lisbon: I will see something new, and some- -- thing better than the Porthiugnese. Ask Dusppa * There is no trace of this ballad to be found. Who can thig bttr tn te Potuu. Ask Duppa tell the history of this mysterious rotundity? See p. 112. about Italy, about Trieste, and the way th.rough t The Messrs. Wedgewood. ETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHE Y. 117 it was with the conviction that it was a vain appears to us under different points of view.. The wish, but it is a very earnest one. Together man in Xenophon blundered when he said he had we night do so much; and we could leave the two souls-my life for it he had twenty! God women for excursions-now into Hungary, now bless you. into Poland, and see the Turks. Zounds! who "Yours affectionately, knows but, like Sir John Maundeville, we might' ROBERT SOUTHEY." have gone where the devil's head is always above ground! Go I must, but it would be a great sat- To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. isfaction to have a companion..... "Jan. 8, 1800. But Lessing's life-and I half wish he had " M DEAR COLERIDGE, never lived-how long after the first of April "I have thought much, and talked much, and (an ominous day) will that confine you? Or, if advised much about Thalaba, and will endeavor you come here to do it, can not I raise mortar and to travel without publishing it; because 1 am in carry bricks to the edifice?.... For Stuart I no mood for running races, and because I like must make out another quarter. I have huge what is done to be done so well, that I am not drains, like the Pontic marshes-a leech hanging willing to let it go raggedly into the world. Six on every limb........... books are written, and the two first have under-' God bless you. gone their first correction. " Yours, R. SOUTHEY." " I have the whim of making aDarwinish note at the close of the poem, upon the effects proTo G. C. Bedford, Esq. duced in our globe by the destruction of the Dom "Bristol, Jan. 1, 1800. Daniel. Imprimis, the sudden falling in of the' We shall be very glad to see you, my dear sea's roots necessarily made the maelstrom; then Grosvenor, if you can come. There is a bed in the cold of the north is accounted for by the the house, and I am of necessity an idle man, water that rushed into the caverns putting out a and can show you all things worth seeing, and great part of the central fire; the sudden genget you a dose of the beatifying gas, which is a eration of steam shattered the southern and southpleasure worth the labor of a longer journey.. east continents into archipelagos of islands; also' I have often thought of the Chancery line. the boiling spring of Geyser has its source here.... -- did not seem to like it: he is am- -who knows what it did not occasion! bitious for me, and perhaps hardly understands "' Thomas Wedgewood has obtained a passhow utterly I am without that stimulus. I shall port to go to France. I shall attempt to do the write to him a serious letter about it. Do not same, but am not very anxious for success, as suppose that I feel burdened or uneasy; all I feel Italy seems certainly accessible, or at least Trieste is, that were I possessed of the same income in is. Is it quite impossible that you can go? Surely another way, I would never stir a finger to in- a life of Lessing may be as well written in Gercrease it in a way to which self-gratification was many as in England, and little time lost. I shall not the immediate motive, instead of self-interest. be ready to go as soon as you please: we should It is enough for all my wants, and just leaves just make a carriage-full, and you and I would motive enough not to be idle, that I may have to often make plenty of room by walking. You spare for my relatives. This, Grosvenor, I do can not begin Lessing before May, and you al-'eel; practically I know my own wants, and can low yourself ten months for the work. Well, we therefore speculate upon them securely. will be in Germany before June. At the towns' Come to Bristol, I pray and beseech you. where we make a halt of any time, something Winter as it is, I can show you some fine scenes may be done, and the actual traveling will not and some pleasant people. You shall see Davy, consune more than two months; thus three the young chemist, the young every thing, the months only will be lost, and it is worth this man least ostentatious, of first talent that I have price: we can return through France, and, in ever known; and you may experimentalize, if the interim, Italy offers a society almost as inyou like, and arrange my Anthology papers, teresting. Duppa will fortify me with all necand be as boyish as your heart can wish.... essary directions for traveling, &c.; and Moses-* and I can give you Laver for supper. O rare will be a very mock-bird as to languages: he Laver!.... shall talk German with you and me, Italian with " Perhaps the closest friendships will be found the servants, and English with his mother and among men of inferior intellect, for such most aunt; so the young Israelite will become learned completely accord with each other. There is without knowing how. scarcely any man with whom the whole of my "* *' * * * * being comes in contact; and thus with different Beddoes advertised, at least six weeks ago, cerpeople I exist another and yet the same. With tain cases of consumption treated in a cow-house,, for instance, the school-boy feelings re- and the press has been standing till now in exvive; I have no other associations in common pectation of-what think you? only waiting till with him. With some I am the moral and in- I the patients be cured! This is beginning to tellectual agent; with others I partake the daily print a book sooner than even I should venture. and hourly occurrences of life. You and I, when Davy is in the high career of experience, and we would see alike, must put on younger spec- * This appellation was given to Hartley Coleridge in cac'es. Whatever is most important in society, his Wfancy and childhood. 118 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iE'FAT. 26will soon new-christen (if the word be a chem- ing questions of the day. Mr. Rickman had, ical one) the calumniated azote. They have a however, been cast in somewhat the rougher new palsied patient, a complete case, certainly mold of the two, and was made of "sterner recovering by the use of the beatifying gas. stuff," and consequently sympathized less with " Perhaps, when you are at a pinch for a par- his friend in his " poetic fancies" than on other agraph,* you may manufacture an anti-minis- subjects; and, in now writing to urge him to terial one out of this passage in Bacon's Es- take up a subject in which he had always felt says: much interested, he commences by a recom"' You shall see a boldfellow many times do Mo- mendation which was acted upon fully to his hammed's miracle. Mohammed made the peo- satisfaction in after years. I quote the greater ple believe that he would call a hill to him, and part of this letter, that the reply to it may be from the top of it offer up his prayers for the ob- the better understood: servers of his law. The people assembled; Mo- " Poetry has its use and its place, and, like hammed called the hill to come to him again and some human superfluities, we should feel awkagain, and when the hill stood still, he was never ward without it; but when I have sometimes a bit abashed, but said, If the hill will not come considered, with some surprise, the facility with to Mohammed, Mohammed o ed will go to the hill. which you compose verse, I have always wishSo these men, when they have promised great ed to see that facility exerted to more useful purmatters and failed most shamefully, yet (if they pose. The objects I propose for your investigahave the perfection of boldness) they will but tion are, therefore, the employment and conscslight it over, make a turne, and no more quent amelioration of woman-kind, the conseadoe.' quences on the welfare of society, and some il"I am glad I copied the passage, for in so do- lustration of the possibility of these things. You ing I have found how to make this a fine inci- think it too good an alteration to be expecteddent in the poem.t and so do I, from virtue; but if the vanity of " Maracci's Refutation of the Koran, or, rather, any leading women could be interested, it might his preliminaries to it, have afforded me much become fashionable to promote certain establishamusement and much matter. I am qualified ments for this purpose, and then it might go in doctrinals to be a mufti. The old father down. Besides, the glory of the proposal will groups together all the Mohammedan miracles: remain; and if Mary Woolstonecroft had lived, some, he says, are nonsense; some he calls she would have recommended something liko lies; some are true, but then the devil did them; this to the world. Magnis tamzen excidit ausis! but there is one that tickled his fancy, and he Are you aware that female faternities exist (or says it must be true of some Christian saint, and did exist) in all the great towns of Holland and so stolen by the Turks. After thisi he gives, by Flanders, called Beguinages? Employment way of contrast, a specimen of Christian mira- enough would be found for females: I would cles, and chooses out St. Januarius's blood and take upon me to furnish you with an ample list. the Chapel of Loretto! God bless you. Any dry deductions on the head of political "ROBEaRT SOUTHEY." economy which might occur, I would also attempt in the service. This is my favorite study. It has already been mentioned that, during my and nothing could there operate more beneficialfather's residence at Burton, in HIampshire, he ly than an increased utility of the fair half of our had made the acquaintance of Mr. Rickman, at species. You like women better than I do. therethat time residing there. This had soon ripen- fore I think it likely that you may take as much ed into an intimacy, and a friendship and cor- trouble to benefit the sex, as I to benefit the respondence had now commenced which con- community by their means. For all this, I have tinned through life, Mr. Rickman being not only, been in love these ten years.... as Mr. Justice Talfourd well names him,' the "How do you and Bonaparte agree at pressturdiest of jovial companions," and, as Charles ent? I never liked the Corsican, and now he Lamb equally well describes him, "fullest of has given me new offense by his absurd misnomatter with least verbosity," but also a man of mers, which go to confound all the fixed ideas vast and varied practical knowledge upon almost of consuls, tribunes, and Senate.... all subjects, of the kindest heart, and unwearied "I begin to be almost tired of staying in this in offices of friendship. obscure place so long; I imagine I was born for Two men more different in most respects than better purposes than to vegetate at Christ Church. Mr. Rickman and my father could hardly be I.... I long to see you in prose; I think your found-and yet the points of agreement proved conscience would keep you careful, and your stronger than the points of difference-both were imagination make you rapid, and, consequently, pre-eminently straightforward men; and they easy and fluent, in composition. I suppose you had what is perhaps the closest bond of real are in the enjoyment of much enlightened sociefriendship-a high respect for each other's tal- ty at Bristol. I do not understand your taste ents, an admiration of each other's character, for retirement; no man's contemplation can be and a similarity of opinion on almost all the lead- so spirited as when encouraged by the information and applause of literary friends."*.... * For the Morning Post, to which Mr. C. was then a contributor. t See p. 119. 4 Fiaal Memorials of Charles Lamb, vol. ii., p. 206. * J. R. to. Q., Ja 00. ETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTIHEY. 119 bo Johnz Rickrman, Esq. the only men. Bonaparte has made mre Anti"Bristol, Jan. 9,1800. Gallican; and I remember Alfred, and the two ( The subject of your letter is important. I Bacons, and Hartley. and Milton, and Shakeshad considered it cursorily, for my mind has been peare, with more patriotic pride than ever. more occupied by the possible establishment of " The Beguines I had looked upon as a religa different state of society than by plans for im- ious establishment, and the only good one of its proving the present. To my undertaking the kind. When my brother was a prisoner at Brest. work you propose, I wish there were no obsta- the sick and wounded were attended by nuns, and cles, but a very important one exists in the na- these women had made themselves greatly belovture of my own powers. The compositions in ed and respected. I think they had been reguwhich I have indulged have encouraged rapidity larly professed, and were not of the lay order. of feeling, a sudden combination of ideas, but I think I see the whole importance of your specthey have been unfavorable to regular, deduction ulation. Mary Woolstonecroft was but beginand methodical arrangement. Another objec- ning to reason when she died; her volume is mere tion arises from my present plans....How- feeling, and its only possible effect to awaken a ever, I am impressed by your letter, and should few female minds more excitable than the commuch like to talk with you upon the subject, and mon run. The one you propose would go on map out the country before us. Have you not different grounds and enter into detail: the more leisure for a visit to Bristol?...my mind dwells upon it, the stronger interest it "Poetry does not wholly engross my attention; takes; I could work under your directions, and the history of Spanish and Portuguese literature would work willingly at least, if not well. Come. is a subject on which I design to bestow much I pray you, to Bristol; talk over the plan, and map labor, and in which much useful matter may be it out, and methodize my rambling intellect. I conveyed. But poetry is my province, and at will submit to any drilling that shall discipline it present no unimportant one; it makes its way to good purpose...... Farewell. where weightier books would not penetrate, and Yours, with respect and esteem, becomes a good mental manure." ROBERT SOUTHEY." "I shall be selfishly sorry if you leave Christ Church: the prospect of having you my neighbor The two following months were passed in lodgconsiderably influenced me in taking the Burton ings at Bristol, in a very unsettled state as to his House. However, if I recover my health, Lon- future movements. Meantime he was engaged don must be my place of residence; and you in editing another volume of the Annual Antholprobably will be drawn into that great vortex- ogy, in pursuing the composition of Thalaba with a place which you and I see with widely differ- unabated ardor, and in making various attempts ent eyes. Much as I enjoy society, rather than in English hexameters. In this measure he had purchase it by residing in that huge denatural- contemplated a "'long and important poem," Moized city, I would prefer dwelling on Poole Heath. hammed the subject, of the plan of which he thus Bristol allows of country enjoyments and magnif- speaks at this time in one of his published letters icent scenery, and an open sky view, for in Lon- to Mr. William Taylor, to whom he had sent a don you neither see earth, air, nor water, undis- portion for his criticism: " From Coleridge I am guised. We have men of talent here also, but promised the half, and we divided the book acthey are not gregarious-at least not regularly cording as the subject suited us; but I expect to so as in Norwich and London. I mingle among have nearly the whole work! His ardor is not them, and am in habits of intimacy with Davy, lasting, and the only inconvenience that his derby far the first in intellect: with him you would eliction can occasion will be that I shall write be much pleased..... Certainly this place has the poem in fragments, and have to seam them in my memory greatly advanced; ten years ago, together at the last. The action ends with the Bristol man was synonymous with Bcaotian in capture of Mecca; the mob of his wives are kept Greece, and now we are before any of the pro- out of sight, and only Mary, the Egyptian, invincial towns. troduced. Ali is of course my hero; and if you " The Corsican has offended me, and even his will recollect the prominent characters of Omar. turning out the Mamelukes will not atone for his and Abubeker, and Ilamza, you will see variety rascally constitution. The French are children, enough. Among the Koreish are Amrou and with the physical force of men; unworthy, and Caled. From Maracci's curious prolegomena to therefore incapable, of freedom. Once I had his Refutation of the Koran I have collected m1any hopes; the Jacobins might have done much, but obscure facts for the narrative. Still, however. the base of morality was wanting, and where though the plan is well formed and interestingr. could the corner-stone be laid? They have re- I fear it would not give the hexameters a fair tarded our progress for a century to come. Lit- chance. A more popular story, and one requirerature is suspected and discouraged; Method- ing not the elevation of thought and language ism, and the Catholic system of persecution and which this demands. would probably succeed betslavery, gaining ground. Our only hope is from ter; a sort of pastoral epic, which is one of amy more expeditions, and the duke commander; new boy-plans yet unexecuted."* disgrace and new taxes may bring the nation to A fragment only of "Mohammed" was ever their senses, as bleeding will tame a madman. Still, however, the English are the first people,* F. 3, l 3; 0. 120 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 26 written, which may be found in the latest edition ment. It would highly gratify me to see my of the Poems. uncle, and I have associations with Lisbon that My father's health still continuing in a most give me a friendship for the place-recollectunsatisfactory state, and change of climate being ed feelings and hopes, pleasures and anxieties both the prescription of his physician (Dr. Bed- -all now mellowed into remembrances that endoes) and the remedy in which he had himself dear the associated scenes. But that my uncle the greatest faith, he was very desirous of again should approve-that is, perhaps, little probable; visiting Lisbon, and had written to his uncle on a few weeks will decide; and if I do not go to the subject, whose residence there, and his own Portugal, I have no choice but Italy, for Madeira desire to collect materials for a History of Por- is a prison, and the voyage to the West Indies tugal, combined to fix his choice. To this, as of a terrifying length. This detestable war! if well as to other subjects of interest, he alludes they would make peace upon motives as light as in the following letter. they made. war, there would be cause enough, because I want to cross from Dover to Calais: it To John May, Esq. would save me some sea-sickness, and the wealth "Feb. 18, 1800. and blood of the nation into the bargain. " MY DEAR FRIEND) "I have busied myself in idleness already in Your last letter entered into an interesting the History of Portugal, and the interest which subject. A young man entering into the world I take in this employment will make me visit the is exposed to hourly danger-and what more field of Ourique, and the banks of Mondeyo, and important than to discover the best preservative? the grave of Inez. The Indian transactions are To have a friend dear enough, and respectable too much for an episode, and must be separateenough, to hold the place of a confessor, would ly related. The manners and literature of the assuredly be the best; and if the office of con- country should accompany the chronological orfessor could always be well filled, I would give der of events. I should disturb the spiders of up half the Reformation to restore it. In my the Necessidades, and leave no convent library moments of reverie I have sometimes imagined unransacked. Should Italy be my destination, myself such a character-the obscure instrument no definite object of research presents itself: the in promoting virtue and happiness; but it is ob- literature of that country is too vast a field to be vious that more evil than good results from the harvested by one laborer; the history split into power being, like other power, often in improper fifty channels; the petty broils of petty states hands. I have wandered from the subject. It infinitely perplexed, infinitely insignificant. is not likely I shall ever gain the confidence of " You have heard me mention Rickman as my brothers to the desired extent. Whatever one whose society was my great motive for takaffection they may feel for me, a sort of fear is ing the cottage at Burton. He is coning to mixed with it; I am more the object of their Bristol to assist me in an undertaking which he esteem than love: there has been no equality be- proposed and pressed upon me-an essay upon tween us; we have been rarely domesticated to- the state of women in society, and its possible gether, and when that has been the case, they amelioration by means, at first, of institutions have been accustomed, if they were faulty, to similar to the Flemish beguinages. You will understand my silent disapprobation.* No; feel an interest in this subject. I shall be little - will never intrust his feelings to me; and more than mason in this business, under the masas to precepts of warning, indeed, I doubt their ter architect. Rickman is a man of uncommon propriety; I doubt lest, from the strange per- talents and knowledge, and political economy verting power of the mind, they should be made has been his favorite study: all calculations and to minister to temptation. Indirect admonition, facts requiring this knowledge he will execute. example-are not these better means? Feel- The part intended to impress upon the reader ings almost romantically refined were my pres- the necessity of alleviating the evil which he sees ervation, and with these I amalgamated after- enforced, will be mine, for Rickman would write ward an almost stoical morality. * * too strictly and too closely for the public taste.''My health fluctuates, and the necessity of You probably know the nature of the beguinages: changing climate is sadly and sufficiently ob- they were female fraternities, where the memvious, lest, though my disease should prove of bers were engaged in some useful employments, no serious danger, the worst habits of hypochon- and bound by no religious obligations. The obdriasm fasten upon me and palsy all intellectual ject is to provide for the numerous class of wompower. I look with anxiety for my uncle's let- en who want employment the means of respectter, and think so much of Lisbon that to abandon able independence, by restoring to them those the thought would be a considerable disappoint- branches of business which the men have mischievously usurped, or monopolized, when they * In later life, in his intercourse with his children, to, or, w whom he was indeed "the father, teacher, playmate," his ought only to have shared. own beautifully expressed wish was fully realized: " O! what a country might this England be" And should my youth, as youth is apt, I know, come, did its government but wisely direct the Some harshness show, All vain asperities I day by day strength, and wealth, and activity of the people Would wear away, Every profession, every trade is overstocked; Till the smooth temper of my age should be there are more adventurers in each than possibly Like the high leaves upon the holly-tree." The Holly Tree: Poems, p. 129. can find employment; hence poverty and crime. JETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 121 Do not misunderstand me as asserting this to be any circumstance with so much emotion as to the sole cause, but it is the most frequent one. hearing again the brook which runs by my unA system of colonization, that should offer an cle's door. I never beheld a spot that invited to outlet for the superfluous activity of the country, so deep tranquillity. My purposed employments would convert this into a cause of general good; you know. The History will be a great and and the blessings of civilization might be extend- serious work, and I shall labor at preparing the ed over the deserts that, to the disgrace of man, materials assiduously. The various journeys occupy so great a part of the world! Assured- necessary in that pursuit will fill a journal, and ly, poverty and the dread of poverty are the great grow into a saleable volume. On this I calcusources of guilt..... That country can not be late: this is a harvest which may be expected; well regulated where marriage is imprudence, perhaps, also, a few mushrooms may spring up. where children are a burden and a misfortune. If peace will permit me, I shall return along A very, very small portion of this evil our plan, the south of Spain and over the Pyrenees. Edith if established, will remove; but of great magni- little likes her expedition. She wants a female tude if separately considered. I am not very companion; but this can not be had, and she sanguine in my expectations of success, but I must learn to be contented without one; morewill do my best in examining the evil and pro- over, there is at Lisbon a lady of her own age, posing a remedy. God bless you! for whom I have a considerable regard, and who "Yours affectionately, will not be sorry to see once more an acquaint" ROBERT SOUTIIEY.:" ance with more brains than a calf. She will be our neighbor. My uncle, also, is a man for In the course of the following month a letter whom it is impossible not to feel affection. I from his uncle reached him, cordially approving wish we were there: the journey is troublesome, of his wish to try the effect of Lisbon air, and and the voyage shockingly unpleasant, from sickurging him to leave England as soon as possible. ness and the constant feeling of insecurity; howHis arrangements were quickly completed, and ever, if we have but mild weather, I shall not be in the following letter to Mr. Coleridge he pro- displeased at one more lesson in sea scenery. vides against all possible contingencies: * * * * * "I should willingly have seen Moses again: To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. when I return he will be a new being, and I " Bristol, April 1, 1800. shall not find the queer boy whom I have been MY DEARz COLERIDGE, remembering. God bless him! We are all "The day of our departure is now definitely changing: one wishes, sometimes, that God had fixed. We leave Bristol next week, on Thurs- bestowed upon us something of his immutability. day. I do not wish to see you before we go; Age, infirmities, blunted feelings, blunted intelthe time is too short, and, moreover, the company lect, these are but comfortless expectancies! but of a friend who is soon to be left for a long ab- we shall be boys again in the next world. senee is not desirable. A few words upon busi- " Coleridge, write often to me. As you must ness. For the Third Anthology Davy and Dan- pay English postage, write upon large paper; vers will be my delegates: should you be in as I must pay Portuguese by weight, let it be Bristol, of course the plenipotentiaryship is vest- thin. MIy direction need only be, with the Rev. ed in you. The Chatterton subscription will not Herbert Hill, Lisbon; he has taken a house for fill in less than twelve months: if illness or aught us. We shall thus govern ourselves, and the more cogent detain me beyond that period, I pray plea of illness will guarantee me from cards, you to let that duty devolve upon you; there will and company, and ball-rooms! No! no! I do be nothing but the task of arrangement. Dan- not wear my old cocked hat again! it can not, vers has a copy of Madoc. The written books certainly, fit me now. of Thalaba will be left with Wynn. A man, "I take with me for the voyage your poems, when he goes abroad, should make his will; and the Lyrics, the Lyrical Ballads, and Gebir; and, this is all my wealth: be my executor in case I except a few books designed for presents, these am summoned upon the grand tour of the uni- make all my library. I like Gebir more and verse, and do with them, and with whatever you more. If you ever meet its author, tell him I may find of mine, what may be most advanta- took it with me on a voyage. geous for Edith, for my brothers Henry and Ed- * * * ward, and for my mother.'' God bless you! "There is not much danger in a voyage to "Yours affectionately, Lisbon; my illness threatens little, and faith will "R. S." probably render the proposed remedy efficacious. In Portugal I shall have but little society; with the English there I have no common feeling. CHAPTER VII. Of course, I shall enjoy enough leisure for all LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL. my employments. My uncle has a good library, and I shall not find retirement irksome. VOYAGE AND ARRIVAL-VISITS-ANECDOTES —-- " Our summer will probably be passed at Cin- DESCRIPTION OF LISBON-ROMISH CUSTOMS — tra, a place which may be deemed a cool para- DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY, PROCESSIONS, dise in that climate. I do -not look forward to ETC.-ACCOUNT OF A BULL-FIGiRT-PROPGO$Fe I 122 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ZETAT. 26. MONtUIENT TO FIELDING-TI-IALABA FINISIED we were before the wind, and my poor inside, — LETTERS FROMI CINTRA —LENT PLAYS- being obliged to shift every moment with the WINE-LAWS-MONASTIC SUPERSTITIONS-BAD center of gravity, was soon in a state of insurr.OADS-ADVICE TO HIS BROTHER HENRY AS TO rection. There is a pleasure in extracting matlms STUDIES-ATTACHMENT TO CINTRA-AC- ter of jest from discomfort and bodily pain; a COUNT OF SIAFRA; ITS CHURCII, CONVENT, AND wholesome habit if it extends no further, but a LIBRAR Y-PESTILENCE AT CADIZ-DESCRIP- deadly one if it be encouraged when the heart is TION OF CINTRA; SCENERY, ETC.-DIRECTIONS sore. I lay in my berth, which always reminded FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THALABA-PROJECT- me of a coffin whenever I got into it, and, when ED HISTORY OF PORTUGAL-EXCURSION TO any one come near me with1 inquiries, uttered COSTA-FISIERMEN -IM[AGE BY THE ROAD some quaint phrase or crooked pun in answer, SIDE-JOURNEY TO POMBAL-TORRES VEDRAS, and grunted in unison with the intestinal grumETC.-ENGLISH POLITICS-THALABA-M ADOC bling which might have answered for me. — EHAIMA-PROBABLE INVASION OF PORTUGAI, * ^ * * * * We saw the -ACCOUNT OF JOURNEY TO FARO. —1800, Berlings, on Tuesday night; on Wednesday, 1801. Edith and I went on deck at five o'clock: we were off the rock, and the sun seemed to rest MY father had at one time intended to publish upon it for a moment as he rose behind. Mafra a second volume of "Letters from Spain and was visible; presently we began to distinguish Portugal;" and, among some fragmentary prep- the heights of Cintra and the Penha Convent. arations for these, I find a description of his em- The wind blew fresh, and we were near enoughl barkation and voyage, with which the following the shore to see the silver dust of the breakers, series of letters may be fitly prefaced. They are and the sea-birds sporting over them in flocks. so complete in themselves as to render any re- A pilot-boat came off to us: its great sail seemed marks on my part needless. to be as unmanageable as an umbrella in a storm sometimes it was dipped half over in the water. " MY DEAR T., and it flapped all ways, like a woman's petticoat " I parted from you at Liskeard with a heavy in a high wind. We passed the church and lightheart. The thought of seeing you upon the way house of Nossa Senhora de Guiat, the Convent vwas a pleasure to look on to when we took our of St. Antonio with a few trees behind it, and tho departure from Bristol; but, having left you, we town of Cascaes. Houses were now scattered in had taken leave of the last friend before our voy- clusters all along the shore. The want of trees age. Falmouth was not a place to exhilarate in the landscape was scarcely perceived, so dous: we were in the room where I met poor Lov- lightful was the sight of land, and so cheerful el on my former journey; he was the last person does every thing look under a southern sun. with whom I shook hands in England as I was "Our fellow-traveler was much amused by tho stepping into the boat to embark, and the first numerous wind-mills which stood in reg-iments news on my return, when, within three hours, I upon all the hills. A large building he supposed expected to have been welcomed by him, was, that to be an inn, and could see the sign and the great he was in his grave. Few persons bear about with them a more continual feeling of the un- * Some rocks on the coast of Portugal. certainty of life, its changes and its chances, than t I find some verses upon this light-house, translated I do. Well! well! I bear with me the faith also, trom Vieira the painter, which were intended to go in that though we should never meet again in this "nox was the time, when in the skies, world, we shall all meet in a better. Night should have shown her starry eyes; " Thanks to the zephyrs, Capt. Yescombe was But those bright orbs above were shrouded, And heaven was dark and over-clouded. yet in the harbor. I went on board, chose our And now the beacon we espied, berths, passed the custom-house, and then en- Our blessed Lady of the Guide; And there, propitious, rose her light, deavored to make poor Time as easy as he could d he never-faiing star of n ight. be upon the rack of expectation. Six days we The seaman, on his weary way, watched the weather-cock, and sighed for north- Beholds with joy that savig ray, And steers his vessel, from afair, easterns. I walked on the beach, caught soldier- In safety o'er the dangerous bar. crabs, and loitered to admire the sea-anemones A holy impulse of delight Possess'd us at that well-known sight; in their ever-varying shapes of beauty; read And, in one feeling all allied, Gebir, and wrote half a book of Thalaba. There We blessed Our Lady of the Guide. was a sight on the Monday, but the rain kept An tarofd ther tea oll n heara t ad tong e; me within doors: six boys ate pap for a hat, and And, on the dark and silent sea, six men jumped in sacks for a similar prize; in Chanted Our Lady's Liltany." insaksfo a si r pri sFrom a letter to Lieut. Southey, July 11, 1808. the evening there was an assembly, and the best The reader m perhaps be rem ed of Sir n ~.,, " *, The reader may perhaps be reminded of Sir Vv'alue dancer was a man with a wooden leg. A short Scott's beautiful impromptu on a similar subject: account of six days; if, however, I were to add "PHAROS loquitur. the bill, you would find it a long one! "Far in the bosom of the deep, We embarked at four on Thursday afternoon. O'er these wild shelves my watch I keep, A ruddy gem of changeful light, As we sailed out of the harbor, the ships there Bound on the dusky brow of Night; and the shore seemed to swim before my sight The seman bids my luster hail like avi. ion.. windsM and fav; bt And scorns to strike his timoro"l.'sil." like a vision. Li.ght s.wnds and hfavorable; but' LockartC s Life of At, I. iV,'. p. 1I'. SETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 123 gateway for the stage-coaches: the glass enabled ing round as about to attack our comrade vessel. him to find out that it was a convent door, with She was English, however, manned chiefly from a cross before it. An absence of four years had Guernsey, and this explained her Frenchified lanfreshened every object to my own sight, and per- guage. You will easily imagine that my sensahaps there is even a greater delight in recollect- tions at the ending of the business were very deing these things than in first beholding them, It finable-one honest, simple joy that I was in a is not possible to conceive a more magnificent whole skin! I laid the musket in the chest with scene than the entrance of the Tagus, and the considerable more pleasure than I took it out. I gradual appearance of the beautiful city upon its am glad this took place; it has shown me what banks. it is to prepare for action. "The Portuguese say of their capital, "Four years' absence from Lisbon have given Quem naeO ha visto Lisboa every thing the varnish of novelty, and this, with Nao ha visto cousa boa.' the revival of old associations, makes me pleased' He who has not seen Lisbon has not seen a fine with every thing. Poor Manuel, too, is as hapthing.' py as man can be to see me once more; here "It is indeed a sight, exceeding all it has ever he stands at breakfast, and talks of his meeting been my fortune to behold in beauty, and rich- me at Villa Franca, and what we saw at this ness, and grandeur: Convents and Quintas, gray place and at that, and hopes that whenever I go "olive-yards, green orange-groves, and greener into the country he may go with me. It even vineyards; the shore more populous every meo- amused me to renew my acquaintance with the ment as we advanced, and finer buildings open- fleas, who opened the campaign immediately on ing upon us; the river, bright as the blue sky the arrival of a foreigner. We landed yesterday which illuminated it, swarming with boats of ev- about ten in the morning, and took possession of cry size and shape, with sails of every imagina- our house the same night. Our house is very ble variety; innumerable ships riding at anchor small, and thoroughly Portuguese; little rooms far as the eye could reach, and the city extend- all doors and windows-odd, but well calculated ing along the shore, and covering the hills to the for coolness. From one window we have a most furthest point of sight." m.agnificent view over the river-Almada Hill, and the opposite shore of Alentejo, bounded by To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. hills about the half mountain height of Malvern. "Lisbon, May-day, 1800. "Here, then, we are, thank God! alive, and "To-day is a busy day; we are arranging recovering from dreadful sickness. I never suf- away our things, and seeing visitors: these visfered so much at sea, and Edith was worse than its must all be returned; there ends the ceremoI was. We scarcely ate or slept at all; but the ny, and then I may choose retirement. I hurry passage was very fine and short; five days and over my letters for the sake of feeling at leisure a half brought us to our port, with light winds to begin my employments. The voyage deprivthe whole of the way. The way was not, how- ing me of all rest, and leaving me too giddy to ever, without alarm. On Monday morning, be- sleep well, will, with the help of the fleas, break tween five and six, the captain was awakened me in well for early rising. The work before with tidings that a cutter was bearing down upon me is almost of terrifying labor: folio after folio us, with English colors, indeed, but apparently to be gutted, for the immense mass of collateral a French vessel; we made a signal, which was knowledge which is indispensable; but I have not answered; we fired a gun, she did the same, leisure and inclination. and preparations were made for action. We had "Edith, who has been looking half her time another Lisbon packet in company, mounting six out of the window, has just seen'really a decentguns; our own force was ten; the cutter was a looking woman;' this will show you what cattle match, and more, for both, but we did not ex- the passers-by must be. She has found out that pect to be taken. You may imagine Edith's ter- there are no middle-aged women here, and it is ror, awakened on a sick bed-disturbed I should true; like their climate, it is only summer and have said-with these tidings! The captain ad- winter. Their heavy cloaks of thick woolen, vised me to surround her with mattresses in the like horsemen's coats in England, amuse her in cabin; but she would not believe herself in safe- this weather, as much as her clear muslin would ty there, and I lodged her in the cock-pit, and amuse them in an English winter. * * took my station on the quarter-deck with a mus- " Thalaba will soon be finished. Rickman is ket. How I felt I can hardly tell; the hurry of my plenipotentiary with the booksellers for this. the scene, the sight of grape-shot, bar-shot, and Pray send me your Plays.... Thalaba finished, other ingenious implements of this sort, made an all my poetry, instead of being wasted in rivulets undistinguishable mixture of feelings.... The and ditches, shall flow into the great Madoc Miscutter bore down between us. I saw the smoke sissippi river. I have with me your volume, from her matches, we were so near, and not a Lyrical Ballads, Burns, and Gebir. Read Gebir man on board had the least idea but that an im- again: he grows upon me. mediate action was to take place. We hailed' My uncle's library is admirably stocked with her; she answered in broken English, and pass- foreign books..... My plan is this: imimedied on.'Tis over! cried somebody. Not vet! ately to go through the chronicles in order, and said the catain; and we expected she was corn- I then make a skleton of the narra.tive; athe o't 124 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 26. bers put together, the house may be furnished at tacle than art can make. It lies like a plain of leisure. It will be a great work, and worthy light under the heaven, the trees and houses now of all labor. forming a dark and distinct foreground, and now "I am interrupted momentarily by visitors, undistinguishable in shade as the moon moves on like fleas infesting a new-comer! Edith's spir- her way-Almada stretching its black isthmus its are mending: a handful of roses has made into the waters, that shine like midnight snow. her forgive the stink of Lisbon, and the green.... A magnificent equipage passed our winpease, the oranges, &c., are reconciling her to dow on Monday: it was a nobleman either going a country for which nature has done so much. to be married or to court. The carriage was We are transported into your midsummer, your drawn by four horses, each covered with a white most luxuriant midsummer! Plague upon that netting, and crested with white plumes: they heart-stop, that has reminded me that this is a were very restive-indeed, but half broke in. I voyage of prescription as well as of pleasure. had seen them breaking in before, and on these But I will get well; and you must join us, and occasions they always fill the carriage with servreturn with us over the Pyrenees, and some of ants to make it heavy, so that their necks also my dreams must be fulfilled! run a chance of being broken in. It was like God bless you! Write to me, and some long the pomp of romance. They bury in covered letters; and send me your Christabell and your buildings that adjoin the church: the graves are Three Graces, and finish them on purpose to built in divisions, like tanners' pits: you may, send them. Edith's love. I reach a long arm, perhaps, remember such at Bristol, at St. Paul's, and shake hands with you across the seas. which I saw building. Quicklime is thrown in " Yours, ROBERT SOUTIHEYr " with every body, which, of course, is soon consumed; still the bones accumulate, and occaTo Lieutenant Southey, H.M.S. Bellona. sionally these places are cleared out..... "Lisbon, May, 1800. "They have a singular mode of fishing at * * * * * * * Costa, a sort of wigwam village on the sands " The English, when strangers here, are so south of the bar. The gang of fishermen to each suspicious of the natives as to be very rash in net is about fifty, all paid and fed by the captain misinterpreting them. A young man, whom I regularly-not according to their success. Half -mew, fired at the watch one night when they ac- hold one end of a rope, the other is carried off costed him: the ball passed through the watch- in the boat: the rope is about half a mile in length, man's hat; he was seized and confined, and it the net in the middle. A high surf breaks on required interest and money to excuse him for the shore; the men then thrust off the boat, themwhat was inexcusable. My uncle, walking one selves breast-deep, and stooping under every night with a midshipman, was stopped by per- wave that meets them; the others row round to sons bearing a young man who had been run shore, and then they all haul in. This place is through the body by a lieutenant. They had about nine miles only from Lisbon, and yet crimstopped him, seeing his companion's uniform, but, inals run away there and are safe. Sometimes knowing my uncle, suffered him to pass after a magistrate goes down, but they always know telling the circumstances. The lieutenant was that he is coming, and away to the woods for the drunk; the young man was a gentleman, who, day. It is common to go there from town, and seeing him staggering about the streets, took dine upon the sands. The people are civil and him by the arm to lead him home; the English- inoffensive; indeed, generally so over Portugal, man did not understand what he said, and ran except among the boatmen, who have enough'him through. intercourse with foreigners to catch all their "As yet, we have not done receiving all our vices. visits of ceremony. We are going, the first night "Lord Somerville went by the last packet. I we are at liberty, to the Portuguese play. The did not see him; he would have called one evencourt have shown a strange caprice about the ing, but my uncle, knowing him pressed for time, Opera: they permitted them to have a few fe- begged him to waive the ceremony. I have been'mtale singers, and the proprietors of the Opera very industrious, and continue so-rise early, and sent to Italy for more and better ones. They never waste a minute. If I am at home withcame. No! they would not license any more; out visitors, I go from book to book; and change the present women might act, but not the new- is more relief than idleness. The American min comers. You must not expect me to give you ister called on me after supper on Tuesday: this any reason for this inconsistency:'tis the sheer was somewhat familiar, and, I apprehend, was whim of authority; but an odd reason was as- meant as civility. God bless you. signed for permitting two, who still act-one be- " R. S." cause she is very religious, the other because'she is Portuguese and of a certain age. T) Lie.utenant Southey, H.M.S. Bellona. "On Sunday a princess was christened. In "Lisbon, May 23, 1800. the evening the guns fired a signal for all per- "Lisbon has twice been clean since the crea-'sons to illuminate. It was a pleasing sight from tion. Noah's flood washed it once, and the fire oir window: the town all starred, and the mov- after the earthquake purified it. When it will ing lights of the shipping...:But the river, be clean again will be difficult to say: probably seen by moonlight from hence, is a far finer spec-'not till the general conflagration. A house, at jETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 125 which I called yesterday, actually has a drain laineant government: a man stabs his anta-orunning round one of the sides, which empties nist, wipes the knife in his cloak, and walks all the filth before the entrance... Govern- quietly away. It is a point of honor in the specment will neither cleanse the city themselves, nor tators to give no information. If one servant suffer any one else to do it. An English mer- robs his master, it is a point of honor in his felchant applied lately for permission to clean the low-servants never to inform of him. Both these street in which he lived, and it was refused. points of honor are inviolable from prudence, for This is one of the curious absurdities of the P. a stab would be the consequence. One method government. An English invalid, who was ter- of revenge used in the provinces is ingeniously ribly shaken in his carriage by the ragged pave- wicked: they beat a man with sand-bags. These ment in his street, applied to the proper officers do not inflict so much immediate pain as a cane to allow him to have it mended: they would not would do, but they so bruise all the fine vessels, do it. He was a man of fortune. that, unless the poor wretch be immediately scar"The filthiest offices in the place are per- ified, a lingering death is the consequence. vMy formed by negroes.... These poor people were uncle has known instances at Porto. For all brought as slaves into Portugal, till Pombal pro- useful purposes of society, this is a complete anhibited all future importation, still leaving those archy: in the police every individual is interestalready in the country slaves, that property might ed; security is the object of political institutions, not be invaded. Once since, a petition was pre- and here every man is at the mercy of every rufsented that the country wanted negroes, and a fian he meets. These things make no noise here. few were imported in consequence. When they A man was murdered this week within thirty have grown old in service and slavery, the trick yards of our house, and we duly heard it ten days of Portuguese generosity is to give them their afterward by mere accident; yet all goes on liberty; that is as if, in England, a man, when smoothly, as the Tagus flows over the dead bodhis horse was grown old, should turn him adrift, ies that are thrown into it.... In England you instead of giving the old animal the run of his will imagine that this insecurity must occasion park. Of course, black beggars are numerous. perpetual disquiet. Not so. As I do not quarGray-headed, and with gray beards, they look rel, and nobody has any interest in sending me strangely; and some, that have the leprosy, are to the next world, there is no danger. We are, the most hideous objects imaginable. The old indeed, safer than in England, because there is women wear nothing on their heads, and, what not so much ingenuity exerted in villainy. Inwith their woolly hair and their broad features, struments for picking pockets and breaking open look sometimes so fearfully ugly that I do not houses have not yet been introduced. The counwonder at the frequency of negresses in romance. try is not civilized enough to produce coiners. A priest in this country sold his own daughter by A man may as easily escape being assassinated a negress. The Portuguese despise the negroes, here, as he can fighting a duel in England. and by way of insult sneeze at them as they "On Sunday, some boys, dressed like bluepass: this is their strongest mark of contempt. coat boys, went under our window, with baskets, Our phrase,'a fig for him,' is explained by an begging provisions or money. A man has set amulet in use here against witchcraft, called a up this charity school on speculation, and withfiga: the mules and asses wear it. It is the out funds, trusting to chance alms. The'Emfigure of a hand closed, the thumb cocked out peror of the Holy Ghost' also passed us in perbetween the fore and middle fingers. I first saw son: his flags are new, and his retinue magnifiit mentioned in a curious poem by Vieira, the cent in their new dresses of white and scarlet. famous, and, indeed, only good Portuguese paint- His musicians were all negroes. Before him er. He had one given him when a child to save went a grave and comely personage, carrying a him from an evil eye, for he was in more danger gilt wand of about ten feet higlh. The emperor on account of his being handsome and quick; as is about six years old, exceedingly thin, dressed we say, a child is too clever to live. The'gift like a man in full dress, silk stockings, large of the gab' must also be of Portuguese extrac- buckles, a sword, and an enormous cocked hat, tion: gaban is to praise, to coax. bigger than yours, edged with white fringe. On " No doubt this is a regular government; it is either side marched a gentleman usher, from time an old monarchy, and has an Established Church. to time adjusting his hat, as its heavy corners.. A lawyer in England wrote a book to prove preponderated. The attendants carried silver that our monarchy was absolute also; and Hughes, salvers, on which they had collected much copthe clergyman at Clifton, whom you may have seen per money: few poor people passed who did not at my aunt's, lamented in a pamphlet that that give something. awful tribunal, the Inquisition, had relaxed its " Lately a negro went along our street with a vigilance; but you may not forge and murder Christ in a glass case, which he showed to every with impunity. An acquaintance of mine (Ten- one whom he met. They usually kissed the glass nant, well known for some famous chemical ex- and gave him money. Pombal, in his time, properiments on the diamond) met an Irishman in hibited such follies. These images have all been Switzerland who had been at Rome. lIe said it blessed by the pope, and are therefore thus rewas the most laineant government in the world: spected. I was in a shop the other day waiting you might kill a man in the streets, and nobody for change, when a beggar woman came in. As would take the laist notice of it. This also is a I did not give her any thing, she turned to an 126 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iZTAT. 26. image of Our Lady, prayed to it and kissed it, " — is here, the Wine Street man, and he and then turned round to beg again. goes to market himself; and 1 am going to cul" Religion is kept alive by these images, &c., tivate his acquaintance, in order to find out what like a fire perpetually supplied with fuel. They good things may have escaped my appetite here. have a saint for every thing.... One saint pre- Nothing like a Bristol pointer at an eatable thing. serves from lightning, another from fire, a third.... My uncle has enough to do with burying clears the clouds, and so on-a salve for every and christening among the soldiers, though the sore. It is a fine religion for an enthusiast-for priests poach among his flock sadly. We profit one who can let his feelings remain awake, and somewhat by the war, getting most excellent opiate his reason. Never was goddess so calcu- pieces of the sirloin from the rations. The sumlated to win upon the human heart as the Virgin mer we pass at Cintra, whither, however, we Mary; and devotees, Moravians as well as Cath- shall not go till July, for in June we have to see olics, not unfrequently mingle the feelings of the procession of the'Body of God,' of St. Anearthly. and spiritual love, as strangely as our thony, and the royal family with the knight of Bible has mixed the language in Solomon's Song. the new convent; and we must also wait to see We have an instance in Crashaw the poet's hymn a bull-fight, which, being a cool summer amuseto St. Theresa. ment, only takes place in the hottest weather. " One of the new convent towers is miserably * * * * * 1 $ disfigured by a projecting screen of wood. The "I read nothing but Spanish and Portuguese. man who rings the bell stands close by it, and the Edith knows enough of the common words to ugly thing is put there, lest he should see the get all needful things done about the house. We nuns walking in the garden, or lest they should have had an infinite number of visitors, and our see him, for a nun has nothing but love to think debt is not yet paid off. * * of, and a powder magazine must be guarded wa- "Edith has seen the aqueduct. Even after rily. A million sterling has been expended upon having seen it, I was astonished at its magnithis convent: it is magnificent within, wholly of tude. Shakspeare's'lessen'd to a crow' seemmarble, and the color well disposed. A million ed hardly hyperbolical when I looked down from sterling! and the great square is unfinished, and the middle arch upon the brook of Alcantara: the city without flagstones, without lamps, with- the women washing there would have escaped out drains my sight if I had not seen them moving as they " I meet the galley slaves sometimes, and have walked. It is a work worthy of Rome in the looked at them with a physiognomic eye, to see days of her power and magnificence. The Portif they differed from the rest of the people. It uguese delight in water; the most luscious and appeared to me that they had been found out, the cloying sweetmeats first-for instance, preservothers had not. The Portuguese face, when ed yolk of egg-and then a glass of water, and fine, is very fine, and it rarely wants the expres- this is excellent which comes by the aqueduct. sion of intellect. The view from the top is wonderfully fine: a " The gardens have usually vine-covered stony, shallow brook below, a few women washwalks, stone pillars supporting the trellis poles. ing in it, bare-kneed, the sides sprinkled with Some you see in the old-fashioned style-box cut linen drying in the sun; orange, and vine, and into patterns like the zigzag twirling of a Turkey olive yards along the line of fertility that runs carpet pattern. The Convent of the Necessi- below the hills, and houses scattered in the little dades has a very large and fine garden, open to valley, and bare, dark hills and wind-mills, and men, but not to women. This is laid out in houses far beyond, and distant mountains. She shady walks, like the spokes of wheels, that cen- has also seen the new convent. The inside of ter into fountains; the space between the walks the church is of marble, and the color very well occupied with oranges, lemons, and other fruit- disposed. You will remember that a marble trees. Every where innumerable lizards are to be room, chilling as it would be in England, is here seen sporting in the sun, gray or green, from two only cool and comfortable. It is dedicated to inches to twenty in length, nimble, harmless, the Heart of Jesus, which is the subject of more beautiful animals..... God bless you. S. S." than one picture in the church. In one, the queen (for she built it) is represented adoring To llirs. Southey, Senr. the heart. You would not like the Roman CathLisbon, May 23, 1800. olic religion quite so well if you saw it here in "MY DEAR, MOTHER, all its naked nonsense-could you but see the "Our trunk arrived by the last packet: a joy- mummery and smell the friars! There is no ful arrival, for I was beginning to be as bare as dying in peace for these fellows: they kill more a plucked ostrich..... We go on comfortably; than even the country apothecaries. ~ When a as clean as an English house up stairs, as dirty man is given over, in they come, set up singing, as a Portuguese one below. Edith, like Mr. which they never cease till the poor wretch is Pitt, is convinced of the impossibility of reform. dead; build an altar in the room, light their canManuel will clean the kitchen, indeed, but im- dies, and administer extreme unction, which has mediately he will scrape the fish-scales all over it. much the same effect as if in England you measThese people have no foresight. We, however, ured a sick man for his coffin and dressed him in aem very well off; and, for a Portuguese, our Ma- his shroud. They watch after the dying like ria Rosa is extraordinarily tidy. Bristol undertakers. M1y uncle is always obliged JETAT. 26. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 127 to mount guard, and yet last week they smug- " The country looks covered with wood not, gled off an officer; got at him when his senses indeed, of forest size, but large enough for beauwere gone, stuck a candle in his hand, and sung ty, and all useful. The fences are either walls'0 be joyful' for a convert. — and the walls are soon covered with luxuriant " We have had three illuminations for the new vegetation in this country - or aloe-guarded pope.... We had another illumination for the banks; and the aloe is magnificent: the stem christening of a princess. These things are not, of the blossom looks almost like a piece of timas in England, at the will of the mob. An illu- ber; and the fennel grows finely as a weed: mination is proclaimed; at a proper hour, the you know its handsome leaf, fine as vegetable guns fire to say,' Now light your candles;' at threads, or like hair fine and curled, its blossom ten they fire again to give notice you may put growing tall, a fine yellow flower, distinguishthem out; and if you do not illuminate, you are able at a considerable distance from its size; fined about thirty shillings-but no riots, no mob- and the acanthus, the plant that gave a man of bing, no breaking windows.... genius the idea of the Corinthian capital, which "The literature of this place takes up much he in consequence invented-blend these with of my time. I am never idle, and, I believe, wild roses and woodbines, more profusely beaumust set at Thalaba in good earnest to get it out tiful than I ever saw them elsewhere, and you of my way. God bless you. have the idea of these bank-fences. Our way " Your affectionate son, was up and down steep hills, whence we looked " R'oOERT SOUTIIEY." over the valleys, its scattered houses, and here and there a convent, always a beautiful object, To Lieut. Southey, I.M.S. Bellona. and sometimes the river, and its far shore like a "Lisbon, May 30, 1800. low cloud. It was dusk before we returned, "The country immediately adjoining Bue- and the fire-flies were awake, flashing about the nos Ayres, the hill on which we live, is very banks, and then putting out their candles, and unpleasant; bare, burned hills, bearing nothing again in light, like fairy fire-works. My uncle, but wind-mills. The Valley of Alcantara, over when first in this country, had lost himself in a which the great aqueduct passes, is indeed very lane at Cintra: it was evening; he had heard striking: it winds among these hills, and per- nothing of these fire-flies, and some hundreds haps owes much of its beauty to the contrast, rose at once before him: he says he thought like the villages in the South Downs, and that i there was a volcano beginning under his feet. beautiful valley on the left of the road from Sal- " The warm weather is come. We shut our isbury to Deptford. In rich countries they windows to exclude the heated air, and our would not be noticed, but here they are like wa — shutters to darken the room. If half the money tcr in the deserts. The whole road to Cintra is expended upon the souls in purgatory waere emthus ugly and uninteresting. The road paved ployed in watering the street, we should be reall the way-a very devil's bowling-alley-you I lieved from the torment of burning. Yet is the can imagine no scenery more wearying; but heat more endurable than the intense light; this eastward of Lisbon it is totally different; there is insufferably painful: the houses are white, the all is rich and beautiful-exquisitely beautiful, stones in the street white, the very dust bleached, now that the green corn and the vineyards give and all reflect back upon us the scorching sun. it all the fresh verdure of an English landscape. The light is like the quivering of a furnace fire: Yesterday evening I took a long ride there with it dazzles and makes the eyes ache, and blindmy uncle about the Valley of Chellas, the gar- ness is very common. At evening the sea breeze dens of which delightful spot chiefly supply Lis- rises; a sudden change! tremendous for an inhon. The place is intersected by a thousand valid, but it purifies the town, and then, owlby-lanes, unenterable by carriage, and as intri- like, we come out of our nests. At Cintra we cate as one of the last propositions in Euclid, all shall be cool. We wait only for the processions angles and curves. In this scenery there is of the Body of God, and St. Anthony, the 12th scarcely an English feature. Orange-trees in and 13th of June, and the Heart of Jesus on the the gardens, and vine-covered trellis-walks; ol- 28th, and the first bull-fight, which v ill be about ive-trees growing in the corn-fields, and now in that time. full blossom: the blossom is somewhat like the " The butchers annually pay a certain sum old-man's-beard of our hedges; not so striking to government, like tax or turnpike-men in Enat a distance as wvhen looked into, but it gives a gland. Veal is prohibited; there are, however, grayness to the tree, a sober blossom, in char- smugglers who carry on a contraband trade in acter with the dusty foliage; fig-trees, their veal, and better mutton than is to be procured broad leaves so green and rich, and a few broad- in the legal way: one of these was taken up hleaded pine-trees here and there, and cherries, near our door a few days since; a public calamapricots, &c., in the gardens, varying the verd- ity, I assure you. The Portuguese servants do ure. In the gardens is usually a water-wheel, not like mutton, and they mutinied in an Enand the garden is veined with little aqueducts. glish family the other day on this account. A These wheels creak eternally; and such is the tax of one real per pound on all meat sold in force of association, that the Portuguese reckon Lisbon raises the fund for the aqueduct; a light this creaking among the delights of the country: tax (about the fifth of a halfpenny) for so great they think of water, and the garden revived by it. a benefit. The water is indeed purchased from 128 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 26. the Gallegos, who are water-carriers by trade; hung up by the heels, as a clapper to Great Tom but you may send to the fountains if you please; of Lincoln, and punish him in kind. and the great aqueduct is known by a name ex- " We often heard a noise below which puzzled pressive of this-they call it the free waters. us; it was like damping linen, but so often, that The number of Gallegos employed here is dis- all the linen in Lisbon could not have supplied graceful both to Spain and Portugal: to their the sound. At last, when Maria was cleaning own country, that these industrious people can the adjoining room, we heard it. She was laying not find employment at home; to this, that the the dust, and in the same way as she damps the Portuguese are lazy enough to let foreigners do clothes in ironing-by taking a great mouthful of their work, who annually drain Lisbon of its water, and then spirting it out: this is the Portspecie. uguese way, and the mouth makes a very good "The mules and goats have a most ugly, cup- watering-pot. shaped bell, fiom six to twelve inches long, hang-'I have heard a good anecdote to illustrate ing from their neck, with a clapper as rude as the personal insecurity in this kingdom. Did the rude cup in which it clinks. Manuel is at you ever see old H-? He was a Porto merwar with my uncle's mule, and, like worse peo- chant, and had a quarrel with a Portuguese, in pie than himself, adopts the system of coercion consequence of which he and his antagonist alwhen conciliation has been advised, and the ef- ways went out with guns, each watching for the fects of force experienced.' You should coax first shot; but the Portuguese used to attack his the mule,' said my uncle,'and never go near house at night, and fire through the windows at her without carrying her something in your him, till Mrs. H —, who did not like this hand.''No, senhor,' said Mambrino,'that is chance-shooting, prevailed on her husband to the way with horned cattle, I know, but not with quit the kingdom. The gallows here has a stabeasts like mules and horses; nothing but beat- tionary ladder; and, God knows, if the hangman ing will do.' One day there was a hallaballoo did all that was necessary, he would have a hard (I never saw that word in a dictionary, so place. pardon the spelling if it be wrong) in the sta- " My uncle has purchased charts of all the bles, which alarmed my uncle; out he went, coasts and ports of Spain and its islands, with and there was Manuel, discomfited by the mule, the intention of giving them to you. Should you and crawled up under the manger in bodily ever get on this station, they will be eminently fear. useful. Lord St. Vincent has a copy, but the "Friday, June 6th. copies are so rare and so expensive that there "Your letter has just reached me: a welcome can be very few in the navy. visitant. Here a letter is of ten-fold more value " God bless you! Edith's love. than in England. Our friends are, perhaps, like Yours affectionately, our daily comforts-their value hardly under- " ROBERT SOUTIEY.X. stood till we are deprived of them. I go on comfortably. The weather makes me lazy, and To Lieut. Southey, H.IM.S. Bellona. yet I have read enormously, and digested much. "Sunday, June 15,1800, Lisbon. Laziness is the influenza of the country. The " MY DEAR TOm, stone-cutter will lay his head upon the stone at "On Tuesday Rundell goes. To-morrow I which he has worked, and sleep, though it be have an engagement for the day, and lack of pahot enough to broil a beef-steak. The very dogs per has till now prevented me from preparation; are lazy: it was but yesterday I saw a great son so now for a galloping letter! of a bitch (literally) let a mule step upon him, from " Thursday last we saw the long-looked-for sheer laziness; and then he rose, howling, and procession of the Body of God. The pix is carwalked away. The fellows lie sleeping every ried in all other processions empty; in this only where in the streets; they seem to possess the it has the wafer-this is the only Real Presence. power of sleeping when they will. EverlastingI The pix is a silver vessel; and our vulgarism, noise is another characteristic of Lisbon. Their'please the pigs,' which has sometimes puzzled noonday fire-works, their cannonading on every me, is only a corruption, and that an easy one, fool's pretext, their bells to every goat in a flock of'please the pix'-the holiest church utensil. and every mule in a drove, prove this; above all, So much for the object of this raree-show. On their everlasting bell-ding-donging-for bell- the night preceding, the streets through which ringing would convey the English idea of music, it is to pass are cleaned. The only miracle I and here it is only noise. A merchant, not far ever knew the wafer perform is that of cleaning from my uncle's, has a private chapel, from the streets of Lisbon: they are strewn with sand, whence his bells annoy the whole neighborhood. and the houses hung with crimson damask from The English hotel, till lately, was near him, and top to bottom. When the morning arrived, the the invalids were disturbed, and of course injured, streets were lined with soldiers; they marched by the noise. They sent to state this, and re- on, filing to the right and left: their new uniquest that he would have the goodness to dis- iforms are put on this day, and their appearance pense with the bell-ringing; he returned for an- wars ver respectable: this alone was a fine sight. swer that the prince had given him leave to have We were in a house in one of the new streets, a private chapel, and his bells should ring in where the houses are high and handsome, and spite of any body! I would have this fellow perfectly regular, and the street longer than Red ETAT. 26. ROB E RT S OUT I E Y. 129 cliffe Street, every window and balcony crowd- did the Paddies? Oh, to be sure, and they could ed, and the Portuguese all in full dress; and of not bury him then! but they locked him in the the finery of Portuguese full dress you can have church instead of calling assistance, and the next but very inadequate ideas: not a jewel in Lis- day the man was dead enough, and they finished bon but was displayed-the rainbow would have the job! been ashamed to be seen. The banners of the'Had this been well managed, it would have city and its various corporate trades led the way. been one of the finest conceivable sights; but it I never saw banners so clumsily carried: they was a long procession broken into a number of were stuck out with bars-not suffered to play little pieces, so irregularly they moved. On the freely and wave with the wind, and roll out their prince, and the group about the Body of Godbeauties in light and shade. Sticks were stuck I like to translate it, that you may see the nakedat right angles in the poles to carry them by; ness of the nonsensical blasphemy-they showernothing could be more awkward or more labori- ed rose-leaves from the windows. The following ous for the bearers, some of whom were walk- day St. Anthony had a procession, and the traping backward like lobsters, and others crab-sidling pings of the houses were ordered to remain for along. Then came a champion in armor, car- him: this was, like the Lent processions, a perrying a flag: God knows, his armor was heavy feet puppet-show-the huge idols of the people enough; and as both his arms were employed carried upon men's shoulders. There were two upon the flag, his horse was led. Here, also, I negro saints, carried by negroes: I smiled to think saw St. George, but not St. George of England! what black angels they must make. We have This was a Portuguese wooden St. George, his got another raree-show to see in honor of the logs stiff and striding like a boot-jack, a man Heart of Jesus: this will be on Friday next; and walking on each side to hold him on by the feet; then we think of Cintra. his house, when he is at home, is the Castle, from This has been a busy time for the Catholics. whence he goes to the Duke of Cadaval's, where Saturday, the 7th of this month, as the Eve of they dress his hat up with all their magnificent Trinity Sunday, was a festival at the emperor's* jewels for the procession, which he calls and re- head-quarters; his mountebank stage was illuturns on his way back. When the late king minated, and pitch barrels blazing along the street, was dying, he had all the saints in Lisbon sent their flames flashing finely upon the broad flags for, and this St. George was put to bed to him. that floated across the way. It was somewhat The consultation produced no good effect. terrible; they were bonfires of superstition, and "Scarcely any part of the procession was more I could not help thinking how much better the beautiful than a number of very fine led horses, spectators would have been pleased with the their saddles covered with rich escutcheons. All sight had there been a Jew, or a heretic like me, the brotherhoods then walked-an immense train in every barrel. The scene was thronged with of men in red or gray cloaks; and all the friars. spectators, and, to my great surprise, I saw Zounds, what a regiment! many of them fine women walking in safety; nothing like personal young men, some few'more fat than friars be- insult was attempted: the boys had their bonfires came,' and others, again, as venerable figures as and fire-works, but they seemed to have no idea a painter could wish. Among the bearded monks that mischief was amusement. The succeeding were many so old, so meager, so hermit-like in day, Trinity Sunday, was the termination of the look, of such a bread-and-water diet appearance, emperor's reign. His train was increased by a that there needed no other evidence to prove they band of soldiers: he was crowned, and dined in were indeed penitents, as austere as conscien- public. The emperor for the ensuing year was tious folly could devise. The knights of the dif- elected; and thus ends the mummery, till Lent, ferent orders walked in their superb dresses-the and feasting, and folly come round again. At whole patriarchal church in such robes! and aft- Cascaes the emperor is a man, and the farce more er the pix came the prince himself, a group of formal. There was a brother of John V., who nobles round him closing the whole. I never delighted in blackguard mischief. He went to saw aught finer than this: the crowd closing be- the emperor, then on the throne, with the intenhind, the whole street, as far as the eye could tion of kicking him down, or some such practical reach, above and below, thronged, flooded with jest. The emperor knew him, sat like an old people-and the blaze of their dresses! and the senator when the Gauls approached, and held out music! I pitied the friars: it was hot, though his hand for the prince to kiss: it effectually distemperate for the season; yet the sun was pain- concerted him, and he growled out as he retired, ful, and on their shaven heads; they were hold-'The rascal plays his part better than I expected.' ing up their singing-books, or their hands, or their; In the course of a conversation, introduced handkerchiefs, or their cowls, to shade them. I by these processions, I said to a lady, who rehave heard that it has been death to some of them members the auto-da-f6s,'What a dreadful day in a hot season. Two years ago, at this very it must have been for the English when one of procession, a stranger received a stroke of the these infernal executions took place!''No,' sun, and fell down apparently dead. The Irish she said,'not at all; it was like the processions, friars got hold of him, and carried him off to be expected as a fine sight, and the English, whose buried. The coffins here are like a trunk, and houses overlooked the streets through which they the lid is left opten during the ftmeral service; the lid is left open dring the funeral service; The Emperor of the Holy Ghost, as he is called; sew before it was over, the man moved. What then ante, p. 125. 130 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF / TAT. 26. passed, kept open house as now, and made en- being cool and devout! At half after four it betertainments!!' They did not, indeed, see the gan: the hero was on horseback, and half a dozexecution-that was at midnight; but they should en men on foot to assist him; about ten more sat have shut up their houses, and, for the honor of with pitchforks to defend themselves, ready when their own country, have expressed all silent ab- wanted. The bulls were all in the area till the horrence. Did such an event take place now, I amusement opened. They were not large, and should shake the dust from my feet, and curse not the same breed as in England; they had the city, and leave it forever! What is it that more the face of the cow than the short, sulky has prevented these Catholic bonfires? I do not look of gentlemen-quiet, harmless animals, understand. The Constitution and the people whom a child might safely have played with, never were more bigoted; and the dislike of Pom- and a woman would have been ashamed to fear. bal would, after his disgrace, have only been a So much for their ferocity! Courage, indeed, motive for reviving them. Is it that the priests they possessed; they attacked only in self-dethemselves and the nobles have grown irrelig- fense, and you would, like me, have been angry ious? Perhaps the books of Voltaire may have to see a fellow with a spear provoking a bull saved many a poor Jew from the flames. whose horns were tipped with large balls, the "Portugal is certainly improving, but very, brave beast, all bleeding with wounds, still facing vary, very slowly. The factories have been long him with reluctant resistance. Once I saw crackdeclining in opulence; and the Portuguese, who ers stuck into his neck to irritate him, and heard had some years since no merchants of note, have them burst in his wounds: you will not wonder now the most emlinent and wealthy in the place. that I gave the Portuguese a hearty and honest They are beginning to take the profits themselves, English curse. It is not an affair of courage; which they had suffered us to reap. This is the horse is trained, the bull's horns muffled, and well, and as it should be; but they have found half a dozen fellows, each ready to assist the othout that Cintra is a fine place, and are buying up er, and each with a cloak, on which the poor anthe houses there as they are vacant, so that they imal wastes his anger: they have the rails to will one day dispossess the English, and this I leap over, also, and they know that when they do not like. Cintra is too good a place for the drop the cloak he aims always at that; there is, Portuguese. It is only fit for us Goths-for therefore, little danger of a bruise, and none of Germans or English. any thing else. The amusement is, therefore, "Your Thalaba is on the stocks. You will as cowardly as cruel. I saw nine killed; tho have it some six months before it can possibly first wound sickened Edith, and my own eyes be printed, and this is worth while. I this morn- were not always fixed upon the area. My cuin, finished the tenth book-only two more; and riosity was not, perhaps, strictly excusable, but at the end of a journey Hope always quickens the pain which I endured was assuredly penalty my speed. Farewell. I am hurried, and you enough. The fiercest of the whole was one of must and may excuse (as Rundell is postman the four who were only tormented: two fellows extraordinary) a sheet not quite filled. God on asses attacked him with goads, and he knockbless you! Edith's love. ed them over and over with much spirit; two "R. S. more came on, standing each in the middle of a painted horse, ridiculously enough-and I fancy To Lieut. Southey, H.IM.S. Bellona. those fellows will remember him for the next "June 22, 1800. fortnight whenever they turn in bed-and their "MY DEAR ToM, sham horses were broken to pieces. Three dogs " We are just returned from a bull-feast, and were loosed at another bull. and effectually sickI write to you while the feelings occasioned by ened. I hate bull-dogs; they are a surly, vicious this spectacle are fresh. I had never before seen breed, ever ready to attack, mischievous and maone. The buffoonery of teazing bullocks at Mad- licious enough to deserve Parliamentary praise rid was rather foolish than cruel, and its extreme from Mr. Wyndham and Mr. Canning. A largo folly excited laughter, as much at the spectators theater was completely full; men, women, and as the thing itself. This is widely different. children were clapping their hands at every The hand-bill was pompous:'Antonio de Cor- wound, and watching with delight the struggles deiro, who had so distinguished himself last year, of the dying beasts. It is a damnable sport I was again to perform. The entertainment would and, much to the honor of the English here, they deserve the approbation of a generous public. all dislike it: very rarely does an Englishman or Ten bulls were to be killed, four to be torment- Englishwoman witness it a second time. ed: they were picked bulls, of the Marquis de "You will find in Thalaba one accurate image —'s breed (I forget his name), and chosen out which I observed this evening: a death-sweat for their courage and ferocity.' Yesterday the darkening the dun hide of the animal. This bull-fighters paraded the streets, as you may have amusement must have mischievous effects: it seen rope-dancers and the' equestrian troop' at makes cruelty familiar; and as for the assertion Bristol fair. They were strangely disfigured that bull-baiting or bull-butchering keeps up the with masques: one fellow had a paunch and a courage of the nation, only Wyndham and CanPunch-hunpback, and all were dressed in true ning could have been absurd enough and unfeeltawdry style. Hot weather is always the sea- ing enough to believe it; if it were true, the son. and Sunday always the day, the amusement Spaniards ought to be the bravest nation in the iETAT. 26. PROBERT SOUTHEY. 131 world, because their amusement is the most cru- it at the same time. The sea breeze is, on the el, and a butcher ought to make the best sol- other hand, as delightful: we feel it immediatedier. ly; it cools tile air, and freshens up all our lan"On Thursday we go to Cintra; this, there- guid feelings. In the West Indies they call this fore, will be my last letter of Lisbon anecdote. wind the doctor-a good seamanly phrase for its In Africa a Portuguese saw an orang-outang, healing and comfortable effect. the most human beast that has yet been discov- " At the time the aqueduct was built, a large ered, walking quietly with a stick in his hand; reservoir was made for its waste water. In he had the wickedness to shoot him, and was not, winter, much water runs to waste in summer, as he ought to have been, hung for willful mur- more is wanted, and the waterman wait a long der. The head and hands were sent here: I time round the fountain before they can in turn have seen them in the Museum, in spirits. I fill their barrels; but these people, in building have seen many an uglier fellow pass for a man, the reservoir. never calculated the weight of the in spite of the definition that makes him a rea- water till the building was finished: so it stands soning animal: he has eyebrows, and a wool- still uncovered, a useless pile, and a rare monuly head, almost like a negro's, but the face not ment of the national science. I saw a funeral black. from the country pass the window at night, the "Fielding died and was buried here. By a attendants holding torches, and the body in the singular fatality, four attempts have been made trunk coffin carried upon a litter (that is, like a to erect a monument, and all have miscarried. sedan chair carried by mules instead of men). A Frenchman set on foot a subscription for this "The servants here, in marketing, think it a purpose, and many of the factory engaged for part of their fair profits to cheat you as much as one, two, or three moidores: circumstances took they can, and have no idea that this is dishonesty: him from Lisbon, and this dropped. Another it is a sort of commission they think they are enFrenchman had a monument made at his own titled to. This is so much the case, that one of expense, and paid for it; there was a fine French! these fellows, when he was stipulating about inscription, that, as his own countrymen had nev- wages, thought them too little, and inquired if er given the great Fielding a monument, it was he was to go to market; he was told yes, and reserved for a Frenchman to honor his country then he said he would come...... by paying that respect to genius: he also went "The queen's stables serve as an asylum. away, and is now following the French Pretend- Rogues and murderers go there, and do the er; and his monument lies among masonry and work for nothing. They are safe by this means, rubbish, where I have sought for it in vain. and the people, whose business it is to hire and Then De Visme undertook the affair; and the pay the servants, pocket the money, so that they bust of Fielding, designed for this purpose, is infest the neighborhood. They quarreled with still in the house which belonged to him here. our dragoons, who broke into the stables, and I know not what made this scheme abortive. thrashed them heartily, to the great satisfaction Last, the Prince of Brazil went to work, and the of the people near. monument was made. The Lady Abbess of the " God bless you! Edith's love. New Convent wished to see it: it was sent to "Yours, R. S." her; she took a fancy to it, and there it has remained ever since; and Fielding is still without To C. W. TV. WVynn1. Esq. a monument. Cintra, July 23, 1800. "De Visme introduced the present fashion of "MY DEAR WYNN, painting rooms in stucco, with landscapes on the " You must, long ere this, have received my walls, and borders of flowers or arabesque: the second letter. I continue in comfortable health, fashion is, I believe, Italian. The workmen and spirits that cast a sunshine upon every thing. whom he employed had taste enough to be I pray you make peace, that I may return in the pleased with it, and it is general in all new spring over the Pyrenees. The cause would houses. The ceilings are now painted: thus, certainly be good, and so would the effects. instead of the huge layer of boards which was! "Thalaba is finished, and I am correcting it; usual, nothing can look more cool, or be more the concluding books you shall shortly receive. convenient, for a cloth and soap cleans it. Giantly is not a coinage; it is sterling English "In the larger old houses, here and in Spain, of the old mint: I used it to avoid the sameness in the country, there is usually a room with no of sound in the Giant Tyrant as it stood at first. windows, but, instead, arches quite open to the You object to the'fowls of the air,'* and do not air. The appearance is strange and picturesque, remember the elision. You object, likewise, to and I should esteem it one of the inconveniences [ a license which I claim as lawful, that of making of Lisbon that the intolerable dust prevents the two short syllables stand for one long one. The enjoyment of these open rooms there: the dust eighth book explains enough what Azrael had is a huge evil. * * * * been doing. The previous uncertainty is well. We had the hot wind for three days this week: You will, I trust, find the Paradise a rich poeta detestable burning blast, a bastard sort of siroc, ical picture, a proof that I can employ magnifitamed by crossing the sea and the land, but which amrches the lips, and torments you with the Tan- * "I had written at first' fowls of heaven,' but heaven parces e lips, an ments ou wit te an- occurs a w lines above. But the line is wholly altered talus plague of fanning your cheek and heating this way." 132 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT.26. cence and luxury of language when I think them enough to like that catastrophe, and forget France in place. The other faults you point out are re- when you think of Attic republicanism. moved. Thank you for -- letters. I shall "I have written no line of poetry here, exinclose one to him when next I write; the only cept the four books of Thalaba, nor shall I till mode of conveyanee with which I am acquaint- they are corrected and sent off, and my mind ed. - and I, both of us, were sent into the completely delivered of that subject. Some credworld with feelings little likely to push us for- it may be expected from the poem; and if the ward in it. One overwhelming propensity has booksellers will not give me c100 for a 4to formed my destiny, and marred all prospects of edition of 500 copies, or C140 for a pocket one rank or wealth; but it has made me happy, and of 1000, why, they shall not have the poem. it will make me immortal. --, when I was "I long to see the face of a friend, and hunhis shadow, was almost my counterpart; but his ger after the bread-and-butter comforts and green talents and feelings found no center, and perforce fields of England. Yet do I feel so strongly the thus have been scattered; he will probably sue- good effects of climate-and I am now perspiring ceed in worldly prospects far better than I shall in my shirt while I write, in the coolness of Cindo, but he will not be so happy a man, and his tra, a darkened room, and a wet floor-that 1 genius will bring forth no fruits. I love him certainly wish my lot could be cast somewhere dearly, and I know he never can lose the in- in the south of Europe. The spot I am in is stinctive attachment which led to our boyish in- the most beautiful I have ever seen or imagined. timacy. Yet -- shrunk from me in London. I ride a jackass, a fine, lazy way of traveling I met him at your rooms; he was the same im- you have even a boy to beat old Dapple when mutable character. I walked home with him at he is slow. I eat oranges, figs, and delicious night; our conversation was unreserved, and, in pears-drink Colares wine, a sort of half-way silence and solitude, I rejoiced even with tears excellence between port and claret-read all I that I had found again the friend that was lost. can lay my hands on-dream of poem after From that time, a hasty visit is all I saw of him: poem, and play after play-take a siesta of two it was his indolence; I know he esteems me. hours, and am as happy as if life were but one Our former coolness I remember among my fol- I everlasting to-day, and that to-morrow was not lies; you were with me when I atoned for it by to be provided for. a voluntary letter, and you saw an answer such " Here is a long letter about myself, and not a as I had reason to expect. I wrote again to word about Portugal. My next shallbe a brimhim, a common young mall's letter; he never ming sheet of anecdotes. answered it: the fact was, I had the disease of "I am sorry -- is so disgusted with India, epistolizing, and he had not. Our future inter- though I can not wish he were otherwise. From course can not be much; by the time he returns all accounts, an English East Indian is a very to London, I trust I shall have retired from it, bad animal: they have adopted by force the and pitched my tent near the church-yard in luxury of the country, and its tyranny and prido which I shall be buried. Of the East Indies I by choice. A man who feels and thinks must know not enough to estimate the reason and rea- be in solitude there. Yet the comfort is, that sonableness of his dislike. Were I single, it is a your wages are certain; so many years of toil country whichl would tempt me, as offering the for such a fortune at last. Is a young man wise shortest and most certain way to wealth, and who devotes the best years of his life to such a many curious subjects of literary pursuit. About speculation? Alas! if he is, then am I a pitiathe langtuage, - is right it is a baboon jar- ble blockhead. But to me, the fable of the ant gon not worth learning; but were I there, I and grasshopper has long appeared a bad one: would get the Vedams and get them translated. the ant hoards and hoards for a season in which It is rather disgraceful that the most important he is torpid; the grasshopper-there is one singacquisition of Oriental learning should have been ing merrily among the canes-God bless him! given us by a Frenchman; but Anquetil du Per- I wish you could see one, with his wings and ron was certainly a far more useful and meri- his vermilion legs. torious Orientalist than Sir Wm. Jones, who dis- "God bless you! Write often, and let me graced himself by enviously abusing him. Lat- have a very long letter upon short paper, as terly, Sir William's works are the dreams of postage is by weight. Remember me to Elmsdotage. I have some distant view of manufac- ley; and pray pull Bedford's ears till I hear turing a Hindoo romance, wild as Thalaba; and him bray: I wish my burro boy could get at a nearer one of a Persian story, of which see the him!" germ of vitality. I take the system of the Zendavesta for my mythology, and introduce the To Mrs. Southey, Sen. powers of darkness persecuting a Persian, one "Cintra, August 21, 1800. of the hundred and fifty sons of the great king; "MY DEAR MOTHER, every evil they inflict becomes the cause of de- " You will have known, before this can arveloping in him some virtue which his prosperi- rive, that your Bristol dispatches reached me. ty had smothered: an Athenian captive is a That I have not written sooner is the fault of prominent character, and the whole warfare of the wind. We have been three weeks without the evil power ends in exalting a Persian prince a packet; and, now we have one, my letters into a citizen of Athens. I pray you be Greek may probably be detained for want of a convey ?E3TAT. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 133 ance to Lisbon. Poor Peggy! I am impa- it is not worth the trouble. Why make a dust tient for letters: your last was a troubling one, by pulling down a house that must fall? We and undid half that Portugal had done for me. shall have peace! However, I am materially amended. Tom writes "By the next packet I shall write, and send that she is better; but I know the nature of the to Biddlecombe his year's rent. When we redisease too well to hope so easily, perhaps, as turn, I shall immediately take a house in London, you and he may have done. However, other or near it: for a summer or two, Burton may diseases there are, undistinguishably similar in do; but if Rickman leaves Christ Church, I must their symptoms, which are sometimes mistaken look for a situation where there is better society. for this, and the patient is said to have recovered I wish I could settle here; the climate suits me from a consumption when his lungs have been so well, that I could give up society, and live sound all the while. like a bear by sucking my own paws. You like " We have been here about two months, liv- the Catholics: shall I give you an account of ing alone, and riding jackasses. My uncle is one of their Lent plays upon transubstantiation, sadly confined in Lisbon: the soldiers' children which is lying on the table? It begins by the die as fast as they are born, from inattention or Father turning Adam out of doors.'Get out bad management, one of the million war-evils! of my house, you rascal!' Adam goes a begand he must bury them. We have acquaint- ging, and bitterly does he complain that he can ance out of number, but no friends: of course, I find no house, no village, nobody to beg of. At go among these people no oftener than absolute last he meets the Four Seasons, and they give decorum requires. Patty Collins's niece has him a spade, and a plow, &c., but nothing to eat. more brains than three parts of the factory: her Then comes Reason, and tells him to go to law I like hugely; but she is never at Cintra. I with his Father, who is obliged to find him in want Danvers here, and Davy, and Rickman, victuals. Adam goes to law; an angel is his and Cottle, and you, and some fresh butter, and counsel, and the devil pleads against him. He the newspaper: howbeit, I am very comfortable, wins his cause; and the Father settles upon him and very busy. I want you to eat melons: we oil-for extreme unction; lamb; and bread and get them for about three farthings a pound; and wine. Up comes the Sacrament, and there is an grapes-oh'! what grapes! Our desserts are end of the play. This is written by a priest, magnificent. one of the best Spanish writers, who has written "We have three servants here, a man, and seventy-two of these plays, all upon the body and maid, and a boy-all good servants for the blood, and all in the same strain of quaint and country. * * * *pious blasphemy. In another, Christ comes in " The Roman Catholics have contrived to rank as a soldier to ask his reward of my Lord World nastiness among Christian virtues, and they prac- for serving him, and he produces the testimotice no other so universally. The poor Moris- nials of his service: that, on the eighth day of coes in Spain were forbidden to use their baths, his enlisting, he was wounded with a knife; that because it was a Turkish custom. Certain of he had a narrow escape when the infantry were the austerer monks would think it wicked to kill all cut off; that he went as a spy among the any of their vermin; others wear no linen, and enemies, and even got into their Temple; that sleep in their woolen dress from one year to an- he stood a siege of forty days, and would not other-fine, fat, frying friars, looking as oily as capitulate, though without provisions, and, after Aaron's beard in the sun. I should like to catch three assaults, put the enemy to flight; that he a Quaker, and bring him here among filth and succored Castle Magdalen when the enemy had finery. got possession; that he supplied a camp consist" Since we left Lisbon I have written scarcely ing of more than 5000 persons with food, who any letters, and have a week's work to settle would all have been starved; that he did good my accounts with Tom: tell him that Thalaba service at sea in a storm; therefore, for him and has monopolized me; that by the King George, his twelve followers, he asked his reward. I in her next voyage (about three weeks hence), I could fill sheet after sheet with these Bunyansend over his copy, together with that for the isms, and send you miracles as strange as any in press. Except to Bristol and to Tom, I have Thalaba. neglected all my other correspondents. Actu-': But you are crying out already, and are satally I have not time: I must ride; I am visited; isfied with the specimen. Farewell! We are ctald the correcting Thalaba and transcribing it going on well; only Edith's burro fell with her, is a very serious job. and threw her overhead down hill, and she is "The French! You are probably alarmed now lame with a bruised knee. She excels in for us, and, perhaps, not without cause; but we ass-womanship; and I am hugely pleased with are in the dark, and only know that the situation riding sideways, and having a boy to beat the is very critical. We are quite easy about the John and guide him. matter. The house is on fire!'Och! and is "Harry must forgive me. I do not forget that all?' said the Paddy;'now, why did you jhim, and will write very soon; but the interrupdisturb me? I am but a lodger!" In my own tion it occasions, and the time it takes up, make opinion, no attempt will be made on Portugal;letter-writing a serious evil. God bless you. * His cousin, Margaret il. t tis tme in y illour affectionate son, health.'ROBERT SOTTHEY. 134 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF METAT. 27. To Jiohn Rickman, Esq. laid oa the very moderate duty of a six-and-thirCintra, August 22, 1800. ty per pipe. If people will give ~75 a pipe, "MY DEAR. RICKIAN, said the Porto merchants, no doubt they will give "In the long space of three months since I L ~80, and we will have our profit. They therewrote to you (or rather four!), you will expect fore laid on the five, and are making fortunes. I have done much. In truth, I have not been Mlore wine is imported than before the new duidle. For the great history, I have only collect- ties, because the excise, to which it is subject, ed the knowledge of what documents to reach, so materially checks the home-brewed; still and where to seek them. The public library much is manufactured. By an accident I hapbooks are not removable; and I, like all the En- pened to know that one merchant made his own glish, am driven to the cool retirement of Cintra. Lisbon..... I have the general facts already in my memory, " No debtor is imprisoned here: shame, shamo and I think a fair and accurate opinion of the to our own laws! There is a Board of Bankchief personages, differing very considerably from ruptcy-an institution, perhaps, of unequaled abtheir received characters, and a map of the meth- surdity, so is it managed. Any debtor who will od to be pursued. The ground is well manured, surrender all his effects to the board receives 10 and the seed is in. I speak the language, not, per cent. It has been established about thirty indeed, grammatically, but fluently; and Portu- years, and they have never made one dividend. guese,from a femiliar voice, is almost as intelli- Where goes the money? There is a fund for gible to me as English. I know the progress of cleaning and lighting the city. There are no their language, step by step, and have written lamps and no scavengers. Where goes the fund? materials toward the literary history, of collat- " 8 8 x -i - eral and incidental information —such anecdotes "The number of monastics decreases; not as paint the manners and character of a people. from any dearth of laziness or fanaticism, but beMy collection would f11 half an octavo volume. cause the revenues are not now equal to the sup" But Thalaba: it has taken up a greater por- port of the original number. Sometimes the tion of my time than I expected or wished. I monks desert; in that case they pursue them. have been polishing and polishing, adding and They took one poor fellow at work in a garden, adding, and my unlearned readers ought to thank where, for three months, he had been usefully me very heartily for the toil, unpleasant and un- employed, and enjoying freedom..... productive, of translating so many notes. By Here is a fine soil of folly, and a plentiful the King George packet I shall send it over, crop do the friars reap! Some little good they which will probably sail from Lisbon in about do in return. They are good landlords, and the three weeks..... The MS. (if the French way- Church lands are the only lands that are tolerably lay it not) may reach you the beginning of Octo- cultivated. The ruin of Spain and Portugal is ber at the latest; and, if the booksellers fall into the fashion that all the wealthy have of residing my terms, a London printer will dispatch one wholly in the metropolis, where they spend to quarto in a month, or two pocket volumes in a the uttermost, vex their tenants, and never pay fortnight: -100 I will have Ifr 400 4to copies, their debts. Portugal, you say, nmust have bad ~130 for 1000 of the smaller size. The whole roads. It will be very difficult to make them property I will not sell, because I expect the good. In winter the very heavy rains wash away poem will become popular, and of course pro- all the smaller parts, and leave only the larger ductive. stones; in summer the sun dries them up, and X*.. 8 0 * the wind sweeps the stones bare. Brentford "Our house stands here in a lemon-garden of stones would be thought a fine road here. Hence somewhat less than half an acre. Its fruit usu- slow and little traveling, and bad inns; in counally sells for twenty moidores; this year, owing try towns no booksellers! scarcely any reading to its failure, it produced only ten. These orch- anywhere. Like beasts and savages, the peopo, ards, you see, are wonderfully productive, but can bear total indolence. Their delight is to they require more attention than any English look into the street, put somebody to hunt their crops. They are watered regularly. Here there heads at the same time, and it is happiness! is a large tank in every garden, whence the wa- Even in their garden walls they have grates to ter is conveyed by little channels, which the man look into the road..... conducts round the roots of every tree, loosening I lack society sadly. The people here know the soil with a hoe: by this the leaves, as they much of their own business, very little of the fall, are sooner mingled with the soil, and afford country they live in, and nothing of any thing a constant manure. Wages are as high as eight- else except cards. My uncle, indeed, is a man een pence a day, twith wine. The price of bread, of extensive knowledge; and here is one family, of course, can differ little from its price in En- of which the master is a man of some science, gland; all other provisions are rather dearer, in and where I can open my flood-gates. I want some respects owing to actual scarcity, still more you and Davy, and a newspaper, and bread and to the paper money, as every tradesman will butter, and a green field for me and the horse: have his profit upon the discount. The wine it would do his old English heart as much good owes its advance to the enormous taxes in En- as it would mine. But I have ample and pleasg!and. As the English tax it so highly, said the ant employment-curiosity forever on the huntgovernment here, we -rill tax it tso; arnd t hey most beautiful tliat I have ever.... 0.~ ou,-t~t4,hCee AETAT. 27. ROBERT SOU THEY. 135 seen, and a climate for which Nature seems to French is every thing, and in all else mine is have destined me, only, blessed be God, she right English and Antigallican. The English dropped me the other side of the bay..... here know very little of the country they live in, Edith's remembrance. Farewell! and nothing of the literature. Of Camoens they "Yours, R. SOUTHEY." have heard, and only of Camoens. By the help of my uncle I have acquired an extensive knowlTo Henry Southey. edge, and am almost as well acquainted with "Cintra, August 25, 1800. Portuguese literature as with that of, my own "MY DEAR HARRY, country. It is not worth much; but it is not * 5 * - * * * from the rose and the violet only that the bec "On my return to England in the next spring, sucks honey. I shall take a house in or near London, where " You would be amused could you see Edith you shall live with me, and study anatomy at the and myself on ass-back-I sitting sideways, gloWestminster Hospital, under Carlisle, whom you riously lazy, with a boy to beat my Bayardo, as know to be a man of genius and my friend. By well adapted to me as ever that wild courser the time you have acquired enough previous was to Rinaldo. In this climate there is no. knowledge, I trust some of my eggs will have walking: a little exercise heats so immoderately; hatched, so that you may graduate either at Edin- but their cork woods or fir woods, and mountain burgh or in Germany, as shall appear best. Till glens, and rock pyramids, and ever-flowing fountmy return you will remain where you are; you ains, and lemon groves ever in flower and in fruit, are well employed, and evidently improving rap- want only society to become a Paradise. Could idly. Nor is there any home to which you pos- I but colonize Cintra with half a dozen familiars, sibly could remove! On my return you will I should wish never to leave it. As it is, I am have one, and, I trust, more comfortable than comfortable, my health establishing itself, may any you have yet had. We are rising in the spirits everlastingly partaking the sunshine of world: it is our turn, and will be our own faults the climate; yet I do hunger after the bread and if we do not, all of us, attain that station in the butter, and the fireside comforts, and the intelworld to which our intellectual rank entitles us. lect of England. You will, I think, whenever " Attend to prose particularly; excellence in my library is at hand, learn Portuguese, because that is acquirable. You know the value of lit- I have got the history of Charlemagne and the erature, and may, perhaps, one day find it, as I Twelve Paladins in that language, and Palmerin have done, a resource as well as a delight. In of England. I have only laid hands on half an your course of history. Gibbon must be read: it old Spanish romance, Don Florisel, son of Amais the link that connects ancient with modern his- dis of Greece, who was a perfect Jack the Giant tory. For the history of Portugal you must wait; Killer, and has taught me to forgive Don Quixote there is none but that in the Universal History. for knocking knight-errantry on the head. BaAI It is a fine subject, and you will see, on my re- poetry I find in abundance..... The Portuturn, a skeleton-I hope half-musiled. guese Academy published a book in honor of the " Thalaba has taken up too much of my time, victories of the Empress-Queen Maria Theresa. and I am eager to send it off, and wash my hands My literary history will have a chapter upon the of all that could have been written in England: follies of literature, in which this work will furit is finished, and half ready for the press. I am nish my best example. Every possible form of polishing and polishing, and hewing it to pieces acrostic is there; poems to read up and down, with surgeon severity. Yesterday I drew the and athwart and across; crosses, and circles, and pert across six hundred lines, and am now writ- wheels. Literature is almost dead here. More ing to you instead of supplying their place. It books are published annually at Bristol than in goes over for publication very shortly-I trust in Portugal. There are no books to induce a love three weeks. Rickman is my agent and super- of reading-no Arabian Tales or Seven Chamvisor of the press. I am sorry you do not know pions. * * * Rickman. I esteem him among the first men In case of peace-and surely, surely, it must of my knowledge. * - * come-we shall return through Spain and France.::- - For six weeks we have been at I am anxious to see Biscay. Our man Bento, Cintra-a spot the most beautiful that I have who served in the Spanish army against France. ever seen, and which is probably unique. Eight- has given me a curious account of that province, een miles distant, at Lisbon, the sun is insup- where the people are clean, industrious, and fiee, portable. Here we are cool, with woods and and speak Welsh or something very like it. On water. The wealthier English are all here; entering France, one of the Spanish generals orstill, however, I lack society, and, were it not for dered his company to kill man, woman, an{l child: a self-sufficiency (like the bear, who sucks his in Roncesvalles (where Orlando and the Paladins paws when the snow shuts him up in his den), were slain) a little boy of about six years was should be in a state of mental famine. My un- playing on a wall; he stopped to look at the cle is little here: people will die, and must be troops; Bento saw one of his fellow-soldiers, in buried. He is a man of extensive information; obedience to these orders, cut off the child's head. his library very well furnished, and he very well' I have seen a thousand men killed,' said he, acqainte1d with its contents. One Englishman when he told the story,'but I never felt any pain here only talks politics with me: his taste in except when I saw that poor child murderi. 136 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 27. What is to be the fate of Portugal? We know i been the day of St. Francisco-a holiday in all not. Much is going on, but all in secrecy. I Franciscan communities, more especially there expect peace every where. Bonaparte ought because the prince conceives himself under great not to have risked that battle-to stake so much obligations to St. Francisco, and regularly attends on one game! Moreau would not have done it: his festival at Mafra. Of course the country it was a prodigality of human blood merely to was assembled there, food and fruit exposed for please the Parisians. sale in the Plaza, and all the women equipped " God bless you! in all their finery. We went to mass; the prince "Yours affectionately, R. S." followed the Host as it was carried round the church: in the evening there was a procession, To Lieutenant Southey, H.Il.S. Bellona. and the prince paraded with it; and thus the re"October 6, 1800. gent of Portugal passes his time, dangling after "You saw Mafra from the sea, a magnificent saints, and assisting at puppet-shows, and no object, but, like every thing in Portugal, it looks doubt he lay down last night thoroughly satisfied best at a distance: its history you know from that he had done his duty. the last letter in my first edition.*.... We "The church, and convent, and palace are yesterday went there from Cintra, a distance of one vast building, whose front exhibits a strange three leagues (twelve miles). A quinta of the and truly Portuguese mixture of magnificence Marquis Pombal, on the way, forms a pleasing and meanness; in fact, it has never been faced object, from the olives which are planted to screen with stone-a mud plaster is in its place the the vines, the gray foliage and the lively sun- windows are not half glazed, red boards filling up shine, as it were, of the vines contrasting very the workhouse-looking casements. The church well. The quarries are near where the first is beautiful; the library the finest book-room I stone is dug for the Lisbon buildings. Two ever saw, and well stored. The friar who accolumns are now lying by the road, which in the companied us said'it would be an excellent great Pombal's time were hewn for the Square room to eat and drink in, and go to play afterof Lisbon, each of a single stone: a foolish waste ward;' and'if we liked better to play in the of labor, only becoming barbarian pride; for col- dark, we might shut the windows!' He heard umns whose parts are put together upon the spot the servant remark to me that there were books look as well, and are in reality as firm: there enough for me to read there, and asked if I loved they lie, like the square itself, and the half- reading.'And I,' said he,'love eating and finished streets, monuments to the memory of drinking.' Honest Franciscan! He told us, Pombal. also, that the dress of their order was a barbar" Two leagues on the way lies a place called ous dress, and that dress did not change the feelCheleinas: it may contain fifty scattered houses ings. I suspect this man wishes he had profess-I assuredly speak on the outside of its num- ed in France. A Portuguese of some family her-but the place is a torn, and its inhabitants was a nun in France: after the dissolution of strangely jealous of its title. Some lads, lately the monasteries, her brother immediately engaged passing through, inquired the name of the vil- with a Portuguese abbess to receive her, and lage; the man replied, angrily, it was a town; wrote in all haste for the distressed nun; she and as they, not believing it, laughed at him, he wrote, in answer, that she was much obliged to raised an uproar, and they were actually in dan- him, but she was married. ger of being stoned by the offended townsmen.'You have a superb convent here,' said I. A bridge has been lately built here over a val-'Yes,' said the monk;'but it is a wretched place ley, and a great work it is: it happens to be in in winter, we suffer so from the cold; the rheuthe prince's road from Queluz to Mafra, and on matism kills many: we have no fire in our cells. that account this improvement has been made. only in the kitchen.' Such is Mafra: a library, The valley in which Cheleinas stands would not whose books are never used; a palace, with a be noticed for beauty in a cultivated country, but mud-wall front; and a royal convent, inhabited here it appears beautiful from the contrast of vine by monks who loathe their situation. The monks and olive yards with naked and sun-burned hills. often desert: in that case they are hunted like The people are in fault, not the climate: trees deserters, and punished, if caught, with confinewill grow wherever they will plant them; but ment and flogging. They take the vows young planting indicates foresight, and Portuguese never -at fourteen: those who are most stupidly dethink of the future. A stream runs through it, vout may be satisfied with their life; those who which in the rainy season must be wide and are most abandoned in all vice may do well also; rapid: this sweeps down the soil from the mount- but a man with any feeling, any conscience, any ains, and fertilizes the bottom. A circuitous brains, must be miserable. The old men, whose road round the hill top, to avoid a steep descent, necks are broken to their yoke, whose feelings leads to Mafra: there is a by-path, nearer by are all blunted, and who are, by their rank or two miles, which I advise none but a pedestrian age, exempt from some services, and indulged to take. Mafra itself is a small place, the esta- with some privileges-these men are happy lagem rather better than usual, and not worse enough. A literary man would be well off; only than a dirty English ale-house. Saturday had that literature would open his eyes. _" The library was not originally a part of the * Letters from Spain and Portugal. foundation: the Franciscan order excluded all JETAT. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 137 art, all science; no pictures might profane their ain of Cintra: above, it is broken into a number churches; but when Pombal turned them out of of pyramidal summits of rock piled upon rock; this palace, he removed to it the regular canons two of them are wooded completely, the rest of St. Vincent, an order well born and well edu- bare. Upon one stands the Penha convent; a cated, wealthy enough to support themselves, place where, if the Chapel of Loretto had stood, and learned enough to instruct others. His de- one might have half credited the lying legend, sign was to make Mafra a sort of college for the that the angels or the devil had dropped it there education of the young Portuguese; the library -so unascendable the height appears on which was formed with this intention: in what manner it stands, yet is the way up easy. On another this plan was subverted by the present prince, you point the ruins of a Moorish castle crest the hills. may see in the old'Letters.' Incredibly absurd To look down from hence upon the palace and as the story may appear, it is nevertheless strict- town, my head grew giddy, yet is it further from ly true. the town to the valley than from the summit to " The Franciscan is by far the most numerous the town. The road is like a terrace, now with monastic family. A convent that subsists upon the open heath on the left, all purple with heath its revenues must necessarily be limited in its flowers, and here and there the stony summits numbers, but every consecrated beggar gets and coombs winding to the vale, luxuriantly more than enough for his own support; so the wooded, chiefly with cork-trees. Descending as more the merrier...... God bless you! I you advance toward Colares, the summits are conclude in haste. covered with firs, and the valley appears in all "Yours affectionately, the richness of a fertile soil under this blessed "R. SOUTIIEY." climate. "The cork is perhaps the most beautiful of To Lieutenant Souethey, H.M.S. Bellona. trees: its leaves are small, and have the dusky " Cintra, Oct. 7, 1800. color of evergreens, but its boughs branch out in " MY DEAR TOM, the fantastic twistings of the oak, and its bark is.... You have probably heard enough of of all others the most picturesque; you have the infection at Cadiz to be anxious for informa- seen deal curl under the carpenter's plane: it tion. Our accounts agree in nothing but in the grows in such curls; the wrinkles are of course extent of the calamity: one day we are assured deep; one might fancy the cavities the cells of it is the black vomit, another day the yellow fe- hermit fairies. There is one tree in particular ver, and now it is ripened into the plague. This here which a painter might well come from Enonly is certain, that for the last ten or twelve gland to see, large and old; its trunk and branchdays of our accounts, from 240 to 260 persons es are covered with fern-the yellow, sun-burnhave died daily in Cadiz. Whether it has ex- ed fern-forming so sunny c contrast to the dark tended beyond that city is also uncertain; some foliage! a wild vine winds up and hangs in fosreports say that it has spread to the south-to toons from the boughs, its leaves of a bright green, Malaga and Alicante; others bring it to the like youth-and now the purple clusters are ripe. fiontier town, within 200 miles of us. We all These vines form a delightful feature in the think and talk seriously of our danger, and for- scenery; the vineyard is cheerful to the eyes, get it the moment the conversation is changed. but it is the wild vine that I love, matting over Whenever it actually enters Portugal, we shall the hedges, or climbing the cork or the tall popprobably fly to England. I hope the rains, which lar, or twisting over the gray olive in all its unwe may soon expect, will stop the contagion. pruned wantonness. The chestnut also is beau" So much have I to tell you, that it actually tiful; its blossoms shoot out in rays like stars, puz!zes me where to begin. My Cintra mem- and now its hedge-hog fruit stars the dark leaves. orandums must be made; and more than once We have yet another tree of exquisite effect in have I delayed the task of describing this place, the landscape-the fir; not such as you have from a feeling of its difficulty. There is no seen, but one that shoots out no branches, grows scenery in England which can help me to give very high, and then spreads broad in a mushyou an idea of this. The town is small, like all room shape exactly, the bottom of its head of the country towns of Portugal, containing the Plaza brown and withered color that the yew and the or square, and a number of narrow, crooked fir always have, and the surface of the brightest streets, that wind down the hill: the palace is green. If a mushroom serves as the Pantheon old-remarkably irregular-a large, rambling, Dome for a faery hall, you might conceive a shapeless pile, not unlike the prints I have seen giant picking one of these pines for a parasol: in old romances of a castle-a place whose in- they have somewhat the appearance in distance finite corners overlook the sea: two white tow- that the palm and cocoa have in a print. ers, like glass-houses exactly, form a prominent " The English are numerous here, enough to feature in the distance, and with a square tower render it a tolerable market, for sellers will not mark it for an old and public edifice. From the be wanting where purchasers are to be found; valley the town appears to stand very high, and yet, last year, the magistrate of the place wals the ways up are long, and winding, aid weary; | idiot enough to order that no Englishman should but the town itself is far below the summit of the be served till all the Portuguese were satisfied — mountain. You have seen the Rock of Lisbon one of those laws which carries its antidote in its from the sea-that rock is the Sierra, or Mount- own absurdity. Among this people the Englisth K 138 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF XETAT.27. are in high favor; they are liberal, or, if you celebrity of the saint, attacking the sun with skywill, extravagant, and submit to imposition: now rockets. and merry-making all the way. Those a Portuguese fights hard for a farthing-servants of whom I now speak traveled for five days. I love to be in an English family. If a Portuguese saw them return; they had among them four mistress goes out, she locks up her maids for fear ancels on horseback, who, as they took leave of of the men: the relations of the servants often the Virgin at her church door, each alternately insist that this shall be done. Oftentimes the addressed her, and reminded her of all they had men and women of a family do not know each been doing to her honor and glory, and requestother. All kitchen work is done by men, who ed her to continue the same devout spirit in her sleep and live below; the females are kept above Portuguese, which must infallibly render them -a precious symptom of national morals! cal- still invincible; this done, the angels went into culated to extend the evil it is designed to pre- the Plaza to see the fire-works! vent; but I wander from Cintra. The fire-flies' -' I * ** were abundant when we first came here: it was Yours truly, R. S." like faery land to see them sparkling under the trees at night; the glow-worms were also nu- To John Rickman, Esq. merous-their light went out at the end of July; "October, 800. but we have an insect which almost supplies their " MvY DEAR RICKMAN, places-a winged grasshopper, in shape like our At last the opportunity is arrived of sending own; in color a gray ground hue, undistinguish- my important parcel.* My private instruction; able from the soil on which they live till they must be vague-to make the best bargain you leap up, and their expanded wings then appear can, and on no terms to sell the copyright..... like a purple. We hear at evening the grillo: Longman will probably offer to advance the exit is called the cricket, because its song is like pense of publishing, and share the profits: thiis that animal, but louder; it is, however, wholly is not fair, as brains ought to bear a higher indifferent-shaped like a beetle, with wings like terest than money. If you are not satisfied witih a bee, and black: they sell them in cages at Lis- his terms, offer it to Arch, in Grace Church bon by way of singing birds. Street, or to Philips of the Monthly Magazine, a " We ride asses about the country: you would man cwho can afford to pay a good price, belaugh to see a party thus mounted; and yet soon cause he can advertise and puff his own propert)learn to like the easy pace and sure step of the every month. The sale of the book is not doubtJohn burros. At the southwestern extremity of Iful; my name would carry it through an edition, the rock is a singular building which we have though it wNere worthless. * I -; twice visited-a chapel to the Virgin (vho is om-'i In literature, as in the play-things of schoolnipresent in Portugal), on one of the stony sum-i boys and the frippery of women, there are the mits, far from any house: l is the strangest mix- ins and outs of fashion. Sonnets, and satires, tu-es you can imagine of art and nature; you and essays have their day, and my Joan of Arc scarcely, on approaching, know what is rock and has revived the epomania that Boileau cured the what is building, and from the shape and position French of 120 years ago; but it is not every of the chapel itself; it looks like the ark left by the one who can shoot with the bow of Ulysses, and waters upon Mount Ararat. Long flights of steps the gentlemen who think they can:bend the bow lead up, and among the rocks are many rooms, i because I made the string twang, will find themdesigned to house the pilgrims who frequent the selves somewhat disappointed. Whenever that place. A poor family live below with the keys. poem requires a new edition, I think not of corFrom this spot the coast lies like a map below recting it; the ore deserves not to be new east; you to Cape Espichel with the Tagus.'Tis a but of prefixing a fair estimate of its merits and strange place, that catches every cloud, and I defects. * *: have felt a tempest there when there has been no I Foreign Jews are tolerated in Lisbon-that wind below. In case of plague it would be an is, they are in no danger from the Inquisition, excellent asylum. At the northwestern extremi- though forbidden to exercise the ceremonials of ty is a rock which we have not yet visited, where their faith. The intercourse with Barbary brings people go to see fishermen run the risk of break- a few Moors here, so that the devout Portuguese ing their necks, by walking down a precipice. are accustomed to the sight of Jews, Turks, and I have said nothing to you of the wild flowers, heretics. You remember Davy's story of the so many and so beautiful: purple crocuses now Cornishman's remark when his master said, cover the ground; nor of the flocks of goats that'Now, John, we are in Devonshire:''I don't morning and evening pass our door; nor of the see but the pigs have got tails the same as along lemon venders-of these hereafter. o' we.' If the natives here have sense enough " Our Lady of the Incarnation will about fill to make a similar inference, they will be one dothe sheet. Every church has a fraternity at- greewiser than their forefathers. Lisbon grows; tached to its patron saint; for the anniversary many a corn-field, in which I have walked five festival they beg money; what is deficient the years ago, is now covered with houses: this is chief of the brotherhood supplies; for there are a short-lived increase of population-a fine Febfour days preceding the holiday: thus people ruary day-for the English tenant these habitaparade the country with the church banner, takinc a longer or shorter circult according to the The MS. of Thalaba. i-ETAT. 27. OBERT SOUTHEY. 139 tions; and whtn the army shall be recalled, the" to place him with some provincial surgeon of houses will be desolate; but the city exhibits an eminence, who will, for a hundred guineas, unequivocal sign of recovering industry and op- board and instruct him for four or five years. A ulence. The gaps in the new streets, that have hundred guineas! well, but, thank God! there stood vacant since the disgrace of Portal, are now is Thalaba ready, for which I ask this sum. I filled up, or filling: these are not nests for pas- have, therefore, thus eat my calf, and desired sage-birds, but large and magnificent houses for William Taylor to inquire for a situation; and the merchants. so once more goes the furniture of my long-ex"But commerce will for a long, long while pected house in London.*t * * be, as in America, a sordid, selfish, money-get- * * * * * ting drudgery, encouraging no art, and ignorant The plague, or the yellow fever, or the black cf every science. It is not genius that is want- vomit, has not yet reached us, nor do we yet ed in Portugal-genius exists every where; but know what the disease is, though it is not three encouragement, or the hope of encouragement, hundred miles from us, and kills five hundred a. must waken it to action; and here no ambition day at Seville! Contagious by clothes or paper can exist, except the desire of place and court it can not be, or certainly it would have been pageantry. A man of letters, a philosopher, here. A man was at Cintra who had recovered would starve here; a fine singer and a female from the disease, and escaped from Cadiz only dancer are followed as in London. - * - seventeen days before he told the story in a pot* a - - The Italian opera is, in my mind, house here. In Cadiz it might have been con-. only high treason against common sense: noth- fined, because that city is connected by a bridge ing is attended to but the music; the drama is with the main land; but once beyond that limit, simply a substratum for the tune, and the mind and it must take its course-precautions are imlies fallow while the sensual ear is gratified. possible; the only one in their power they do The encouragement of a national theater may not take-'that of suffering no boat to come from call up talents that shall confer honor upon the the opposite shore. Edith is for packing off to nation. England; but I will not move till it comes, and " My first publication will probably be the then away for the mountains. literary part of the History, which is too im-: Our weather is most delightful-not a cloud, portant to be treated of in an appendix, or in cool enough to walk, and warm enough to sit separate and interrupting chapters. Lisbon is still; purple evenings, and moonlight more disrich in the books which suit my purpose; but I, tinct than a November noon in London. We. alas! am not rich, and endure somewhat of the think of mounting jackasses and rambling some tortures of Tantalus. The public library is, in- two hundred miles in the country. I shall lau"g. deed. more accessible than our Museum, &c., in to see Edith among the dirt and fleas, who, I England but the books are under wire eases, suspect, will be more amused with her than she and the freedom of research is miserably shack- will with them. She is going in a few days to led by the necessity of asking the librarian for visit the nuns: they wanted to borrow some every volume you wish to consult: to hunt a books of an English woman' What book would subject through a series of authors is thus ren- you like?' said Miss Petre, somewhat puzzler dered almost impossible. The Academy, how- by the question, and anxious to know.' Why, ever, have much facilitated my labor by pub- we should like novels: have you got Ethelinde, lishing many of their old chronicles in a buyable or the Recluse of the Lake? We have had the shape, and also the old laws of Portugal. There first volume, and it was so interesting! and it is a Frenchman here busy upon the history of leaves of in such an interesting part! We used Brazil. His materials are excellent, and he is to hate to hear the bell for prayers while we indefatigable; but I am apprehensive for his pa- were reading it.' And after a little pause she pers, even if his person should escape. The rain- went on,'And then it is such a good book: we istry know what he is about, and you need not liked it, because the characters are so moral and be told with what an absurd secrecy they hide virtuous.' By-the-by, they have sent Edith some from the world all information respecting that cakes. country: the population of Brazil is said to " We are afraid the expedition under Sir double that of the mother, and now dependent, Ralph Abercrombie is coming here: his men country. So heavy a branch can not long re- are dying of the scurvy, and have been for some main upon so rotten a trunk. God bless you. time upon a short allowance of salt provisions: "Yours truly, R. SoUTIHEY." they will starve us if they come. What folly, to keep five-and-twenty thousand men floating To Mrs. Southey, Sen. about so many months! horses and soldiers both -Lisbon [no date. dying for want of fresh food. * * * " MY DEAR MxOTHER * * * " -. - * 55 * * - t: God bless you. S: *, -5, About Harry, it is' Your affectionate son, necessary to remove him; his room is wanted for " ROBERT SOUTTHEY." a more profitable pupil, and he has outgrown — _ —------ his situation. I have an excellent letter from * The sum ultimately received for the first edition of Thalaba (~15) was not required for this purpose, the fee him, and one from William Taylor, advising me for his brother's surgical education being paid by Mr. Hill. 140 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JiTAT. 27. To Leieut. Southey, H.M.S. Bellona. procession; here he is going to execution; here "Thursday, Feb. 12, 1801, Lisbon. you see his hands cut off, according to his own " On Tuesday we crossed the river to Casil- sentence, and here he is strangled and burned. has Point, procured jackasses, and proceeded to It is remarkable that in almost all these tiles, the a place called Costa to dinner. You know the face of the criminal is broken to pieces, probably castle in the mouth of the Tagus, the state pris- in abhorrence of his guilt. The loss of the waon, where the man is confined that beat the king? fer has been ever regarded as a national calamThe Costa is a collection of fishermen's huts on ity, to be lamented with public prayer, and fasts, the sand, in a line with it, on the south side of and processions. It happened at Mexico in the the river: the ride is about seven miles, over a Conqueror's days, and Cortez himself paraded hilly country, that every where displayed novel with the monks and the mob. and striking views; for the foreground, huge aloes Sat., March 28. and the prickly pear, the broom and furze in "In the long interval that has elapsed since blossom; broad-headed firs every where where this letter was begun, we have traveled about the sandy soil was not cultivated for vines or three hundred and fifty miles. Waterhouse and olives; the sweep of the bay southward skirted I took charge of Edith and three ladies: a docby the pine-covered plains and the mountain tor at Alvea da Cruz, of whom we besought boundary; behind us Lisbon on its heights, and house-room one night in distress, told us, with the river blue and boundless as a sea. Through more truth than politeness, that four women a cleft in a sand-bank, a winter ravine way for were a mighty inconvenience. We did not find the rains, we first saw the Costa at about half a them so: they made our chocolate in the mornmile below us-the most singular view I ever ing, laughed with us by day, enjoyed the scenery, beheld-huts all of thatch scattered upon the packed our provisions basket, and at night ensand: we descended by a very steep way cut dured flea-biting with a patience that entitles through the sand-hill, the sand on either side them to an honorable place in the next martyrfretted by the weather, like old sculpture long ology. All Lisbon, I believe, thought us mad weather-worn: all below belongs to the sea; when we set out; and they now regard our rebut on the bare sands, a numerous tribe have turn with equal envy, as only our complexions fixed their habitations, which exactly resemble have suffered. To detail the journey wou d be the wigwams of the Nootka savages-a wooden too long. We asked at Santarem if they had frame all thatched is all; most commonly the rooms for us; they said plenty: we begged to floor descends for warmth, and the window often see them: they had two rooms-four men in bed on a level with the ground without; two only in one, one fellow in bed in the other. At Pomsymptoms showed us that we were in a civilized bal, Waterhouse and I slept in public, in a room country-a church, the only stone building, and that served as a passage for the family. Men a party stretched upon the sand at cards. The and women indiscriminately made the ladies' men live by fishing, and a stronger race I never beds. One night we passed through a room saw, or more prolific, for children seemed to wherein eight men were sleeping, who rose up swarm. As parties from Lisbon are frequent to look at us, something like a picture of the here, there are two or three hovels of entertain- resurrection. These facts will enable you to ment. Ours had ragged rhymes upon its walls, judge of the comforts and decencies of the Portrecommending us to drink by the barrel and not uguese. They once wanted us, four women by the quart. and two men, to sleep in two beds in one room. "In riding to Odwellas, I saw something curi- Yet, bad as these places are, the mail coach has ous: it was a Padrofa by the road side —ve made them still worse; that is, it has rendered have no other worTin English, and it occurs the people less civil, and made the expenses often in romance, for a place raised by the way heavier. side-where a station or inscription is placed " We crossed the Zezere, a river of importance there was an image of Christ there, and some | in the history of Portugal, as its banks IX%:m the unaccountable inscriptions about robbery, and great protection of Lisbon: it is the place where hiding heaven in the earth, which a series of a stand might most effectually be made anainst pictures in tiles behind explained. A hundred an invading army. The river is fine, about the years ago, the church of Odwellas was robbed width of our Avon at Rownham, and flowxing beof the church plate, and of the sacrament. Then tween hills of our Clifton and Leigh height that I saw the thief playing at skittles when the sa- are covered with heath and gum-cistus the wacristan of the church passed by, whom he fol- ter is beautifully clear, and the bottom sand: like lowed in and hid himself; then I saw him rob- all mountain streams the Zezere is of irreular bing the altar; next, he hides the church dresses and untamable force. In summer, horsemen in the house of a woman; and here he is bury- ford it; in winter, the ferry price varies according the sacrament plate in a vineyard upon this ing to the resistance of the current, from one very spot; here he is examined upon suspicion, vintem to nine-that is, from a penny to a shiland denies all, and says who ever did the sacri- ling. It then enters the Tagus with equal walege ought to have his hands cut off; here he is ters, sometimes with a larger body; for, as the taken in the act of stealing the fowls of the con- rains may have fallen heavier east or north, the vent, and he confesses all; here they dig up the one river with its rush almost stagnates the hidden treasure, and carry it back in a solemn [ other. )ETAT. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 141 "At Pombal we saw Our Lady's oven, where "Decidedly as my own principles lead to tolannually a fire is kindled, a wafer baked, and a eration, 1 yet think in the sufferance of converts man, the Shadrach of the town, walks round the and proselytism it has been carried too for. You glowing oven, and comes out unhurt and unsinged might as well let a fire burn, or a pestilence by special miracle of Our Lady of Cardal. At spread, as suffer the propagation of popery. I Thomar is a statue of St. Christofer on thebridge: hate and abhor it from the bottom of my soul, three grains of his leg, taken in a glass of water, and the only antidote is poison. Voltaire and are a sovereign cure for the ague; and poor St. such writers cut up the wheat with the tares. Christofer's legs are almost worn out by the ex- The monastic establishments in England ought tent of the practice. Torres Vedras is the place to be dissolved; as for the priests, they will, for where Father Anthony of the wounds died-a the most part, find their way into France; they man suspected of sanctity. The pious mob at- who remain should not be suffered to recruit, tacked his body, stripped it naked, cut off all his and would soon die away in peace. I half fear hair, and tore up his nails to keep for relics. I a breach of the Union-perhaps another rebellhave seen relics of all the saints-yea, a thorn ion-in that wretched country. from the crown of crucifixion, and a drop of the " I do not purpose returning till the year of Redemption blood. All this you shall hereafter my house-rent be complete, and shall then leave see at length in the regular journal. Lisbon with regret, in spite of English house"A more interesting subject is our return. comforts and the all-in-all happiness of living My uncle will, I think, return with us, or, at amiong old friends and familiar faces. This clileast, speedily follow. We look forward to the mate so completely changes my whole animal expulsion of the English as only avoidable by a being, that I would exchange every thing for it. general peace, and this so little probable that all It is not Lisbon; Italy, or the south of Spain or preparations are making for removal. My uncle of France, would, perhaps, offer greater induceis sending away all his books, and I am now in ments, if the possibility of a foreign settlement the dirt of packing. In May I hope to be in existed. Bristol; eager enough, God knows, to see old "On my History no labor shall be spared. friends, and old, familiar scenes, but with no Now I only heap marble: the edifice must be pleasant anticipation of English taxes, and En- erected in England; but I must return again to glish climate, and small beer, after this blessed the quarry. You will find my style plain and sun, and the wines of Portugal. My health has short, and of condensed meaning-plain as a received all the benefit I could and did expect: Doric building, and, I trust, of eternal durabilia longer residence would, I think, render the ty. The notes will drain off all quaintness. I amendment permanent; and, with this idea, the have no doubt of making a work by which I shall prospect of a return hereafter, to complete the be honorably remembered. You shall see it, latter part of my History, is by no means un- and Elmsly, if he will take the trouble, before pleasant. publication. Of profit I must not be sanguine; "God bless you, and keep you from the north yet, if it attain the reputation of Robertson, than seas. I have written in haste, being obliged to whom it will not be worse, or of Roscoe and write many letters on my return. Edith's love. Gibbon, it will procure me something more subI know not when or where we shall meet; but, stantial than fame. My price for Thalaba was, when I am on English ground, the distance be- for 1000 copies J115, twelve copies being altween us will not be so impassable. Farewell! lowed me; the booksellers would have bargain" Yours truly, ed for a quarto edition also, but it would have "ROBERT SOUTHEY." been ill judged to have glutted the public. " I expect, in the ensuing winter, to be ready To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. with my first volume: to hurry it would be in"Lisbon, Feb. 21, 1801. judicious, and historic labor will be relieved by " MY DEAR WYNN, employing myself in correcting Madoc. My in"Your letter gave me the first detail of the tention is therefore to journey through North great news. A passage of four days made it as Wales next summer to the lakes, where Coleridge fresh as possible, and we are here cursing winds is settled, and to pass the autumn (their summer) and water that we must wait a fortnight before there. For a Welsh map of the roads, and what another mail can reach us. What will happen? is to be seen, you must be my director; perhaps, the breach is made; and this lath and plaster too, you might in another way assist Madoc, by can not long keep out the weather. Will the old pointing out what manners or superstition of the administration be strong enough to force their Welsh would look well in blank verse. Much plans upon the crown? Possibly. Equally so, may have escaped me, and some necessarily that the art of alarming, in which they were must. Long as this poem (from the age of so proficient, may now be turned successfully fourteen) has been in my head, and long as its against them. Yet, on this point, the whole body sketch has now lain by me, I now look on at no of opposition is with them, and the whole intel- very distant date to its publication, after an amlect of the country. I rather expect, after more pie revision and recasting. You will see it and inefficient changes, the establishment of opposi- scrutinize it when corrected. tion-and peace. The helm requires a strong Thalaba is now a whole and unembarrassed hand. story: the introduction of Laila is not an epi' 142 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 2ET AT. 27. sode, it is so connected with the murder of Ho- tempted me either to industry or idleness. I redeirah and the after actions of Thalaba, as to be turn rich in materials: a twelvemonth's work il essentially part of the tale. Thalaba has cer- England will produce a first volume of my Histainly and inevitably the fault of Samson Ago- tory, and also of the Literary History. Of sucnistes-its parts might change place; but, in a cess I am not sanguine, though sufficiently so of romance, epic laws may be dispensed with; its desert; yet I shall leave a monument to my own faults now are verbal. Such as it is, I know no memory, and perhaps, which is of more consepoem which can claim a place between it and quence, procure a few life-enjoyments. the Orlando. Let it be weighed with the Obe- " My poetizing has been exclusively confined ron; perhaps, were I to speak out, I should not to the completion of Thalaba. I have planned dread a trial with Ariosto. My proportion of a Hindoo romance of original extravagance, and ore to dross is greater. Perhaps the anti-Jaco- have christened it'The Curse of Keradon;' but bin criticasters may spare Thalaba: it is so ut- it were unwise to do any thing here which were terly innocent of all good drift, it may pass as well done in England; and, indeed, the easy through the world like Richard Cromwell, not- business of hunting out every thing to be seen withstanding the sweet savor of its father's name. has taken up no small portion of my time. I Do you know that they have caricatured me be- have ample materials for a volume of misce — tween Fox and Norfolk-worshiping Bonaparte? laneous information: my work in England \ill Poor me-at Lisbon-who have certainly molest- be chiefly to arrange and tack together; here I ed nothing but Portuguese spiders! Amen! I have been glutting, and go home to digest. am only afraid my company will be ashamed of In May we return; and, on my part, with much me; one, at least-he is too good for me; and, reluctance. I have formed local attachments. upon my soul, I think myself too good for the and not personal ones: this glorious river, with other. its mountain boundaries, this blessed winter sun, " The Spanish embassador trundled off for and the summer paradise of Cintra. I would Madrid this morningr: he is a bad imitation of a gladly live and die here.,My health is amendhogshead in make. All is alarm here, and I ed materially, but I have seizures enough to assweat in dreadfully cold weather for my books, sure me that our own unkindly climate will blight creditors-alas! for many a six-and-thirty! We me, as it does the myrtle and oranges of this bethave two allies, more faithful than Austria the ter land; howbeit, business must lead me here honest or Paul the magnanimous-famine and once more for the after volumes of the History. the yellow fever; but the American gentleman If your ill health should also proceed from Enis asleep till summer, and as for famine, she is glish skies, we may, perhaps, emigrate together as busy in England as here. I rejoice in the at last. One head full of brains, and I should eventual effects of scarcity-the cultivation of | ask England nothing else. the wastes; the population bills you probably'" Meantime, my nearer dreams lay their scenes know to be Rickman's, for which he has long about the lakes.a Madoc compels me to visit been soliciting Rose, and the management is his, Wales; perhaps we can meet you in the auof course, and compliment. It is of important tumn; but for the unreasonable distance from utility. Bristol and London, we might take up our abid" Of the red wines I spoke in my last. Will ing near you. I wish you were at Allfoxentyou have Bucellas as it can be got? It should there was a house big enough: you would talk be kept rather in a garret than a cellar, a place me into' a healthy indolence, and I should spur dry and warm; but ample directions shall be you to profitable industry. sent with it. You may, perhaps, get old now, "'* * * when so just an alarm prevails; new is better * than none, because it will improve even in ideal We are threatened with speedy invasion, and value should Portugal be closed to England; its the critical hour of Portugal is probably arrived price will little, if at all, differ from Port or Lis- No alarm has been so general: they have sent bon; it is your vile taxes that make the expense; for transports to secure us a speedy retreat; nor and, by-the-by, I must vent a monstrous oath is it impossible that all idlers may be requested against the duty upon foreign books. Si.pence to remove before the hurry and crowd of a genper pound weight if bound-it is abominable! eral departure. Yet I doubt the reality of the Farewell, and God bless you. danger. Portugal buys respite: will they kill "Yours affectionately, the goose that lays golden eggs? Will Spain " R. SOUTHEY." consent to admit an army through that will shake her rotten throne? Will Bonaparte venture an To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. army where there is danger of the yellow fever? "Lisbon, March 28, 1801. to a part whence all plunder will be removed, " The sight of your handwriting did not give where that army will find nothing to eat after a me much pleasure:'twas the leg of a lark to a march of 1000 miles. through a starved counhungry man-yet it was your handwriting. * try? On the other hand, this country may turn "I have been more than once tottering on the round, may join the coalition, seize on English brink of a letter to you, and more than once the -- glimpse at some old Spaniard, or the xvhim of a * Mr. Coleridge was at this time residing at Keswick. glmpse at e o ld San iar, or the whim o fg s a t A house in Somersetshire, where Mr. Wordswortum walk, or an orange, or a bunch of grapes, has resided at one time. ETAT. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 143 property, and bid us all decamp: this was ap- Derwent. and baptized him in the name of the prehended; and what dependence can be placed river! Should he be drowned there, he will get upon utter imbecility? Were it not for Edith, into the next edition of Wanley's Wonders, unI would fairly see it out, and witness the whole der the head of God's Judgments. And how boderation. There is a worse than the Bastile comes on Moses. and will he remember me? here, over whose dungeons I often walk. * God bless you! * * * * * * * *' Yours, ROBERT SOUTHEY." But this is not what is to be wished for Portugal-this conquest which would excite good feel- To 2iMrs. Southey. ings against innovation; if there was peace, the "Faro, April 17, 1801. business would probably be done at home. En- " By the luckiest opportunity, my dear Edith, gland is now the bedarkening power; she is in I am enabled to write and ease myself of a load politics what Spain was to religion at the Ref- of uneasiness. An express is about to leave ormation. Change here involves the loss of Faro, otherwise till Tuesday next there would their colonies, and an English fleet would cut off have been no conveyance. We are at Mr. Lemthe supplies of Lisbon. - x * * priere's, hospitably and kindly received, and for * * * The monastic orders will ac- the first time resting after ten days' very hard celerate revolution, because the begging friars, labor. At Cassillas our letter to Kirwan was mostly young, are mostly discontented, and the of no use, as he was absent. For mules they rich friars every where objects of envy. I have asked too much, and we mounted burros to heard the people complain of monastic oppression, Azecto; there no supply was to be found, and and distinguish between the friars and the relig- the same beasts carried us to Setubal, which we ion they profess. I even fear, so generally is did not reach till night. The house to which we that distinction made, that popery may exist when had an introduction was deserted, and we lost monkery is abolished. nothing by going to an excellent estalagem. " In May I hope to be in Bristol, and if it can Next day it rained till noon, when we embarkbe so arranged, in September at the lakes. I ed, and sailed through dull and objectless shores should like to winter there; then I might labor at to Alcacere: mules to Evora, the distance nine my History; and we might, perhaps, amuse our- leagues. At the end of the first it set in a seselves with some joint journeyman work, which vere rain, and the coldest north wind we ever might keep up winter fires and Christmas tables. experienced: the road was one infinite charOf all this we will write on my return. I now reca, a wilderness of gum cistus. We would long to be in England, as it is impossible to re- have stopped any where: about six in the evenmain and root here at present. We shall soon ing we begged charity at a peasant's house, at and inevitably be expelled, unless a general peace the Monte dos Moneros, three leagues short of redeem the merchants here from ruin. England Evora, dripping wet and deadly cold, dreading has brought Portugal into the scrape, and with darkness, and the effects of so severe a wetting, rather more than usual prudence, left her in it: and the cold wind; we got admittance, and all it is understood that this country may make her possible kindness; dried ourselves and baggage, own terms, and submit to France without incur- which was wet also; supped upon the little ring the resentment of England. When the round curd cheeses of the country, olives, and Portuguese first entered this happy war, the milk, and slept in comfort. The morning was phrase of their ministers was, that they were fine, but the same wind continued till yesterday, going to be pall-bearers at the funeral of France. and has plagued us cruelly by day and by night. Fools! they were digging'a grave, and have "At Evora we remained half a day; there fallen into it. our night sufferings began; from thence till we " Of all English doings I am quite ignorant. reached Faro we have never slept in one ceiled Thomas Dermody, I see, has risen again, and room: all tiled so loosely that an astrologer the Farmer's Boy is most miraculously over- would find them no bad observatories; and by rated. The Monthly Magazine speaks with no possible means could we keep ourselves warm. shallow-pated pertness of your Wallenstein: it Waterhouse I taught, indeed, by Niebuhr's exinterests me much; and, what is better praise, ample in Arabia, to lie with his face under the invited me to a frequent reperusal of its parts: sheets, but it suffocated me. From Evora we will you think me wrong in preferring it to took burros to Beja-a day and a half; we slept Schiller's other plays? it appears to me more at Villa Ruina; from Viana to that little town is dramatically true. Max may, perhaps, be over- a lovely track of country, and, except that little strained, and the woman is like all German he- island of cultivation, we have seen nothing but roines: but in Wallenstein is that greatness and charrecas till we reached Tavira. The bishop littleness united which stamp the portrait. Will- gave us cheese and incomparable wine, and a iam Taylor, you see, is making quaint theories letter to Father John of the Palm at Castro: to of the Old Testament writers; how are you em- Castro a day's journey. On the road there was ployed? Must Lessing wait for the Resurrec- a monumental cross, where a man had been eattion before he receives a new life? en by the wolves. John of the Palm is a very " So you dipped your young pagan* in the blackguard priest, but he was useful. We had a curious party there of his friends, drinking wine * The Rev. Derwent Coleridge, principal of St. Mark'sa i there of his friends drk wine College, Chelsea. with us in the room, or, rather, between the four 144 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 27 walls where we were pounded, not housed, for tie heaven. * * * * *' the night: a deputy judge, with a great sword, I have hurried over our way, that you may know old as the Portuguese monarchy, smoking, and simply where we have been, and where we are: handing round his cigar out of his own mouth to the full account would be a week's work. You the rest of the company; our muleteer, that was will be amused with the adventures of two Irish to be, hand and glove with the priest and the and one Scotch officers, who came from Gibralmagistrate; and another pot companion. Next tar to Lagos, with a fortnight's leave of absence, day across the field of Ourique, and seven long to amuse themselves: they brought a Genoese leagues of wilderness: there was no estalagem; interpreter, and understood from him that it was in fact, we were in the wilds of Alentejo, where eleven leagues to Faro, and a good turnpike road. hardly any traveler has penetrated; we were I write their own unexaggerated account: they again thrown on charity, and kindly received: determined to ride there to dinner, and they were this was Tuesday. On Wednesday we crossed three days on the way, begging, threatening, the mountains to Tavira, seven leagues; in the drawing their swords to get lodged at nightbishop's language, long leagues, terrible leagues, all in vain; the first night they slept in the fields; infinite leagues: the road would be utterly im- afterward they learned an humbler tone, and got, passable were it not that the Host is carried on between four of them, a shelter, but no beds; horseback in these wilds, and therefore the way here they waited six weeks for an opportunity of must be kept open. As we passed one ugly spot, getting back; and one of them was paymaster at the guide told us a man broke his neck there Gibraltar: they were utterly miserable for want lately. This day's journey, however, was quite of something to do-billiards eternally; they new: wherever we looked was mountain- even bought birds, a cat, a dog, a fox, for playwaving, swelling, breasting, exactly like the sea- things; yesterday embarked, after spending a like prints of the Holy Hand which you see in hundred pieces here in six weeks, neither they old travels. At last the sea appeared, and the nor any one else knowing how, except that they Guadiana, and the frontier towns Azamonte and gave six testoons a piece for all the Port wine in Castro Marini. We descended, and entered the the place. * * * * garden, the Paradise of Algarve: here our troub- " God bless you! I have a thousand things les and labor were to end; we were out of the to tell you on my return, my dear Edith. wilderness. Milk and honey, indeed, we did not "Yours affectionately, expect in this land of promise, but we expected "ROBERT SOUTHEY." every thing else. The sound of a drum alarmed us, and we found Tavira full of soldiers. The — - governor examined our pass, and I could not but smile at the way in which he eyed Roberto CHAPTER VIII. Southey, the negociente, of ordinary stature, thin and long face, a dark complexion, &c., and squint- RETURN TO ENGLAND-THINIIS OF GOING DOWN ed at Waterhouse's lame legs. For a man in TO CUMIBERLAND-LETTER FROM MR. COLEpower he was civil, and sent us to the Corregi- RIDGE, DESCRIBING GRETA HALL-THOUGHTS dor to get our beasts secured. This second in- OF A CONSULSHIP-THE LAW-LYRICAL BALspection over, we were in the streets of Tavira, LADS-CONSPIRACY OF GOWRIE-MADOC-DIFto beg a night's lodging-and beg hard we did FICULTY OF MEETING THE EXPENSE OF THE for some hours. At last, induced by the mule- JOURNEY TO IESWICK-LETTER TO MR. BEDteer, whom she knew, and by the petition of FORD-UNCHANGED AFFECTION-GOES DOWN some dozen honest people, whom our situation To KESWVICK-FIRST IM1PRESSIONS OF THE had drawn about us, a woman, who had one LAKES-EXCURSION INTO WALES-APPOINTroom unoccupied by the soldiers, turned the key IENT AS PRIVATE SECRETARY TO MR. CORRY with doubt and delay, for her husband was ab- -GOES TO DUBLIN-LETTERS FROM THENCE sent, and we wanted nothing but a ceiling. Yes- -GOES TO LONDON-ACCOUNT OF HIS OFFIterday we reached Faro, and to-day remain here CIAL DUTIES.-1801. to rest. * * * * * * "Our faces are skinned by the cutting wind IN the course of the following June my father and sun: my nose has been roasted by a slow and mother returned to England, and for a short fire-burned alive by sunbeams:'tis a great time again took up their residence at Bristol. comfort that Waterhouse has no reason to laughj His sojourn abroad had in all respects been a at it; and even Bento's* is of a fine carbuncle most satisfactory as well as a most enjoyable color. Thank God! you were not with us; one one: the various unpleasant, and, indeed, alarmroom is the utmost these hovels contain; the ing symptoms under which he had previously lawalls of stone, unmortared, and the roofs what I bored, had proved to be rather of nervous than have described them. of organic origin; and as they seemed to have " Yet we are well repaid, and have never fal- owed their rise to sedentary habits and continued tered either in health or spirits. At Evora, at mental exertion, they had readily given way, Beja, at the Ourique field, was much to interest; under the combined influence of change of scene and here we are in a lovely country, to us a lit- and place, a more genial climate, and the health-------------- ful excitement of travel in a foreign land, and * His servant. scenes fall alike of beauty and of interest. He )ETAT. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 145 had not, indeed, been idle the while, for he had landlord, who dwells next door,* has a very relaid up large stores for his projected History of spectable library, which he has put with minePortugal (never, alas! destined to be completed); histories, encyclopedias, and all the modern gen. and he had finished Thalaba, a transcript of which try. But then I can have, when I choose, free had been sent to England, and its publication access to the princely library of Sir Guilfred negotiated for with the Messrs. Longman, by his Lawson, which contains the noblest collection of friend Mr. Rickman. He had now entirely aban- travels and natural history of perhaps any private doned all idea of continuing the study of the law, library in England; besides this, there is the and his thoughts and wishes were strongly turned Cathedral library of Carlisle, from whence I can toward obtaining some appointment which would have any books sent to me that I wish; in short, enable him to reside in a southern climate. In I may truly say that I command all the libraries the mean time, having no especial reason for in the county. * * * * - wishing to remain in Bristol, he had for some "Our neighbor is a truly good and affectiontime contemplated a journey into Cumberland, ate man, a father to my children, and a friend to for the double purpose of seeing the lakes and me. He was offered fifty guineas for the house visiting Mr. Coleridge, who was at this time in which we are to live, but he preferred me for residing at Greta Hall, Keswick, having been a tenant at twenty-five; and yet the whole of his tempted into the north by the proximity of Mr. income does not exceed, I believe; ~200 a year. Wordsworth, and to whom he had written con- A more truly disinterested man I never met with; cerning this intention some months'before leav- severely frugal, yet almost carelessly generous; ing Lisbon. Mr. Coleridge's answer waited his and yet he got all his money as a common carreturn, and a portion of it may not unfitly be'rier,t by hard labor, and by pennies and pennies. transcribed here, describing, as it does, briefly He is one instance among many in this country yet very faithfully, the place destined to be my of the salutary effect of the love of knowledgefather's abode for the longest portion of his life he was from a boy a lover of learning. * s -the birth-place of all his children (save one), The house is full twice as large as we want: it and the place of his final rest. hath more rooms in it than Allfoxen: you might have a bed-room, parlor, study, &c., &c., and To Robert Southey, Esq. there would always be rooms to spare for your "Greta Hall, Keswick, April 13,1801. or my visitors. In short, for situation and con"MY DEAR SOTTHEY, venience-and when I mention the name of "I received your kind letter on the evening Wordsworth, for society of men of intellect-I before last, and I trust that this will arrive at know no place in which you and Edith would find Bristol just in time to rejoice with them that re- yourselves so well suited." joice. Alas! you will have found the dear old The remainder of this letter, as well as another place sadly minused by the removal of Davy. of later date, was filled with a most gloomy acIt is one of the evils of long silence, that when count of his own health, to which my father reone recommences the correspondence, one has so fers in the commencement of his reply. much to say that one can say nothing.- I have enough, -with what I have seen, and with what I To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. have done, and with what I have suffered, and "Bristol, July 11, 1801. with what I have heard, exclusive of all that I Yesterday I arrived, and found your letters; hope and all that I intend-I have enough to pass they did depress me, but I have since reasoned away a great deal of time with. were you on a or dreamed myself into more cheerful anticipadesert isle, and I your Friday. But at present tions. I have persuaded myself that your comI purpose to speak only of myself relatively to plaint is gouty; that good living is necessary, Keswick and to you. and a good climate. I also move to the south; "Our house stands on a low hill, the whole at least so it appears;, and if my present prosfront of which is one field and an enormous gar- pects ripen, we may yet live under one roof. den, nine tenths of which is a nursery garden. * * * * * Behind the house is an orchard, and a small wood " You may have seen a translation of Persius, on a steep slope, at the foot of which flows-the by Drummond, an M.P' This man is going emRiver Greta, which winds round and catches the bassador, first to Palermo, and then to Constanevening lights in the front of the house. In front we tinople: if a married man can go as his secrehave a giant's camp —an encamped army of tent- tary, it is probable that I shall accompany him. like mountains, which by an inverted arch gives I daily expect to know. It is a scheme of a view of another vale. On our right the love- Wynn's to settle me in the south, and I am rely vale and the wedge-shaped lake of Bassen- turned to look about me., My salary will be thwaite; and on our left Derwentwater and Lo- small-a very trifle; but after a few years I dore full in view, and the fantastic mountains look on to something better, and have fixed my of Borrodale. Behind us the massy Skiddaw, mind on a consulship. Now, if we go, you must smooth, green, high, with two chasms and a tent-like ridge in the larger. A fairerscene you * Greta Hall was at this time divided into two houses, have not seen in all your wanderings. Without which were afterward thrown together. going from our own grounds, we have all that t This person, whose name was Jackson, was the ~Ccan plemaster" in Mr. Aordsworst h's poem of " The Wagoner," can please a human being. As to books, my the circumstances of which are accurately correct. 146 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 27. join us as soon as we are housed, and it will be To S. T. Coleridge. Esq. marvelous if we regret England. I shall have "July 25. so little to do that my time may be considered In about ten days we shall be ready to set as wholly my own: our joint amusements will forward for Keswick, where, if it were not for easily supply us with all expenses. So no more the rains, and the fogs, and the frosts, I should of the Azores, for we will see the Great Turk, probably be content to winter; but the climate and visit Greece, and walk up the Pyramids, and deters me. It is uncertain when I may be sent ride camels in Arabia. I have dreamed of noth- abroad, or where, except that the South of Euing else these five weeks. As yet every thing rope is my choice. The appointment hardly is so uncertain, tor I have received no letter since doubtful, and the probable destination Palermo we landed, that nothing can be said of our inter- or Naples. We will talk of the future, and mediate movements. If we are not embarked dream of it, on the lake side. * a too soon, we will set off as early as possible for * I may calculate upon the next six Cumberland, unless you should think, as we do, months at my own disposal; so we will climb that Mohammed had better come to the mount- Skiddaw this year, and scale AEtna the next; ain; that change of all externals may benefit and Sicilian air will keep us alive till Davy has you; and that, bad as Bristol weather is, it is found out the immortalizing elixir, or till we are yet infinitely preferable to northern cold and very well satisfied to do without it, and be im. damp. Meet we must, and will. mortalized after the manner of our fathers. My " You know your old Poems are a third time pocket-book contains more plans than will ever in the press; why not set forth a second volume? be filled up; but, whatever becomes of those *. * * Your Christabel, your plans, this, at least, is feasible. * * Three Graces, which I remember as the very * * * * * * consummation of poetry. I must spur you to Poor H —, he has literally killed himself by something, to the assertion of your supremacy; the law; which, I believe, kills more than any if you have not enough to muster, I will aid you disease that takes its place in the bills of morin any way-manufacture skeletons that you may tality. Blackstone is a needful book, and my clothe with flesh, blood, and beauty; write my Coke is a borrowed one; but I have one law best, or what shall be bad enough to be popular; book whereof to make an auto-da-f6; and burned we will even make plays a-la-node Robespierre. he shall be; but whether to perform that cere-.....Drop all task-work; it is ever unprofit- mony, with fitting libations, at home, or fling him able; the same time, and one twentieth part of down the crater of ZEtna directly to the devil, is the labor, would produce treble emolument. For worth considering at leisure. Thalaba [ received c~115: it was just twelve "I must work at Keswick; the more willmonths' intermitting work, and the after editions ingly, because with the hope, hereafter, the neare my own. cessity will cease. My Portuguese materials * * * * * * * must lie dead, and this embarrasses me. It is "I feel here as a stranger-somewhat of impossible to publish any thing about that counLeonard's feeling. God bless Wordsworth for try now, because I must one day return therethat poemi!* What tie have I to England? My to their libraries and archives; otherwise I have London friends? There, indeed, I have friends. excellent stuff for a little volume, and could soon But if you and yours were with me, eating dates set forth a first vol. of my History, either civil in a garden at Constantinople, you might assert or literary. In these labors I have incurred a that we were in the best of all possible places; heavy and serious expense. I shall write to and I should answer, Amen; and if our wives Hamilton, and review again, if he chooses to rebelled, we would send for the chief of the employ me. * * * black eunuchs, and sell them to the Seraglio. It was Cottle who told me that your Poems were Then should Moses learn Arabic, and we would reprinting in a third edition: this can not allude know whether there was any thing in the lan- to the Lyrical Ballads, because of the number guage or not. We would drink Cyprus wine and and the participle present. * * Mocha coffee, and smoke more tranquilly than I am bitterly angry to see one new poem smugever we did in the Ship in Small Street. gled into the world in the Lyrical Ballads, where "Time and absence make strange work with the 750 purchasers of the first can never get at our affections; but mine are ever returning to it. At Falmouth I bought Thomas Dermody's rest upon you. I have other and dear friends, Poems, for old acquaintance' sake; alas! the boy but none with whom the whole of my being is wrote better than the man! * * intimate-with whom every thought and feeling Pyes Alfred (to distinguish him from Alfied the can amalgamate. Oh! I have yet such dreams! Pious*) I have not yet inspected, nor the willIs it quite clear that you and I were not meant ful murder of Bonaparte, by Anna Matilda, nor for some better star, and dropped, by mistake, the high treason committed by Sir James Bland into this world of pounds, shillings, and pence? Burgess, Baronet, against our lion-hearted Rich* * * * * * * ard. Davy is fallen stark mad with a play, call"God bless you! ed the Conspiracy of Gowrie, which is by Rough;; ROBERT SOUTHEY.77 an imitation of Gebir, with some poetry; but mis* " The Brothers" is the title of this poem. * This alludes to Mr. Cottle's "Alfred." 'TATr. 27. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 147 erably and hopelessly deficient in all else: every looked; society, too, is something; and Italy character reasoning, and metaphorizing, and met- has never been without some great mind' or othaphysicking the reader most nauseously. By- er, worthy of its better ages. When we are the-by, there is a great analogy between hock, well tired'of Italy, why, I will get removed to laver, p6rk pie, and the Lyrical Ballads: all have Portugal, to which I look with longing eyes as aflavor, not beloved by those who require a taste, the land of promise. But, in all sober seriousand utterly unpleasant to dram-drinkers, whose ness, the plan I propose is very practicable, very diseased palates can only feel pepper and brandy. pleasant, and eke also very prudent. My busiI know not whether Wordsworth will forgive the ness will not be an hour in a week, and it will stimulant tale of Thalaba —'tis a turtle soup, enable me to afford to be idle-a power which highly seasoned, but with a flavor'of its own I shall never wish to exert, but which I do long predominant. His are sparagrass (it ought to toipossess. * * * - - be spelled so) and artichokes,, good with plain Davy's removal to London extends his splyere of butter, and wholesome. utility, and places him-in affluence; yet he will "I look on- Madoc with hopeful displeasure; be the worse for it. Chameleon-like, we are all probably it must be corrected, and published colored by the near objects; and he is among now. This coming into the world;at seven'metaphysical sensualists.: he should have remonths is a bad way; with a Doctor Slop of a mained a few years longer here, till the wax printer's devil standing ready for the forced birth, cooled, which is now passive to any impression. and frightening one into an abortion. * * I wish it was not true, but it, unfortunately is' * * *x Is there an emigrant that experimental philosophy always deadens the at Keswick who may make me talk and write feelings; and these men \who'botanize upon French? And I must sit at my almost forgot- their mothers' graves' may retort and say that ten Italian, and read German with you; and we cherished feelings deaden our usefulness; and so must read Tasso together. * * * we are all well in our way. "God bless you!,. "Yours, R. S." Do not hurry from the baths for the sake of meeting me, for when I set out is unpleasantly unTo S. T. Coleridge, Esq.'certain; and as I suppose we must be Lloyd's "Bristol, August 3, 1801. guests a few days, it may as well or better be "Following the advice of the Traumatic before your return. My mother is very unwell, Poet,* I have been endeavoring to get money- perhaps more seriously so than I allow myself to and to get it honestly. I wrote to -, and fully believe. If Peggy*' wee- what shall I propounded to him Madoc, to be ready for the say? — released is a varnishing phrase; and press in six months, at a price equivalent to that death is desirable, when recovery is -impossible. of Thalaba, in proportion to its length; and I I would bring my mother with me for the sake asked for fifty pounds now, the rest on pubiica- of total change, if Peggy could be left, but that tion. writes to beat down the price. is impossible; recover she can not, yet may; and *'*.* And I have answered, I believe will, suffer on till winter. Almost I that the difference about terms sets me at liber- pre-feel that my mother's illness will, at the ty from my proposal. same time, recall me. * * *: "And so, how to raise the wind for my long The summer-is going off, and I am longing for land voyage? Why, I expect Hamilton's ac- hot weather, to bathe in your lake; and yet am count daily (for whom, by-the-by, I am again at I tied by the leg. Howbeit, Hamilton's few work!), and he owes.me I know not what-it -days can not be stretched much longer; and may be fifteen pounds, it may be five-and-twen- when'his account comes, I shall draw the money, ty': if the latter, off we go, as soon as we can and away. God bless you! get an agreeable companion in a post-chaise; if' "R. SOUTIEY." it be not enough, why I must beg, borrow, or steal. I have once been tempted to sell my soul A letter from Mr. Bedford, containing some to Stuart for.three months, for thirteen guineas reproaches for a much longer Silence than was in advance; but my soul mutinied at the bar- his wont, called forth the following reply: gain * * * o * Madoc has had a miraculous escape! it went against To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. my stomach and my'conscience —but malesacda "l August 19,1801. fames.'"MY DEAa GROSVENOn, "Your West India plan is a vile one. Italy, " The tone and temper of your letter left me Italy. I shall have enough leisure for a month's in an uncomfortable mood-certainly I deserved journey. Moses, and the young one with the it, as far as negligence deserves reproof so harsh heathenish name, will learn Italian as they are -but indeed, Grosvenor, you have been somelearning English-an advantage not to be over- what like" the Scotch judge, who included all ~~_ ___i _rape, robbery, murder, and horse-stealing under * The "Traumatic Poet" was a Bristol acquaintance of, the head of sedition; so have you suspected negmy father's and Mr. Coleridge, who somewhat overrated ligence of cloaking a cold, and fickle, and insinhis own powers of poetical comnposition; two choice son- nets of his, on "Metaphor" and'Personification," were * His cousin, Margaret Hill, to whom he was grealy atprinted in the first volume of the Annual Anthology. tached, then dying in a consumption. 148 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF jETAT. 8. cere heart. Dear, dear Grosvenor, if by any past. By-the-by, it is unfortunate that you can magic of ear you could hear how often your not come to the sacrifice of one law book-my name passes my lips! or could you see how often whole proper stock-whom I design to take up I see your figure in my walks-the recollections to the top of Mount 2Etna, for the express pur-and the wishes-but what are these? A pose of throwing him down straight to the devil. hundred times should I have begun a letter if Huzza, Grosvenor! I was once afraid that I there had been enough to fill it-if I could have should have a deadly deal of law to forget whensent you the exquisite laugh when I again saw ever I had done with it; but my brains, God St. Augustine and his load, or the smile when I bless them! never received any, and I am as igread Saunders's death in the newspaper; but norant as heart could wish. The tares would these are unwritable things-the gossip, and not grow. the playfulness, and the boyishness, and the hap- " You will direct to Keswick, Cumberland. I piness: I was about to write, however-in con- set off on Saturday next, and shall be there about science and truth I was-and for an odd reason. Tuesday; and if you could contrive to steal time I heard a gentleman imitate Henderson; and for a visit to the lakes, you would find me a rare there was in that imitation a decisiveness of pro- guide. nunciation, a rolling every syllable over the " If you have not seen the second volume of tongue, a force and pressure of lip and of pal- Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads, I counsel you to ate, that, had my eyes been shut, I could have buy them, and read aloud the poems entitled The half believed you had been reading Shakspeare Brothers, and Michael, which, especially the first, to me-and I was about to tell you so, because are, to my taste, excellent. I have never been the impression was so strong. s much affected, and so wzell, as by some pas-; With Drummond it seems I go not, but he sages there. and Wynn design to get for me-or try to get' God bless you. Edith's remembrance. -a better berth-that of secretary to some Ital- Yours as ever, ian legation, which is permanent, and not per- "ROBERT SOUTHEY.") sonally attached to the minister. Amen. I love the south, and the possibility highly pleases me, My father's first impression of the lake counand the prospect of advancing my fortunes. To try was not quite equal to the feelings with which England I have no strong tie; the friends whom he afterward regarded it; and he dreaded the I love live so widely apart that I never see two climate, which, even when long residence had in a place; and for acquaintance, they are to be habituated him to it, he always considered as found every where. Thus much for the future; one of the greatest drawbacks to the north of for the present I am about to move to Coleridge, England. " Whether we winter here or not," who is at the lakes; and I am laboring, some- he writes, immediately on his arrival at Keswhat blindly indeed, but all to some purpose, wick, "time must determine; inclination would about my ways and means; for the foreign ex- lead me to, but it is as cold as at Yarmouth, pedition that has restored my health, has at the and I am now growling at clouds and Cumbersame time picked my pocket; and if I had not land weather. The lakes at first disappointed good spirits and cheerful industry. I should be me-they were diminutive to what I expected; somewhat surly and sad. So I am-I hope the mountains little, compared to Monchique; most truly and ardently for the last time-pen- and for beauty, all English, perhaps all existing and-inking for supplies, not from pure inclina- scenery, must yield to Cintra, my last summer's tion. I am rather heaping bricks and mortar residence. Yet, as I become more familiar with than building-hesitating between this plan and these mountains, the more is their sublimity felt that plan, and preparing for both. I rather think and understood: were they in a warmer climate, it will end in a romance, in meter Thalabian- they would be the best and most desirable neighin mythology Hindoo-by name the Curse of bors." Kehama, on which name you may speculate; and if you have any curiosity to see a crude out- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. line, the undeveloped life-germ of the egg, say "Keswick, ept. 6, 1801. so, and you shall see the story as it is, and the ": * * * * * * poem as it is to be, written piece-meal. * * De Anthologia, which is of "Thus, then, is my time employed, or thus it or concerning the Anthology. As I hope to be ought to be; for how much is dissipated by going picking up lava from Etna, I can not be tying here and there-dinnering, and tea-taking, and up nosegays here in England; but blind Tobin, suppering, traying, or eveninging, take which whom you know-God bless him for a very good phrase of fashion pleases you-you may guess. fellow!-but Tobin the blind is very unwilling " Grosvenor, I perceive no change in myself, that no more anthologies should appear; wherenor any symptoms of change; I differ only in fore there will be more volumes, with which all years from what I was, and years make less dif- I shall have to do will be to see that large-paper ference in me than in most men. All things copies be printed to continue sets, becoming myconsidered, I feel myself a fortunate and happy self only a gentleman contributor, to which inman; the future wears a better face than it has genious publication I beg your countenance, sir, ever done, and I have no reason to regret that and support. C * * C * * indifference to fortune which has marked the You ask me questions about my future plans ETAT. 28. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 149 which I can not readily answer, only that if I hurrying back for a few days to Keswick, he got a decent salary abroad, even should my lost no time in taking possession of his new office. health take a fancy to this queer climate, I have no estate to retire to at home, and so shall have To Mrs. Southey. a good prudential reason for remaining there. "Dublin, Wednesday, Oct. 14,1801. My dreams incline to Lisbon as a resting-place: * * * * 4 4 4 I am really attached to the country, and, odd as " On Sunday, after delaying till the latest posit may seem, to the people. In Lisbon they sible moment for the chance of passengers, we are, like all metropolitans, roguish enough, but dropped down the River Dee. Thle wind allnost in the country I have found them hospitable, immediately failed us; I never saw so dead a even to kindness, when I was a stranger and calm; there was not a heaving, a ripple; a in want. The consulship at Lisbon would, of wrinkle on the water; the ship, though she all possible situations, best delight me-better made some way with the tide, was as still as a than a grand consulship-'tis a good thousand house, to our feelings. Had the wind continued a year. But when one is dreaming, you know, as when we embarked, eighteen hours would Grosvenor- have blown us to Dublin. I saw the sun set "These lakes are like rivers; but oh for the behind Anglesea; and the mountains of CarMondego and Tagus! And these mountains, narvonshire rose so beautifully before us, that, beautifully indeed are they shaped and grouped; though at sea, it was delightful. The sunrise but oh for the great Monchique! and for Cintra, on Monday was magnificent. Holyhead was my paradise! the heaven on earth of my hopes; then in sight, and in sight on the wrong side it and if ever I should have a house at Cintra, as in continued all day, while we tacked and retackearnest sincerity I do hope I shall, will not you ed with a hard-hearted wind. We got into give me one twelvemonth, and eat grapes, and Beaumaris Bay, and waited there for the midride donkeys, and be very happy? In truth, night tide: it was very quiet; even my stomach Grosvenor, I have lived abroad too long to be had not provocation enough, as yet, to be sick. contented in England: I miss southern luxuries In the night we proceeded. About two o'clock -the fruits, the wines; I miss the sun in heaven, a very heavy gale arose: it blew great guns, as having been upon a short allowance of sunbeams you would say; the vessel shipped water very these last ten days; and if the nervous fluid be fast; it came pouring down into the cabin, and the galvanic fluid, and the galvanic fluid the both pumps were at work-the dismallest thump, electric fluid, and the electric fluid condensed thump, I ever heard: this lasted about three light, zounds! what an effect must these vile, hours. As soon as we were clear of the Race dark, rainy clouds have upon a poor nervous fel- of Holyhead the sea grew smoother, though the low, whose brain has been in a state of high il- I gale continued. On Tuesday the morning was lumination for the last fifteen months! hazy; we could not see land, though it was not " God bless you! I am going in a few days far distant; and when at last we saw it. the wind to meet Wynn at Liverpool, and then to see the had drifted us so far south that no possibility exWelsh lions. * 4 * 4 * 4 isted of our reaching Dublin that night. The Grosvenor Bedford, I wish you would write a captain, a good man and a good sailor, who never history, for, take my word for it, no employment leaves his. deck during the night, and drinks else is one thousandth part so interesting. I nothing but butter-milk, therefore readily agreed wish you would try it. We want a Venetian to land us at Balbriggen; and there we got history. I would hunt Italy for your materials, ashore at two o'clock. Balbriggen is a fishing and help you in any imaginable way. Think I and bathing town, fifteen miles from Dublinabout it, and tell me your thoughts. but miles and money differ in Ireland from the "Yours affectionately, English standard, eleven miles Irish being as "R. SOUTHEY." long as fourteen English. 4 - - "To my great satisfaction, we had in our On my father's arrival at Llangedwin, the company one of the most celebrated characters residence of his friend Mr. C. W. W. Wynn, he' existing at this day; a man whose name is as found a letter awaiting him, offering him the ap-! widely known as that of any human being, expointment of private secretary to Mr. Corry, at cept, perhaps, Bonaparte! that time Chancellor of the Exchequer for Ire- He is not above five feet, but, notwithstandland: the terms " prudently limited to one year, ing his figurue, soon became the most important lest they should not suit each other;" the proffer- personage of the party.' Sir,' said he, as soon ed salary c400 Irish (about 6350 English), of as he set foot in the vessel,'I am a unique; I which the half was specified as traveling ex- go any where, just as the whim takes me: this penses. This had been brought about through morning, sir, I had no idea whatever of going to his friend Mr. Rickman, who was at that time Dublin; I did not think of it when I left home: secretary to Mr. Abbot, and, in consequence, re- my wxife and family know nothing of the trip. I siding in Dublin-an additional inducement to have only one shirt with me besides what I have my father to accept the appointment, as he on; my nephew here, sir, has not another shirt would have to reside there himself during half to his back; but money, sir, money-any thing the year. i may be had at Dublin.' Who the devil is this His immediate services being required, after fellow? thought I. We talked of rum-he had 150 LIFE AND CORRElSPONDENCE OF -ETAT. 28. just bought 100 puncheons, the weakest drop Right Honble 15 above proof: of the west of England-out he Isaac Corry, pulls an Exeter newspaper from his pocket: of &c., &c., &c., bank paper-his pocket-book was stuffed with Dublin. notes, Scotch, Irish, and English; and I really This said personage I have not yet seen, wheream obliged to him for some clews to discover by I am kept in a state of purportless idleness. forged paper. Talk, talk, everlasting: he could tHe is gone to his own country, playing truant draw for money on any town in the United King- fiom business among his friends. To-morrow doms, ay, or in America. At last he was made his return is probable. I like his character; he known for Dr. Solomon. At night I set upon the does business well, and with method, but loves doctor, and turned the discourse upon disease in his amusement better than business, and prefers general, beginning with the Liverpool flux- books better than official papers. It does not which remedy had proved most effectual-noth- appear that my work will be any ways difficult ing like the Cordial Balm of Gilead. At last I -copying and letter-writing, which any body ventured to touch upon a tender subject: did he could do, if any body could be confidentially conceive Dr. Brodum's medicine to be at all trusted. analogous to his own?' Not in the least, sir; "John Rickman is a great man in Dublin and color, smell, all totally different. As for Dr. Bro- in the eyes of the world, but not one jot alteredf dum, sir-all the world knows it-it is manifest from the John Rickman of Christ Church, save to every body-that his advertisements are all only that, in compliance with an extorted promstolen, verbatim et literatim, fiom mine. Sir, I ise, he has deprived himself of the pleasure of don't think it worth while to notice such a fel- scratching his head by putting powder in it. He low.' But enough of Solomon, and his nephew has astonished the people about him. The govand successor that is to be-the Relhoboam of ornment stationer hinted to him, when he was Gilead-a cub in training. giving an order, that if he wanted any thing in' Mr. Corry is out of town for two dvays, so I the pocket-book way, he might as well put it have not seen him. The probability is, Rick- down in the order. Out he pulled his own: tman tells me, that I shall return in about ten'Look, sir, I have bought one for two shillings.' days: you shall have the first intelligence. At His predecessor admonished him not to let himpresent I know no more of my future plans than self do-wn by speaking to any of the clerks. that I am to dine to-day with the secretary of'' Why. sir,' said John Rickman,'I should not let the lord lieutenant, and to look nme out a liodging myself down if I spoke to every man betweent'irst. this and the bridge.' And so he goes on in his "But you must hear all I have seen of Ire- own right way. He has been obliged to mount. land. The fifteen miles that we crossed are so up to the third story before he could find a room destitute of trees, that I could only account for small enough to sleep in; and there he led me, it by a sort of instinctive dread of the gallows in to show me his government bed, which, because the natives. I find they have been cut down to it is a government bed, contains stuff enough to make pikes. Cars instead of carts or wagons; make a dozen; the curtains being completely women without hats, shoes, or stockings. One double, and mattress piled upon mattress, so that little town we passed, once fti nous-its narme tumbling out would be a dangerous fall. About Swords: it has the ruins of a castle and a church, our quarters here, when we remove hither in with a round tower adjoining the steeple, makling June, he will look out. The filth of the housec, an odd group: it was notoriously a pot-wallop- j is intolerable-floors and furniture offending you ing borougch; and for breeding early ducks for with Portuguese nastiness; but it is a very fine the London market, the manufactory of ducks city-a magnificent city-such public buildings, appeared to be in a flourishing state. Post- and the streets so wide! For these advantagr es chaises very ugly, the doors fasteningo with a Dublin is indebted to the prodigal corruption of staple and chain; three persons going in one, its own government. Every member who asked paying more than two. The hotel here abomin- money to make improvements got it; and if hto ably filthy. I see mountains near Dublin most got 6 20,000, in decency spent five for the pubbeautifully shaped, but the day is too hazy. You lie, and pocketed the rest. These gentlemen are shall hear all I can tell you by my next. I am now being hauled a little over the coals, and they quite well, and, what is extraordinary, was never have grace enough to thank God the Union did once sick the whole way. a'- ^ not take place sooner. X*', "'r'6 -R' "The peace was not welcome to the patriEdith, God bless you I do not expect to be cians; it took away all their hopes of'any fun' absent from you above a fortnight longer. by the help of France. The government, act"Yours affectionately, ing well and wisely, control both parties-the R. SOUTHIY."' Orangemen and the United Irishmen-and command respect from both; the old fatteners upon To IMr's. Southey. the corruption are silent in shame: the military, "Dublin, Oct. 16, 1801. who must be kept up, will be well employed in " DEAR EDITH, making roads: this measure is not yet announced "In my last no direction was given. You to the public. It will be difficult to civilize this will write under cover, and direct thus: people. An Irishman builds him a turf stye. IETAT. 28. ROB E RT S O U T H E Y. 151 gets his fuel from the bogs, digs his patch of one day to visit with you. St. Patrick's Purgapotatoes, and then lives upon them in idleness: tory and the Giant's Causeway lie in the same like a true savage, he does not think it worth corner. Where'Mole, that mountain hoar,' is, while to work that he may better himself. Po- I can not find, though I have hunted the name tatoes and butter-milk-on this they are born in every distortion of possible orthography. A and bred; and whisky sends them to the third journey in Ireland has, also, the great advantage heaven at once. If Davy had one of them in his of enabling us to study savage lif. I shall be laboratory, he could analyze his flesh, blood, and able to get letters of introduction, which, as bones into nothing but potatoes, and butter-milk, draughts for food and shelter in a country where and whisky: they are the primary elements of whisky-houses are scarce, will be invaluable. an Irishman. Their love of'fun' eternally en- This is in the distance: about the present, all I gages them in mischievous combinations, which know has been just written to Edith; and the are eternally baffled by their own blessed instinct sum of it is, that I am all alone by myself in a of blundering. The United Irishmen must have great city. obtained possession of Dublin but for a bull. "From Lamb's letter to Rickman I learn that On the night appointed, the mail-coach was to be he means to print his play, which is the lukestopped and burned about a mile from town, and warm John,* whose plan is as obnoxious to Rickthat was the signal: the lamplighters were in man as it was to you and me; and that he ha. the plot; and oh! to be sure! the honeys would been writing for the Albion, and now writes for not light a lamp in Dublin that evening, for fear the Morning Chronicle, where more than two the people should see what was going on. Of thirds of his materials are superciliously rejectcourse, alarm was taken, and all the mischief ed. Stuart would use him more kindly. Godprevented. Modesty characterizes them as much win, having had a second tragedy rejected, has here as on the other side of the water. A man filched a story from one of De Foe's novels for a stopped Rickman yesterday:'I'll be oblaged to third, and begged hints of Lamb. 3 you, sir, if you'll plaise to ask Mr. Abbot to give'' x * me a place of sixty or seventy pounds a year.' Last evening we talked of Davy. Rickman also Favors, indeed, are asked here with as unblush- fears for him; something he thinks he has (and ing and obstinate a perseverance as in Portugal. excusably, surely) been hurt by the attentions of This is the striking side of the picture-the dark the great: a worse fault is that vice of metacolors that first strike a stranger; their good physicians-that habit of translating right and qualities you can not so soon discover. Genius, in- wrong into a jargon which confounds themdeed, immediately appears to characterize them; which allows every thing, and justifies every a love of saying good things, which 999 English- thing. I am afraid. and it makes m.e very rmelmen in a thousand never dream of attempting in ancholy when I think of it, that Davy never will the course of their lives. When Lord Hard- be to me the being that he has been. I have a wicke came over, there fell a fine rain, the first trick of thinking too well of those I love-better after a long series of dry weather. A servant than they generally deserve, and better than my of Dr. Lindsay's heard an Irishman call to his cold and containing manners ever let them know. comrade in the street,' Ho, Pat! and we shall The foibles of a friend always endear him, if they have a riot'-of-course, a phrase to quicken an have coexisted with my knowledge of him; but Englishman's hearing-'-this rain will breed a the pain is, to see beauty grow deformed-to riot: the little potatoes will be pushing out the trace disease from the first infection. These big ones.' scientific men are, indeed, the victims of science;' Did I send, in my last, the noble bull that they sacrifice to it their own feelings, and virRickm:la heard? I-le was late in company, tues, and happiness. when a gentleman looked at his watch, and cried, " Old and ill-suited moralizings, Coleridge, for'It is to-morrovw morning! I must wish you a man who has left the lakes and the mountains good night.' to come to Dublin with Mr. Worldly Wisdom! "I have bought no books yet, for lack of But my moral education, thank God! is pretty money. To-day Rickman is engaged to dinner, well completed. The world and I are only and I am to seek for myself some ordinary or about to be acquainted. I have outgrown the chop-house. This morning will clear off my age for forming friendships. S letters, and I will make business a plea hereafter " God bless you! R. SOUTIEY. for writing fewer-'tis a hideous waste of time. Mly love to Coleridge, &c., if, indeed, I do not My father's presence seems only to have been write to him also. required in Dublin for a very short time, and " Edith, God bless you! after rejoining my mother at Keswick, they went' "Yours affectionately, at once to London, Mr. Corry's duties requiring " ROBERT SOTJTHEY." i his residence there for the winter portion of the year. Here, when fairly established in his To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. "scribe capacity," he appears to have expe"Dublin, Oct. 16, 1801. rienced somewhat of the truth of the saying, "DEAR COLERIDGE, When thou doest well to thyself, men shall "The map of Ireland is a beautiful mapmountains, and lakes, and rivers, which I hope * The name of this play is "John Woodvil." 152 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 28. speak good of thee." " I have been a week in are the paragraphs that have been imprinted retown," he writes to Mr. William Taylor, "and specting the chancellor and the scribe: they in that time have learned something. The ci- have been compared (in defiance of the Butleravilities which already have been shown me dis- boo statute) to Empson and Dudley; and Peter cover how much I have been abhorred for all Porcupine hath civilly expressed a hope that the that is valuable in my nature: such civilities ex- poet will make no false numbers in his new work. cite more contempt than anger, but they make Sometimes the poet is called a Jacobin; at othme think more despicably of the world than I ers it is said that his opinions are revolutionized. could wish to do. As if this were a baptism The chancellor asked him if he would enter a that purified me of all sins-a regeneration; and reply in that independent paper whose lying the one congratulates me, and the other visits name is the True Briton, a paper over which me, as if the author of Joan of Arc and of Thal- the chancellor implied he had some influence; aba were made a great man by scribing for the the poet replied'No; that those flea-bites itchIrish Chancellor of the Exchequer. ed only if they were scratched.' The scribe " I suppose," he continues, " my situation, by hath been courteously treated, and introduced to all these symptoms, to be a good one; for a a Mr. Ormsby; and this is all he knoweth of the more ambitious man, doubtless very desirable, home politics. though the ladder is longer than I design to * * * * * climb. My principles and habits are happily * * * * * enough settled; my objects in life are, leisure to do nothing but write, and competence to write Evpa. E Ka. Evp7-a. at leisure; and my notions of competence do not You remember your heretical proposition de exceed ~300 a year. Mr. Corry is a man of Cambro-Britannis-that the Principality had gentle and unassuming manners: fitter men for never produced, and never could produce, a great his purpose he doubtless might have found in man; that I opposed Owen Glendower and Sir some respects, none more so in regularity and Henry Morgan to the assertion in vain. But I dispatch.";' * * X X have found the great man, and not merely the These qualities, however, which my father great man, but the maximus homo, the yueyearog might truly say he possessed in a high degree, avOpuo)rog, the ireyLa7oarogf-we must create a were not called into much exercise by the du- super-superlative to reach the idea of his magnities of his secretaryship, which he thus humor- tude. I found him in the Strand, in a shop-winously describes: dow, laudably therein exhibited by a CambroBriton; the engraver represents him sitting in a To John Rickman, Esq. room, that seems to be a cottage, or, at best, a "London, Nov. 20, 1801. farm, pen in hand, eyes uplifted, and underneath " The chancellor and the scribe go on in the is inscribed same way. The scribe has made out a cata- logue of all books published since the commence-The Cambran ment of'97 upon finance and scarcity; he hath But woe is me for my ignorance! the motto that also copied a paper written by J. R., containing followed surpassed my skill in language, though some Irish alderman's hints about oak bark; and it doubtless was a delectable morsel from that nothing more hath the scribe done in his voca- great Welshman's poems. You must, however, tion. Duly he calls at the chancellor's door; allow the justice of the name for him, for all his sometimes he is admitted to immediate audience; writings are in Welsh; and the Welshmen say sometimes kicketh his heels in the ante-chamber that he is as great a man as Shakspeare, and (once he kicked them for cold, but now there is they must know, because they can understand a fire); sometimes a gracious message emanci- him. I inquired what might be the trivial name pates him for the day. Secrecy hath been en- of this light and luster of our dark age, but it joined him as to these state proceedings. On hath escaped me; but that it meant, being inthree subjects he is directed to read and research terpreted, either Thomas Denbigh, or some such -corn-laws, finance, tithes, according to their every-day baptismal denomination. And now I written order. Alas! they are heathen Greek am no prophet if you have not, before you have to the scribe! He hath, indeed, in days of old, arrived thus far, uttered a three-worded sentence read Adam Smith, and remembereth the general of malediction. * * - *, principle established; he presupposeth that about To-day I dine with Lord Holland. Wynn is incorn, as about every thing else, the fewer laws timate with him, and my invitation is for the the better: of finance he is even more ignorant: sake of Thalaba. The sale of Thalaba is slov, concerning the tithes, something knoweth he of -about 300 only gone. the Levitical law, somewhat approveth he of a * * * * * * commutation for land, something suspecteth he "Yours truly, why they are to be altered; gladly would the "R. SOUTHEY." people buy off the burden, gladly would the goveinment receive the purchase money-the scribe seeth objections thereunto. Meantime, sundry * Nov. 11, 1801. ETAT. 28. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 153 CHAPTER IX. toward me had, throughout, distinguished her. HIS MOTHER S DEATH-MELANCHOLY THOUGHTS'Go down, my dear; I shall sleep presently! -RESIGNPS HIS SECRETARYSHIP-EDITION OF She knew, and I knew, what that sleep would -RESIGNS HIS SECRETARYSHIP-EDITIO-N h OF CHATTERTON S WORKS-THOUGHTS OF RESID- be. However, I bless God the last minutes were ING AT RICHMOND AT KESWICK- WELL- as easy as death can be: she breathed without KNOWN PERSONS MET IN LONDON- NEGOTIATES ^effort-breath after breath weaker, till all was FOR A HOUSE IN WALES-CHRONICLE OF THE over. I was not then in the room; but, going CID-REVIEW OF THALABA IN THE " EDIN- up to bring down Edith, I could not but look at BURGH' -NEGOTIATION FOR HOUSE BROKEN her to see if she was indeed gone: it was against OFF-WANT OF MORE BOOKS-ALARIM OF WAR my wish and will, but I did look. EDINBURGH REVIEW - HAYLEY LIFE OF " We had been suffering for twelve hours, and COWPER -RECOLLECTIONS OF BRIXTON- the moment of her release was welcome. Like COWPER — RECOLLECTIONS OF BRIXTON — EARLY DIFFICULTIESAMADIS OF AULTHE one whose limb has just been amputated, he feels ATLANIC A GD LE RCARRIER the immediate ceasing of acute suffering the ATLANTIC A GOOD LETTER-CARRIER -HOME POLITICS-SCOTTISH BORDER BALLADS-CUM- pain of the wound soon begins, and the sense of BERLAND'S PLAYS-PLAN FOR A BIBLIOTHECA the loss continues through life. I calmed and BRITANNICA.-1802 1803. curbed myself, and forced myself to employment; but at night there was no sound of feet So passed the close of the year. The com- in her bed-room, to which I had been used to list-nencement of a new one was saddened by his en, and in the morning it was not my first busimnother's last illness. She had joined them in ness to see her. I had used to carry her her London, and a few weeks only elapsed before food, for I could persuade her better than any very alarming symptoms appeared. The best one else to the effort of swallowing it. advice availed not; she sank rapidly, and was " Thank God, it is all over! Elmsley called released on the 5th of January, 1802, being in on me, and offered me money if I needed it: it the fiftieth year of her age. My father was was a kindness that I shall remember. Corry deeply affected at her death; for though in child- had paid me a second quarter, however. hood he had experienced but little of her care " I have now lost all the friends of my infancy and attention, having been so early, as it were, and childhood. The whole recollections of my adopted by his aunt, he had had the happiness first ten years are connected with the dead. of adding much to her comfort and support dur- There lives no one who can share them with ing her later years. " In her whole illness," he me. It is losing so much of one's existence. I writes to his brother Henry, "she displayed a have not been yielding to, or rather indulging, calmness, a suppression of complaint, a tender- grief; that would have been folly. I have read, ness toward those around her, quite accordant written, talked: Bedford has been often with with her whole life. It is a heavy loss. I did me, and kindly. not know how severe the blow was till it came."* "When I saw her after death, Wynn, the The following letter communicates the tidings whole appearance was so much that of utter of her death to his friend Mr. Wynn; and, though death, that the first feeling was as if there could presenting a painful picture, is yet one of those have been no world for the dead. The feeling which let in so much light upon the character was very strong, and it required thought and of the writer, that the reader will not wish it to reasoning to recover my former certainty, that have been withheld. as surely we must live hereafter as all here is not the creation of folly or of chance. To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. "God bless you! "Saturday, Jan. 9, 1803. " Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." " MY DEAR WYNN, "You will not be surprised to learn that I The next few months passed by without the have lost my mother. Early on Tuesday morn- occurrence of any circumstance worthy of recing there came on that difficulty of breathing ord, his official " duties," which appear to have which betokened death. Till then all had been been more nominal than real, being only varied easy; for the most part she had slept, and, when by a short visit to Mr. William Taylor at Norwaking, underwent no pain but that wretched wich. His spirits had not recovered the shock sense of utter weakness; but then there was the they received from his mother's death; and it struggle and sound in the throat, and the dead- was plain that, however easy and profitable was ly appearance of the eyes, that had lost all their the appointment he held, it was not sufficiently tranquillity. She asked for laudanum: I drop- suited to him to induce him long to retain it, alped some, but with so unsteady a hand that I though it afforded him a large share of time for knew not how much; she saw the color of the his literary pursuits. Of the present course of water, and cried, with a stronger voice than I these the following letter will give sufficient inhad heard during her illness,'That's nothing, formation: Robert! thirty drops-six-and-thirty!' "It relieved her. She would not suffer me To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. to remain by her bedside; that fearful kindness "London, March 30, 1802. " DEAR GROSVENOR, * Jan. 6, 1802. " I had wondered at your silence, which CorL 154 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 28. ry's servant made longer than it else had been, drink water, and drink wine, and eat, and get bringing me your letter only yesterday. * well, and grow into good spirits, and write me a *.' * * t* The South- letter. ROBERT SOUTHEY." ey Gazette is happily barren of intelligence, unless you will hear with interest that I yesterday In this letter my father speaks of passing his bought the Scriptores Rerum Hispanicarum, af- holidays in Bristol. A very short time, howevter a long search; that the day before, my boots er, only elapsed before he emancipated himself came home from the cobbler's; that the gold altogether from the trammels of his official duleaf which Carlisle stuffed into my tooth is all ties. Mr. Corry, it seems, having little or no come out; and that I have torn my best panta- employment for him as secretary, wished him to loons. So life is passing on, and the growth of undertake the tuition of his son; but as this was my History satisfies me that it is not passing al- neither "in the bond," nor at all suited to my together unprofitably. One acquaintance drops father's habits and inclinations, he resigned his in to-day, another to-morrow; the friends whom appointment, losing thereby, to use his own I have here look in often, and I have rather too words, " a foolish office and a good salary." I much society than too little. Yet I am not quite may add, however, that this circumstance only the comfortable man I should wish to be; the somewhat hastened his resignation, for a situalamentable rambling to which I am doomed, for tion which was " all pay and no work" was by no God knows how long, prevents my striking root means suited either to his taste or his conscience. any where-and we are the better as well as He now took up his abode once more in Bristhe happier for local attachment. Now do I tol. "Here," he writes to Mr. Coleridge,'I look round, and can fix upon no spot which I have meantime a comfortable home, and books like better than another, except for its mere nat- enough to employ as much time as I can find for ural advantages.'Tis a res damnabilis, Bed- them; my table is covered with folios, and my ford, to have no family ties that one cares about. History advances steadily, and to my own mind And so much for the Azure Fiends, whom I well. No other employment pleases me half so shall now take the liberty of turning out of the much; nevertheless, to other employment I am room. I am busy at the Museum, copying un- compelled by the most cogent of all reasons. I published poems of Chatterton, the which forth- have a job in hand for Longman and Rees, which with go to press. Soon I go with Edith to pass will bring me in c660, a possibility of ~40, and two or three days at Cheshunt; and, by the close a chance of a further 330; this is an abridgof next month, I make my bow and away for my ment of Amadis of Gaul into three duodecimos, holidays to Bristol, that I may be as near Dan- with an essay-anonymously and secretly: if vers and his mother as possible: my strongest it sell, they will probably proceed through the iamily-like feeling seems to have grown there. whole library of romance.. -,; * -. *, -. * * * * In poetry I have, of late, done I wish I were at Bath with you;'twould do me very little, some fourscore lines the outside; still good all over to have one walk over Combe I feel myself strong enough to open a campaign Down. I have often walked there, before we and this must probably be done to find beds, were both upon the world. - ~*! chairs, and tables for my house when I get one."* * -a * * Oh! that I could catch But the various works here alluded to are not Old Time, and give him warm water, and anti- the only ones upon which my father had been monial powder, and ipecacuanha, till he brought lately engaged. A native of Bristol himself, lie up again the last nine years! Not that I want had always taken a strong interest in Chatterthem all; but I do wish there was a house at ton's writings and history: Bath wherein I had a home-feeling, and that it. The marvelous boy were possible ever again to feel as I have felt That sleepless soul that perish'd in his pride:"i returning from school along the Bristol road. so much so, that the neglect of his relatives, tho Eheufugaces, Posthume, Posthume! The years were in distressed circumstances, forms the submay go; but I wish so many good things did not ject of some indignant stanzas in one of his earligo with them, the pleasures, and the feelings, est unpublished poetical compositions; and, durand the ties of youth. Blessings on the Moors, ing his last residence in Bristol, his sympathies and the Spaniards, and the Portuguese, and the had been especially enlisted by Mr. Cottle in besaints! I yet feel an active and lively interest half of Mrs. Newton, Chatterton's sister. in my pursuits. I have made some progress in Some time previously, Sir Herbert Croft had what promises to be a good chapter about the obtained possession from Mrs. Newton of all her Moorish period; and I have finished the first six brother's letters and MSS., under promise of reigns, and am now more than half way through speedily returning them; instead of which, sone a noble black-letter chronicle of Alonzo the XIth, months afterward, he incorporated and published to collate with the seventh. The Life of the Cid them in a pamphlet entitled "Love and Madwill be a fit firame for a picture of the anne nersness." At the use thus surreptitiously made of of his time, and a curious picture it will be: her brother's writings, Mrs. Newton more than putting all that is important in my text, and all once remonstrated; but, beyond the sum of ~lt). that is quaint in mly notes, I shall mlake a good she could obtain no redress. Mr. Cottle and book. "Ride, Grosvenor, and walk, and bathe, and * July 25, 1802. t Wordswcrth. XETAT. 28. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 155 my father now took the matter up, and the for- be found possible reasons for my loss of office. mer wrote to Sir H. Croft, pointing out to him The old devil will be said to have entered, havMrs. Newton's reasonable claim, and urging him, ing taken with him seven other evil spirits, and by a timely concession, to prevent that publicity the last state of that man (meaning me) will be which otherwise would follow. He received no worse than the first. answer; and my father then determined to print " But I hope I am coming to live near London by subscription all Chatterton's works, including -not in its filth. If John May can find me a those ascribed to Rowley, for the benefit of Mrs. good snug house about Richmond, there I will Newton and her daughter. He accordingly sent go, and write my History, and work away merproposals to the " Monthly Magazine," in which rily; and I will drink wine when I can afford it, he detailed the whole case between Mrs. New- and when I can not, strong beer shall be the necton and Sir Herbert Croft, and published their re- tar-nothing like stingo! and if that were to spective letters. The public sympathized rightly fail too, laudanum is cheap: the Turks have on the occasion, for a handsome subscription fol- found that out; and while there are poppies, no lowed. Sir Herbert Croft was residing in Den- man need go to bed sober for want of his most mark at the time these proposals were published, gracious majesty's picture. And there will be and he replied to my father's statement by a a spare bed at my Domus-mark you that, Grospamphlet full of much personal abuse. venor Bedford! and Tom's cot into the bargain; It was now arranged that a new edition of and, from June till October, always a cold pie in Chatterton's works should be jointly edited by the cupboard; and I have already got a kitten Mr. Cottle and my father, the former undertak- and a dog in remainder-but that is a contining the consideration of the authenticity of Row- gency; and you know there is the contingency ley, the latter the general arrangement of the of another house animal, whom I already feel work. It was published, in three vols. octavo, disposed to call whelp and dog, and all those at the latter end of the present year (1802), and vocables of vituperation by which a man loves to the editors had the satisfaction of paying over call those he loves best. to Mrs. Newton and her daughter upward of " Eblis's angels sometimes go up to peep at.-300, a sum which was the means of rescuing the table of fate, and then get knocked on the them from great poverty in their latter days. head with stars, as we see; only foolish people, such as we are, mistake them for shooting stars. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. I should like one look at the table, just to see "Kingsdown, July 25, 1802. what will happen before the end of the year-' Grosvenor, I do not like the accounts which not to the world in general, nor to Europe, nor reach me of your health. Elmsley says you to Napoleon, nor to King George, but to the look ill; your friend Smith tells me the same center to which these great men and these great tale; and I know you are not going the way to things are very remote radii-to my own microamendment. Instead of that office and regular cosm-hang the impudence of that mock-modbusiness, you ought to be in the country, with esty phrase!-'tis a megalocosm, and a megistono other business than to amuse yourself: a cosm, and a megistatocosm too to me, and I longer stay at Bath would have benefited you. care more about it than about all the old uniIf the waters were really of use to you, you verse, with Mr. Herschel's new little planets to ought to give them a longer trial. * boot. Vale, vale, mi sodales. R. S." * * * a a * *, As for'It can't be,' and'I must be at the of- To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. fice,' and such like phrases, when a man is seri- Bristol, Aug. 4, 1802. ously ill they mean nothing.* "In reply to your letter, there are so many " Tom is with me, and has been here about a things to be said that I know not where to befortnight, and kept me in as wholesome a state gin. First and foremost, then, about Keswick, of idleness as I wish you to enjoy. and the pros and cons for domesticating there. " Since the last semi-letter I wrote, my state To live cheap-to save the crushing expense of affairs have been settled, and my unsecretaryfi- furnishing a house; sound, good, mercantile mocation completed-a good sinecure gone; but, tives! Then come the ghosts of old Skiddaw instead of thinking the loss unlucky, I only think and Great Robinson-the whole eve-wantonness how lucky it was I ever had it. A light heart of lakes and mountains, and a host of other Ieeland a thin pair of breeches-you know the song; ings, which eight years have modified and moldand it applies, for, breeches being the generic ed, but which have rooted like oaks, the stronger name, pantaloons are included in all their modi- for their shaking. But then your horrid latifications, and I sit at the present writing in a tude! and incessant rains! $ - pair of loose jean trowsers without lining. and I myself one of your green-house plants. "So many virtues were discovered in me when pining for want of sun. For Edith, her mind's I was Mr. Secretary, that I suppose nothing short eyes are squinting about it; she wants to go, of sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion will and she is afraid for my health. -* * - * "Have you time to die, sir?" was the home question ome time hence I must return to Portugal, to of a London physician to a patient, a lawyer in full prac- complete and correct my materials and outlines: tice, who was making similar excuses for not taking his whenever that may be, there will be a hinderanee prescription of rest and freedom ifrom anxious thought; and it admitted but of one reply. and a loss in disposing of furniture, supposing I 156 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT.28. had it. Now I am supposing that this I stould be any pearls in those dunghills, you must be the find at Keswick, and this preponderance would cock to scratch them out-that is not my dungfall like a ton weight in the scale. hill. What think you of thirteen folios of Fran* * * * * * * ciscan history? I am grown a great JesuitAs to your Essays, &c., &c., you spawn plans ophilist, and begin to think that they were the like a herring; I only wish as many of the seed most enlightened personages that ever condewere to vivify in proportion. * * scended to look after this'little snug farm of the X X ** * * earth.' Loyola himself was a mere friar * Your Essays on Cotemporaries I am not much but the missionaries were made of admirable afraid of the imprudence of, because I have no stuff. There are some important questions arisexpectation that they will ever be written; but ing out of this subject. The Jesuits have not if you were to write, the scheme projected upon only succeeded in preaching Christianity where the old poets would be a better scheme, because our Methodists, &c., fail, but where all the other more certain of sale, and in the execution noth- orders of their own church have failed also: they ing invidious. Besides, your sentence would fall had the same success every where, in Japan as with greater weight upon the dead: however in Brazil. * * * * * * impartial you may be, those who do not read My love to Sara, if so it must be *: your books will think your opinion the result of however, as it is the casting out of a Spiritus your personal attachments, and that very belief Asper-which is an evil spirit-for the omen's will prevent numbers from reading it. Again, sake, Amen! Tell me some more, as Moses there are some of these living poets to whom you says, about Keswick, for I am in a humor to be could not fail of giving serious pain-Hayley, in persuaded-and if I may keep a jackass there particular; and every thing about that man is for Edith! I have a wolf-skin great-coat, so hot good except his poetry. Bloomfield I saw in that it is impossible to wear it here. Now, is London, and an interesting man he is-even not that a reason for going where it may be more than you would expect. T have reviewed useful? Vale. R. S." his Poems with the express object of serving him; because, if his fame keeps up to another The following month, September, was markvolume, he will have made money enough to sup- ed by the birth of his first child, a daughter, port him comfortably in the country; but in a named after her paternal grandmother, Marwork of criticism, how could you bring him to garet; and, ardently as he had always wished the touchstone? and to lessen his reputation is for children, the blessing was most joyfully and to mar his fortune. thankfully welcomed. But the hopes thus raised " We shall probably agree altogether some were doomed in this case to be soon blasted. day upon Wordsworth's Lyrical Poems. Does My father was now becoming weary of being he not associate more feeling with particular a wanderer upon the face of the earth, and havphrases, and you also with him, than those ing now a nursery as well as a library to rephrases can convey to any one else? This I move, a permanent residence was becoming alsuspect. Who would part with a ring of a dead most a matter of necessity. His thoughts, as we friend's hair? and yet a jeweler will give for it have seen, had at one time turned toward setonly the value of the gold: and so must words tling at Richmond, and latterly more strongly pass for their current value. toward Cumberland; but for a while he gave up * *- * * * * this scheme, attracted by the greater convenien" I saw a number of notorious people after you ces of Wales, and he now entered into treaty left London. Mrs. Inchbald-an odd woman, for a house in Glamorganshire, in the Vale of but I like her. Campbell * * who Neath,' one of the loveliest spots," he thought spoke of old Scotch ballads with contempt! it, in Great Britain. "There," he says, "I Fuseli x * Flaxman, whose touch mean to remain, and work steadily at my Hisis better than his feeling. Bowles * * tory till it be necessary for me to go to PortuWalter Whiter, who wanted to convert me to gal, to correct what I shall have done, and hunt believe in Rowley. Perkins, the Tractorist,* a out new materials. This will be two years demure-looking rogue. Dr. Busby-oh! what hence; and if the place answer my wishes, I a Dr. Busby!-the great musician! the greater shall not forsake it then, but return there as to than Handel! who is to be the husband of St. a permanent iresidence. One of the motives for Cecilia in his seraph state, * - tfixing there is the facility afforded of acquiring and he set at me with a dead compliment! the Welsh language.'" Lastly, Barry, the painter: poor fellow! he is too mad and too miserable to laugh at. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. * ~ * *' * * *:":* Nov. 8, 1802. Heber sent certain volumes of Thomas "DEAx GROSVENOR, Aquinas to your London lodgings, where perad- "I thought you would know from Wynn that venture they still remain. I have one volume I trespass on my eyes only for short letters, or of the old Jockey, containing quaint things about from Rickman, to whom my friend Danvers will angels, and one of Scotus Erigena: but if there have carried the latest news of me this day. If * This alludes to Perkins's magnetic Tractors. * To William Taylor, Esq., Nov. 21, 1802. ATAT. 29. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 157 those unhappy eyes had been well, you would, to kill a spider in my domains: then, Grosvenor, ere this, have received Kehama. They have when you come to visit me-N.B., you will arbeen better, and are again worse, in spite of rive per mail between five and six in the mornlapis calaminaris, goulard, Cayenne pepper, and ing at Neath; ergo, you will find me at breakthe surgeon's lance; but they will soon be well, fast about seven-you will see puss on the one so I believe and trust. You have seen my Cid, side, and the otter on the other, both looking for and have not seen what I wrote to Wynn about bread and milk, and Margery in her little great its manner. Every where possible the story is chair, and the toad upon the tea-table, and the told in the very phrase of the original chronicles, snake twisting up the leg of the table to look for which are almost the oldest works in the Castil- his share. These two pages make a letter of ian language. The language, in itself poetical, decent length from such a poor blind Cupid as becomes more poetical by necessary compres- "ROBERT SOUTIEY.:' sion; if it smack of romance, so does the story: in the notes, the certain will be distinguished To C. W. TV. Wynn, Esq., M.P. from the doubtful passages quoted, and refer- "Dec. 22, 1802. ences to author and page uniformly given. Thus " Vidi the Review of Edinburgh. The first much of this, which is no specimen of my his- part is designed evidently as an answer to Wordstorical style: indeed, I do not think uniformity worth's Preface to the second edition of the Lyrof style desirable; it should rise and fall with ical Ballads; and, however relevant to me, quoad the subject, and adapt itself to the matter. Robert Southey, is certainly utterly irrelevant to Moreover, in my own judgment, a little pecul- Thalaba. In their account of the story they iarity of style is desirable, because it nails down make some blunders of negligence: they ask the matter to the memory. You remember the how Thalaba knew that he was to be the Defacts of Livy; but you remember the very stroyer, forgetting that the Spirit told him so In phrases of Tacitus and Sallust, and the phrase the text; they say that the inscription of the loreminds you of the matter when it would else cust's forehead teaches him to read the ring, have been forgotten. This may be pushed, like which is not the case; and that Mohareb tries every thing, too far, and become ridiculous; but to kill him at last, though his own life would be the principle is true. destroyed at the same time, without noticing "As a different specimen, I wish you could that that very'though' enters into the passage, see a life of St. Francisco, a section upon Mo- and the reason why is given. I added all the hammedanism, and a chapter upon the Moorish notes for the cause which they suspect: they period. Oh, these eyes! these eyes! to have would have accused me of plagiarism where my brain in labor, and this spell to prevent de- they could have remembered the original hint; livery like a cross-legged Juno! Farewell till but they affirm that all is thus borrowed-withto-morrow; I must sleep, and laze, and. play out examining, when all that belongs to anothwhist till bed-time. er is subtracted, what quantity of capital re" * * - * * Snakes mains. This is dishonest, for there is no hint have been pets in England: is it not Cowley to be found elsewhere for the best parts of the who has a poem upon one? poem, and the most striking incidents of the' Take heed, fair Eve. you do not make story. Another tempter of the snake.' "The general question concerning my system They ought to be tamed and taken into our serv- and taste is one point at issue, the meter another. ice, for snakes eat mice, and can get into their These gentlemen who say that the meter of the holes after them; and, in our country, the ven- Greek choruses is difficult to understand at a first omous species is so rare, that we should think reading, have, perhaps, made it out at last, else them beautiful animals were it not for the rec- I should plead the choruses as precedent, and the ollection of the Old Serpent. When I am housed odes of Stolberg in German, and the Ossian of and homed (as I shall be, or hope to be, in the Cesarotti in Italian; but this has been done in next spring; not that the negotiation is over yet, the M. Magazine's review of Thalaba. For the but I expect it will end well, and that I shall question of taste, I shall enter into it when I have a house in the loveliest part of South Wales, preface Madoc. I believe we are both classics in a vale between high mountains; and an ony- in our taste; but mine is of the Greek, theirs of mous house too, Grosvenor, and one that is down the Latin school. I am for the plainness of Hein the map of Glamorganshire, and its name is siod and Homer, they for the richness and ornaMaes Gwyn; and so much for that, and there's ments of Virgil. They want periwigs placed an end of my parenthesis), then do I purpose to upon bald ideas. A narrative poem must have enter into a grand confederacy with certain of its connecting parts: it can not be all interest the animal world: every body has a dog, and and incident, no more than a picture all light, a most people have a cat; but I will have, more- tragedy all pathos. * * X The over, an otter, and teach him to fish, for there is review altogether is a good one, and will be betsalmon in the River Neath (and I should like a ter than any London one, because London rehawk, but that is only a vain hope, and a gull viewers always know something of the authors or an osprey to fish in the sea), and I will have who appear before them, and this inevitably afa snake if Edith will let me, and I will have a fects the judgment. I, myself, get the worthtoad to catch flies, and it shall be made murder less poems of some good-natured person whom I 158 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF'rTAT. 299 know. I am aware of what review-phrases go the historian feels daily and hourly the want of for, and contrive to give that person no pain, and materials. I believe I must visit London for the deal out such milk-and-water praise as will do sake of the Museum, but not till the spring be far no harm: to speak of smooth versification, and advanced, and warm enough to write with tolermoral tendency, &c., &c., will take in some to able comfort in their reading-room. My History buy the book, while it serves as an emollient of Monachism can not be complete without the mixture for the patient. I have rarely scratched Benedictine History of Mabillon. There is anwithout giving a plaster for it, except, indeed, other book in the Museum which must be noticed where a fellow puts a string of titles to his name, literally or put in a note-the Book of the Conor such an offender as --- appears, and then formities of St. Francis and Jesus Christ! I have my inquisitorship, instead of actually burning thirteen folios of Franciscan history in the house, him, only ties a few crackers to his tail. and yet want the main one, Wadding's Seraphic " But when any Scotchman's book shall come Annual, which contains the original bulls. to be reviewed, then see what the Edinburgh " Of the Beguines I have, as yet, found neither critics will say.' * * Their traces nor tidings, except that I have seen the philosophy appears in their belief in Hindoo name certainly among the heretic list; but my chronology! and when they abuse Parr's style, monastic knowledge is very far from complete. it is rather a knock at the dead lion, old Johnson. I know only the outline for the two centuries beA first number has great advantages; the re- tween Francisco and Luther, and nothing but Viewers say their say upon all subjects, and lay Jesuit history from that period. down the law: that contains the Institutes: by- " Do not suspect me of querulousness. Labor and-by they can only comment. is my amusement, and nothing makes me growl " God bless you! R. S." but that the kind of labor can not be wholly my own choice-that I must lay aside old chronicles, In the mean time, my father's pleasant antici- and review modern poems; instead of composing pations of living in Wales were suddenly all frus- from a full head, that I must write like a schooltrated; for, just as the treaty was on the point boy upon some idle theme on which nothing can of being concluded, it occurred to him that some be said or ought to be said. I believe the best small additions were wanting in the kitchen de- thing will be as you hope, for, if I live and do partment, and this request the landlord so stoutly well, my History shall be done, and that will be resisted, that the negotiation was altogether bro- a fortune to a man economical from habit, and ken off in consequence. moderate in his wants and wishes from feeling Upon this slight occurrence, he used to say, and principle. hinged many of the outward circumstances of his "Coleridge is with me at present: he talks of future life; and much and deeply as he after- going abroad, for, poor fellow, he suffers terribly ward became attached to the lakes and mount- from this climate. You bid me come with the ains of Cumberland, he would often speak with swallows to London.! I wish I could go with something like regret of Maes Gwyn and the the swallows in their winterly migration. * Vale of Neath. * * * * Meanwhile his literary labors were proceeding "Yours affectionately, R. S." much in their usual course, notwithstanding the complaint in his eyes. "I am reviewing for To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. Longman," he says at this time; " reviewing for "Bristol, March 14, 1803. Hamilton; translating, perhaps about again to " DEAR COLERIDGE, versify for the Morning Post: drudge-drudge It is nearly a week now since Danvers and -drudge. Do you know Quarles's emblem of I returned from Rownham, and now the burden the soul that tries to fly, but is chained by the will soon fall off my shoulders, and I shall feel leg to earth? For myself I could do easily, but as light as old Christian when he had passed the not easily for others, and there are more claims directing post: forty guineas' worth of reviewing than one upon me."* has been hard work. ** From some cause or other, his correspondence * * * * * * * seems somewhat to have diminished at this time; The very unexpected and extraordinary alarm the few letters, however, that I am able to select brought by yesterday's papers may in some derelating to this period are not devoid of interest. gree affect my movements, for it has made Tom write to offer his services; and if the country To John Rickman, Esq. arm, of course he will be employed. But quid " Jan. 30, 1803. Diabolus is all this about? Stuart writes well " MY DEAR RCIcMAN, upon the subject, yet I think he overlooks some " * * * *c * * * r circumstances in Bonaparte's conduct which just* * * * * * * * | ify some delay in yielding Alexandria and MalI am rich in books, considered as plain and poor ta: that report of Sebastiani's was almost a decRobert Southey, and in foreign books considered laration that France would take Egypt as soon as an Englishman; but, for my glutton appetite as we left it. You were a clearer-sighted poliand healthy digestion, my stock is but small, and tician than I. If war there must be, the St. Do-'- -* —--------- i mingo business will have been the cause, though * To William Taylor, Esq., January 23,1803. not the pretext, and that rascal will set the poor JETAT. 29. RIOBERT SOUTH EY. 159 negroes cutting English throats instead of French are not what one does expect, and yet what one ones. It is true, country is of less consequence ought to expect, for Cowper was not a strongthan color there, and these black gentlemen can minded man even in his best moments. The not be very wrong if the throat be a white one; very few opinions that he gave upon authors are but it would be vexatious if the followers of quite ludicrous; he calls Mr. Park Toussaint should be made the tools of Bona-...'that comical spark, ~~~~~~~pan~~rt~e. ~Who wrote to ask me for a Joan of Arc.' "Meantime, what becomes of your scheme of traveling? If France goes to war, Spain'One of our best hands' in poetry. Poor wretchmust do the same, even if the loss of Trinidad ed man! the Methodists among whom he lived did not make them inclined to it. You must not made him ten times madder than he could else think of the Western Islands or the Canaries;! have been. * * * * * * they are prisons from whence it is very difficult " God bless you! R. S." to escape, and where you would be cut off from all regular intercourse with England; besides, To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the Canaries will be hostile ports. In the West "Bristol, April 3, 1803. Indies you ought not to trust your complexion. I have been thinking of Brixton, Grosvenor When the tower of Siloam fell, it did not give for these many days past, when more painful all honest people warning to stand from under. thoughts would give me leave. An old lady, How is the climate of Hungary? Your German whom I loved greatly, and have for the last eight would carry you there, and help you there till years regarded with something like a filial venyou learned a Sclavonic language; and you eration, has been carried off by this influenza. might take home a profitable account of a coun- She was mother to Danvers, with whom I have try and a people little known. If it should be so long been on terms of the closest intimacy. too cold a winter residence, you might pass the * * * Your ejection front summer there, and reach Constantinople or the Brixton has very long been in my head as one better parts of Asia Minor in the winter. This of the evil things to happen in 1803, though it looks like a tempting scheme on paper, and will was not predicted in Moore's Almanac. Howbe more tempting if you look at the map; but, ever, I am glad to hear you have got a house, for all such schemes, a companion is almost nec- * * * and still more, that it is an essary. old house. I love old houses best, for the sake " The Edinburgh Review will not keep its of the odd closets, and cupboards, and good thick ground. It consists of pamphlets instead of crit- walls that don't let the wind blow in, and little ical accounts. There is the quantity of a three out-of-the-way polyangular rooms with great shilling pamphlet in one article upon the Balance beams running across the ceiling-old heart of of Power, in which the brimstone-fingered son oak, that has outlasted half a score generations of oatmeal says that wars now are carried on by and chimney-pieces with the date of the year the sacrifice of a few useless millions and more carved above them, and huge fire-places that useless lives, and by a few sailors fighting harm- warmed the shins of Englishmen before the lessly upon the barren ocean: these are his very house of Hanover came over. The most delightwords. * * * * He thinks ful associations that ever made me feel, and think, there can be no harm done unless an army were and fall a dreaming, are excited by old buildings to come and eat up all the sheep's trotters in -not absolute ruins, but in a state of decline. Edinburgh. If they buy many books at Gun- Even the clipped yews interest me; and if I ville,' let them buy the Engleish metrical ro- found one in any garden that should become mine, mancees published by Ritson: it is, indeed, a in the shape of a peacock, I should be as proud treasure of true old poetry: the expense of pub- to keep his tail well spread as the man who first lication is defrayed by Ellis. Ritson is the odd- carved him. In truth, I am more disposed to est, but most honest of all our antiquarians, and i connect myself by sympathy with the ages which he abuses Percy and Pinkerton with less mercy are past, and by hope with those that are to come, than justice. With somewhat more modesty than to vex and irritate myself by any lively inthan Mister Pinkerton, as he calls him, he has terest about the existing generation. mended the spelling of our language, and, with- " Your letter was unusually interesting, and out the authority of an act of Parliament, chang- dwells upon my mind. I could, and perhaps ed the name of the very country he lives in into will, some day, write an eclogue upon leaving Engleland. The beauty of the common stanza an old place of residence. What you say of will surprise you. yourself impresses upon me still more deeply the " Cowper's Life is the most pick-pocket work, conviction that the want of a favorite pursuit is for its shape and price, and author and pub- your greatest source of discomfort and disconlisher, that ever appeared. It relates very little tent. It is the pleasure of pursuit that makes of the man himself. This sort of delicacy seems every man happy, whether the merchant, or the quite groundless toward a man who has left no sportsman, or the collector, the philobibl, or the relations or connections who could be hurt by the reader-o-bibl, and maker-o-bibl like me: pursuit most explicit biographical detail. His letters at once supplies employment and hope. This is what I have often preached to you, but perhaps * The seat of Mr. Wedgewood. I never told you what benefit I myself have do 160 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF EiTAT. 29. rived from resolute employment. When Joan of was found by Messrs. Calmer and Seymour, of Arc was in the press, I had as many legitimate St. Salvador's, Dec. 18, 1802, on the N.W. of causes for unhappiness as any man need have- that island..... Lat. 23~ 30' N., uncertainty for the future, and immediate want, Lon. 73~ 30' W., in the literal and plain meaning of the word. I very civilly inclosed by some Mr. Aley Pratt, Feb. often walked the streets at dinner-time for want 10, sent per Betsey Cains, Capt. Wilmott, and of a dinner, when I had not eighteen pence for has this day reached me from Ramsgate, to my the ordinary, nor bread and cheese at my lodg- very great surprise and satisfaction. You had ings. But do not suppose that I thought of my sealed it so clumsily that some of the writing dinner when I was walking-my head was full was torn, and the salt water had got at it, so of what I was composing. When I lay down at that the letter is in a ruinous state; but it shall night, I was planning my poem; and when I be preserved as the greatest curiosity in my colrose up in the morning, the poem was the first lection. I shall send the account to Stuart. thought to which I was awake. The scanty "I did heartily regret that you were not here. profits of that poem I was then anticipating in We would have drawn a cork in honor of Messrs. my lodging-house bills for tea, bread and butter, Calmer and Seymour, and Aley Pratt, who, by and those little &cs., which amount to a formi- keeping the letter two months, really seem to dable sum when a man has no resources; but that have been sensible that the letter was of value. poem, faulty as it is, has given me a Baxter's When I consider the quadrillion of chances against shove into my right place in the world. such a circumstance, it seems like a dream-the " So much for the practical effects of Epic- middle of the Atlantic, thrown in there! cast on tetus, to whom I hold myself indebted for much a corner of St. Salvador's, and now here, at No. amendment of character. Now-when I am not 12 St. James's Place, Kingsdown, Bristol-huntcomparatively, but positively, a happy man, wish- ing me through the ocean to the Bahamas, and ing little, and wanting nothing-my delight is then to this very individual spot. Oh, that the the certainty that, while I have health and eye- bottle had kept a log-book! If the Bottle-con. sight, I can never want a pursuit to interest. Sub- jurer had been in it, now! ject after subject is chalked out. In hand I have "I think this letter decisive of a current: Kehama, Madoc, and a voluminous history; and chance winds would never have carried it 60t I have planned more poems and more histories; miles in less than seven months; and, if I recol so that, whenever I am removed to another state lect right, by theory there ought to be a current of existence, there will be some valde lacryma- in that direction. Supposing the bottle to have bile hiatus in some of my posthumous works. been found the very day it landed, it must have "We have all been ill with La Gripe. But sailed at the rate of three knots in a day ana the death of my excellent old friend is a real night: it was picked up 209 days after the post grief, and one that will long be felt: the pain set off. More letters should be thrown overof amputation is nothing; it is the loss of the board about the same latitude; and then, when limb that is the evil. She influenced my every- we have charts of all the currents, some dozen day thought, and one of my pleasures was to af- centuries hence, that particular one shall be callford her any of the little amusements which age ed Southey's Current. * * @ and infirmities can enjoy. * * I The news is all pacific, and I fully expect you'* * * * * * * ^ will be paid off ere long. All goes on as usual When do I go to London? If I can avoid it, not here. Margaret screams as loud as the parrot; so soon as I had thought. The journey, and that talent she inherited. * * some unavoidable weariness in tramping over " God bless you! R. SOUTHEY." that overgrown metropolis, half terrifies me; and then the thought of certain pleasures, such To Lieutenant Southey, IT.M2.S. Galatea. as seeing Rickman, and Duppa, and Wynn, and "Bristol, May 30, 1803. Grosvenor Bedford, and going to the old book- " Why, Tom! you must be mad-stark, starshops, half tempts me. I am working very hard ing mad-jumping mad-horn mad, to be lying to fetch up my lee-way; that is, I am making in port all this time! For plain or stark madup for time lost during my ophthalmia. Fifty- ness I should prescribe a simple strait waistcoat; four more pages of Amadis, and a preface-no staring madness may be alleviated by the use of more to do-huzza! land! land! green spectacles; for jumping madness I have * * * * * * * found a remedy in a custom used by the Siamese: *' I * * * when they take prisoners, they burn their feet " God bless you! R. S." to prevent them from running away; horn madness is, indeed, beyond my skill; for that, DocTo Lieutenant Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. tor's Commons is the place. I am vexed and "Bristol, April 22, 1803. provoked for you to see prizes brought in under "MY DEAR TOM, your nose. * * * " Huzza! huzza! huzza! The bottle is a e * * * * * * good post, and the Atlantic delivers letters ac- My books have had an increase since you left. cording to direction. I have bought a huge lot of Cody, tempted by " Yours of May 23, 1802. Lat. 33~ 46' N., the price-books of voyages and travels, and the Lon. 64~ 27' W., Asiatic Researches. The Annual Review is not ALTAT. 29. ROBERT SOUTH EY. 161 yet published. Amadis still goes on slowly, but its mixture with antique words-polished steel draws near an end.... Do you see- and rusty iron! This is the case in all Scott's and if you have seen the Morning Post, you will ballads. His Eve of St. John's is a better balhave seen-that a poem upon Amadis is adver- lad in story than any of mine, but it has this tised? This is curious enough. It seems by fault. Elmsley once asked me to versify that on the advertisement that it only takes in the first the Glenfinlas-to try the difference of style; book. If the author have either any civility or but I declined it, as waste labor and an invidiany brains, he will send me a copy; the which ous task. Matthew G. Lewis, Esq., M.P., sins I am not so desirous of as I should be, as it will more grievously in this way; he is not enough cost me twenty shillings to send him one in re- versed in old English to avoid it: Scott and Leyturn. However, I shall like to see his book: it den are, and ought to have written more purely. may make a beautiful poem, and it looks well I think, if you will look at Q. Orraca, you will that he has stopped at the first book, and avoided perceive that, without being a canto from our the length of story; but, unless he be a very old ballads, it has quite the ballad character of good poet indeed, I should prefer the plain dress language. of romance. Scott, it seems, adopts the same system of " I have been very hard at history, and have meter with me, and varies his tune in the same almost finished, since your departure, that thick stanza from iambic to anapastic ad libitum. In folio chronicle which you may remember I was spite of all the trouble that has been taken to about skin-deep in, and which has supplied me torture Chaucer into heroic meter, I have no with matter for half a volume. This war ter- doubt whatever that he wrote upon this system, rifles and puzzles me about Portugal. I think common to all the ballad writers. Coleridge of going over alone this next winter, while I agrees with me upon this. The proof is, that, can. I have fifteen quartos on the way from read him thus, and he becomes every where harLisbon; and, zounds! if they should be taken! monious; but expletive syllables, en's, and y's,......... Next month I shall go to Lon- and e's, only make him halt upon ten lame toes. don. The hard exercise of walking the streets I am now daily drinking at that pure well of Enwill do me good. My picture in the Exhibi- glish undefiled, to get historical manners, and to tion* pleases every body, I hear: I wish you had learn English and poetry. seen it. " His volume of the Border Songs is more " * * * * * * amusing for its prefaces and notes than its poRemember my advice about all Dutch captains etry. The ballads themselves were written in in your cruise: go always to the bottom in your a very unfavorable age and country; the costume examination: tin cases will sound if they be kick- less picturesque than chivalry, the manners more ed, and paper will rustle; to you it may be the barbarous. I shall be very glad to see the Sir winning a prize: the loss is but a kick, and that Tristram which Scott is editing: the old Cornthe Dutchman gains. Do you know that I actu- ish knight has been one of my favorite heroes ally must learn Dutch! that I can not complete for fifteen years. Those Romances that Ritson the East Indian part of my history without it. i published are fine studies for a poet. This I am Good-by. R. S." afraid will have more Scotch in it than will be pleasant. I never read Scotch poetry without To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. rejoicing that we have not Welsh-English into "June 9,1803. the bargain, and a written brogue. " I have just gone through the Scottish Border "'* * * * Ballads. Walter Scott himself is a man of great Rickman tells me there will be no army sent to talent and genius; but, wherever he patches an Portugal; that it is understood the French may old poem, it is always with new bricks. Of the overrun it at pleasure, and that then we lay open modern ballads, his own fragment is the only good Brazil and Spanish America. If, indeed, the one, and that is very good. I am sorry to see Prince of Brazil could be persuaded to go over Leyden's good for so little. Sir Agrethorn is there, and fix the seat of his government in a flat, foolish, Matthewish, Gregoryish, Lewisish. colony fifty times as large, and five hundred fold I have been obliged to coin vituperative adjec- more valuable than the mother country, England tives on purpose, the language not having terms would have a trade opened to it far more than enough of adequate abuse. I suppose the word equivalent to the loss of the Portuguese and Flodden Field entitles it to a place here, but the Spanish ports. But if he remains under the proscene might as well have been laid in El Dorado, tection of France, and is compelled to take a part or Tothill Fields, or the country of Prester John, against England, any expedition to Brazil must for any thing like costume which it possesses. be for mere plunder. Conquest is quite imposIt is odd enough that almost every passage which sible. Scott has quoted from Froissart should be among " Most likely I shall go up to town in about a the extracts which I had made. week or ten days. God bless you! R. S." " In all these modern ballads there is a modernism of thought and language-turns to me very To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. perceptible and very unpleasant, the more so for "June 12, 1803. _ " Why Grosvenor, that is an idle squeamish-;- This picture was by Opie. ness of yours; that asking a previous leave to 162 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF E'TAT. 29, speak. Where my conscience becomes second "I am promised access to the king's library to your challenge, the offense shall be amended; by Heber; and, indeed, it is a matter of considerwhere we differ, mine is the voice potential. able consequence that I should obtain it. MornBut, in truth, I will tell you that I am out of hu- ing, noon, and night, I do nothing but read mor with Kehama, for half a hundred reasons:chronicles, and collect from them; and I have historical composition is a source of greater, and traveled at a great rate since the burden of transquieter, and more continuous pleasure; and that lating and reviewing has been got rid of; but poem sometimes comes into my head with a- this will not last long; I must think by-and-by shall I sit down to it? and this is so easily turned of some other job-work, and turn to labor again, out again, that the want of inclination would that I may earn another holiday. make me half suspect a growing want of power, "I call Margaret, by way of avoiding all conif some rhymes and poemets did not now and monplace phraseology of endearment, a worthy then come out and convince me to the contrary. child and a most excellent character. She loves - *w Abuse away ad libitum. me better than any one except her mother. Her "If Cumberland must have a Greek name, eyes are as quick as thought; she is all life and there is but one that fits him-Aristophanes- spirit, and as happy as the day is long; but that and that for the worst part of his character. If little brain of hers is never at rest, and it is painhis plays had any honest principle in them, in- ful to see how dreams disturb her. A Dios! stead of that eternal substitution of honor for: "R. S."' honesty, of a shadow for a substance-if his novels were not more profligate in their tendency Soon after the date of the letter, my father paid than Matthew L-ewis's unhappy book-if the pe- a short visit to London, the chief purpose of rusal of his Calvary were not a cross heavy which was to negotiate with Messrs. Longman enough for any man to bear who has ever read and Rees respecting " the management of a Bibten lines of Milton-if the man were innocent liotheca Britannica upon. a very extensive scale, of all these things, he ought never to be forgiven to be arranged chronologically, and made a readfor his attempt to blast the character of Socra- able book by biography, criticism, and connecttes. Right or wrong, no matter; the name had ing chapters, to be published like the Cyclopedia been canonized, and, God knows! wisdom and in parts, each volume 800 quarto pages." "The virtue have not so many saints that they can full and absolute choice of all associates, and the spare an altar to his clumsy pick-ax. I am no distribution of the whole," to be in his hands. blind bigot to the Greeks, but I will tale the And, in order to be near the publisher, as well words of Plato and greater Xenophon against as for the convenience of communicating with the Richard Cumberland, Esq. majority of those whom he hoped to associate " * * *. * * * with him in the work-of whom the chief were -'~ a X * * *. Mr. Sharon Turner, Mr. Rickman, Captain BurThe Grenvilles are in the right, but they got ney, Mr. Carlisle,* Mr. William Taylor, Mr. right by sticking in the wrong: they turned their Coleridge, Mr. Duppa, and Mr. Owen-he purfaces westward in the morning, and swore the posed removing very shortly to Richmond, where, sun was there; and they have stood still and indeed, he had already obtained the refusal of a sworn on, till, sure enough, there the sun is. house. But they stand upon the strong ground now, and Upon concluding his agreement with Messrs. have the argument all hollow; yet what is to Longman and Rees, he seems to have communicome of it, and what do they want-their coun- cated at once with Mr. Coleridge, whose letter try asks that question. War? They have it: in reply the reader will not be displeased to have every man in the country says Amen, and they laid before him, containing, as it does, the magwhose politics are most democratic say Amen nificent plan of a work almost too vast to have most loudly and most sincerely. In spite of their been conceived by any other person. Alas! that speeches, I can not wish them in; and, when the plans of such a mind should have been but change of ministry is talked of, can not but feel, splendid dreams. with Fox, that, little as I may like them, ten to one I shall like their successors worse, and sure S. T. Coleridge to R. Southey. I am that worse war ministers than the last can Keswick, July, 1803. not curse this country. * * * " MY DEAR SOUTHEY, These men behaved so well upon Despard's busi- " * * * * ness, and have shown such a respect to the liber- I write now to propose a scheme, or, rather, a ties and feelings of this country, that they have rude outline of a scheme, of your grand work. fully won my good will. I believe they will What harm can a proposal do? If it be no pain make a sad piecemeal patchwork administration. to you to reject it, it will be none to me to have X * It does seem that, by some it rejected. I would have the work entitled fatality, t b the best talents of the kingdom are for- Bibliotheca Britannica, or a History of British ever to be excluded from its government. Fox Literature, bibliographical, biographical, and has not done well-not what I could have wish- critical. The two last volumes I would have to ed; but yet I reverence that man so truly, that be a chronological catalogue of all noticeable or whenever he appears to me to have erred. I more_ than half suspect my own judgment. * Afterward Sir Anthony Carlisle. ]ETAT. 29. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 163 extant books; the others, be the number six or would only prevent the future good, not mtn' the eight, to consist entirely of separate treatises, past; each volume would be a great and valuaeach giving a critical biblio-biographical history ble work per se. Then each volume would of some one subject. I will, with great pleas- awaken a new interest, a new set of readers, ure, join you in learning Welsh and Erse; and who would buy the past volumes of course; then you, I, Turner, and Owen, might dedicate our- it would allow you ample time and opportunities selves for the first half year to a complete his- for the slavery of the catalogue volumes, which tory of all Welsh, Saxon, and Erse books that should be, at the same time5 an index to the are not translations,'that are the native growth work, which would be, in very truth, a pandect of Britain. If the Spanish neutrality continues, of knowledge, alive and swarming with human I will go in October or November to Biscay, and life, feeling, incident. By-the-by, what a strange throw light on the Basque. abuse has been made of the word encyclopaedia!' Let the next volume contain the history of It signifies, properly, grammar, logic, rhetoric, English poetry and poets, in which I would in- and ethics and metaphysics, which last, explainelude all prose truly poetical. The first half of ing the ultimate principles of grammar-log., the second volume should be dedicated to great rhet., and eth.-formed a circle of knowledge. single names, Chaucer and Spenser, Shakspeare, * * x To call a huge unconnected Milton, and Taylor, Dryden and Pope; the miscellany of the omne scibile, in an arrangement poetry of witty logic-Swift, Fielding, Richard- determined by the accident of initial letters, an son, Sterne: I write par hazard, but I mean to encyclopaedia, is the impudent ignorance of your say all great names as have either formed epochs Presbyterian book-makers. Good-night! in our taste, or such, at least, as are representa- " God bless you! S. T. S." tive; and the great object to be in each instance to determine, first, the true merits and demerits To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. of the books; secondly, what of these belong to "Bristol, Aug. 3, 1803. the age-what to the author quasi peculium. "DEAR COLERIDGE, The second half of the second volume should be I meant to have written sooner; but those a history of poetry and romances, every where little units of interruption and preventions, which interspersed with biography, but more flowing, sum up to as ugly an aggregate as the items in more consecutive, more bibliographical, chrono- a lawyer's bill, have come in the way. * * logical, and complete. The third volume I * * * * * * would have dedicated to English prose, con- Your plan is too good, too gigantic, quite beyond sidered as to style, as to eloquence, as to general my powers. If you had my tolerable state of impressiveness; a history of styles and manners, health, and that love of steady and productive their causes, their birth-places and parentage, employment which is now grown into a necestheir analysis. * * * * sary habit with me-if you were to execute and " These three volumes would be so generally would execute it, it would be, beyond all doubt, interesting, so exceedingly entertaining, that you the most valuable work of any age or any counmight bid fair for a sale of the work at large. try; but I can not fill up such an outline. No Then let the fourth volume take up the history man can better feel where he fails than I do; of metaphysics, theology: medicine, alchemy, and to rely upon you for whole quartos! Dear common, canon, and Roman law, from Alfred to Coleridge, the smile that comes with that thought Henry VII.; in other words, a history of the is a very melancholy one; and if Edith saw me dark ages in Great Britain. The fifth volume now, she would think my eyes were weak again, -carry on metaphysics and ethics to the pres- when, in truth, the humor that covers them ent day in the first half; the second half, com- springs from another cause. prise the theology of all the Reformers. In the " For my own comfort, and credit, and peace fourth volume there would be a grand article on of mind, I must have a plan which I know mythe philosophy of the theology of the Roman self strong enough to execute. I can take auCatholic religion. In this (fifth volume), under thor by author as they come in their series, and different names-Hooker, Baxter, Biddle, and give his life and an account of his works quite Fox-the spirit of the theology of all the other as well as ever it has yet been done. I can parts of Christianity. The sixth and seventh write connecting paragraphs and chapters shortvolumes must comprise all the articles you can ly and pertinently, in my way; and in this way get, on all the separate arts and sciences that the labor of all my associates can be more easily have been treated of in books since the Reforma- arranged. * * * * * * tion; and, by this time, the book, if it answered * * And, after all, this is really nearer the at all, would have gained so high a reputation, actual design of what I purport by a Bibliotheca that you need not fear having whom you liked than yours would be-a book of reference, a to write the different articles-medicine, sur- work in which it may be seen what has been gery, chemistry, &c., &c., navigation, travelers, written upon every subject in the British lanvoyagers, &c., &c. If I go into Scotland, shall guage: this has elsewhere been done in the dicI engage Walter Scott to write the history of tionary form; whatever we get better than that Scottish poets? Tell, me, however, what you form, ponemus lucro. think of the plan. It would have one prodigious " The Welsh part, however, should be kept advantage: whatever accident stopped the work, completely distinct, and form a volume, or half 164 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 30. a volume, by itself; and this must be delayed BOOKS-THE IMABINOGION-SIR H. DAVY-MR, till the last in publication, whatever it be in or- SOTHEBY-WILLIAM OWEN, ETC.-CHANGE OF der, because it can not be done till the whole of ADMINISTRATION-PROGRESS OF HISTORICAL the Archeology is printed, and by that time I LABORS. —1804. will learn the language, and so, perhaps, will you. George Ellis is about it; I think that, Suc were m fathers plans at the comwith the help of Turner and Owen, and poor mencement of the month-to take up his abode Williams, we could then do every thing thatat Richmond, and to devote himself almostwhol ought to be done. ly to this great work; and, had nothing inter-'The first part, then, to be published is the fered to prevent this scheme being carried into Saxon: this Turner will execute, and to this effect, his future life would probably have taken, you and William Taylor may probably both be in some respects, a very different course. He able to add something from your stores of north- was now, as i were, about to cast anchor (as ern knowledge. The Saxon books all come in he used himself to phrase it), and, as it proved sequence chronologically; then the mode of ar-even against probabilities, the place where he rangement should be by centuries, and the writ-now fixed himself was to be his permanent ers classed as poets, historians, &c., by centu-abo But the Biblotheca Brtannca was not ries, or by reigns, which is better. *, to be the turning point of his life, nor were the * X. * * * * I banks of the Thames and the fair and fertile Upon this plan the Schoolmen will come in the scenes of Richmond to inspire his verse. Public first volume. troubles and private griefs combined to disar" The histrical part of the theology, and the range his present plans and to influence his fubibliographical, I shall probably execute myself, ture ones. The little girl whose birth had been and you will do the philosophy. By-the-by, I so joyflly hailed barely a twelvemonth before, have lately found the book of John Perrott the of whom he was "foolishly fond" beyond the Quaker, who went to convert the pope, contain- common love of fathers for mere infants, who ing all his epistles to the Romans, &c., written in had hitherto shown "no sign of disease save a the Inquisition at Rome; for they allowed him the somewhat unnatural quickness and liveliness," privilege of writing, most likely because his stark now suddenly began to manifest unequivocal madness amused them. This fellow (who tuned tokens of the presence of one of those diseases rogue at last, wore a sword, and persecuted the most fatal to children (and often worse than faQuakers in America to make them swear) madetal, as permanently affecting the intellect), "hya schism in the society against George Fox, in- drocephalus" produced by teething; and, after sisting that hats should be kept on in meetingF happily a brief period of suffering, she was laid during speaking (has not this prevailed?), and thae fond parents wer the Friends should not shave. His book is the again childless. most frantic I ever saw-quite Gilbertish; and Bristol was now a place only recalling painthe man acted up to it. * * * ful sensations, and Mr. and Mrs. Coleridge be" God bless you R. S." ing still resident at Keswick, my father and mother hastened down thither. To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. "Greta Hall, Keswick, Sept. 8, 1803. CHAPTER X. "DEAR TOM, DEATH OF HIS LITTLE GIRL-ARRIVAL AT IES- We arrived yesterday. Yours reached me WICK —POSTPONTEMENT~ OF THE BIBLIOTHECA to-day. I was glad to hear from you; a first BRITANNICA-STAGNATION OF TRADE-MADOC letter after such a loss is always expected with — SCENERY OF THE LAKES — HISTORY OF PORT- some sort of fear-it is the pulling off the band-SCENERY OF THE LAKES —HISTORY OF PORTUGAL-HASLITT S PICTURES OF HIRt. COLERIDGE 8age that has been put upon a green wound. AND MR. WORDSWORTH —TWANTS INFOMRMATION CONCERNING THE WEST INDIES-LITERARY OC- Edith was very ill at Bristol. On the way CUJPATIONS AND PLANS —THE ANNUAL REVIEWT we stayed five days with Miss Barker, in Staf-POLITICS-THE YELLOW FEVER-NEW THE- fordshire-one of the people in the world whom ORY OF SUCH DISEASES-DESCRIPTION OF SCEN-I like. To escape from Bristol was a relief. ERY REFLECTED IN KESWICK LAKE-SPECIMENS The place was haunted, and it is my wish never OF ENGLISH POETS PROJECTED-COURSE OF to see it again. Here my spirits suffer from the LIFE AT IESWICI —VISIT FROM R. CLARISON sight of little Sara,* who is about her size. How-HABITS OF MIND-MA DOC- MR. COLERIDGE ever, God knows that I do not repine, and that AND MR. GODWIN-DIRECTIONS TO MR. BED- in my very soul I feel that his will is best. These FORD ABOUT SPECIMENS -REGRET AT MR. things do one good: they loosen, one by one, the COLERIDGE LEAVING ENGLAND -MODERN CRIT- roots that rivet us to earth; they fix and confirm ICS-MR. COLERIDGE S POWERS OF MIND —LET- our faith, till the thought of death becomes so TER TO MR. BEDFORD ON HABITS OF PROCRAS- inseparably connected with the hope of meeting TINATION-LITERARY EMPLOYMENTS —SPECI- those whom we have lost, that death itself is no MENS OF ENGLISH POETS-GOES TO LONDON-D- longer onsidered as an evil. LETTERS FROMI THENCE -RETURN-SPANISH * Mr. Coleridge's only daughter. YETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 165 Did I tell you that, in this universal panic' "We look to the Morning Post, with daily and palsy, Longman has requested me to delay disappointment, for news of the Galatea. Stuthe Bibliotheca? This is a relief to me. I feel art has sold the paper, having thus realized freer and easier. In consequence, I do not go l 25,000. While his advice and influence upto Richmond, but remain here, where I can live holds it, little difference will be perceived; but for half the expense. My design is to finish and whenever that be withdrawn, I prophesy a slow print Madoc, that by the profits I may be enabled decline and downfall. How comes on the Spanto go to Portugal. But my plans have been so ish? You will find it useful before the war is often blasted that I look upon every thing as over, I fear-fear, because the Spaniards are a quite vague and uncertain. This only you may good and honorable people; and, in spite of the know, that while I am well I am actively em- plunder which will fall to the share of the sailployed; and that now, not being happy enough ors, I can not but wish they may be spared from for the quiet half-hours of idleness,, I must work suffering in a war to which they assuredly are with double dispatch. averse. "I hope you will see the Annual Review. " God bless you, Tom. You must inquire of There are some admirable things by William Danvers for Joe;* he will look after him, and Taylor in it; my own part is very respectable, drop a card occasionally at his door. Poor feland one article, I hear, is by Harry. I shall low, I was sorry to leave him:'twas a heartprobably do more in the next volume. You could breaking day, that of our departure. Can't you have helped me in the maritime books. Do you contrive to chase some French frigate through know Harry is an ensign in the Norwich Volun- the race of Holyhead up to the Isle of Man, enteers? gage her there, and bring her into Whitehaven? "Edward has written to me; he was to go on Edith's love. R. S." board the following day. I could not at that time see to his fitting out as I should have done; To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. but, when once fairly quit of her,* the boy shall "Keswick, Oct 29,1803. not want as far as my means will go. It is you " DEAR TOM, and I who have fared the worst; the other two "Your letter did not reach me till yesterday, will have fewer difficulties to cope with, yet per- eight days after its date, so that, though this be haps they will not go on so well. Men are the the earliest reply, perhaps it may not arrive at better for having suffered; of that every year's Cork till after your departure. This place is experience more and more convinces me. better suited for me than you imagine: it tempts "Edith suffers deeply and silently. She is me to take far more exercise than I ever took kept awake at night by recollections, and I am elsewhere, for we have the loveliest scenes posharassed by dreams of the poor child's illness sible close at hand; and I have, therefore, seland recovery; but this will wear away. Would dom or never felt myself in stronger health. And that you could see these lakes and mountains! as for good spirits, be sure I have the outward How wonderful they are! how awful in their and visible sign, however it may be for the inbeauty. All the poet-part of me will be fed and ward and spiritual grace. fostered here. I feel already in tune, and shall " My reviewing, more than ordinarily proproceed to my work with such a feeling of pow- crastinated, stands still. I began Clarke's book, er as old Samson had when he laid hold of the and, having vented my gall there, laid the others pillars of the Temple of Dagon. The Morning all by till the first of November, that I might be Post will somewhat interrupt me. Stuart has free till then for work more agreeable. My paid me so well for doing little, that in honesty main work has been Madoc. I am now arrived I must work hard for him. Edith will copy you at the old fifth book, and at the twelfth of the some of my rhymes. booklings into which it is now divided. I mean "Amadis is most abominably printed; never to call them neither books, cantos, nor any thing book had more printer's blunders: how it sells else, but simply 1, 2, 3, &c., entitling each part is not in my power to say-in all likelihood, bad- from its peculiar action: thus, 1. The Return; ly; for all trade is suspended, to a degree scarce- 2. Cadwallon; 3. The Voyage; 4. Lincoya; 5. ly credible. I heard some authentic instances The War; 6. The Battle; 7. The Peace; 8. at Bristol. Hall, the grocer, used to have tea Emma; 9. Mathraval; 10. The Gorsedd, i. e., and sugar weighed out in pounds and half pounds, the Meeting of the Bards; 11. Dinevawr; 12. &c., on a Saturday night, for his country cus- Bards-and so on. The eleven divisions finishtomers. Thirty years' established business en- ed, which bring it down to the end of the old abled him to proportion the quantity to this reg- fourth book, contain 2536 lines-an increase, on ular demand almost to a nicety. He has had as I the whole, of 731; but, of the whole, not one much as twenty pounds' WORTH uncalled for. line in five stands as originally written. About Mrs. Morgan, on a Saturday, used to take, upon 9000 lines will be the extent; but the further I the average, Xe30 in her shop; she now does not proceed, the less alteration will be needed. When take C5. But this will wear away. I am quite I turn the halfway, I shall then say to my friends, provoked at the folly of any man who can feel a'Now get me subscribers, and I will publish moment's fear for-this country at this time. Madoc.' In what is done there is some of my * Miss Tyler. * A favorite terrier. 166 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 30. best workmanship. I shall get by it less money yew. This, as you may suppose, is a consolathan fame, and less fame than envy, but the envy tion to me, and it requires all Edith's powers ot will be only life-long; and when that is gone and prudential admonition to dissuade me from havthe money spent-you know the old rhyme. ing a little table with a drawer in it. His father* "It seems we are to have war with poor Port- asked Derwent yesterday who made him? D.: ugal. If this be the case, my uncle must of James Lawson. Father: And what did he make course settle in England. This would be very you of? D.: The stuff he makes wood of. When pleasant to me, were it not so deeply and root- Derwent had got on thus far in his system of edly my own desire to settle in Portugal; but, Derwentogony, his imagination went on, and he adonde nco he remedio, entao paciencia, as I learn- added,' He sawed me off, and I did not like it.' ed from the Portuguese. This war has affected " We began to wonder uneasily that there was me in every possible shape: in the King George no news of you. Edith's love. God bless you! packet I lost a whole cargo of books, for which "R. S." I had been a year and a half waiting, and my uncle searching. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. " I must go to work for money; and that also " Greta Hall, Keswiek, Nov. 10, 1803. frets me. This hand-to-mouth work is very'DEAR GROSVENOR, disheartening, and interferes cruelly with better "You will have guessed why I have not writthings-more important they can not be called, ten: to say any thing about a painful subject is for the bread and cheese is the business of the painful; I do not love to write concerning what first necessity. But from my History I do ex- I I never mention. I am very well, very cheerful, pect permanent profit, and such a perpetual in- and very actively employed; and yet, with all terest as shall relieve me. I shall write the vol- this, hceret lateri. * * * 8' nme of letters which you have heard me talk of " You asked me some questions about the Bib-an omnium gatherum of the odd things I have liotheca. Longman wrote to me to postpone it. seen in England. he being infected with the universal panic. I "Whenever you are at a decent distance, and was no ways averse to the delay of the scheme, can get leave of absence, do come. Get to Liv- the discontinuance being optional with me. In erpool by water, or, still better, to Whitehaven. truth, I have plans enough without it, and begin You will be thorougly delighted with the coun- to think that my day's work is already sufficiently try. The mountains, on Thursday evening, be- cut out for me. I am preparing Madoc for pubfore the sun was quite down, or the moon bright, lication, and have so far advanced in the correcwere all of one dead-blue color; their rifts, and tion as to resolve upon trying my fortune at arocks, and swells, and scars had all disappeared; subscription. I will print it for a guinea, in one the surface was perfectly uniform; nothing but quarto, if possible at that price; if not, in three the outline distinct; and this even surface of dead small volumes. I will not print my intention till blue, from its unnatural uniformity, made them, the success of a subscription has been tried prithough not transparent, appear transvious-as vately-that is, without being published-bethough they were of some soft or cloudy texture cause, if it fails, I can better go to a bookseller. through which you could have passed. I never If you can procure me some names, do; but saw any appearance so perfectly unreal. Some- never make yourself uncomfortable by asking. times a blazing sunset seems to steep them through Of course, no money till the delivery of the book. and through with red light; or it is a cloudy morn- "It is now fifteen years since the subject first ing, and the sunshine slants down through a rift came into my occiput, and I believe Wynq was in the clouds, and the pillar of light makes the made acquainted with it almost at the time. It spot whereon it falls so emerald green, that it has been so much the subject of my thoughts and looks like a little field of Paradise. At night dreams, that in completing it, in sending off what you lose the mountains, and the wind so stirs up has been so peculiarly and solely my own, there the lake that it looks like the sea by moonlight. is a sort of awfulness and feeling, as if one of the Just behind the house rises a fine mountain, by purposes of my existence will then be accomname Latrigg: it joins Skiddaw. We walked plished. * * * * * up yesterday-a winding path of three quarters "I am growing old, Bedford-not so much by of an hour, and then rode down on our own bur- the family Bible, as by all external and outward ros, in seven minutes. Jesu-Maria-Joze! that symptoms: the gray hairs have made their apwas a noble ride! but I will have a saddle made pearance; my eyes are wearing out; my shoes, for my burro next time. The path of our slide the very cut of my father's, at which I used to is still to be seen from the garden-so near is it. laugh; my limbs not so supple as they were it One of these days I will descend Skiddaw in the Brixton in'93; my tongue not so glib; my heart same manner, and so immortalize myself, quieter; my hopes, thoughts, and feelings, all of "There is a carpenter here, James Lawson by the complexion of a sunny autumn evening. I name, who is become my Juniper* in the board- have a sort of presage that I shall live to finish making way. He has made me a pair, of wal- Madoc and my History. God grant it, and that nut, the large size, and of a reddish wood, from then my work will be done. Demerara the small, and is about to get me some "God bless you! R. S." * A carpenter at Bristol * Mr. Coleridge. JETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 167 To John Rickman, Esq. sanctity to its language. Arabic thus became a "Nov. 18, 1803. sort of Free-mason's passport for every believer DEAR RICKIMAN, -a bond of fraternity. S * * * "I am manufacturing a piece of Paternoster "God bless you! R. S." Row goods, value three guineas, out of Captain Burney's book; and not very easy work, it be- To Richard Duppa, Esq. ing always more difficult to dilate praise than' Greta Hall, Keswick, Dec. 14, 1803. censure: however, by help of Barros, I have DEAR DUPPA, been able to collate accounts with him in the "I have not had the heart to write to you, great voyage of Magelhaens (for he has mis- though the long silence has lain like a load upon named him), and so to eke out my pages by ad- my conscience. When we parted I had as much ditions. About the other worthy, Sir Francis, I present happiness as man could wish, and was have invented a quaint rhyme, which I shall in- full of all cheerful hopes: however, no man, if sert as ancient, and modestly wonder that, as the he be good for any thing, but is the better for author has a genuine love for all quaint things, suffring. It has long been my habit to look for it should have escaped his researches: the good that is to be found in every thing, and'Oh Nature, to Old England true, that alchemy is worth more than the grand seContinue these mistakes; cret of all the adepts. Give us for our kings such queens,'I had almost completed my arrangements And for our Dux such Drakes.' for removing to Richmond at Christmas, and *" * * * - *' here we are at the uttermost end of the north, My History goes on well; I am full sail in the and here for some time we shall probably reAsiatic Channel, and have found out some odd main-how long, God knows. I am steady in things. The Christians of St. Thomas worshiped my pursuits, for they depend upon myself; but the Virgin Mary, which throws back that super- my plans and fortunes, being of the To oVic e0' stition to an earlier date than is generally allowed vupv, are more mutable: they are fairly afloat, it. The astrolabe, the quadrant, the compass, and the winds are more powerful than the steerswere found in the East, quomodo diabolus? Mar- man. Longman caught the alarm-the Bonatin Behaim invented the sea astrolabe at Lisbon, parte ague or English influenza-after I left by express direction of Joam II., and behold! town, and sent to me to postpone my Bibliotheca, within ten or a dozen years Vasco da Gama finds at the very time when I wished the engagement it in India. off my mind, not being in a state of mind to con" They had gunpowder there-espingards, template it with courage. He shall now wait what shall I call them?-and cannon; but the my convenience, and I shall probably finish off my Portuguese owed their success to the great su- own works of choice here, where, living cheaper, periority of their artillery: in fact, the main im- I have more leisure. My History is in a state provements in sea artillery were invented by Jo- of rapid progression. The last time I saw Mr. am II. himself. But the great intercourse be —- in town he gave me a draft for fifty pounds tween India and the Old World is most remark- as his subscription, he said, to this work. I tell able in the first voyage of Gama: he met with you this because you know him, and, therefore, a Moor of Fez, a Moor of Tunis, a Venetian and not to tell you would make me feel ungrateful a Polish Jew. The world was not so ignorant as for an act of uncommon liberality, done in the has been supposed; individuals possessed knowl- handsomest way possible. I little thought, at edge which there were no motives for communi- the time, how soon an unhappy circumstance eating. No sooner was it known that K. Joam would render the sum needful. This work I am II. would reward people for intelligence respect- alternating and relieving by putting Madoc to ing the East, than two of his own Jew subjects the press, and my annual job of reviewing intercame, and told him they had been there. The rupts both for a while; but, happily, this job commercial spirit of the Moors is truly astonish- comes, like Christmas, but once a year, and I ing: Dutchmen or East India directors could not have almost killed off my cotemporaries. be more jealous of their monopolies. The little "Haslitt, whom you saw at Paris, has been kingdoms which Gama found resemble Homer's here-a man of real genius. He has made a Pheacia. Every city had its monarch, and he very fine picture of Coleridge for Sir George was the great merchant; his brothers were cap- Beaumont, which is said to be in Titian's mantains of ships. Spice, spice, was what the Euro- ner. He has also painted Wordsworth, but so peans wanted; and for what could they require dismally, though Wordsworth's face is his idea it in such quantities and at such a cost? Spiced of physiognomical perfection, that one of his wines go but a little way in answering this. friends, on seeing it, exclaimed,' At the gallov.-s The Hindoos, too, wanted coral from the Portu- -deeply affected by his deserved fate-yet deguese-odd fellows! when it grows in their own termined to die like a man;' and if you saw the seas. I believe the Portuguese conquests to have picture, you would admire the criticism. We been the chief cause that barbarized the Moham- have a neighbor here who also knows you-Wilmedans; their spreading commerce would else kinson, a clergyman, who draws, if not with have raised up a commercial interest, out of which much genius, with great industry and most usean enlightened policy might have grown. The ful fidelity. I have learned a good deal by exKoran was a master-piece of policy, attributing amining his collection of etchings. 163 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF E TAT. 30. " Holcroft, I hear, has discovered, to his own " I think it possible, Tom, that you might colexceeding delight, prophetic portraits of himself lect some interesting information from the neand Coleridge among the damned in your Mi- groes, by inquiries of any who may wait upon chael Angelo. I have found out a more flatter- you, if they be at all intelligent, concerning their ing antetype of Coleridge's face in Duns Scotus. own country; principally, what their superstiCome you yourself and judge of the resemblances. tions are: as, Whom do they worship? Do Coleridge and our lakes and mountains are worth they ever see apparitions? Where do the dead a longer journey. Autumn is the best season to go? What are their burial, their birth, their see the country, but spring, and even winter, is marriage ceremonies? What their charms or better than summer, for in settled fine weather remedies for sickness? What the power of their there are none of those goings on in heaven priests; and how the priests are chosen, whethwhich at other times give these scenes such an er from among the people, or if a separate breed, endless variety. x * * You will as the Levites and Bramins? You will easily find this house a good station for viewing the see with what other questions these might be follakes; it is, in fact, situated on perhaps the very lowed up; and by noting down the country of the finest single spot in the whole lake country, and negro, with what information he gave, it seems we can show you things which the tourists never to me very likely that a very valuable account hear of. - * * * * of their manners and feelings might be collected. * - *:* * * * * Ask, also, if they know any thing of Timbuctoo, Edith desires to be remembered to you: she the city which is sought after with so much cuis but in indifferent health. I myself am as well riosity as being the center of the internal comas I ever was. The weather has been, and is, merce of Africa. This is the way to collect very severe, but it has not as yet hurt me: how- facts respecting the native Africans and their ever, it must be owned the white bears have the country. I would engage, in twelve months, advantage of us in England, and still more the were I in the West Indies, to get materials for dormice. If their torpor could be introduced a volume that should contain more real import into the human system, it would be a most rare ances than all travelers have yet brought home. invention. I should roll myself up at the end of Ask, also, what beasts are in their country. October, and give orders to-be waked by the They will not know English names for them, chimney-sweeper on May-day. but can describe them so that you will know' God bless you. them: the unicorn is believed to exist by me as "Yours affectionately, well as by many others-you will not mistake "R. SOUTHEY.) the rhinoceros for one. Inquire, also, for a land crocodile, who grows to the length of six, eight To Lieut. Southey, H.M. S. Galatea. or ten feet, having a tongue slit like a snake's: "Dec. 17,1803. my Portuguese speak of such animals in South " DEAR TOM, Africa; they may exist in the western prov"The news in your letter has vexed me, and, inces. after my manner, set me upon discovering all the "You would have been very useful to me if (consolations that can be extracted from it. First you had been at the table when I was reviewing and foremost, that if you go as convoy, you will Clarke's book, and Captain Burney's. Indeed, I tiot be stationed there; and, therefore, to sail at often want a sailor to help me out. In the procthis season into warm weather is no such bad ess of my History some curious facts respecting thing. If you go to Jamaica you will find a early navigation have come to light. I find the awhole lot of letters, unless they have been burn- needle and the quadrant used in the Indian Seas ed at the post-office. As you will keep a keen before any European vessel had ever reached look-out for all imaginable things, I need give them; and, what surprises me more, the same Vou only one commission, which is, that you do knowledge of soundings in our own seas in 1400 use your best endeavors to bring home a few live as at present, which is very strange, for that land-crabs for me, that I may endeavor to rear a practice implies a long series of registered exbreed in England. periences. The more I read, the more do I "Do not send off Henry, because it will be find the necessity of going to old authors for inlost at the custom-house. Keep it till you your- formation, and the sad ignorance and dishonesty self come to England, and can safely get it of our boasted historians. If God do but give ashore:'tis a good book for a long voyage; me life, and health, and eyesight, I will show very dull, but full of matter, and trustworthy as how history should be written, and exhibit such far as the author's information goes. a specimen of indefatigable honesty as the world' My review of Miss Baillie was for the Crit- has never yet seen. I could make some hisieal; that in the Annual I suspect to be by Mrs. torical triads, after the manner of my old Welsh Barbauld, who wrote the review of Chateau- friends, of which the first might run thus: The briand's Beauties of Christianity, and that in- three requisites for an historian-industry, judgfamous account of Lamb's Play, for infamous it ment, genius; the patience to investigate, the is. Harry's only article is Soulavie's Memoirs, discrimination to select, the power to infer and and I have never seen the book since this was to enliven. to!d me. The rules you lay down will always "Edith's love. God bless you! point out Wm. Taylor." R. SOUTHEY." JETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 169 To John Rickman, Esq. packets. A letter, per bottle, I see by the news"Dec. 23, 1803. papers, thrown in on the way to the West InDEAR RICEMAN, dies, if I recollect right, in latitude 47~, has i. ax t * * * * * found its way to the Isle of Sky, having traveled I am about a curious review of the Mission at five miles per day against prevalent winds; Otaheite. Capt. Burney will find his friends therefore a current is certain. I will send into rather roughly handled, for I look upon them as town for the paper, and send you the particulars the most degraded of the human species. * in this or my next. Do not spare bottles in your * i *a They have induced me passage; and be sure that I have a letter from to think it probable that the Spaniards did less the Western Isles. evil in Hispaniola than we suppose. Cole- "For God's sake adapt your mode of living to ridge's scheme to mend them is by extirpating the climate you are going to, and abstain almost the bread-fruit from their island, and making wholly from wine and spirits. General Peche, them live by the sweat of their brows. It al- an East Indian officer here, with whom we dined ways grieves me when I think you are no friend on Christmas day, told me that, in India, the ofto colonization. My hopes fly further than yours; fleers who were looking out for preferment, as a I want English knowledge and the English lan- majority, &c., and who kept lists of all above guage diffused to the east, and west, and the them, always marked those who drank any spirits south. in a morning with an X, and reckoned them for "Can you get for me the evidence upon the nothing.'One day,' said he,'when we were Slave Trade as printed for the House of Coin- about to march at daybreak, I and Captaininons? I want to collect all materials for spec- were in my tent, and we saw a German of our llating upon the negroes. That they are a fall- regiment, so I said we'd try him; we called to en people is certain, because, being savages, him, said it was a cold morning, and asked hint they have among them the forms of civilization. if he would drink a glass to warm him. I got It is remarkable that, in all our discoveries, we him a full beaker of brandy and water, and. have never discovered any people in a state of egad! he drank it off. When he was gone, I progression except the Mexicans and Peruvians. said,'Well, what d'ye think; we may cross him, That the Otaheitans are a degraded race, is mayn't we? Oh yes, said he, cross him by all proved by their mythology, which is physical al- means. And the German did not live twelve legory-ergo, the work of people who thought months.' Spice is the stimulus given by nature of physics. I am very desirous to know wheth- to hot countries, and, eaten in whatever quantier the negro priests and jugglers be a caste, or ties, can do no harm. But the natives of all hot if any man may enter into the fraternity; and if countries invariably abstain from spirits as deadthey have a sacred language. We must con- ly. Eat fruits plentifully, provided they do not tinue to grope in darkness about early history produce flux; animal food sparingly in the hot till some strong-headed man shall read the hiero- season: fish will be better than meat. Do not glyphics for us. Much might yet be done by venture to walk or ride in the heat of the sun (iomparison of languages: some hundred words and do not be ashamed of a parasol: it has saved of the most common objects-sun, moon, and many a man's life. I am sure all this is very stars, the parts of the body, the personal pro- physical and philosophical sense. But I will denouns, the auxiliary verbs, &c.-if these were sire King, who knows the West Indies, to write collected, as occasion could be found, from every out to you a letter of medical advice. This is different tribe, such languages as have been dif- certain, that bilious people fare worst, and nervfluent we should certainly be able to trace to ous people, for fear predisposes for disease: from their source. In New Holland, language is said these causes you are safe. to be confluent, every tribe, and almost every | " Edith will go on with Madoc for you, and a lfmily, having its own; but that island is an odd letter full shall go off for Barbadoes this week. place-coral above water, and coal; new birds, My last set you upon a wide field of inquiry. I beasts, and plants; and such a breed of sav- know not what can be added, unless you should ages! It looks like a new country, if one could be at St. Vincent's, where the Caribs would be tell where the animals came from. well worthy attention, making the same queries "Do you know that the Dodo is actually ex- of and to them as to the negroes. Of course, tinct, having been, beyond doubt, too stupid to there are no Spanish books except at the Spantake care of himself. * * * * ish islands. Oh! that I were at Mexico for a There is no hope of recovering the species, un- hunt there! Could you bring home a live alliless you could get your friend -- to sit upon gator? a little one, of course, from his hatching a gander's egg. God bless you. to six feet long: it would make both me and "R. S." Carlisle quite happy, for he should have him, And pray, pray, some live land-crabs, that they To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. may breed; and any other monsters. Birds lose "Dec. 31, 1803. their beauty; and I would not be accessory to " DEAR TOM, the death of a humming-bird, for the sake of "I have just received yours, and regret that keeping his corpso in a cabinet; but with crocoI did not write sooner, upon a reasonable calcu- diles, sharks, and land-crabs it is fair play-you lation that convoys are even more uncertain than catch them, or they you. Your own eyes will M 170 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 30. do all that I can direct them. How unfortunate dy into Hebrew, you would soon be a happy that neither of us can draw! I want drawings man. of the trees." X * * * * * " Thompson, the friend of Burns, whose cor- Here we live as regularly as clock-work —inrespondence with him about songs fills the whole deed, more regularly than our own clocks, which fourth volume, has applied to me to write him go all paces. The old Barber has been at work verses for Welsh airs: of course I have declined for some days. I take Horace's liberty to perit, telling him that I could as soon sing his songs sonify the sky, and then simply barbarize the as write them, and referring him to Harry, whom prosopopceia. he knows, for an estimate of that simile of dis- " Of the only three visitable families within qualification. Still I am at reviewing; but ten reach, one is fled for the winter, and the others days will lighten me of that burden, and then flying. N'Timporte, our dog Dapper remains, and huzza for history, and huzza for Madoc, for I he is as intimate with me as heart could wish. shall be a free man again! I have bought Pin- I want my books, and nothing else; for, blessed kerton's Geography, after all, for the love of the be God! I grow day by day more independent maps, having none: it is a useful book, and will of society, and feel neither a want nor a wish for save me trouble. it. Every thing at present looks, from the win" We shall not think of holding any part of St. dow, like the confectioners' shops at this season Domingo. What has been done can only have in London; and Skiddaw is the hugest of twelfth been for the sake of what plunder was to be cakes; but when I go down by the lake-side, it found, and perhaps, also, to save the French would puzzle all my comparison-compounding army from the fate which they so justly de- fancy to tell you what it looks like there: the served. God forbid that ever English hand be million or trillion forms of beauty soon baffle all raised against the negroes in that island! Poor description. wretches! I regard them as I do the hurricane "Coleridge is gone for Devonshire, and I was and the pestilence, blind instruments of righteous going to say I am alone, but that the sight of retribution and divine justice; and sure I am that Shakspeare, and Spenser, and Milton, and the whatever hand be lifted against them will be Bible on my table, and Castanheda, and Barros, withered. Of Spanish politics I can say noth- and Osorio at my elbow, tell me I am in the best ing, nor give even a surmise. Here, at home, of all possible company. Do not think of getting we have the old story of invasion, upon which any subscribers for Madoc. I am convinced the the types naturally range themselves into a very plan of publishing it by subscription was foolish, alarming and loyal leading paragraph. Let him and shall doubtless convince those who induced come, say I; it will be a fine thing for the bell- me to think of it. Have you seen the Critical ringers and the tallow-chandlers. Reviewal of Thalaba? I wish to see it, for it "I trust this will reach you before your de- comes not only from one of my best friends, but parture. Write immediately on your arrival, from one of the most learned, most able, and and afterward by every packet, for any omission most excellent men within the circle of my knowlwill make me uneasy. I will not be remiss on edge. * *e *x * * my part. My brother Harry is at Edinburgh, distinguish"God bless you! Edith's love. A happy ing himself as a disputant in the Medical Socienew year, and many returns! R. S." ty. Poor Tom is going for the West Indies! What are our dunces sending troops there for? To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. I could find in my heart to set at them; for, to " Greta Hall, Keswick, Jan. 9, 1804. tell you the truth, a set-to at the Methodists in " Infailix homo! infailix homo! said a Ger- this Review has put me in a very pamphleteerman to Coleridge, who did not understand for ing mood. whom he was inquiring by the name of TcjctC^r * * *,* * * Tad; infailix homo! suspensus a patibulo! With-: God bless you! R. S." out any patibulary reflection, infailix homno is the soul of exclamation that your letter prompts. To John Rickman, Esq. Zounds! if Giardini were in your inside, what "January 20,1801. an admirable solo he might play upon guts that "DEAR RICIIKAN, must, by this time, have been fretted to fiddle- * * * * * strings! I verily believe that your gripes must Arthur Aikin writes me that 1200 of the Annual be organic, and not, as in all other men, bag- Review have sold of 2000 that were printed, pipical' and that the demand continues unabated. He is "The plain English of all this is, that your in high spirits at its success, and wishes me to metaphysics, as you call them, are to your come to London-looking upon me, I suppose, mind what a regular course of drastic physic as one of his staff-officers-as, in fact, William would be to your body-very disagreeable, and Taylor and I constitute his main strength. It is very weakening; that, being neither a man of clear enough that, if I regarded pen-and-ink-manbusiness, nor of fashion, nor of letters, you ship solely as a trade, I might soon give in an want object and occupation in the world; and income of double the present amount; but I ama that, if you would study Arabic, Welsh, or looking forward to something better, and will Chinese, or resolve to tra; slate Tristram Snilao.n-;ct be tempted from the pursuit in which I have't ETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 171 so long and so steadily persevered. *'melancholy impression, that, however much adThis vile reviewing still bird-limes me. I do it versity had quickened his talents, it had injured slower than any thing else-yawning over tire- his moral feelings. Pride and vanity are only some work; and parcel comes down after par- defensive vices in a poor and neglected man of ccl, so that I have already twice whooped before talents, and being defensive, they cease to be I was out of the wood. Yesterday Malthus re- vices. Something of the same palliation may be ceived, I trust, a mortal wound from my hand; pleaded for an evident libertinism of heart and to-day I am at the Asiatic Researches. God- thought which is every where too manifest in his win's Life of Chaucer is on the road to me: by- book: in this he resembles Smollett and Defoe, the-by, the philosopher came in for a hard rap which last truly great man he resembles also in over the knuckles with Mr. Malthus. These better things. things keep me from better employment, but " Should you execute your design of the Colthey whet the desire for it, and I shall return to lection of Voyages and Travels, which I hope and my Portuguese society with double zest. trust you will, this man might be made exceedIn the Dark Ages, medicine was in the hands ingly useful to you. Being himself a sailor, and of the Jews. Why was this? Am I right in having seen and observed many countries, you supposing it was because they traveled, and will rarely find one so well qualified to digest brought with them the wisdom and experience, many travels into one full account. I had begun as well as folly of the East? Christians could a letter to you upon the subject of the Collection not travel safely; but Hebrew, like Arabic, was some months ago, but laid it aside when the a passport, for synagogues and mosques were alarm of invasion seemed to suspend all literary, every where. A decree of the Lateran Coun- and, indeed, all other speculation. Should you cil, that the sacrament should be first prescribed resume the scheme, I will willingly send you an to the sick, seems leveled against Jew physi- outline of what seems to me to be the most adcians. visable plan. " H-ave you read the Institutes of Menu, trans- " * *> x lated by Sir W. Jones? I should be very glad It has occurred to me that I could make a good to see your corollaries from that book. Hindos- companion to Ellis's very excellent book, under tan, indeed the whole of civilized Asia, puzzles the title of Specimens of the Modern English ime, and provokes me that we should have so few Poetry, beginning exactly where he leaves ofl; documents to reason fiom. As far as their his- and following exactly his plan-coming down to tory can be unraveled from fable, nothing is dis- the present time, and making death the time coverable but the war of sects, not of religions; where to stop. Two volumes would comprise and how so ridiculous a religion should have it, perhaps. Let me know ifyou like the scheme: been so blended with astronomy, how allegory it would require more trouble and more search should put on so ugly a mask, is a puzzle. than you will be at first aware of, but, with El"' -' t * * ~ lis's work, it would form such a series of arranged I am well, but have an ominous dimness of sight selections as no other country can boast. I could at times, which makes me think of Tobin; that do it well, and should do it willingly. If it should would, indeed, be a sore visitation! but I will be taken by the public as a supplement, it would feed while the summer lasts, that my paws may be a good speculation. Should you see Colebe fat enough to last licking through the dark ridge, show him this. I would, of course, affix winter, if it must come. my name."' Vale! R. S." To Lieutenant Southey, II;.M S. Glaatea. To Mlessrs. Longman and Rees. "Keswick, Jan. 31, 1804. "Jan. 26, 1804. DEAR TO M, "DEAR SIRS,," From this uttermost end of the north it will "If Mr. -'s little tale (which reached me not be easy, or indeed possible, to send any thing last night) be long enough for publication, I to the West Indies, except what will go in the should think it possesses sufficient interest to be compass of a letter, else you should have the salable. The, author is, in my judgment, a man Iris's* bundled up for you. of very considerable, and, indeed, extraordinary My plan for Madoc stands, then, at present, that talents. This - he has probably written Longman shall risk all expenses, and share the hastily, and, I fear, upon the spur of want. eventual profits; printing it in quarto, and with' Having myself sought after information re- engravings, for I am sure the book will sell the specting the countries on the Mississippi, I can better for being made expensive. * 7 say that the descriptions and natural history are, Having now cleared off all my Annual Reviewas far as my knowledge goes, accurate, and ing (oh, Tom, such a batch! almost as much as therefore it is fair to presume that such circum- last year's rabble), I am now, for a while. at full stances as were new to me are equally true to leisure, and of course direct it principally to Manature. doe, that it may be off my hands, for I should not " I know nothing of -- but from his Tray- be willing to leave the world till I have left that els; from that he appears to be a self-taught in a fair state behind me. I am now finishing man, who has all his life-long been struggling with difficulties; and the book left upon me a * A Norwich newspaper, edited by r. William Taylor. 172 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT.30. the 14th section. * * * * * not heart to go on with it. Once I received a They tell me that Walter Scott has reviewed letter from a poor fellow three months after he Amadis in the Edinburgh Review; to what pur- was dead: it excited a most painful feeling; and port I know not, but probably a favorable one, if it is little less unpleasant to address one to a perit be his doing, for he is a man whose taste ac- son whom you fear may not be among the living; cords with mine, and who, though we have never however, yours of Dec. 4 has just come to hand. seen each other, knows that I respect him, as he, You do not tell me whether the fever is out of the on his part, respects me. The same friendly of- ship; but I conclude it must almost have done flee has been performed in the Critical at last for its work, and will go out like a fire when it no Thalaba, by William Taylor: this, too, I have longer finds any thing it can destroy. I have a not seen. sort of theory about such diseases which I do " As for politics, Tom, we that live among the not understand myself, but somebody or other mountains, as the old woman said, do never hear will, some of these days. They are so far anala word of news. This talk of war with Spain I ogous to vegetables as that they take root, grow, do not believe, and I am at last come round to ripen, and decay. Those which are eruptive, the opinion that no invasion is intended, but that blossom and seed; for the pustule of the smallthe sole object of Bonaparte is to exhaust our pox, &c., is, to all intents and purposes, the flower finances. Booby! not remembering that a na- of the disease, or the fructification by which it is tional bankruptcy,while it ruins individuals, makes perpetuated. Now these diseases, like vegetathe state rich. * * * * bles, choose their own soil: some plants like clay, How long the present Duncery may go on, God others sand, others chalk; so the yellow fever knows; I am no enemy to them, for they mean will not take root in a negro, nor the yaws in a well, but in this broil with the Volunteers they white man. There is a hint for a new theory; are wrong, and dangerously wrong as regards you will see the truth of the analogy at once, and their own popularity. I wish every Volunteer I can no more explain it than you can, but so it would lay down his arms, being fully persuaded is. * * * * - * that in case of necessity he would take them up We have been dreadfully shocked here by the again; but this attempt to increase the system fate of Wordsworth's brother, captain of the of patronage, by depriving them of their cove- Abergavenny East Indiaman, which has just been nanted right of electing their own officers, is ras- lost in Portland Bay-almost as shocking as the cally and abominable. The elections universally Halsewell-300 lives. * 4 48 * made show that the choice always falls upon Bonaparte wants peace; a continental war is a men who have either the claim of property, char- far more probable event. What will become of acter, or talents. Of more permanent political Portugal, Heaven knows; and till that be decidimportancewill be a circumstance of which there ed, I can as little tell what will become of me. is no talk of at all. Inquiries are making into Meantime, I shall continue to work hard and to the actual state of the poor in England; an office economize. * 4 * 4 has been established for the purpose, and the "God bless you! superintendence, by Rickman's recommendation, Yours very affectionately, R. S." assigned to Poole, Coleridge's friend, of whom you must have heard me speak-a man of extra- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ordinary powers, more akin in mind to Rickman "Greta Hall, Feb. 16, 1804. than any man I know. This is a very gratify- "DEAR GROSVENOR, ing circumstance to me, to see so many persons,'I have seen a sight more dreamy and wonwith whom I became acquainted before the world derful than any scenery that fancy ever yet dedid, rising in the world to their proper stations. vised for Faery Land. We had walked down to 4, 4 * * the lake side: it was a delightful day, the sun:" God bless you! R. S." shining, and a few white clouds hanging motionless in the sky. The opposite shore of DerwentTo Lieutenant Southey, H.M.S. Amelia. water consists of one long mountain, which "Feb. 11, 1804. suddenly terminates in an arch, thus _, and " DEAR TOI, through that opening you see a long valley be-: It is not possible that my letters can give tween mountains, and bounded by mountain beyou more pleasure than yours give me. You yond mountain; to the right of the arch the have always reason to suppose that all is well heights are more varied and of greater elevation. with me when you hear nothing to the contrary. Now, as there was not a breath of air stirring, I am only exposed to the common accidents of the surface of the lake was so perfectly still that life, but you are in the way of battle and slaugh- it became one great mirror, and all its waters ter, pestilence and hurricanes, and every letter disappeared; the whole line of shore was repthat arrives from you relieves me from a certain resented as vividly and steadily as it existed in kind of apprehension. * 4 * 4 its actual being-the arch, the vale within, the As this letter was not finished at a heat, it has single houses far within the vale, the smoke from lain two or three weeks; to own the truth fair- their chimneys, the furthest hills, and the shadow ly, I had such a fear about me of the yellow fe- and substance joined at their bases so indivisibly, ver, because you mentioned indisposition on the that you could make no separation even in your night preceding the date of your last, that I had judgment. As I stood on the shore, heaven and JETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 173 the clouds seemed lying under me. I was look- my own master, and not make verses, and not ing down into the sky, and the whole range of stay any longer at school, because I am too old. mountains, having one line of summits under my It is odd that school never comes pleasantly in feet, and another above me, seemed to be sus- my dreams: it is always either thus, or with a pended between the firmaments. Shut your eyes notion that I can not find my book to go on with. and dream of a scene so unnatural and so beau- I never dream of Oxford; perhaps my stay was tiful. What I have said is most strictly and not long enough to make an impression sufliscrupulously true; but it was one of those happy ciently deep. moments that can seldom occur, for the least " God bless you! breath stirring would have shaken the whole vi- " Yours affectionately, R. S." sion, and at once unrealized it. I have before seen a partial appearance, but never before did, To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. and perhaps never again may, lose sight of the "Keswick, Friday, Feb. 17, 1804. lake entirely, for it literally seemed like an abyss " DEAR TOMr, of sky before me; not fog and clouds from a'"When I remember how many letters I wrote mountain, but the blue heaven spotted with a few to you on your last West Indies station, and that fleecy pillows of cloud, that looked placed there you never received one of the number, it seems for angels to rest upon them. as if this, too, was to be sent upon a forlorn "I am treating with my bookseller to publish hope. However, I will now number what I a supplementary or companion work to Ellis's send, that you may see if any be missing, and Specimens, beginning where he leaves off, and make. inquiry for them. coming down to the present time, exclusive of "I have wanted you to help me in weighing the living poets, so that my work, with his, should anchor for Madoc, and for want of you have contain a brief notice of all the English poets, been obliged to throw into shade what else good, bad, and indifferent, with specimens of each, should have been brought out in strong light. except the dramatic writers. If this take place, Had you been at my elbow, he should have set it will cost me a journey to London, and a month's sail in a very seaman-like manner; if this reachhard work there; the main part can be done here. es you, it may yet be in time for you to tell me You know Ellis's book, of course, and if you do what I should say to express that the sails are not, Nicholl can show it you (who, by-the-by, will all ready for sailing next day. I am afraid bent go to the devil for charging half a guinea a vol- is not the word, and have only put it in just to ume for it, unless he can send Ellis instead). keep the place, designing to omit it and clap Now, if I should make this work, of which there some general phrase in, unless you can help me is little doubt, you may, if so disposed, give me out in time. The whole first part of the poem an opportunity of acknowledging my obligations is now finished; that is, as far as Madoc's refor assistance to my friend Mr. G. C. Bedford in turn to America, 3600 lines; the remaining part the preface, and perhaps find some amusement will be longer. As my guide once told me in in the task. So tell me your lordship's pleasure, Portugal, we have got half way, for we have and I will prescribe to you what to do for me; come two short leagues, and have two long ones and if you shall rouse yourself to any interest in to go; and upon his calculation I am half through the pursuit, it may prove really a good prescrip- the poem. tion. By doing something to assist me, you may "Of my own goings on I know not that there learn to love some pursuit for yourself, is any thing which can be said. Imagine me in " With what can Isaac Reid have filled his one- this great study of mine from breakfast till dinand-twenty volumes? Comments upon Shaks- ner, from dinner till tea, and from tea till suppeare seem to keep pace with the National per, in my old black coat, my corduroys alternDebt, and will at last become equally insuffer- ately with the lohg worsted pantaloons and gaitable and out of fashion; yet I should like to see ers in one, and the green shade, and sitting at his book, and would buy it if I could. There my desk, and you have my picture and my hismust be a mass of English learning heaped to- tory. I play with Dapper, the dog, down stairs, gether, and his Biog. Dramatica is so good a who loves me as well as ever Cupid did, and the work that I do not think old age can have made cat, up stairs, plays with me; for puss, finding him make a bad one; besides, this must have my room the quietest in the house, has thought been the work or amusement of his life. * * proper to share it with me. Our weather has "I live almost as recluse a life as my neigh- been so wet that I have not got out of doors for bor, the Bassenthwaite Toad, whose history you a walk once in a month. Now and then I go have seen in the newspapers; only if he finds it down to the river, which runs at the bottom of dull I do not, for I have books, and Port wine, the orchard, and throw stones till my arms ache, and a view from my window. I feel as much and then saunter back again. James Lawson, pleasure in having finished my reviewing as ever the carpenter, serves me for a Juniper: he has I did at school when my Bible exercise was done, made boards for my papers, and a screen, like and what sort of pleasure that was you may judge those in the frame, with a little shelf to hold my by being told that one of the worst dreams that ivory knife, &c., and is now making a little table ever comes athwart my brain is that I have those for Edith, of which I shall probably make the Latin verses to make. I very often have this'most use. I rouse the house to breakfast every dream, and it usually ends in a resolution to be morning, and qualify myself for a boatswain's 174 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 30. place by this practice; and thus one day pass- and to grieve with a sort of despondency at seees like another, and never did the days appear ing how much that has been laid up among the to pass so fast. Summer will make a differ- stores of knowledge has been neglected and utence. Our neighbor, General Peche, will re- terly forgotten. turn in May; Harry, also, will come in May. "Madoc goes on well; the whole detail of the Sir George and Lady Beaumont are expected to alteration is satisfactorily completed, and I slall visit Mrs. Coleridge. Danvers is to come in have it ready for the press by midsummer. I the autumn. The Smiths of Bownham (who wish it could have been well examined first by gave me Hayley's Life of Cowper) will proba- you and William Taylor; however, it will be bly visit the lakes this year, and most likely well purged and purified in the last transcripDuppa will stroll down to see me and the mount- tion, and shall g6 into the world, not such as will ains. I am very well-never better. Edith tol- obtain general approbation now, but such as may erable. God bless you! If you do not hence- content most men to read. I am not quite sure forward receive a letter by every packet; the whether the story will not tempt me to have a fault will not be mine. R. S." cross in the title-page, and take for my motto, In hoc signo. * * To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. "If MaKpoc AvOpuTrof agrees with me about "Greta Hall, Feb. 19, 1804. the Specimens, it will oblige me to go to Lon" Parsoln-son, the Piscis Piscium sive Piscis- don. Perhaps we may contrive to meet. * simus, left us to-dav. * * * "I am sorry, sir, to perceive by your letter that He is piping hot from Bristol, and brimful of ad- there is a scarcity of writing-paper in London; miration for Beddoes, who, indeed, seems to have perhaps, the next time you write, Mr. Rickman done so much for Mrs. C. that there are good or Mr. Poole* will have the goodness to accomhopes of her speedy recovery. He is in high modate you with a larger sheet, that you may spirits about the Slave Trade, for the West In- have the goodness to accommodate me with a dia merchants will not consent to its suspension longer letter; and if, sir, it be owing to the for five years. to prevent the importation of weakness of your sight that you write so large a hands into the newly-conquered islands; and hand, and in lines so far apart, there is a very what from that jealousy, and from the blessed excellent optician, who lives at Charing Cross, success of the St. Domingo negroes, I believe where you may be supplied with the best specwe may hope to see the traffic abolished. * tacles, exactly of the number which may suit *-: *, * * * your complaint. "If I were a single man and a Frenchman, I "I am, sir, your obedient humble servant, would go as a missionary to St. Domingo, where "ROBERT SOUTHEY." a world of good might be done in that way: the climate may be defied by any man in a high To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. state of mental excitement. I know not wheth- "Feb., 1804. er I sent you some curious facts respecting viva- "I am not sorry that you gave Godwin a ciousness, but I have met with enough to lead dressing, and should not be sorry if he were octo important physiological conclusions, and, in casionally to remember it with the comfortable particular, to explain the sufficiently common reflection'in vino veritas;' for, in plain truth, fact of sick persons fixing the hour of their death, already it does vex me to see you so lavish of the and living exactly to that time: the simple so- outward and visible signs of friendship, and to lution is, that they would else have died sooner. know that a set of fellows whom you do not care In proceeding with my History, I continually for and ought not to care for, boast every where find something that leads to interesting specula- of your intimacy, and with good reason, to the tion: it would, perhaps, be better if there were best of their understanding. You have accusalways some one at hand to whom I could com- tomed yourself to talk affectionately and write municate these discoveries, and who should help affectionately to your friends, till the expressions me to hunt down the game when started; not of affection flow by habit in your conversation that I feel any wish for such society, but still it and in your letters, and pass for more than they would at times be useful. It is a very odd, but are worth; the worst of all this is, that your leta marked characteristic of my mind-the very ters will one day rise up in judgment against you nose in the face of my intellect-that it is either (for be sure that hundreds which you have forutterly idle or uselessly active without its tools. gotten are hoarded up for some Curl or Philips I never eater into any regular train of thought of the next generation), and you will be convictunless the pen be in my hand; they then flow as ed of a double dealing, which, though you do not fast as did the water from the rock in Horeb, design, you certainly do practice. And now that but without that wand the source is dry. At I am writing affectionately more meo, I will let these times conversation would be useful. How- out a little more. You say in yours to Sara that ever, I am going on well-never better. The you love and honor me. Upon my soul I believe old cerebrum was never in higher activity. I you; but if I did not thoroughly believe it before, find daily more and more reason to wonder at your saying so is the thing of all things that the miserable ignorance of English historians, the miserable igno c * Of Nether Stoway, Somersetshire; at that time officially employed in superintending an inquiry into the state * Mir. Clarkson. of the poor in England and Wales. AETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 175 would make me open my eyes and look about that you should meet. For universal knowledge, me to see if I were not deceived. Perhaps I am I believe he stands quite unrivaled: his convertoo intolerant to these kind of phrases; but, in- sation is a perpetual spring of living water; and deed, when they are true, they may be excused, then, in every relation of life, so excellent is he, and when they are not, there is no excuse for that I know not any man who, in the circle of them. his friends, is so entirely and deservedly be" — was always looking for such things, loved." but he was a foul feeder, and my moral stomach loathes any thing like fioth. There is a some- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. thing outlandish in saying them, more akin to " March 8, 1804. a French embrace than an English shake by "I have not the Spanish Gil Blas. Such a the hand, and I would have you leave off saying book exists, but, if I remember rightly, with the them to those whom you actually do love, that if suspicious phrase restored to the Spaniards, this should not break off the habit of applying which may imply a retranslation of what they them to indifferent persons, the disuse may at say is translated. Yet it is very likely that the least make a difference. Your feelings go naked; story is originally Spanish, and, indeed, if the I cover mine with a bear-skin: I will not say Spaniards claim it, I am ready to believe them, that you harden yours by your mode, but I am they being true men, and Le Sage's being a sure that mine are the warmer for their clothing. Frenchman strong reason for suspecting him to * A * It is possible, or probable, be a thief; however, if he has stolen, there can that I err as much as you in an opposite extreme, be no doubt that he has tinkered old metal into and may make enemies where you would make a better shape, and I should think your time ill friends; but there is a danger that you may' employed in Englishing what every body reads in sometimes excite dislike in persons of whose ap- French. probation you would yourself be desirous. You' And now let me tell you what to do for me, know me well enough to know in what temper and how to do it.* this has been written, and to know that it has "Take half a quatrain, or a whole one doubled; been some exertion; for the same habit which write, as a title, the name of the poet in quesmakes me prefer sitting silent to offering contra- tion; then, under that, the time or place of his diction, makes me often withhold censure when, birth, when discoverable, and the time of his perhaps, in strictness of moral duty, it ought to death. After that, a brief notice of his life and be applied. The medicine might have been works to the average length of a Westminster sweetened, perhaps; but, dear Coleridge, take theme, as much shorter as his demerits deserve, the simple bitters, and leave the sweetmeats by as much longer as apt anecdotes or the humor themselves. of pointed and rememberable criticism may tempt "That ugly-nosed Godwin has led me to this. your pen. *.* * * I dare say he deserved all you gave him; in fact, Now for a list of those whom I can turn over to I have never forgiven him his abuse of William your care at once: Taylor, and do now regret, with some compunc- "Henderson-this you will do con amore. tion, that in my reviewal of his Chaucer I struck "Garrick-Tom D'Urfey-Tom Browne. out certain passages of well-deserved severity * "Cary, the author of Chrononhotonthologus * * Two days of S. T. C.'s time given -see if his namby-pamby be of suitable brevity; to --. Another Antonio! If we are to give the Biographia and a Biog. Dictionary will be account for every idle hour, what will you say sufficient guides. Lady 3. W. Montague, Steto this lamentable waste? Or do you expect to phen Duck-kill off these, and put them by till have them allowed to you in your purgatory I see you; and kill them off, the faster the better, score? * * * If he had not that you may fall upon more for so much labor married again, I would have still have had some a as you do, so much am I saved, which is very good bowels of compassion for him; but to take another for both of us, says Dr. Southey. wife with the picture of Mary Woolstonecroft in "Great news at Keswick: a firing heard off his house! Agh! I am never ashamed of let- the Isle of Man at four o'clock in the morning ting out my dislikes, however, and what is a good yesterday! The French are a coming, a coming, thing, never afraid; so let him abuse me, and a coming-and what care we? We, who have we'll be at war. eighteen volunteers, and an apothecary at their "I wish you had called on Longman. That head! Did I ever tell you of De Paddy, one of man has a kind heart of his own, and I wish you the' United,' who was sent to serve on board to think so: the letter he sent me was a proof Tom's ship last war? The first day of his scrvof it. Go to one of his Saturday evenings: you ice, he had to carry the plum pudding for the will see a coxcomb or two, and a dull fellow or dinner of his mess, and the Patrician had never two; but you will perhaps meet Turner and seen a plum pudding before; he came holding it Duppa, and Duppa is worth knowing. Make up in triumph, and exclaimed, in perfect ecstasy, yourself known to him in my name, and tell him' Och! your sowls! look here! if dis be war, how glad I should be to show him the lakes. I may it never be paice!' * have some hope, from Rickman's letter, that you "No time for more; farewell! may see William Taylor in town: that would "R. SOUTHEY." give me great pleasure, for I am very desirous * See p. 173. 176 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 30. To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. You would be amused to see the truly Catholic " Greta Hall, March 12, 1804. horror he feels at the Jews, because they do not " Your going abroad appeared to me so doubt- eat pork and ham, on which account he declares ful, or, indeed, so improbable an event, that the he never will be an old clothes man. Sara is as certainty comes on me like a surprise, and I feel fond of me as Dapper is, which is saying a good at once what a separation the sea makes. When deal. As for Johnny Wordsworth, I expect to we get beyond the reach of mail coaches, then, see him walk over very shortly: he is like the indeed, distance becomes a thing perceptible. I sons of the Anakim. No M. Post yesterday, shall often think, Coleridge, Quanto minus estnone to-day-vexatious after the last French curm reliquis versari quam tui meminisse! God news. I should not suppose Moreau guilty; he grant you a speedy passage, a speedy recovery, is too cautious a general to be so imprudent a and a speedy return! I will write regularly man. * * * and often; but I know by Danvers how irregu- " God bless you! R. S." larly letters arrive, and at how tedious a time after their date. Look in old Knolles before you To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. go, and read the Siege of Malta: it will make "Greta Hall, March 14, 1804. you feel that you are going to visit sacred ground. Your departure hangs upon me with someI can hardly think of that glorious defense with- thing the same effect that the heavy atmosphere out tears. * * * * * presses upon you-an unpleasant thought, that " You would rejoice with me were you now works like yeast, and makes me feel the animal at Keswick, at the tidings that a box of books is functions going on. As for the manner of your safely harbored in the Mersey, so that for the going, you will be, on the whole, better off than next fortnight I shall be more interested in the in a king's ship. Now you are your own masnews of Fletcher* than of Bonaparte. It con- ter; there you would have been a guest, and, of tains some duplicates of the lost cargo; among course, compelled to tolerate the worst of all them, the collection of the oldest Spanish poems, possible society, except that of soldier-officers. in which is a metrical romance upon the Cid. "I had hopes of seeing you in London; for I shall sometimes want you for a Gothic etymolo- almost as soon as Edith is safe in bed, if safe she gy. Talk of the happiness of getting a great be (for my life has been so made up of sudden prize in the lottery! What is that to the open- changes that I never even mentally look to what ing a box of books! The joy upon lifting up is to happen without that if, and the optative the cover must be something like what we shall utinam)-as soon, I say, as that takes place, 1 feel when Peter the Porter opens the door up shall hurry to town, principally to put to press stairs, and says, Please to walk in, sir. That I this book of Specimens, which can only be finshall never be paid for my labor according to ished there, for you will stare at the catalogue the current value of time and labor, is tolerably of dead authors whom I shall have to resurreccertain; but if any one should offer me o10,000 tionize. This will be a very curious and useful to forego that labor, I should bid him and his book of mine: how much the worse it will be money go to the devil, for twice the sum could for your voyage to Malta, few but myself will not purchase me half the enjoyment. It will be feel. If it sells, I shall probably make a supa great delight to me in the next world to take plementary volume to Ellis's, to include the a fly and visit these old worthies, who are my good pieces which he has overlooked, for he has only society here, and to tell them what excel- not selected well, and, perhaps, to analyze the lent company I found them here at the lakes of epics and didactics, which nobody reads. Had Cumberland two centuries after they had been I conceived that you would think of transcribing dead and turned to dust. In plain truth, I exist any part of Madoc, you should have been spared more among the dead than the living, and think the trouble; but, in writing to you, it has almore about them, and, perhaps, feel more about ways appeared to me better to write than to them. * * * * * copy, the mere babble having the recommendaMoses has quite a passion for drawing, strong tion that it is exclusively your own, and created enough to be useful were he a little older. When for you, and in this the feeling of exclusive propI visit London I will set him up in drawing- erty goes for something. The poem shall be books. He was made quite happy yesterday by sent out to you, if there be a chance of its reachtwo drawings of Charles Fox, which happened ing you; but will you not have left Malta by to be in my desk, and to be just fit for him. The the time a book to be published about New dissected map of England gives him his fill of de- Year's Day can arrive there? light, and he now knows the situation of all the "Had you been with me, I should have talked counties in England as well as any one in the with you about a preface; as it is, it will be best house, or, indeed, in the kingdom. I have prom- simply to state, and as briefly as possible, what ised him Asia: it is a pity that Africa and Ameri- I have aimed at in my style, and wherein, in my ca are so badly divided as to be almost useless, own judgment, I have succeeded or failed. Longfor this is an excellent way of learning geogra- man has announced it, in his Cyclopedic List, phy, and I know by experience that what is so under the title of an epic poem, which I assurlearned is never forgotten. * * * edly shall not affix to it myself: the name, of which I was once over-fond, has nauseated me, * The name of a Keswick carrier. and, moreover, should seem to render me ame ETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 177 nable to certain laws which I do not acknowl- acquiring that knowledge, which he communiedge. cates to them in a few hours; now they only "If I were at Malta, the siege of that illus- look for faults. Every body is a critic; that is, trious island should have a poem, and a good every reader imagines himself superior to the one too; and you ought to think about it, for of author, and reads his book that he may censure all sieges that ever have been or ever will be, it it, not that he may improve by it. * was the most glorious, and called forth the no-' You are in great measure right about Coleblest heroism. Look after some modern Greek ridge; he is worse in body than you seem to bebooks; in particular, the poem from which the lieve; but the main cause lies in his own manTeseide of Boccaccio and the Knight's Tale are agement of himself, or, rather, want of managederived; if, indeed, it be not a translation from ment. His mind is in a perfect St. Vitus's dance the Italian. Could you lay hand on some of -eternal activity without action. At times he these old books, and on old Italian poetry, by feels mortified that he should have done so little; selling them at Leigh and Sotheby's you might but this feeling never produces any exertion. I Imost pay your travels. will begin to-morrow, he says, and thus he has " More manuscripts of Davis come down to- been all his life-long letting to-day slip. He has day. I have run through his Life of Chatterton, had no heavy calamities in life, and so contrives which is flimsy and worthless. I shall not ad- to be miserable about trifles. Poor fellow! there vise Longman to print it, and shall warn the is no one thing which gives me so much pain as writer to expunge an insult to you and to my- the witnessing such a waste of unequaled power. self, which is not to be paid for by his praise. I knew one man resembling him, save that with We formed a just estimate of the man's moral equal genius he was actually a vicious man. stamina, most certainly, and as for man-mend- " If that man had common prudence, he must ing, I have no hopes of it. The proverb of the have been the first man in this country, from his silk purse and the sow's ear comprises my phi- natural and social advantages, and as such, we losophy upon that subject. who knew him and loved him at school used to " I write rapidly and unthinkingly, to be in anticipate him. I learned more from his convertime for the post. Why have you not made sation than any other man ever taught me, beLamb declare war upon Mrs. Bare-bald? He cause the rain fell when the young plant was should singe her flaxen wig with squibs, and tie just germinating and wanted it most; and I learncrackers to her petticoats till she leaped about ed more morality by his example than any thing like a parched pea for very torture. There is else could have taught me, for I saw him wither not a man in the world who could so well re- away. He is dead and buried at the Cape of venge himself. The Annual Review (that is, Good Hope, and has left behind him nothing to the first vol.) came down in my parcel to-day.i keep his memory alive. A few individuals only My articles are wickedly misprinted, and, in remember him with a sort of horror and affecmany instances, made completely nonsensical. tion, which just serves to make them melancholy If I could write Latin even as I could once, per- whenever they think of him or mention his name. haps I should talk to Longman of publishing a This will not be the case with Coleridge; the collection of the best modern Latin poets: they disjecta membra will be found if he does not die were ddlli canes many of them, but a poor fel- early; but, having so much to do, so many erlow who has spent years and years in doing his rors to weed out of the world which he is capabest to be remembered, does deserve well enough ble of eradicating, if he does not die without doing of posterity to be reprinted once in every millen- his work, it would half break my heart, for no nium, and, in fact, there are enough good ones human being has had more talents allotted. to form a collection of some extent. " Wordsworth will do better, and leave behind " God bless you! prays your old friend and him a name unique in his way. He will rank brother, R. SOUTHEY." among the very first poets, and probably possesses a mass of merits superior to all, except To John Rickman, Esq. only Shakspeare. This is doing much, yet would "Keswick, March 30, 1804. he be a happier man if he did more. " MY DEAR RICIMAN, " I am made very happy by a re-enforcement " Turner wrote to me and complained heav- of folios from Lisbon, and I shall feel some reily of Scotch criticism, which he seems to feel luctance in leaving them, and breaking off work too much. Such things only provoke me to in- to go for London to a more trifling employment; terject Fool! and Booby! seasoned with the however, my History is to be considered as the participle damnatory; but as for being vexed at capital laid by-the savings of industry; and you a review-1I should as soon be fevered by a flea- would think me entitled to all the praise indusbite! I sent him back a letter of encourage- try can merit, were you to see the pile of pa. ment and stimulant praise, for these rascals had pers. * * * so affected him as to slacken his industry. I " Vale! R. S." look upon the invention of reviews to be the worst injury which literature has received since To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. its revival. People formerly took up a book to "Greta Hall, March 31, 1804. learn from it, and with a feeling of respectful " DEAR GROSVENOR, thankfulness to the man who had spent years in'" I am bound for London, 178 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 30. chiefly to complete these Specimens and put them and am daily, indeed hourly, in anticipation of to press. Alas! for your unhappy habit of pro- heing able to say when I set out. You know crastination!.' Don't delay,' you write in your that I design to take up with me the first part of postscript, and this in answer to a letter which Madoc, and leave it with the printer. Now have had lain above a fortnight in your desk! Here I been thinking that your worship would, perhaps, it happens to be of no moment; but you tell me be not unwilling to stand man-midwife upon the the habit has produced and is producing worse occasion, and be appointed grand plenipotentiary consequences. I would give you advice if it over commas, semicolons, and periods. My books could be of use; but there is no curing those have all suffered by misprinting. In fact, there who choose to be diseased. A good man and a is a lurking hope at the bottom of this request, wise man may at times be angry with the world, that when you have once been brought into a at times grieved for it; but be sure no man was habit of dealing with the devil on my account, ever discontented with the world if he did his you may be induced to deal with him on your duty in it. If a man of education who has health, own. eyes, hands, and leisure, wants an object, it is "I shall bring up with me as much toward only because God Almighty has bestowed all the Specimens as can be supplied by Anderson's those blessings upon a man who does not deserve Collection, Cibber's Lives, and an imperfect sethem. Dear Grosvenor, I wish you may feel ries of the European Magazine. The names half the pain in reading this that I do in writing omitted in these may, beyond all doubt, be supit. a *. * a plied from the obituary in the Gentleman's Mag" There! azine, alias the Oldwomania, a work which I "And what shall I say after this? for this have begun to take in here at Keswick, to enbitter pill will put your mouth out of taste for lighten a Portuguese student among the mountwhatever insipidities I might have had to offer; ains, and which does amuse me by its exquisite only the metaphor reminds me of a scheme of inanity, and the glorious and intense stupidity of mine, which is to improve cookery by chemic- its correspondents; it is, in truth, a disgrace to al tNiing, making every dish prepare the palate the age and the country. My list of names is for that which is to come next; and this reminds already long enough to prove that there will be me that I have discovered most poignant and some difficulty in getting at all the volumes reqgood galvanism in drinking water out of an iron uisite, not that it is or can be a matter of concup: how far this may improve fermented liquors science to read through all the dull poetry of remains to be experimented. The next time every rhymester. The language of vituperation you see a pump with an iron ladle thereunto ap- or criticism has not yet been so systematized as pended, stop, though it be on Cornhill, and drink to afford terms for every shade of distinction. I and try. had an idea of applying the botanical nomencla"I am very happy, having this week received ture to novels, and dividing them into monogynia, the oldest poem in the Castilian language, and monandria, cryptogamia, &c., but for poems the the oldest code of Gothic laws, and a re-enforce- pun will not hold good. ment of folios besides, containing the history of'Tis a long way to London! I wish I were Portugal from the Creation down to 1400 A.D. on my way, and then shall I wish myself arrived, God bless you! and then be wishing myself back again i for com"Yours very affectionately, R. S." plete rest, absolute, unprospective, rooted rest, is the great object of my desires. Near London To John Rickman, Esq. must be my final settlement, unless any happy "March, 1804. and unforeseen fortune should enable me to move "DEAR RPICIMAN, to the south, and thus take a longer lease of life "e a * * * * * -in fact, if I could afford the money sacrifice, I I have more in hand than Bonaparte or Marquis would willingly make the other, and keep my Wellesley-digesting Gothic law, gleaning moral History unpublished all my life, that I might pass history from monkish legends, and conquering In- it in Portugal. Society, connections, native landia, or rather Asia, with Albuquerque; filling up guage-all these are weighty things; but what the chinks of the day by hunting in Jesuit chron- are they to the permanent and perpetual exhilicdes, and compiling Collectanea Hispanica et aration of a climate that not merely prolongs life, Gothica. Meantime Madoc sleeps, and my lucre but gives you double the life while it lasts? I of gain compilation* goes on at night, when I have actually felt a positive pleasure in breathing am fairly obliged to lay history aside, because it there; and even here, in this magnificent spot, perplexes me in my dreams.'Tis a vile thing the recollection of the Tagus, and the Serra do to be pestered in sleep with all the books I have Ossa; of Coimbra, and its cypresses, and orange been reading in the day jostled together. God groves, and olives, its hills and mountains, its bless you! R. S." venerable buildings; and its dear river; of the Vale of Algarve, the little islands of beauty amid To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the desert of Alentejo, and, above all, of Cintra, "April 23, 1804. the most blessed spot in the habitable globe, will "DEAR GROSVENOR, almost bring tears into my eyes. "I thought to have seen you before this time, "Vale! * Specimens of English Poets. R. S."' ]ETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 179 To Mrs. Southey. " You should have seen my interview with "Palace Yard, May 10, 1804. Hyde. I was Eve, he the tempter: could I re" MY DEAR EDITH, sist Hyde's eloquence? A coat, you know, was Safe, sound, and rested sufficiently-this is predetermined but my waistcoat was shameful. the best information; and if you can send me as I yielded; and yielded also to a calico undercomplete an'all's well' in return, heartily glad waistcoat, to give the genteel fullness which was shall I be to receive it. requisite. This was not all. Hyde pressed me' On Friday I dined with * * At further: delicate patterns for pantaloons-they six that evening got into the coach; slept at War- make gaiters of the same; it would not soil, and rington; breakfasted at Stowe; dined at Birming- it would wash. I yielded, and am to-morrow to ham; slept at Stratford-upon-Avon: in the dark be completely hyded in coat, waistcoat, underwe reached that place, so that I could not see waistcoat, pantaloons, and gaiters, and shall go Shakspeare's grave, but I will return that road forth, like -, conquering and to conquer. If on purpose. At five, on Sunday morning, we ar- Mrs. -- should see me! and in my new hat rived in Oxford, and I walked through it at that -for I have a new hat-and my new gloves. quiet and delightful hour, and thought of the past O Joze! I will show myself to Johnny Cockand the present. We did not reach London till bain* for the benefit of the North. Davy talks after five last evening, so that I was forty-eight of going to the lakes with Sir G. Beaumont, hours in the coach. I landed at the White Horse probably, and, in that case, soon. Elmsley talks Cellar: no coach was to be procured, and I stood of going in the autumn, and wishes me to acin all the glory of my filth beside my trunk, at company him to Edinburgh. Wynn wants me the Cellar door, in my spencer of the cut of 1798 in Wales, and would fetch me. I can not be in (for so long is it since it was made), and my dirty two places at once, and must not be cut in half, trowsers, while an old fellow hunted out a porter for to Solomon's decision I have an objection. * for me. For about five minutes I waited; the * * * whole mob of Park loungers and Kensington Gar- I shall desire A. Aikin, my commander, to ship den buckery, male and female, were passing by me down a huge cargo, that I may get at least in all their finery, and all looked askance.on me. fifty pounds for next year, and look to that for a Well, off I set at last, and soon found my spencer supply in April. In the foreign one which he was the wonderful part of my appearance. I proposes, I will not take any active part: it will stopped at the top of St. James's Street, just be- take more time, and yield less money in proporfore a group, who all turned round to admire me, tion. The whole article upon Peter Bayley is pulled it off, and gave it to my dirty porter, and in, in all its strength. * * x exhibited as genteel a black coat as ever Joe I perfectly long to be at home again, and home Aikin made. * * * * * * I will be at the month's end, God willing, for They have inserted my account of Malthus in- business shall not stand in my way. I will do stead of William Taylor's, for which, as you know, all that is possible next week and the beginning I am sorry, and also preferred my account of poor of the following, and then lay such a load upon Ritson's romance to one which Walter Scott vol- Dapple's back as he never trudged under before. unteered. Scott, it seems, has shown his civil- He shall work, a lazy, long-eared animal, he ity by reviewing Amadis here and in the Edin- shall work, or the printer's devil shall tease him burgh, which I had rather he had left alone; for, out of his very soul.t * * * though very civil, and in the right style of civil- " Dear Edith, how weary I am! God bless ity, he yet denies my conclusion respecting the you! R. S." author, without alleging one argument, or shadow of argument, against the positive evidence ad- To Mrs. Southey. duced. *- * 1 Bard Williams is "London, May, 1804. in town, so I shall shake one honest man by the " * * * 4 * hand whom I did not expect to see. The Thames is ebbing fast before the window, "God bless you! and a beautiful sight it is, dear Edith; but I "Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY."' wish I were upon the banks of the Greta! I will not remain an hour longer than can be helpTo Mrs. Southey. ed. You have no notion of the intolerable fatigue "London, May 16, 1804. it is to walk all day and not get to bed till after C MY DEAR EDITH, midnight. *'' - * * A. Aikin had need send me certain compli- I have lost a grand triumph over you, Edith. mentary sugar-plums: he has cut out some of Had you seen me in my Hyde when I tried it, my bitterest and best sentences, and has reject- you would never have sent me to a London hydeed my reviewal of his father's Letters on the maker again. The sleeves are actually as large English Poets, to make room for something as as the thighs of my pantalools, and cuffs to them Bare-bald* as the book itself. However, no like what old men wear in a comedy. I am wonder; there must be a commander-in-chief, sure, if I were a country farmer, and caught such and the Annual Review has at least as good, or * A Keswick tailor. better, than either army, navy, or government t These kind intentions refer to the Specimens of the in Enilancd. English poets, and were directed toward Mr. Bedford, who ____ii~u________ ~_______._had long borne very patiently the flattering appellation * See page 177. here given him. 180 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATAT. 30, a barebones as myself in such a black sack, I' You will read the Mabinogion, concerning would stick him up for a scarecrow. which I ought to have talked to you. In the " I saw Longman yesterday, who was very last, that most odd and Arabian-like story of the glad to see me. I am trying to make him pub- Mouse, mention is made of a begging scholar, lish a collection of the scarce old English poets, that helps to the date; but where did the Kimwhich will be the fittest thing in the world for bri get the imagination that could produce such Lamb to manage, if he likes it; or, perhaps, to a tale! That enchantment of the basin hanging manage with my co-operation. The Amadis by the chain from heaven is in the wildest spirit sells not amiss; the edition, they say, will go of the Arabian Nights. I am perfectly astonishoff. Thalaba goes off slowly, but is going. ed that such fictions should exist in Welsh: they They got me W. Taylor's review, which is very throw no light on the origin of romance, every characteristic of his style, talents, and good will thing being utterly dissimilar to what we mean for the author. I will bring down the number. by that term but they do open a new world of x* * x x D' fiction; and if the date of their language be fix"On Thursday Carlisle gives me a dinner. ed about the twelfth or thirteenth century, I can There must be one day for Turner and as for not but think the mythological substance is of far all my half a thousand acquaintances, they may earlier date, very probably brought from the ask till they are blind, for I won't go. I might East by some of the first settlers or conquerors. live all the year here by being invited out as a If William Owen will go on and publish them, I show, but I will not show myself. I write you have hopes that the world will yet reward him very unsatisfactory letters, dear Edith, but you for his labors. Let Sharon* make his language know how like a bear with a sore head this place grammatical, but not alter their idiom in the makes me; and never was I more uncomforta- slightest point. I will advise him about this, ble in it, though with a pleasanter house over being about to send him off a parcel of old Germy head than ever, and better company. man or Theotistic books of Coleridge's, wichh "God bless you! R. S." will occasion a letter. * * "God bless you! R. S" To John Rickmnan, Esq. "Keswick, June 6, 1802. To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. " DEAR RICIcMAN, " June 11, 1804, Keswick. Here I am at length, at least all that remains " DEAR COLERIDGE, of me-the skin and bones of Robert Southey. " The first news of you was from Lamb's let Being now at rest, and, moreover, egregiously ter, which arrived when I was in London. I hungry. the flesh which has been expended in saw, also, your letter to Stuart, and heard of one stage-coaches and in London streets will soon be to Tobin, before I returned and found my own. replaced. Dilce est actorum meminisse-labor- Ere this you are at Malta. What an infectious um will not so fully conclude the line as my mean- thing is irregularity! Merely because it was ing wishes. Labor enough I had; but there are uncertain when a letter could set off, I have alother things besides my labor in London to be ways yielded to the immediate pressure of other remembered-more pleasurable in themselves, employment; whereas, had there been a day fixnut not making such pleasurable recollections, ed for the mail, to have written would then have because they are to be wished for again. been a fixed business, and performed like an en"However, I found excellent society awaiting gagement. me at home: Florian de Ocampo and Ambrosio " All are well-Sara and Sariola, Moses and Novales-thirteen of the little quartos, bringing Justiculus, Edith and the Edithling. Mary is down Spanish history to the point where Pru- better. dencio de Sandoval takes it up. and where I also "I was worn to the very bone by fatigue in begin the full tide of my narration. Novales London-more walking in one day than I usualwas the correspondent of Reserdius, into whose ly take in a month; more waste of breath in work you once looked, and was, like him, an ex- talking than serves for three months' consumpcellent Latinist, and a patient, cautious, martyr- tion in the country; add to this a most abominmurdering antiquary, an excellent weeder of lies able cold, affecting chest, head, eyes, and nose. wherever they were to be found. In company It was impossible to see half the persons whom with these came the four folios of the Bibliotheca I wished to see, and ought to have seen, without Hispanica: there is affixed a portrait of the late prolonging my stay to an inconvenient time, and king, so exquisitely engraved and so exquisitely en unreasonable length of absence from homle. ugly, that 1 know not whether it be most honor- I called upon Sir Georget unsuccessfully, and able to Spain to have advanced so far in the arts, received a note that evening, saying he would or disgraceful to have exercised them upon such be at home the following morning; then I saw a fool's pate. I am sure Duppa would laugh at him, and his lady, and his pictures, and afterhis Catholic majestty but whether an interjection ward met him the same day at dinner at Davy's. of admiration at that print, or the laugh (which As he immediately left town. this was all our inis the next auxiliary part of speech to the ohs tercourse, and as it is not likely that he will visit and ahs, inteljections), will come first, is only to the lakes this year, probably will be all. be decided by experiment. —__ X* X' 1 * * ^t * Sharon Turner, Esq. t Sir George Beaumont, AETAT. 30. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 181 "I went into the Exhibition merely to see very useful to him, and which will be replaced your picture, which perfectly provoked me. on your shelves before your return, and used, not Hazlitt's does look as if you were on your trial, abused,* during your absence. I also sent him and certainly had stolen the horse; but then you the Indian Bible, because I found him at the Indid it cleverly: it had been a deep, well-laid dian grammar, for he is led into etymological rescheme, and it was no fault of yours that you searches. That is a right worthy and good man; had been detected. But this portrait by North- and, what rarely happens, I like his wife as well cote looks like a grinning idiot; and the worst as I do him. Sir, all the literary journals of Enis, that it is just like enough to pass for a good gland will not bring you more news than this likeness with those who only know your features poor sheet of Miss Crosthwaite's letter paper. I imperfectly. Dance's drawing has that merit at have proposed to Longman to publish a collecleast, that nobody would ever suspect you of tion of the scarcer and better old poets, beginhaving been the original. Poole's business will ning with Pierce Ploughman, and to print a few last yet some weeks. As the Abstract is print- only at a high price, that they may sell as raried, I can give you the very important result: ties. This he will determine upon in the autumn. one in eight throughout Great Britain receives If it be done, my name must stand to the prospermanent parish pay; what is still more ex- pectus, and Lamb shall take the job and the traordinary and far more consolatory, one in nine emolument, for whom, in fact, I invented it, beis engaged in some benefit society-a prodigious ing a fit thing to be done, and he the fit man to proportion, if you remember that, in this compu- do it. tation, few women enter, and no children. " The Annual Review succeeds beyond expec" I dined with Sotheby, and met there Henley, tation: a second edition of the first volume is a man every way to my taste. Sotheby was called for. Certain articles respecting the Methvery civil, and as his civility has not that smooth- odists and Malthus are said to have contributed ness so common among the vagabonds of fashion, much to its reputation. By-the-by, that fellow I took it in good part. He is what I should call has had the impudence to marry, after writing a clever man. Other lions were Price, the pie- upon the miseries of population. In the third taresque man, and Davies Giddy, whose face volume I shall fall upon the Society for the Supought to be perpetuated in marble for the honor pression of Vice. of mathematics. Such a forehead I never saw. " Thus far had I proceeded yesterday, designI also met Dr. -- at dinner, who, after a long ing to send off the full sheet by that night's post, silence, broke out into a discourse upon the prop- when Wordsworth arrived, and occasioned one erties of the conjunction Quam. Except his day's delay. I have left him talking to Moses, quamical knowledge, which is as profound as and mounted to my own room to finish. What you will imagine, he knows nothing but bibliog- news, you will wish to ask, of Keswick? The raphy, or the science of title-pages, impresses, and house remains in statu quo, except that the little dates. It was a relief to leave him, and find his parlor is painted, and papered with cartridge brother, the captain, at Rickman's, smoking after paper. Workmen to plaster this room could not supper, and letting out puffs at the one corner be procured when Jackson sent for them, and so of his mouth and puns at the other. The cap- unplastered it is likely to remain another winter. tain hath a son-begotten, according to Lamb, A great improvement has been made by thinning upon a mermaid; and thus far is certain, that he the trees before the parlor window. Just enough is the queerest fish out of water. A paralytic of the lake can be seen through such a frameaffection in childhood has kept one side of his work, and such a fretted canopy of foliage as to face stationary, while the other has continued to produce a most delightful scene, and utterly ungrow, and the two sides form the most ridiculous like any other view of the same subject. The whole you can imagine; the boy, however, is a lakers begin to make their appearance, though sharp lad, the inside not having suffered. none have, as yet, reached us; but Sharpe has "William Owen lent me three parts of the announced his approach in a letter to W. We Mabinogion, most delightfully translated into so are in hourly expectation of Harry; and in the Welsh an idiom and syntax that such a transla- course of the year I expect Duppa to be my guest, tion is as instructive (except for etymology) as an and probably Elmsley. original. I was, and am, still utterly at a loss " God bless you! R. S." to devise by what possible means fictions so perfectly like the Arabian Tales in character, and To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. yet so indisputably of Cimbric growth, should "June 27, 1804, Keswick. have grown up in Wales. Instead of throwing "'Tis a heartless thing, dear Tom, to write light upon the origin of romance, as had been from this distance, and at this uncertainty, the surmised, they offer a new problem, of almost more so when I recollect how many letters of impossible solution. Bard Williams communi- mine were sent to the West Indies when you cated to me some fine arcana of bardic mytholo- were last there, which never reached you. Two gy, quite new to me and to the world, which you packets, say the papers, have been taken; and will find in Madoc. I have ventured to lend Turner your German Romances, which will be * This was a gentle hint to Mr. Coleridge, who valued books none the less for being somewhat ragged and dirty, anld did not take the same scrupulous care as my father * This seems almost incredible. to prevent their becoming so. 182 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 30. if so, two of my epistles are now deeper down most like my own favorite pursuits, which it than your sounding-lines have ever fathomed- certainly must, in a certain degree, assist, as unless, indeed, some shark has swallowed and well as, in point of time, retard. There is much digested bags and bullets. We are uneasy at of mine in the second volume,* and of my best; receiving no letter since that which announced some of which you will discover, and some peryour arrival at Barbadoes. I conceived you were haps not. A sixth of the whole is mine-pretat the Surinam expedition, and waited for the ty hard work. I get on bravely with my HisGazette to-day with some unavoidable apprehen- tory, and have above three quarto volumes done sions. It has arrived, and I can find no trace of -quartos as they ought to be, of about 500 the Galatea, which, though so far satisfactory as honest pages each. It does me good to see what that it proves you have not been killed by the a noble pile my boards make. Dutchman, leaves me, on the other hand, in doubt "3My dog Dapper is as fond of me as ever what has become of you and your ship. * * Cupid was: this is a well-bred hound of my land"About the changes in the Admiralty, I must lord's, who never fails to leap upon my back tell you a good thing of W. T. in the Isis: he when I put my nose out of doors, and who, nevsaid it was grubbing up English oak, and plant- er having ventured beyond his own field till I ing Scotch fir in its place, for the use of the na- lately tempted him, is the most prodigious cowvy. An excellent good thing! If, however, I ard you ever beheld. He almost knocked Edith am not pleased that Lord Melville should be in, down in running away from a pig; but I like I am heartily glad that his predecessor is out, for him, for he is a worthy dog, and frightens the no man ever proved himself so utterly unfit for sauntering lakers as much as the pig frightened the post. Our home politics are becoming very him. interesting, and must ultimately lead to the'The Scotch reviewers are grown remarkstrongest administration ever seen in England. ably civil to me, partly because Elmsley was, Pitt has played a foolish game in coming in and partly because Walter Scott is, connected alone: it has exasperated the prince, who is the with them. My Amadis and the Chatterton rising sun to look to, and is playing for the re- have been noticed very respectfully there. I gency. told you in my last that Amadis sold well-as " The lakers and the fine weather have made much in one year as Thalaba in three! But I their appearance together. As yet we have only feel, and my booksellers feel, that I am getting seen Sharpe, whose name I know not if you will on in the world, and the publication of Madoc remember: he is an intimate of Tuffin, or Muffin, will set me still higher. whose name you can not forget, and, like him, " How goes on the Spanish? keep to it by an excellent talker-knowing every body, re- all means, for it is not an impossible nor an immembering every thing, and having strong tal- probable thing that you and I may one day meet ents besides. Davy is somewhere on the road. in Portugal, and, if so, take a journey together. He is recovering from the ill effects of fashiona- You will then find it useful, for it turns readily ble society, which had warped him. Rickman into Portuguese. My uncle and I keep up a told me his mind was in a healthier tone than pretty regular intercourse. I am trying to set usual, and I was truly rejoiced to find it so. his affairs here in order. A cargo of books, valWordsworth came over to see me on my return, ue about eleven pounds, which were lost for and John Thelwall, the lecturer on elocution, twelve months, have been recovered, and I am dined with us on his travels. But the greatest feeding upon them. God bless you, Tom! Lose event of Greta Hall is, that we have had a jack no opportunity of writing. Edith's love. of two-and-twenty pounds, which we bought at " R. S." threepence a pound. It was caught in the lake with a hook and line. We dressed it in pieces, like salmon, and it proved, without exception, one of the finest fish I had ever tasted; so, ifCHA ER XI. ever you catch such a one, be sure you boil it FAMILY DETAILS-POLITICS-HE WISHES TO EDIT instead of roasting it in the usual way. I am in SIR PHILIP SIDNEY S WORKS-DR. VINCENTexcellent good health, and have got rid of my THE WEST INDIES-SPANISH WAR-WISHES TO sore eyes-for how long God knows. The dis- GO TO PORTUGAL WITH SIR JOHN MOORE-USE ease, it seems, came from Egypt, and is in some OF REVIEWING-EARLY POEMS, WHY WRITTEN mysterious manner contagious, so that we have -TRAVELS IN ABYSSINIA-STEEL MIRROISnaturalized another curse. SIR W. SCOTT'S NEW POEM-MADOC-THE COM" MAadoc is in the printer's hands: Ballan- PASS, WHEN FIRST USED-THE DIVING BEL — tyne, of Edinburgh, who printed the Minstrelsy USES OF PRINTING-CHANGES IN THE CRITof the Scottish Border-if you remember the ICAL REVIEW-LOSS OF THE ABERGAVENNYbook. Next week I expect the first proof. Do ENDOWMENT OF TIE ROMISH CHURCIH IN IREnot be frightened to hear after this that I have LAND-TRANSLATION FROM THE LATIN-REAnot done a stroke further in correcting and filling SONS FOR NOT GOING TO LONDON-ENGLISH up the MSS. since my return. Reviewing is POETRY-PUBLICATION OF MADOC-DUTY TJPON coming round again: I have a parcel upon the FOREIGN BOOKS A GREAT HARDSHIP-STORY road, and groan in spirit at the prospect; not but of all trades it is the least irksome, and the * Of the Annual Review. 'TAT. 30. R O B E R T SOU T E Y. 183 OF PELAYO-THE BUTLER-MADOC CRITICISED is better than being a soldier or a sailor; better AND DEFENDED-REVIEWING-LITERARY RE- than calculating profits and loss on a counter; MARKS-LORD SOMERVILLE-SUGGESTION TO better, in short, than any thing but independIlIS BROTHER THOMAS TO COLLECT INFORMA- nce. I I * * TION ABOUT THE WEST INDIES-THE MORA- " July is, indeed, a lovely month at the lakes, VIA.NS-VISIT TO SCOTLAND AND TO SIR w. and so the lakers seem to think, for they swarm SCOTT AT ASHIESTIEL-REVIEWALS OF MADOC here. We have been much interrupted by vis-ESFRIELLA S LETTERS. itors-among others, young Roscoe-and more are yet to come. These are not the only interTo Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Galatea. ruptions: we have been, or rather are, manu"Greta Hall, July 30, 1804. facturing black currant jam for my uncle, and DEAR ToM, black currant wine for ourselves-Harry and I "Your three letters have arrived all together chief workmen-pounding them in a wooden this evening, and have relieved me from very bowl with a great stone, as the acid acts upon a considerable anxiety. Mine, I find, are con- metal mortar. We have completed a great work signed to the Atlantic without bottles; and in bridging the River Greta at the bottom of the three books of Madoc, which Edith copied in orchard, by piling heaps of stones so as to step them, gone to edify the sharks-gentlemen who from one to another-many a hard hour's sport, will digest them far more easily than the crit- half-knee deep in the water. Davy has been ics. However, there must be yet some other here-stark mad for angling. This is our hisletters on the way, and I trust you will have tory-yours has been busier. As for news, the learned before this can reach you that I have packet which conveys this will convey later intwo Ediths in the family-the Edithling (who telligence than it is in my power to communiwas born on the last of April) continuing to do cate. Sir Francis may, and probably will, lose well, only that I am myself somewhat alarmed his election, but it is evident he has not lost his at that premature activity of eye and spirits, and popularity. Pitt will go blundering on till every those sudden startings, which were in her poor body, by miserable experience, think him what sister the symptoms of a dreadful and deadly dis- I always did. * * * * Whenease. However, I am on my guard. * soever the great change of ministry, to which * i* * I did not mean to trust my af- we all look on with hope, takes place, I shall fections again on so frail a foundation; and yet have friends in power able to serve me, and shall, the young one takes me from my desk, and makes in fact, without scruple, apply' to Fox through me talk nonsense as fluently as you perhaps can one or two good channels: this may be very reimagine. mote, and yet may be very near. When Madoe "Both Edith and I are well; indeed, I have is published, I mean to send Fox a copy, with weathered a rude winter and a ruder spring such a note as may be proper for me to address bravely. Harry is here, and has been here to such a man. * * * * about three weeks, and will remain till the end " God bless you, Tom! It grows late, and I of October. He is a very excellent companion, have two proofs to correct for to-night's post. and tempts me out into the air and the water Once more, God bless you! R. S." when I should else be sitting at home. We have made our way well in the world, Tom, thus To Lieutenanzt Southey, T.M. S. Galatea. far, and, by God's help, we shall yet get on bet- "Keswick, Sept. 12,1804. ter. Make your fortune, and Joe may yet live "DEAR Toer, to share its comforts, as he stands upon his maj- " It is a heartless and hopeless thing to write esty's books in my name, though degraded by letter after letter, when there seems so little probthe appellation of mongrel. Madoc is in a Scotch ability of their ever reaching you. How is it press: Ballantyne's, who printed the Minstrelsy that all your letters seem to find me, and none of the Scottish Borders-a book which you may of mine to find you? I can not comprehend. I remember I bought at Bristol. write, and write, and write, always directing " You ask of Amadis: it has been well re- Barbadoes or elsewhere, and suppose that, acviewed, both in the Annual and Edinburgh, by cording to direction, they go any where elseWalter Scott, who in both has been very civil to where than to the Galatea. me. Of all my later publications, this has been " My intention is, God willing, to remain here the most successful, more than 500 of the 1000 another year, and in the autumn of 1805 to go having sold within the year, so that there is a once more to Lisbon, and there remain one, two, fair chance of the X50 dependent upon the sale or three years; till my History be well and effectof the whole. Thalaba has been very admirably nally completed. Meantime, these are my emreviewed in the Critical by William Taylor; but ployments: to finish the correcting and printing it does not sell, and will not for some years reach of Madoc; to get through my annual work of a second edition. Reviewing is coming round reviewing; and bring my History as far onward again! one parcel arrived! another on the road! as possible. In the press I have, 1. Metrical a third ready to start! I grudge the time thus Tales and other Poems, being merely a corrected to be sold sorely; but patience! it is, after all, republication of my best pieces from the Antholbetter than pleading in a stinking court of law, ogy. 2. Specimens of the later English Poets, or being called up at midnight to a patient; it i. e., of all who have died from 1685 to 1800: 184 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 31. this is, meant as a supplement to George Ellis's shall sip my tea, and talk with the old folks some Specimens of the Early Poets-a book which hour or so, and then steal home to write Madoc, you may remember at Bristol: it will fill two drink my solitary glass of punch, and get to bed vols. in crown octavo, the size of Ritson's En- at a good Christian-like hour, as my father, and gleish Romancees, if you recollect them. 3. no doubt his father, did before me. Oh, Tom, Madoc, in quarto, whereof twenty-two sheets that you were but here! for, in truth, we lead are printed; one more finishes the first part. as pleasant a life as heart of man could wish. I " Harry has been here since the beginning of have not for years taken such constant exercise July, and will yet remain about six weeks longer. as this summer. Some friend or acquaintance We mountaineerify together, and bathe together, or other is perpetually making his appearance, and go on the lake together, and have contrived and out then I go to lackey them on the lake or to pass a delightful summer. I am learning over the mountains. I shall get a character for Dutch, and wish you were here to profit by the politeness! lessons at the breakfast-table, and to mynheerify " I have so far altered my original plan of the with me, as you like the language. My reason History as to resolve upon not introducing the for attaining the language is, that as the Dutch life of St. Francisco, and the chapters therewith conquered, or rather destroyed, the Portuguese connected, but to reserve them for a separate empire in Asia, the history of the downfall of history of Monachism, which will make a very that empire is, of course, more fully related by interesting and amusing work: a good honest Dutch than by Portuguese historians. quarto may comprise it. My whole historical " You ask for politics. I can tell you little, labors will then consist of three separate works: The idea of invasion still continues the same 1. Hist. of Portugal-the European part, 3 vols. humbug and bugbear as when it was first bruited 2. Hist. of the Portuguese Empire in Asia, 2 or abroad, to gull the people on both sides of the 3 vols. 3. Hist. of Brazil. 4. Hist. of the Jesuits water. Bonaparte dares not attempt it-would in Japan. 5. Literary History of Spain and Portto God he did! Defeat would be certain, and ugal, 2 vols. 6. History of Monachism. In all, his ruin inevitable: as it is, he must lose repu- ten, eleven, or twelve quarto volumes; and you tation by threatening what he can not execute; can not easily imagine with what pleasure I look and I believe that the Bourbons will finally be at all the labor before me. God give me life, restored. At home, politics look excellently health, eyesight, and as much leisure as even now well; the coalition of Fox and the Grenvilles I have, and done it shall be. God bless you! has been equally honorable to all parties, and " R. S." produced the best possible effects in rooting out the last remains of that political violence which To Messrs. Longman and Rees. many years so divided the country. The death "Keswick, Nov. 11, 1804. of the king, or another fit of madness, which is "DEAR SIRS, very probable; or his abdication, which most * * * * * * persons think would be very proper; or the de- I should like to edit the works of Sir Philip Sidelining health of Pitt, or the actual strength of ney, who is, in myjudgment, one of the greatest the opposition, are things of which every one is men of all our countrymen. I would prefix a very likely to bring the coalition into power, and Life, an Essay on the Arcadia, his greatest work, in that case neither you nor I should want friends. and another on his Meters. It would make three So live in hope, as you have good cause to do. octavo volumes: to the one there should be his Steer clear of the sharks and the land-crabs, and portrait prefixed; to the second a view of Pensbe sure that we shall both of us one day be as hurst, his birth-place and residence; to the third, well off as we can wish. the print of his death, from Mortimer's well" The H —'s are visiting Colonel Peachy, known etching. Perhaps I overrate the extent whose wife was also of Bishop Lydiard-a Miss of the work; for, if I recollect right, Burton's Charter: both she and her sister knew you well Anatomy, which is such another folio, was repubby name. We are getting upon excellently good lished in two octavos. His name is so illustriterms; for they are very pleasant and truly wom- ous, that an edition of 500 would certainly sell: anly women, which is the best praise that can the printer might begin in spring. I could write be bestowed upon a woman. Will you not laugh the Essays here. In the autumn I shall most to hear that I have actually been employed all likely be in London, and would then complete the morning in making arrangements for a sub- the Life, and the book might be published by scription ball at Keswick? I! very I! your Christmas of 1805. If you approve the scheme, brother, R. S.! To what vile purposes may we it may be well to announce it, as we may very come! It was started by Harry and Miss Char- probably be forestalled, for this is the age of edter at the theater (for we have a strolling com- itors. I design my name to appear, for it would pany at an ale-house here), and he, and I, and be a pleasure and a pride to have my name conGeneral Peche have settled it; and all Cumber- nected with that of a man whom I so highly revland will now envy the gayeties of Keswick. erence. Mrs. General insisted upon my opening the ball Mr. Longman promised me a visit in Septemwith her. I advised her, as she was for per- her. I have not found him so punctual as he will forming impossibilities, to begin with turning the always find me. Believe me, yours truly, wind before she could hope to turn me; so I "ROBERT SOUTHEY." 1TAT. 31. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 185 To G. C. Bedford, Esq. if you would take the trouble; as thus: describe "Keswick, Dec. 1, 1804. the appearance of all the islands you touch at, "DEAR GROSVENOR, from the sea-their towns, how situated, how "Sir Roger l'Estrange is said, in Cibber's built-what public buildings, what sort of houses Lives, to have written a great number of poet- -the inside of the houses, how furnished-what ical works, which are highly praised in an ex- the mode of life of the towns-people, of the planttract from Winstanley. Ubi sunt? God knows, er, in different ranks, and of the different Euroamong all the titles to his works, I do not see pean settlers-in short, all you see and all you one which looks as if it belonged to a poem; hear, looking about the more earnestly and askperhaps Hill or Heber may help you out; but ing questions. Many anecdotes of this and the the sure store-house in all desperate cases will be last war you have opportunities of collecting, the Museum. He has the credit of having writ- particularly of Victor Hughes; something also ten the famous song,' Cease, rude Boreas,' when j of St. Domingo, or Hayti, as it must now be call[n prison: this, however, is only a tradition, and ed, which I find means asperosa in Spanish, rugged..vants evidence sufficient for our purpose. There, I If you would bring home matter for a picture of sir, is a pussagorical answer to your pussechism. the islands as they now are, I could delineate * * * * * If you are in the what they were from the old Spaniards, and there habit of calling on Vincent, you may do me a would be a very curious book between us. * service by inquiring whether a MS. of Giraldus " Hamilton is broke, whereby I shall lose from Cambrensis, designated by Cave, in his Historia O20 to O30, which he owes me for critical work, Litteraria, as the Codex Westmonast, be in the and which I shall never get; rather hard upon Dean and Chapter Library; for this MS. con- one whose brains and eyesight have quite enough tains a map of Wales as subsisting in his time, to do by choice, and are never overpaid for what and that being the time in which Madoc lived, they do by necessity. For meaner matter, my such a map would form a very fit and very sin- little girl is not pretty, but she is a sweet child, so gular addition to the book; and if it be there I excellently good-tempered-as joyous as a skywould wish you to make a formal application on lark in a fine morning, and so quick of eye, of my part for permission to have it copied and en- action, and of intellect, that I have a sad feeling graved. These bodies corporate are never very about me of the little chance there is of rearing accommodating; but Vincent is bound to be civil her; so don't think too much about her. on such an occasion, if he can, lest his refusal "Whether this war with Spain will involve should seem to proceed from personal dislike to- one with Portugal is what we are all speculating ward one whom he must be conscious that he about at present. I think it very likely that has used unhandsomely, and to the utmost of his Bonaparte will oblige the Portuguese to turn the power attempted to injure. God knows I for- English out-a great evil to me in particular; give hinm-cx into corde. I am too well satisfied j though, should my uncle be driven to England, with my own lot, with my present pursuits, and my settling will the sooner take place. At the new and certain hopes which they present, present I am as unsettled as ever, at a distance not to feel thankful to all those who have in any from my books, perpetually in want of them, way contributed to make me what I am. If he wishing and wanting to be permanently fixed, and I had been upon friendly terms, it might and still prevented by the old cause. Make a have interested him, who has touched upon Port- capital prize, Tom, and lend me a couple of uguese history himself, to hear of my progress, hundreds, and you shall see what a noble apand my knowledge might possibly have been of pearance my books will make. N.B.-I have a some assistance to him. I have no kindly feel- good many that wait for your worship to letter ings toward him. He made a merit of never them. This Spanish war may throw something having struck me, whereas that merit was mine in your way; but I don't like the war, and think for never having given him occasion so to do. it is unjust and ungenerous to quarrel with an It is my nature to be sufficiently susceptible of oppressed people because they have not strength kindness, and I remember none from him. Here to resist the French. You know I greatly esteem is a long rigmarole about nothing: the remem- the Spaniards. As for France, I am willing to brance of old times always makes me garrulous, pay half my last guinea to support a contest for and the failing is common to most men. * * * national honor against him; but it began foolish"God bless you! R. S." ly, and well will it be if we do not end it even. more foolishly than we began. To Lieut. Southey, Barbadoes. " God bless you! R.. S." "Keswick, Dec. 26, 1804. "DEAR TOM, My father, as the reader is well aware, had I have made some use of your letters in the long been desirous of again visiting Spain and third Annual Review. M'Kinnan has published Portugal, chiefly for the sake of obtaining still a Tour through the British West Indies-a de- further materials for the two great historical cent book, but dull. In reviewing it, I eked out works he was engaged upon-the History of his account with yours, and contrasted his words Portugal and the History of Brazil. It seems upon the slave trade with a passage from your that Mr. Bedford, through some of his friends, letters. In doing this, I could not help thinking had at this time an opportunity of furthering what materials for a book you might bring home these views, and had inquired of my father what N 186 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ITAT. 31. situation he felt himself equal to undertake. His ly true; but there is a history belonging to them reply explains the rest sufficiently,and the next let- which will show that it was not trifling when I ter shows that the scheme soon fell to the ground. wrote them. With the single exception of Gualberto (the longest and best), all the others awere To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. written expressly for the Morning Post; and this "Keswick, Jan. 20, 1805. volume-full is a selection from a large heap, by "DEAR GROSVENOR, which I earned ~149 4s., and is now published " -' Y * There is a civil for the very same reason for which it was originoffice for the inspection of accounts, and I am ally composed. Besides the necessity for writing adequate to be inspector; so, if you can not learn such things, there was also a great fitness, inasthat there be any thing more proper, let that much as, by so doing, a facility and variety of be the thing asked-but consult Rickman. I style was acquired, to be converted to better purhave only proceeded on newspaper authority; poses, and I had always better purposes in view. and, if the expedition be not going to Portugal,:* @ would not take the best office any where else. I have been reading the earliest travels in Actual work I expect, and have seen enough of Abyssinia, namely, the History of the Portuguese the last army at Lisbon to know that commis- Embassy in 1520, by Francisco Alvares, the saries and inspectors have plenty of leisure. chaplain-a book exceedingly rare, my copy, Thus much General Moore must know, whether which is the Spanish translation, a little 24mo we are to send forces to Portugal or not; for it volume, having cost a moidore. As I can not, depends upon his report, if the papers lie not. bear to lose any thing, I shall draw up just such If we do, the place where all the civil operations an abstract as if for a review, and throw whatare carried on is Lisbon; there the commissaries, ever is not essential to the main narrative among &c., remain, if the army takes the field; there I the works of supererogation, which will be want to go, you know for what purpose. To enough for a volume. The king, or, to give hlsi say that I do not wish to make money would be his proper title, the Neguz, dwelt like an Arab talking nonsense; but the mere object of making in his tent.' - - What every money would not take me from home. I can where surprises me in the history of these disinspect accounts, I can make contracts (for beef coveries is, that so little should be known of the and oats are soon understood), and, doing these, East in Europe, when so many Europeans were can yet have leisure for my own pursuits. What to be found in the East, for the Neguz was never efforts I make are more because the thing is pru- without some straggler or other; still more that dent than agreeable. i n * in Europe such idle dreams about Ethiopia should " Madoc is provokingly delayed. Job once prevail, when Abyssinians so often found their wished that his enemy had written a book: if he way to Rome. The opportunities lost by foolish himself had printed one, it would have tried his ministers and foolish kings makes me swear for patience. I am every day expecting the Great pure vexation. If Albuquerque had lived, I Snake' in a frank from Duppa. My emblem of verily believe he would have expelled the Manethe cross, prefixed to the poem, with the In hoc lukes from Egypt, by the help of the African signo, and what I have said in the poem of the Christians, and have made that country a ChrisVirgin Mary, is more liable to misconstruction tian instead of a Turkish conquest. I should than could be wished. In what light I consider like to give Egypt to the Spaniards: they are these things may be seen in the reviews of the good colonists.: *' 4 Missions to Bengal and Otaheite. I have just' *'' 4* finished another article for the year upon the Do you know that reflecting mirrors of steel werel South African Missions. The great use of re- used instead of spectacles for weak or dim-eyed viewing is, that it obliges me to think upon sub- persons to read in? This must have been so jeets on which I had been before content to have troublesome and so expensive that it never can very vague opinions, becanse there had never have been common. But that it was used, I been any occasion for examining them; and this have found in an old book, purchased when I was is a very important one. first your guest in London-the 400 questions " It will do re a world of good to see the first proposed by the Admiral of Castille and his friends proof sheet under favor of the Grand Parleur: I to a certain Friar Minorita; 1550 the (late of shall begin to think seriously of the preface. the book, some thirty years after it had been You will find it worth while to go to Longman, written. I am in the middle of this most quaint for the sake of seeing the new publications, book, and have found, among the most whimsical which all lie on his table-a good way of know- things that ever delighted the quaintness of my ing what is going on in the world of typography. heart some of more consequence.'. "God bless you! R. S." I The probabilities of my seeing you this year seemr to increase. I begin to think that the mountain To John Rickmnn, Esq. i may come to Mohammed; in plain English, that, "Feb. 16, 1805. instead of my going to Lisbon, my uncle may " DEAR RICKrMAN, come to England, in which case I shall meet him "The mottot to those Metrical Tales is strict- in London. The expedition to Portlgal seems * An enagrvin of one of the incidents in mladoc. given up. Coleridge is confidential secretary to 1 1 am unable to refer to this edition. Sir A — Ball, and has been taking some pains YETAT. 31. lROBERT SOUTHEY. 187 to set the country right as to its Ne apolitan poli- vented or improved by Gioia of Naples, A.D. tics, in the hope of saving Sicily from hle French. 1302. Now I have just found it mentioned in He is going with Capt. -- into Greece, and the Laws of Alonzo the Wise, which laws were up the Black Sea to purchase corn for the gov- begun A.D. 1251, and finished in seven years; ernment. Odd, but pleasant enough-if he and it is not mentioned as any thing new, but would but learn to be contented in that state of made use of as an illustration. You can underlife into which it has pleased God to call him: stand the Spanish: a maxim wThich I have long thought the best in "' Assi como les marineros sequian en le nocte, the Catechism. ~ * *, escura por el aguja que les es mcediarnera entre " God bless you! R. S." la piedra e la estrella, e les muestra por lo vayar.' "I suspect that this implies a belief in some To C. W.;V. tyynn, Esq. specific virtue in the north star, as if the mag"MIarch 5, 1805. netic influence floved from it. This, however. " DEAR WYNN, I is matter for more inquiry, and I will one day e X @ @^' * i f* \ look into it in Raymond Lully and Albertus I have read Scott's poem* this evening, and like Magnus-likely authors. The passage certainly it much. It has the fault of mixed lan(uage carries the use of the needle half a century tfrwhich you mentioned, and which I expected; ther back than the poor chronology; but whether and it has the same obscurity, or, to speak more I have made what antiquarians call a discovery, accurately, the same want of perspicuousness, is more than I can tell. Robertson ought to have as his Glenfinlas. I suspect that Scott did not found it; for to write his introduction to Charles write poetry enough when a boy,t for he has V. without reading these laws, is one of the thoulittle command of language. His vocabulary of sand and one omissions for which he ought to be the obsolete is ample; but, in general, his words called rogue as long as his volumes last. march up stiffly, like half-trained recruits-nei- " These Partidas, as they are called, are very ther a natural walk, nor a measured march which amusing. I am about a quarter through them practice has made natural. But I like his poem, some way, as they fill three folios by help of a for it is poetry, and in a company of strangers I commentary. They are divided into seven parts, would not mention that it had any faults. The for about seven times seven such reasons as would beginning of the story is too like Coleridge's have delighted Dr. Slop; and King Alfonzo has Christobell, which he had seen; the very line, ingeniously settled the orthography of his name'Jesu Maria, shield her well!' is caught from by beginning each of the seven parts with one it. When you see the Christobell, you will not of the seven letters which compose it, in suedoubt that Scott has imitated it; I do not think cession. His majesty gives directions that no designedly, but the echo was in his ear, not for young princes should dip their fingers into the emulation, but propter amorenl. This only re- dish in an unmannerly way, so as to grease themfers to the beginning, which you will perceive selves, and expatiates on the advantages to be attributes more of magic to the lady than seems derived from reading and writing-if they are in character with the rest of the story. able to learn those arts. He was himself an ex"If the sale of Madoc should prove that I can traordinary man; too fond of study to be a good afford to write poetry, Kehama will not lie long king in a barbarous age, but therefore not only unfinished. After lying fallow since the end of a more interesting character to posterity, but a October, I feel prolific propensities that way. * more useful one in the long run. $ * * * " You will see in the Madociana a story how "My book ought to be delivered before this, Alexander went down in a diving-bell to see upon the slowest calculation. I pray you com- what was going on among the fishes-remarkpare the conscientious type of my notes with j able, because it is found in Spanish, German, and that of Scott's; and look in his title-page,t at IWelsh romances of the Middle Ages. I have the cruelty with which he has actually split Pa- since found a similar story of somebody else ternoster Row. among the Malays, who certainly did not get it " God bless you! R. S." from Europe, or Alexander (Iscander) would have been their hero also. The number of good To John Rickcan^, Esq. stories of all kinds which are common to the " Keswick, March 22, 1805. Orientals and Europeans are more likely to have " I never learned the Memoria Technica, but been brought home by peaceable travelers than if ever I have a son he shall. Where is the ear-1 by the Crusaders. I suspect the Jew peddlers liest mention of the mariner's compass? I have' were the great go-betweens. They always went no better reference than a chronological table at every where. All the xworld over you found Jew the end of a worn-out dictionary, which says, in- merchants and Jew physicians; wherever there * The Lay of the Last MEinstrel. is any thing to be got, no danger deters a Jew f This would seem, from Sir V. Scott's Life, to be true. from venturing. I myself saw t.wo fellows at He mentions, in his Autobiography, having been a great Evora, under the very nose of the Inquisition, reader of poetry, especially old ballads, but does not. speak of having written much, if any, in boyhood. ho, if they had any noses, could not have mis+ My father used to pride himself upon his title-pages, taken their game. I knew the cut of their jibs and upon his knowledge of typography in general; being, it once; and upon inquing what they hadi for as one of his printers said, the only person he ever knewI, n t who could tell how a page would look before it was set up. I sale, was told-green spectacles. A History of 188 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 31. the Jews since their dispersion, in the shape of I breaks his shin feels as acutely at the moment a Chronological Bibliotheca, would be a very as the man whose leg is shot off. In fact, I am valuable work. I want an academy established writing to you merely because this dreadful shipto bespeak such works, and reward them well, wreck has left me utterly unable to do any thing according to the diligence with which they shall else. It is the heaviest calamity Wordsworth be executed. has ever experienced, and, in all probability, I " The abuses, or main abuses, of printing, shall have to communicate it to him, as he will spring from one evil-it almost immediately very likely be here before the tidings can reach makes authorship a trade. Per-sheeting was in him. What renders any near loss of the kind so use as early as Martin Luther's time, who men- peculiarly distressing is, that the recollection is tions the price-a curious fact. The Reforma- perpetually freshened when any like event oction did one great mischief: in destroying the curs, by the mere mention of shipwreck, or the monastic orders, it deprived us of the only bodies sound of the wind. Of all deaths it is the most of men who could not possibly be injured by the dreadful, from the circumstances of terror which change which literature had undergone. They accompany it. could have no peculium; they labored hard for " I have to write the history of two shipwrecks amusement; the society had funds to spare for -that of Sepulveda and his wife, which is menprinting, and felt a pride in thus disposing of tioned by Camoens, and that of D. Paulo de Lina, them for the reputation of their orders. We one of the last Portuguese who distinguished laugh at the ignorance of these orders, but the himself favorably in India. Both these, but most worthless and most ignorant of them pro- especially the first, are so dreadfully distressful, duced more works of erudition than all the En- that I look on to the task of dwelling upon all glish and all the Scotch universities since the the circumstances, and calling them up before Reformation; and it is my firm belief that a man my own sight, and fixing them in my own memwill at this day find better society in a Benedict- ory, as I needs must do, with very great reluctine monastery than he could at Cambridge- ance. Fifteen years ago, the more melancholy certainly better than he could at Oxford. a tale was, the better it pleased me, just as we " You know I am no friend to popery or to all like tragedy better than comedy when we are monachism; but if the Irish Catholics are to be young. But now I as unwillingly encounter this emancipated, I would let them found convents, sort of mental pain as I would any bodily sufonly restricting them from taking the vows till fering. * * * * * * after a certain age, as Catharine did in Russia- * * * * though perhaps it may be as well to encourage God bless you! R. S." any thing to diminish the true Patric-ian breed. The good would be, that they would get the To C. W. W. W1ynn, Esq., M.P. country cultivated, and serve as good inns, and " April 6,1805. gradually civilize it. As the island unluckily is " DEAR WYNN, theirs, and there is no getting the devil to re- "I am startled at the price of Madoc; not move it any where else, we had better employ that it is dear compared with other books, but the pope to set it to rights. it is too much money; and I vehemently sus*, *, * * * * ~ pect that, in consequence, the sale will be just William Taylor has forsaken the Critical, be- sufficient for the publisher not to lose any thing, cause it has fallen into the hands of --, an or- and for me not to gain any thing. What will thodox, conceited, preferment-hunting Cambridge be its critical reception I can not anticipate. fellow: such is the character he gives of him. There is neither meter nor politics to offend any My book will suffer by the change. The Annual body, and it may pass free for any matter that is probably delayed by the insurrection among it contains, unless, indeed, some wiseacre should the printers. Authors are the only journeymen suspect me of favoring the Roman Catholic rewho can not combine-too poor to hold out, and ligion. too useless to be bought in. "And this catch-word leads me to the great "Vale! R. S." political question. A Catholic establishment would be the best, perhaps the only means of To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. civilizing Ireland. Jesuits and Benedictines, "April3,1805. though they would not enlighten the savages, "DEAR WYNN, would humanize them, and bring the country "I have been grievously shocked this even- into cultivation. A petition that asked for this, ing by the loss of the Abergavenny,* of which saying plainly we are papists, and will be so, Wordsworth's brother was captain. Of course and this is the best thing that can be done for us, the news came flying up to us from all quarters, and for you too-such a petition I could support, and it has disordered me from head to foot. At considering what the present condition of Ireland such circumstances I believe we feel as much is, how wretchedly it has always been governed, for others as for ourselves-just as a violent blow and how hopeless the prospect is. occasions the same pain as a wound, and he who " You will laugh at me, but I believe there is - -~ An-toti i pblse more need to check popery in England than to An allusiol to this shipwreck is made in a published it in Iran letter of an earlier date: which of the two dates is cor- encouae t i. It was igl y proper rect, I can not at this time ascertain. to let the immigrant monastics associate to-ether JETAT. 31. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 189 here, and live in their old customs, but it is not stitious, I could believe that Providence meant proper to let them continue their establishments, to destroy us because it has infatuated us. nor proper that the children of Protestant parents "God bless you! R. S." should be inveigled into nunneries. You will tell me their vows are not binding in England; In later life my father held very different opinbut they are binding in foro conscientice; and, ions respecting the effect likely to be produced believe me, whatever romances have related of by the establishment of popery in Ireland to those the artifices of the Romish priesthood, does not which he expresses in the foregoing letter. Inand can not exceed the truth. This, by God's creased knowledge of the past history of that blessing, I will one day prove irrefragably to the country, and of its present condition, dispossessed world. The Protestant Dissenters will die away. him altogether of the idea that the Roman CathDestroy the Test Act, and you kill them. They olic Church, set up in her full power, would be affect to appeal wholly to reason, and bewilder the most effective means of civilizing and humanthemselves in the miserable snare of materialism. izing the people. He affirms, indeed (Colloquies Besides, their creed is not reasonable: it is a vile with Sir Thomas More, vol. i., p. 289), after mingle mangle which a Catholic may well laugh quoting Bishop Berkeley's admirable exhortaat. But Catholicism, having survived the first tion to the Romish priests, that, " had they listflood of reformation, will stand, perhaps, to the ened to it, and exerted themselves for improving end of all things. It would yield either to a the condition of the people with half the zeal that general spread of knowledge (which would re- they display in keeping up an inflammatory exquire a totally new order of things), or to the citement among them, the state of Ireland would unrestrained attacks of infidelity, which would have been very unlike what it now is, and they be casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince themselves would appear in a very different light of the devils. But if it be tolerated here-if the before God and man." " They might," he conold laws of prevention be suffered to sleep, it tinues, " have wrought as great a change in Irewill gain ground, perhaps to a dangerous extent. land as the Jesuits effected among the tribes of You do not know what the zeal is, and what the Paraguay and California " and this " without power of an army of priests, having no interest opposition, without difficulty, in the strict line of whatever but that of their order. * x their duty, in the proper discharge of their sacer~* i You will not carry the question now; dotal functions' x - to the what you will do in the next reign, Heaven knows! immediate advancement of their own interests, * X *. e:, and so greatly to the furtherance of those ambi" Coleridge is coming home full of Mediter- tious views which the ministers of the Romish ranean politics. Oh, for a vigorous administra- Church must ever entertain, that I know not how tion! but that wish implies so much, that Alger- their claims, if supported by such services, could non Sidney suffered for less direct high treason. have been resisted."' *: "I If I were not otherwise employed, almost I should would not dissemble the merits of the Romish like to write upon the duty and policy of intro- clergy," he continues, " nor withhold praise ducing Christianity into our East Indian posses- from them when it is their due; they attend sedsions, only that it can be done better at the close ulously to the poor, and administer relief and of the Asiatic part of my History. Unless that consolation to them in sickness and death with policy be adopted, I prophesy that by the year exemplary and heroic devotion. Many among 2000 there will be more remains of the Portu- them undoubtedly there are whose error is in guese than of the English empire in the East. opinion only, and whose frame of mind is truly * * *' *X - Christian, and who, according to the light which "We go on badly in the East, and badly in they possess, labor faithfully in the service of the the West. You will see in the Review that I Lord. But the condition of Ireland affords full have been crying out for the Cape. We want evidence for condemning them as a body. In a port in the Mediterranean just how; for, if no other country is their influence so great, and Gibraltar is to be besieged, certainly Lisbon in no other country are so many enormities coinwill be shut against us. Perhaps Tangiers could mitted."' * * * be recovered: that coast of Africa is again becoming of importance; but, above all things, To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. Egypt, Egypt. This country is strong enough "April 13,1805. to conquer, and populous enough to colonize; "DEAR GROSVENOR, conquest would make the war popular, and colo- "There is a translation of Sallust by Gordon. nization secure the future prosperity of the coun- I have never seen it, but, having read his Tacitry, and the eventual triumph of the English lan- tus, do not think it likely that any new version guage over all others. It would amuse you to would surpass his, for he was a man of great hear how ambitious of the honor of England and powers. It is not likely that Longus Homo, or of the.spread of her power I am become. If any other Homo, would pay for such a translawe had a king as ambitious as Napoleon, he could tion, because the speculation is not promising, not possibly find a privy counselor more after his every person who wishes to read Sallust being own heart. Heaven send us another minister able to read the orioinal. * * ----! How long is the present one to fool awayI There are some Greek authors the resources of the country? If I were super- which we want in English, Diodorus Siculus in 190 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AEarAT. 31. particular; but why not choose for yourself, and never possibly have existed. It is easy to quit venture upon original composition? In my con- the pursuit of fortune for fame; but had I been science I do not think any man living has more obliged to work for the necessary comforts inof Rabelais in his nature than you have. A gro- stead of the superfluities of life, I must have sunk, tesque satire a la Garagantua would set all the as others have done before me. Interrupted just kingdom staring, and place you in the very first when I did not wish it, for it is twilight-just rank of reputation. * * * * light enough to see that the pen travels straight You ask if I shall come to town this summer? -and I am tired with a walk from Grasmere, Certainly not, unless some very material accident and was in a mood for letter-writing —but here were to render it necessary. I do not want to is a gentleman from Malta with letters from go, I should not like to go, and I can't afford to Coleridge. God bless you! R. S." go-solid reasons, Mr. Bedford, as I take it, for not going. This is an inconvenient residence To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. for many reasons, and I shall move southward as June 25, 1805. soon as I have the means, either to the neigh- DEAR WYNN, borhood of London or Bath. When that may' Madoc is doing well: rather more than half be, Heaven knows, for I have not yet found out the edition is sold, which is much for so heavy a the art of making more money than goes as fast volume. The sale, of course, will flag now, till as it comes, in bread and cheese, which these the world shall have settled what they please to ministers make dearer and dearer every day, and think of the poem; and if the reviews favor it, I am one of that class which feels every addi- the remainder will be in a fair way.* In fact, tion. However, I am well off as it is, and per- books are now so dear that they are becoming fectly contented, and ten times happier than half rather articles of fashionable furniture than any those boobies who walk into that chapel there thing else; they who buy them do not read them, in your neighborhood, and when they are asked and they who read them do not buy them. I have if I shall give sixteen pence for tenpenny-worth seen a Wiltshire clothier, who gives his bookselof salt, say yes-for which the devil scarify them ler no other instructions than the dimensions of with wire whips, and then put them in brine, his shelves; and have just heard of a Liverpool say I. merchant who is fitting up a library, and has "* * * I shall endeavor to account told his bibliopole to send him Shakspeare, and for the decline of poetry after the age of Shaks- Milton, and Pope, and if any of those fellows peare and Spenser, in spite of the great excep- should publish any thing new, to let him have it tions during the Commonwealth, and to trace the immediately. If Madoc obtain any celebrity, effect produced by the restorers of a better taste, its size and cost will recommend it among these of whom Thomson and Gilbert West are to be gentry-libros consumere nati- born to buy esteemed as the chief, before the Wartons, with quartos and help the revenue. x' - this difference, that what he did was the effect **' * * - * of his own genius; what they, by a feeling of You were right in your suspicious dislike of the the genius of others. This reign will rank very introductory lines. The ille ego is thought arhigh in poetical history. Goldsmith, Cowper, rogant, as my self-accusing preface would have Burns, are all original, and all unequaled in their been thought mock modesty. For this I care way. Falconer is another whose works will little: it is saying no more, in fact, than if I had last forever. * * * * * said author of so and so in the title-page; and, "God bless you! R. S.' moreover, it is not amiss that critics who will find fault with something, should have these To C. TV. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. straws to catch at. I learn from Sharpe very "April 16, 1805. favorable reports of its general effect, which is, " DEAR WYNN, he says, far greater than I could have supposed. " Madoc has reached Keswick. I am sorry " * * * This London Institution to see Snowdon uniformly misspelled, by what is likely to supply the place of an academy. unaccountable blunder I know not. It is a beau- Sharpe has had most to do with the enlistment, tiful book, but I repent having printed it in quar- and perhaps, remotely, I may have had someto. By its high price, one half the edition is thing, having conversed last year with him upon condemned to be furniture in expensive libraries, the necessity of some association for publishing and the other to collect cobwebs in the publish- such extensive national works as booksellers will ers' warehouses. I foresee that I shall get no not undertake, and individuals can not, such as solid pudding by it: the loss on the first edition the Scriptores Rerum Britan., Saxon Archaiolowill eat up the profits of the second, if the pub- gies, &c., &c. Application will be made to lishers. as I suppose they will, should print a see- - ond while the quarto hangs upon hand. However, * "I think Southey does himself injustice in supposing the Edinburgh Review, or any other, could have hurt after sixteen years it is pleasant, as well as some- Madoc, even for a time. But the size and price of the thing melancholy, to see it, as I do now for the first work, joined to the frivolity of an age which must be time, in the shape of a book. Many persons will treated as nurses humor children, are sufficient reasons why a poem, on so chaste a model, should not have taken read it with pleasure, probably no one with more immediately. We know the similar fate of Milton's imthan you for, whatever worth it may have, you mortal work in the witty age of Charles II., at a time when poetry was much more fashionable than at present."will feel that, had it not been for you, it could Letterfrom Sir W. Scott to Miss Seward, Life, vol. iii., p. 2L /ETAT. 31. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 191 Coleridge to lecture on Belles-Lettres. Some Antiqus, well and laboriously edited by a monk such application will perhaps be made to me at Venice, in five folios, the last published in one day or other; indeed, a hint to that effect 1792. An excellent work it appears to me, was given me from the Royal Institution last upon the slight inspection I have yet given ityear. My mind is made up to reject any such one that by its painful and patient labor reminds invitations, because I have neither the acquire- one of old times; such a book as monasteries do ments nor the wish to be a public orator. sometimes produce, but universities never. My "Your letter has got the start of mine. I be- books here are few but weighty, and every day lieve I told you that both Lord and Lady Hol- I meet with something or other so interesting to land had left invitations for me with my uncle to me, that a wish arises for some friend to drop Holland House, and that he had offered me the in, to whom and with whom I could talk over use of his Spanish collection. Did Fox mention the facts which have appeared, and the speculato you that I had sent him a copy of Madoc? tions growing out of them. What profit the I did so because Sharpe desired me to do so, History may ultimately produce, Heaven knows; who knows Fox; and I prefaced it with a note, but I would not, for any thing that rank or foras short as could be, and as respectful as ought tune could give, forego the pleasure of the purto be. I am much gratified by what you tell suit. me of the poem's reception: there was a strong "The story of Pelayo, the restorer of the and long fit of dejection upon me about the time Gothic or founder of the Spanish monarchy, has of its coming out. I suspected a want of in- been for some time in my thoughts as good for a terest in the first part, and a want every where poem. I would rather it were a Portuguese of such ornament as the public have been taught than a Spanish story; that, however, can not be to admire. And still I can not help feeling that helped. The historical facts are few and striking the poem looks like the work of an older man- -just what they should be; and I could fitly that all its lights are evening sunshine. This give to the main character the strong feelings would be ominous if it did not proceed from the and passions which give life and soul to poetry, nature of the story, and the key in which it is and in which I feel that Miadoc is deficient. pitched, which was done many years since, be- There is yet half an hour's daylight, enough to fore Thalaba was written or thought of. * * show you what my ideas are upon the subject, " God bless you! R. S." in their crude state. Pelayo revolted because his sister was made by force the concubine of a To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. Moorish governor, or by consent; and because "July 5,1805. his own life was attempted by that governor, in " DEAR WYNN, fear of his resentment, he retreated to the mount" Fox has written me a very civil letter of ains, where a cavern was his strong-hold; and thanks; saying, however, that he had not yet from that cavern miraculously defeated an army had time to read the poem, so his praise can of of unbelievers: the end is, that he won the city course only have been of detached parts. or castle of Gijon, and was chosen king. There "They tell me the duty upon foreign works are for characters, Pelayo himself; the young is not worth collecting, and that it might be re- Alphonso, who married his daughter, and sucpealed if any member thought it worth his while ceeded to his throne; Orpas, the renegade archto take up the matter. If this be the case, I bishop, killed in the battle of the Cave; Count pray you take into consideration the case of your Julian; his daughter Florinda, the innocent petitioner; there is now a roomful of books ly- cause of all the evil, who killed herself in conseing for me at Lisbon, all of use to me, and yet quence; and, lastly, King Rodrigo himself, who literally and truly such, the major part, that, certainly escaped from the battle, and lived as a were they to be sold in England, they would hermit for the remainder of his days. If I vennot yield the expense of the duty. I can not ture upon machinery, of all subjects here is the smuggle them all in, to my sorrow, being obliged most tempting one. What a scene would the to get over only a box at a time, of such a smug- famous Cave of Toledo furnish, and what might gleable size that a man can easily carry it, and not be done with the ruined monasteries, with this I can not do at London, where I wish to have the relics and images which the fugitives were them. What my uncle has sent over, and fairly hiding in the woods and mountains! I forgot to paid for, has cost about a hundred pounds freight mention among the historical characters the wife and duty-the freight far the smaller part. Now, of Rodrigo, who married one of the Moorish if this barbarous tax can be repealed, whoever governors. Monks and nuns (the latter not yet effects its repeal certainly deserves to be esteem- cloistered in communities), persecuted Arians, ed a benefactor to literature, and it may also be and Jews, and slaves, would furnish fictitious taken into the account that you would save me and incidental characters in abundance. You from the sin of smuggling, which else, assured- see the raw materials: if English history could ly, I have not virtue enough to resist. Serious- supply me as good a subject, it would on every ly, if the thing could be done, it would be some account be better; but I can find none. That pride to me, as well as some profit, that you of Edmund Ironside is the best, which William should be the man to do it. * * * Taylor threw out to me as a lure in the Annual * * I have just received a good and valua- Review; but when an historical story is taken, ble book from Lisbon, the Barbarorum Leges the issue ought to be of permanent importance. 192 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ITAT. 31. " I have never thought so long at one time make an excellent chapter in your book. if thou about Pelayo as while thus talking to you about hadst enough grace in thee ever to let such a book him; but Madoc does not fully satisfy me, and come forth. Nonsense, sublime nonsense, is what I should like to produce something better-some- this book ought to be; such nonsense as requires thing pitched in a higher key. A Spanish sub- more wit, more sense, more reading, more knowlject has one advantage, that it will cost me no edge, more learning, than go to the composition additional labor of research; only, indeed, were of half the wise ones in the world. I do beseech I to choose Pelayo, I would see his cave, which you, do not lightly or indolently abandon the idea; is fitted up as a chapel, has a stream gliding for, if you will but Butlerize in duodecimo, if you fiom it, and must be one of the finest things in fail of making such a reputation as you would Spain. God bless you! R. S." wish, then will I pledge myself to give one of my ears to you, which you may, by the hands of The following letter requires some explana- Harry, present to the British Museum. The tion. The Butler, and his man William, to whom book ought only to have glimpses of meaning in allusion will from this time occasionally be found it, that those who catch them may impute meanin the letters to Mr. Bedford, were mythological ing to all the rest by virtue of faith. personages, the grotesque creation of his fertile " God bless you! I wish you could come to imagination. The idea, which was a standing the lakes, that we might talk nonsense and eat jest among the intimate friends of the originator, gooseberry pie together, for which I am as fawas of a hero possessing the most extraordinary mous as ever. R. S." powers —with something like the combined qualities of Merlin, Garagantua, and Kehama, to be Madoc having now been published some biographized in a style compounded of those of months, the opinions of his various friends beRabelais, Swift, Sterne, and Baron Munchausen. gan to reach him. That of Mr. Rickman was a Mr. Bedford, however, was not to be induced somewhat unfavorable one, and, as may be well by all his friend's entreaties to immortalize the supposed, he had no false delicacy in expressing Butler, and no relic of him consequently remains, it, my father being well used to this sort of masexcept the occasional allusions in these letters, culine freedom, ready to use it himself to othwhich, although they can afford amusement to ers, and wholly incapable of taking any umbrage but few persons, are inserted here as showing at it himself. His defense of his poetical offthe extreme elasticity of my father's mind, which spring will be the better understood by the quodelighted to recreate itself in pure unmitigated tation here of his friend's remarks " About Manonsense-a property shared in common with doe I am very glad to hear that the world admany wise men. mires it and buys it, though in reading it, I confess I can not discover that it is in any degree so To Grosvewor C. Bedford, Esq. good as your two former poems, which I have " Greta Hall, July 6, 1805. read lately by way of comparison. The result "' *~ *, ~ * * * has been, that I like them the more, and Madoc Butler denotes the sensual principle, which is the less. The Virgilian preface, very oddly (as subject or subordinate to the intellectual part of I think), sets forth the planting of Christianity in the internal man: because every thing which America. It is the license of poetry to vary cirserves for drinking or which is drunk (as wine, cumstances and to invent incidents, but, surely, milk, water) hath relation to truth, which is of not to predicate a result notoriously false. Thus the intellectual part, thus it hath relation to the Virgil embellishes the origin of the Roman emintellectual part; and whereas the external sens- pire; but he does not tell you that Judaism was nial principle, or that of the body, is what sub- established in it, or that in his own time repubministers, therefore by Butler is signified that lican Rome remained unfettered by emperors. subministering sensual principle, or that which Historically speaking, the Spaniards introduced subministers of things sensual. Christianity into America. Besides this, I much " Read that paragraph again, Grosvenor. dislike the sort of nameless division you have Don't you understand it? Read it a third time. adopted, and the want of numbering the lines. Try it backward. How is the poem to be referred to? Neither do' See if you can make any thing of it diagon- I like the metaphysical kind of preachings proally. Turn it upside down. duced by your Welshman for the instruction of "Philosophers have discovered that you may savages. * * * I am very glad the turn a polypus inside out, and it will live just as public admire Madoc so much more than I do, well one way as the other. It is not to be sup- and also that many persons knowing so much posed that Nature ever intended any of its crea- more of poetry do so too. No doubt I am wrong, tures to be thus inverted, but so the thing hap- but it would not be honest to conceal my error.'"* pens. As you can make nothing of this Butler any other way, follow the hint, and turn the para- To John Rickman, Esq. graph inside out. That's a poozzle. "July, 1805. Now, then, I will tell you what it is in plain "DEAR RICKMAN, English. It is Swedenborgianism, and I have " * * Your objections to the excopied the passage verbatim from a Swedenborgian dictionary. Allow, at least, that it would * June 27, 1805. ]ETAT. 31. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 193 ordial lines are not valid. I say there of what your censure. * * * x It pleased me the subject is to treat, not affirming that it is that you had selected for praise the quieter pashistorically true. Just as I might have said, in sages, those in an under key, with which the an introduction to Thalaba, that he destroyed the feeling has the most, and the fancy the least to Dom Daniel, and so put an end to all sorcery. do. * * * * The want of numerals is a fault, I confess; not My History would go to press this winter if so the namelessness of the divisions; nor, indeed, my uncle were in England, and probably will are they nameless, for in the notes they are re- not till he and I have met, either in that country garded as sections; and that each has not its spe- or in this. Believe me, it is an act of forbearcific name from its subject-matter affixed to it, is, ance to keep back what has cost me so many you know, the effect of your own advice. How- hours of labor: the day when I receive the first ever, call them sections, cantos, canticles, chap- proof sheet will be one of the happiest of my ters, what you will, and then consider in what life. The work may or may not succeed; it way is this mode of division objectionable. may make im comfortably independent, or obI am not surprised at your little liking the tain no credit till I am in a world where its credit poem; on the contrary, I am more surprised at will be of no effect; but that it will be a good those who like it, because what merit it has is book, and one which, sooner or later, shall justialmost wholly of execution, which is infinitely fy me in having chosen literature for my life purbetter than the subject. Now every body can suit, I have a sure and certain faith. If I comfeel if a story be interesting or flat, whereas there plained of any thing, it would be of the necessity are very few who can judge of the worth of the of working at employments so worthless in cornlanguage and versification. I have said to some- parison with this great subject. However, the body, perhaps it was to you, that, had this been reputation which I am making, and which, thank written since Thalaba (for, as you know, the plan God! strengthens every year, will secure a sale was formed, and the key pitched, before Thalaba for these volumes whenever they appear. Roswas begun or dreamed of), I should have thought coe's Leo is on the table-sub judice. One great it ominous of declining powers, it is in so sober advantage in my subject is that it excites no exa tone, its coloring so autumnal, its light every pectations: the reader will be surprised to find where that of an evening sun, but as only the in me a splendor of story which he will be surlast finish of language, the polishing part, is of prised not to find in the miserable politics of Itallater labor, the fair inference is, that instead of ian princelings. the poet's imagination having grown weaker, he I can not answer your question concerning has improved in the mechanism of his art. A the cotemporary English historians; Bishop Nichfair inference it is, for I am no self-flatterer, olson will be your best guide. Of English hisHeaven knows. Having confessed thus much, I tory we have little that is good-I speak of modought to add, that the poem is better than you ern compilers, being ignorant, for the most part, think it. * x Compare it with the of the monkish annalists. Turner's Hist. of the Odyssey, not the Iliad; with King John or Cori- Anglo-Saxons ought to be upon your shelves * olanus, not Macbeth or the Tempest. The story I * so much new information was probably wants unity, and has, perhaps, too Greek, too never laid before the public in any one historical stoical a want of passion; but, as far as I can publication; Lord Lyttleton's Henry II. is a see, with the same eyes wherewith I read Ho- learned and honest book. Having particularized mer, and Shakspeare, and Milton,* it is a good these two, the'only faithful found,' it may safely poem, and must live. You will like it better if be said, that of all the others, those which are ever you read it again. x'. " the oldest are probably the best. What Milton and Bacon have left, have, of course, peculiar To John 3ay, Esq. and first-rate excellence. "Keswick, August 5, 1805. " I beg of you to thank young Walpole for his "MY DEAR FRIEND, book. " * x I wish he were to travel "I am much gratified with your praises of any where rather than in Greece; there is too Madoc, and disposed to acquiesce in some of much hazard and too little reward; nor do I think * I may here, not inappropriately, quote Sir Walter much can be gleaned after the excellent ChandScott's opinion of Madoc, as corroborating what my fa- omia Poln r the ther himself here allows. that the execution is better than r. gar the subject, and also that the poem will well bear one of tries for an able and inquisitive traveler. I should the surest tests of merit of all kinds-an intimate knowl- for myself prefer a town in Ireland to a town in edge: "As I don't much admire compliments, you may believe me sincere when I tell you that I have read Ma- Greece, as productive of more novelty. doe three times since my first cursory perusal, and each " I should be much obliged if you could bortime with an increased admiration of the poetry. But a o poem, whose merits are of that higher tone, does not im-row for me Beausobre's Histoire du Manicheismediately take with the public at large. It is even pos- me, which, for want of catalogues, I can not get sible that during your own life-and may it be as long as t by any other channel. The book is said to b every real lover of literature can wish —you must be contented with the applause of the few whom nature has of sterling value, and the subject so connected gifted with the rare taste for discriminating in poetry; with Christian and Oriental superstition that my but the mere readers of verse must one day come in, and then Madoc will assume his real place at the feet of Mil- knowledge of both is very imperfect till I have ton. Now this opinion of mine was not that (to speak read it. Besides, I think I have discovered that frankly) which I formed on reading the poem at first, though I then felt much of its merit."- W. S. to R. S., Oct.one of the great Oriental mythologies was bor-, 1807. rowed from Christianity-that of Budda, the Fo 194 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 32. of the Chinese; if so, what becomes of their I hope, by this time, you have picked up some chronology? more prizes. Your climate, too, is now getting " God bless you! R. S.' comfortable: I envy you as much in winter as you can envy me in summer. * * * To Lieutenant Southey, H.I.S. Amelia. God bless you!' " Keswick, August 22, 1805. "MY DEAR TOM, To C. W. W. WVynn, Esq. " I wrote to you as soon as the letter, by favor "1805 of old Neptune, arrived. As both seem to have " MY DEAR WYNN, taken the same course, it will now be desirable " Whenever the encouragement of literature to have others thrown over in that track, and if is talked of again in the House, I should think a half a dozen should in half a century follow one motion for letting proof sheets pass as franks another, it would prove the existence of a cur- would not be opposed: they can not produce rent. Z 100 a year to the post-office, probably not half "Our neighbor, General Peachy, invited us the sum; but it is a tax of some weight on the lately to meet Lord Somerville at dinner. * few individuals whom it affects, and a good deal * * From hence he went into Scotland, of inconvenience is occasioned to the printers by and there saw -, who was on the point of waiting for franks, while their presses stand still. coming here to visit Wordsworth and me. To Few persons have greater facility for getting - he spoke of the relationship with us: he franks than myself, yet the proofs which come said of me and Wordsworth that, however we without them, and those which are over-weight might have got into good company, he might from being damp, or which are misdated, do not depend upon it we were still Jacobins at heart, cost me less than 30s. a year. The proofs of and that he believed he had been instrumental Madoc cost me 50s.-rather too much out of in having us looked after in Somersetshire. This five-and-twenty pounds profit. refers to a spy who was sent down to Stowey to "I have by me Bishop Lavington's Tracts look after Coleridge and Wordsworth; the fel- concerning the Moravians; and as I can in great low, after trying to tempt the country people to part vouch for the accuracy of his Catholic refertell lies, could collect nothing more than that the ences, there seems no reason to suspect him in gentlemen used to walk a good deal upon the the others. At first these tracts left upon my coast, and that they were what they called poets. mind the same impression which has been made He got drunk at the inn, and told his whole er- upon yours; nor have I now any doubt that Zinrand and history, but we did not till now know zendorff was altogether a designing man, and who was the main mover. * * that the absurdities and obscenities charged upon " Continue, I beseech you, to write your re- them in their outset are in the main true. But marks upon all you see and all you hear, but do it is so in the beginning of all sects, and it seems not trust them to letters, lest they should be lost. to be a regular part of the process of fanaticism. Keep minutes of what you write. Such letters Devotion borrows its language from carnal love. as your last would make a very interesting and This is natural enough; and the consequences very valuable volume. Little is known here of are natural enough also, when one who is more the West Indies, except commercially: the moral knave than enthusiast begins to talk out of Soloand physical picture would have all the effect of mon's Song to a sister in the spirit. But this novelty. In particular, look to the state of the sort of leaven soon purges off; the fermentation slaves. If you were now in England, it is very ceases, and the liquor first becomes fine, then possible that your evidence might have consider- vapid, and at last you come to the dregs. Moraable weight before the House of Lords, now that vianism is in its second stage; its few proselytes the question of abolition is again coming on. fall silently in, led by solitary thought and conKeep your eye upon every thing; describe the viction, not hurried on by contagious feelings, appearance of the places you visit, as seen from and the main body of its members have been the ship-your walks on shore-in short, make born within the pale of the society. They do drawings in writing. Nothing is so easy as to not live up to the rigor of their institutions in say what you see, if you will but disregard how England; even here, however, it is certain that you say it, and think of nothing but explaining they are a respectable and respected people, and, yourself fully. Write me the history of a plant- as missionaries, they are meritorious beyond all er's day-what are his meals-at what hours others. No people but the Quakers understand - what his dress-what his amusements-what how to communicate Christianity so well, and the employments, pleasures, education, &c., of the Quakers are only beginning, whereas the his children and family. Collect any anecdotes Moravians have for half a century been laboring connected with the French expeditions-with in the vineyard. Krantz's History of what they the present or the last war; and depend upon have done in Greenland is a most valuable book; it, that by merely amusing yourself thus, you there is also a History of their American Mismay bring home excellent and ample materials, sions which I want to get. Among the Hottento which I will add a number of curious historic- tots they are doing much good. The best acal facts, gleaned from the Spanish historians and count of the society, as it exists here, is to be travelers. found, I believe, in a novel called Wanley Pen" The seas are clear for you once more, and son. A great deal concerning their early his SETAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 195 tory is to be found in Wesley's Journals. He tie reason for discomfort as a man can reasonawas at one time closely connected with them, bly expect, I have yet felt so little comfortable, but, as there could not be two popes, a separa- so great sense of solitariness, and so many hometion unluckily took place-I say unluckily, be- ward yearnings, that certainly I will not go to cause Methodism is far the worst system of the Lisbon without you; a resolution which, if your two. feelings be at all like mine, will not displease " If you have not read Collins's book on Ban- you. If, on mature consideration, you think the try Bay, I recommend you to get it before the inconvenience of a voyage more than you ought business comes on in Parliament. It is unique to submit to, I must be content to stay in Enin its kind; the minute history of a colony during gland, as on my part it certainly is not worth the first years of difficulty and distress. There while to sacrifice a year's happiness; for, though was one man in power there precisely fit for his not unhappy (my mind is too active and too well situation-Governor King, and if it had been disciplined to yield to any such criminal weakpossible to induce him to stay there, governor ness), still, without you, I am not happy. But he ought to have been for life, with discretionary for your sake as well as my own, and for little powers. One thing is plain respecting this colo- Edith's sake, I will not consent to any separany, and that is, that no more convicts ought to tion; the growth of a year's love between her be sent to the establishments already made. and me, if it please God that she should live, is Send them to new settlements, and let the old a thing too delightful in itself, and too valuable ones purify: at present the stock of vice is per- in its consequences, both to her and me, to be petually renewed. Instead of doing this, the given up for any light inconveniences either on fresh convicts should be sent at once to new your part or mine. An absence of a year would points along the coast; for new settlements must make her effectually forgot me. * * * necessarily consume men, and these are the men But of these things we will talk at leisure; only, who are fit to be consumed. dear, dear Edith, we must not part. * "Are you right in thinking that Sallust has * * *: * * * the advantage in subject over Tacitus? To me Last night we saw the young Roscius in Douglas: it appears that the histories which Sallust relates this was lucky and unexpected. He disappointexcite no good feeling, treating only of bad men ed me. I could tell you precisely how, and how in bad times; but that the sufferings of good men he pleased me on the other hand, but that this in evil days form the most interesting and im- would take time,* and the same sort of thought proving part of human history. I prefer Tacitus as in reviewing; and in letter writing I love to to all other historians-infinitely prefer him, be- do nothing more than just say what is uppermost. cause no other historian inculcates so deep and This evening I meet Jeffrey and Brougham at holy a hatred of tyranny. It is from him that I Thomson's rooms. I know not if Harry knows learned my admiration of the Stoics. God bless him: he is the person who reviewed Miss Sewyou! R. S." ard, and is skillful in manuscripts. Among the books I have bought is a little work of Boccaccio, The autumn of this year was varied by a short for which my uncle has been looking many years excursion to Scotland, accompanied by his friend, in vain, so extremely rare is it. Its value here the Rev. Peter Elmsley (afterward principal of was not known, and it cost me only three shillSt. Alban Hall, Oxford). Edinburgh was their ings, being, I conceive, worth as many guineas. destination; and a few days were passed in a I have likewise found the old translation of Cavisit to Sir Walter Scott, at Ashestiel. The fol- moens. lowing letter, written during this absence from " * * * * * * * home, is too characteristic to be omitted. Mr. The third sitting will finish the letter. Thomson Thomas Moore, indeed, in his life of Lord Byron, brought with him the review of Madoc (which seems very desirous of proving the incompati- will be published in about ten days), sent to me bility of genius with any comfortable habits or by Jeffrey, who did not like to meet me till I domestic tastes; declares that immortality has had seen it. There was some sort of gentlenever thus been struggled for or won;* and ap- man-like decency in this, as the review is very pears to think that true poets must necessarily unfair and very uncivil, though mixed up with be as untamed as Mazeppa's steed. But, never- plenty of compliments, and calculated to serve theless, I am in nowise afraid that the possession the book in the best way, by calling attention to of more amiable qualities will deprive my father it and making it of consequence. Of course I of his claim to be remembered hereafter. shall meet him with perfect courtesy, just giving him to understand that I have as little respect To Mrs. Southey. for his opinions as he has for mine; thank him "October 14, 1805. for sending me the sheets, and then turn to other "I need not tell you, my own dear Edith, not to subjects. * * * * Since read my letters aloud till you have first of all seen breakfast we have been walking to Calton Hill what is written only for yourself. What I have and to the Castle, from which heights I have now to say to you is, that having been eight days seen the city and the neighboring country to adfrom home, with as little discomfort, and as lit* In another letterhe says, " Though a little disappointed, still I must say he is incomparably the best actor I * Life and Works of Lord Byron, vol. iii., p. 129. have ever seen." 196 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 32. vantage. I am far more struck by Edinburgh this year I take my leave forever. It is an irk itself than I expected, far less by the scenery some employment, over which I lose time, bearound it. * $ -*cause it does not interest me. A good exercise "God bless you, my own dear Edith. certainly it is, and such I have found it; but it "R. S." is to be hoped that the positive immorality of serving a literary apprenticeship in censuring To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the works of others will not be imputed wholly "Keswick, Nov. 13,1805. to me. In the winter of 1797, when I was only "DEAR GROSVENOR, twenty-three and a half, I was first applied to to "Here has been as great a gap in our cor- undertake the office of a public critic! Precious respondence as I have seen in the seat of my criticism! And thus it is that these things are brother Sir Dominie's pantaloons, after he has done. I have acquired some knowledge, and been sliding down Latrigg. Sir, I shall be very much practice in prose, at this work, which I happy to give you a slide down Latrigg also, if can safely say I have ever executed with as you will have the goodness to put it in my power much honesty as possible; but, on the whole, I to do so, and then you will understand the whole do and must regard it as an immoral occupation, merits of the simile. unless the reviewer has actually as much knowl" Will you Butlerize, Mr. Bedford? By the edge at least of the given subject as the author core of William's heart, which I take to be the upon whom he undertakes to sit in judgment. hardest of all oaths, and therefore the most im-' When will your worship call upon me for my possible to break, I will never cease persecuting preface? May I inform you that Patres nostri you with that question and that advice till you frequently remind me that we are losing time, actually set that good ship afloat, in which you thereby hinting that loss of time is loss of money. are to make as fair a voyage to the port of Fame "What a death is Nelson's! It seems to me as ever Englishman accomplished. Mr. Bed- one of the characteristics of the sublime that its ford, it appears to me that Englishmen accom- whole force is never perceived at once. The plish that said expedition better by sea than by more it is contemplated, the deeper is its effect. land, and that, therefore, the metaphor is a good When this war began, I began an ode, which one, and a sea-horse better than Pegasus. Do, almost I feel now disposed to complete; take the do begin; and begin by writing letters to me, only stanza: which may be your first crude thoughts; and I will unpack my memory of all its out-of-the-way " dear dear E ndwhen,d woe the while oddities, and give them to you for cargo and bal- In thy proud triumphs I could take no part; last And even the tale of thy defeat In those unhappy days was doom'd to meet "Elmsley will have told you of our adven- Unnatural welcome in an English heart: tures in Scotland, if the non-adventures of a jour- For thou wert leagued in an accursed cause,.' in. S. c. ot la; O dear, dear England I and thy holiest laws ney in Great Britain at this age of the world can Were trampled under foot by insolent power. deserve that name. I am returned with much Dear as my own heart's blood wert thou to me, pleasant matter of remembrance; well pleased But even thou less dear than liberty with Walter Scott, with Johnny Armstrong's I never ventured on more, for fear lest what folCastle on the Esk, with pleasant Teviotdale, lowed should fall flat in comparison. Almost I with the Tweed and the Yarrow; astonished at could now venture, and try at a funeral hymn Edinburgh, delighted with Melrose, sick of Pres- for Nelson. byterianism, and, above all things, thankful that "God bless you! R. S." I am an Englishman and not a Scotchman. The Edinburgh Reviewers I like well as companions, To Lieutenant Southey. and think little of as any thing else. Elmsley "Nov. 15,1805. has more knowledge and a sounder mind than " MY DEAR ToM, any or all of them. I could learn more from " You will have heard of Nelson's most glohim in a day than they could all teach me in a rious death. The feeling it occasioned is highly year. Therefore I saw them to disadvantage, honorable to the country. He leaves a name inasmuch as I had better company at home; and, above all former admirals, with, perhaps, the in plain English, living as I have done, and, by single exception of Blake, a man who possessed God's blessing, still continue to do, in habits of the same- genius upon great occasions. We intimate intercourse with such men as Rickman, ought to name the two best ships in the navy William Taylor, Wordsworth, and Coleridge, the from these men. Scotchmen did certainly appear to me very pig- " My trip to Edinburgh was pleasant. I went mies-literatuli. to accompany Elmsley. We stayed three days " I go to Portugal next year, if politics per- with Walter Scott at Ashestiel, the name of his mit me, and expect to take Edith and the Edith- house on the banks of the Tweed. I saw all the ling with me, for at least a-two years' residence. scenery of his Lay of the Last Minstrel, a poem Bating the voyage and the trouble of removal, which you will read with great pleasure when this is a pleasant prospect. I love the country, you come to England; and I went salmon-spearand go well prepared to look for every thing that ing on the Tweed, in which, though I struck at I can want. My winter will be fully employed, no fish, I bore my part, and managed one end of and hardly. I am at my reviewing, of which the. boat with a long spear. Having had neither JETAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 197 new coat nor hat since the Edithling was born, himself does not know what he is about. He you may suppose I was in want of both; so at talks of Virgil, and Pope, and Racine as what I Edinburgh I was to rig myself, and, moreover, have set up against. I told him Pope was a lay in new boots and pantaloons. Howbeit, on model for satire. That, he said, was a great considering the really respectable appearance concession.'No,' said I;'if his style be a modwhich my old ones made for a traveler, and con- el for satire, how can it be for serious narrative?' sidering, moreover, that as learning was better And he did not attempt to hold up his Homer for than house or land, it certainly must be much imitation, but fairly and unequivocally declared better than fine clothes, I laid out all my money he did not like it. And yet Jeffrey attacks me in books, and came home to wear out my old for not writing in Madoc like Pope! The paswardrobe in the winter. My library has had sages which he has quoted, for praise or for cenmany additions since you left me, and many gen- sure, may just as well change places; they are tlemen in parchment remain with anonymous culled capriciously, not with any sense of sebacks till you come and bedeck them. lection. The real faults of Madoc have never "From your last letter, I am not without been pointed out. William Taylor has critihopes that you may have taken some steps to- cized it for the Annual very favorably and very ward getting to Europe, and in that case it is ably: there are remarks in his critiques to set jiot absolutely impossible that you may yet reach one thinking and considering; but W. Taylor is a this place before we quit it, and that you may man who fertilizes every subject he touches upon. make the circumnavigation of the lakes in my "Don Manuel-how could you not undercompany. I am an experienced boatman, and, stand it was a secret? Do you not remember what is better, recline in the boat sometimes like how covertly I inquired of you the text in Field's a bashaw, while the women row me. Edith is Bible? * The use of secrecy is an excellent hand at the oar. Her love. God to excite curiosity, and, perhaps, to pass through bless you! R. S." the reviews under cover. Rickman particularly recommended the foreign cast of remarks through To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the whole of the journey. Thus do doctors dif"Dec. 6, 1805. fer. As for the queerities, let them stay: it is " William's iron-gray had his advantages and only they who know me pretty nearly that know disadvantages. He never required shoeing; for, what a queer fish I am; others conceive me to as the hoof is harder than the flesh, so, in just be a very grave sort of person. Besides, I have proportion to his metallic muscles, he had hoofs not the least intention of keeping the thing conof adamant; but, then, he was hard-mouthed. cealed after the purpose of secrecy has answered. There was no expense in feeding him; but he " That wretch Mack has very likely spoiled required scouring, lest he should grow rusty. my voyage to Lisbon. If there be not peace, Instead of spurs, William had a contrivance for Bonaparte will show himself master of the Contouching him with aquafortis. It was a fine tinent and turn us out of Portugal, if only to thing to hear the rain hiss upon him as he gal- show that he is more powerful in that peninsula loped. * * * The Butler wears than Charlemagne was. I am afraid of France, a chest of drawers-sometimes a bureau. and wish for single-handed war carried on stead" Bedford, I will break off all acquaintance ily and systematically. We ought to have Egypt, with you if you do not publish the Butler. Who Sicily, and the Cape; if we do not, France will. would keep a Phcenix with a spaniel's ear, a pig's But nothing good ever will be done while that tail, C —'s nose, and W's wig, all nat- wretched minister is at the head of affairs. urally belonging to him, in a cage only for his " Tui favoris studiosissimus, R. S." own amusement, when he might show it for five shillings a piece, and be known all over the To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Amelia. world as the man who hatched it himself? "Keswick, Dec. 7, 1805. " * * By the 1st of January, send "DEAR TOM, me the first chapter, being the mythology of the "I was preparing last night to write to you; Butler, or else-I will for evermore call you sir but the newspaper came, and seeing therein that when I speak to you, and Mr. Bedford when I a mail was arrived, I waited till this evening for speak of you; and, moreover, will always pull a letter, and have not been disappointed. Thank off my hat when I meet you in the streets. you for the turtle, and thank Heaven it has never " I perceive that the reviewals of Madoc have reached me. In bodily fear lest it should, I wrote in a certain degree influenced you, which they off immediately to Wynn, and if he had not been will not do if you will look at them when they in town, should have given it to any body who are three months old, or if you recollect that a would have been kind enough to have eased me review is the opinion of one man upon the work of so inconvenient a visitor. How, Tom, could of another, and that it is not very likely that any you think of sending me a turtle! When, inman who reviews a poem of mine should know deed, I come to be lord mayor, it may be a suitquite as much of the mechanism of poetry, or able present; but now! its carriage down would should have thought quite so much upon the na- not have been less than forty shillings. Nobody ture of poetry, as I have done. The Monthly is would have known how to kill it, how to cut it mere malice, and is beneath all notice; but look up, or how to dress it; there would have been at the Edinburgh, and you will see that Jeffrey nobody here to help us eat it, nobody to whom 193 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 32. we could have given it. Whether Wynn has to see me for it, as they do for Joan of Arc and got it I can not tell, but most likely it has been Thalaba. Poor Thalaba got abused in every reeaten upon the way. view except the Critical; and yet there has not " Your extracts are very interesting, but sev- any poem of the age excited half the attention, eral have miscarried: the devil seems to be post- or won half the admiration that that kind has. I master-general on that station. Go on as you am fairly up the hill. have begun, and you will soon collect more, and Little Edith looks at the picture of the ships more valuable materials than you are aware of. in the Cyclopedia, and listens to the story how Describe a West Indian tavern-its diference she has an uncle who lives in a ship, and loves from ours. Go to church one Sunday, to de- her dearly, and sends her a kiss in a letter. Poor scribe church and congregation. Inquire at ev- Cupidl has been hung at last for robbing a henery town if there be any schools there-any Dis- roost! Your three half-crown sticks, you see, senters; how the Methodists get on; collect were bestowed upon him in vain. He is the first some Jamaica newspapers-and, if you can, the of all my friends who ever came to the gallows, Magazine which is printed there. Your Torto- and I am very sorry for him. Poor fellow! I la letter is a very delightful one. Put down all was his godfather. Of Joe the last accounts the stories you hear. When you go ashore, take were good. Thus have I turned my memory innotice of the insects that you see, the birds, &c.- side out, to rummage out all the news for you, all make parts of the picture. Lose nothing that and little enough it is. We live here in the a Creole, or any man acquainted with the islands, winter as much out of the way of all society as tells you concerning them. Send me all the sto- if we were cruising at sea. From November ries about Pompey-he must be a curious char- till June not a soul do we see, except perhaps acter: ask him his history. What sort of church- Wordsworth once or twice during the time. Of yards have they? any epitaphs? Where do they course it is my working season, and I get through bury the negroes? Is there any funeral service a great deal. Edith's love. God bless you, Tom. for them? R. S." " You talk of invasion: depend upon it, it Liever will and never can be attempted while our fleet is what it is; and poor Nelson has left its name higher than ever. What a blaze of glory CHAPTER XII. has he departed in! The Spaniards, you will ADVANTAGES OF KESWICa AS A RESIDENCE —OPIN see, behaved most honorably to the men who,, i, p n *'., i., i IONS POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND RELIGIOUS —THi~ were wrecked, and who fell into their hands-, LANGUAGE OF MADOC DEFENDED —FOREIGN and about our wounded, and the French very ill. POLITICS —CURIOUS CASE OF MENTAL DERANGEContinental politics are too much in the dark for L - * T * * r MENT AMELIORATED —HOBBES S THEORY OF A me to say any thing. It is by no means clear *. *< * T-N ~.1 1 STATE OF NATURE COMBATED —MR. COLERIDGE that Prussia will take part against France, though *l *n * i — MR. WORDSWORTH-MR. DUPPA S LIFE OF MI. highly probable, and now highly politic. if she 1 TI T *! ar.-. CHAEL ANGELO —DETAILS OF HIMSELF AND HI, should, I think Bonaparte's victories may prove,. j,,. v1tt J LITERARY PURSUITS AND OPINIONS —POLITICAL his destruction. No further news of the sale of Madoc. The CHANGES-LITERARY LABORS-CONGRATULA. TIONS TO MIR. WYNN ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILI. reviews will probably hurt it for a time; that is T TM ON T BIRT OF *. ~ ~ *~,.~ ~ *A~ ~ iV TT ~ —REMARIKS ON THE EFFECTS OF TIME —BRIS in their power, and that is all they can do. Un- RECOLECONS HISTOR * | *.~, " *, a., TOL RECOLLECTIONS —BEAUSOBRE S HISTORY questionably the poem will stand and flourish. OF MANICHEISM —GOES TO NORWICH —THE AN. I am perfectly satisfied with the execution-,..T.*. NUAL REVIEW-JESUITISM IN ENGLAND-BRIEF now, eight months after its publication, in my V NN N E N AIN E coo. u d m. VISIT TO LONDON AND RETURN —QUAINT THEOcool judgment. William Taylor has said it is B i p1RY OF THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGES —THALABA the best English poem that has left the press -R R. BFORD O II T — URGES MR. BEDFORD TO VISIT HIM AT KESsince the Paradise Lost; indeed, this is not ex-.',.',. WICK —DIRECTIONS ABOUT SPECIMIENS OF ENaggerated praise, for, unfortunately, there is no Z~n".. *t' * *"GLISH POETS —EHAMA-DEATH OF HIS UNCLE competition. JOHN SOUTHEY-LINES UPON THAT EVENT"I want you grievously to tell Espriella stoMOUNTAIN EXCURSIONS-REVIEWS OF MADOC ries about the navy, and give him a good idea,,. i * p T — EPIC SUBJECTS SUGGESTED-TRANSLATION of its present state, which, of course, I can not OF PALMERIN OF ENGLAND —PAPERS CONCERNventure to do except very slightly and very cau-,?~ p" J. - ING SOUTH AMERICA —MEMOIRS OF COLONEL tiously, fully aware of my own incompetence. UTCHINSON.-1SO6. Some of your own stories you will recognize. The book will be very amusing, and promises MY father was now a settled dweller among more profit than any of my former works. Most the mountains of Cumberland; and although for praise I have had for Amadis, for the obvious some years he again and again refers to Lisbon reason that it excited no envy; they who were as a place he earnestly desired to revisit, still aiming at distinction as poets, &c., without suc- this was a project which would probably have ascess, had no objection to allow that I could trans- sumed a very different aspect, had it come more late from the Spanish. But praise and fame are immediately before him: he would never have two very distinct things. Nobody thinks the two vey distinct things. obo *~ Cupid was a dog, of what kind does not appear, be. higher of me for that translation, or feels a wish longing to Mr. Danvers. IETAT.32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 199 removed his family abroad, and he was far too letters of introduction, that his stores of the latmuch attached to, and, indeed, too dependent ter were being continually increased, and someupon, home comforts and domestic relations, to times pleasing and valuable additions made to have made up his mind to leave them even for the former class. During several years his the furtherance of his chief literary pursuits. brother Henry, while a student of medicine at A more thoroughly domestic man, or one more Edinburgh, spent his vacations at Keswick, and simple in his mode of living, it would be diffi- occasionally some of his more intimate friends cult to picture; and the habits into which he set- came down for a few weeks. These were his tled himself about this time continued through golden days; and on such occasions he indulged life, unbroken regularity and unwearied industry himself in a more complete holiday, and extendbeing their chief characteristics. Habitually an ed his rambles to those parts of the mountain early riser, he never encroached upon the hours country which were beyond the circle lying imof the night; and finding his highest pleasure and mediately within reach of his own home. These his recreation in the very pursuits necessary for happy times left a permanent memory behind earning his daily bread, he was, probably, more them, and the remembrance of them formed continually employed than any other writer of many anecdotes for his later years. his generation. " My actions," he writes about The society thus obtained, while occasionally this time to a friend, " are as regular as those it was a heavy tax upon his time (to whom time of St. Dunstan's quarter-boys. Three pages of was all his wealth), was, on the whole, more history after breakfast (equivalent to five in small suited to his habits than constant intercourse quarto printing); then to transcribe and copy for with the world would have been, and more the press, or to make my selections and biogra- wholesome than complete seclusion. " Lonphies, or what else suits my humor, till dinner- don," he writes at this time to his friend Mr. time; from dinner till tea I read, write letters, Rickman, who was urging him to make a longer see the newspaper, and very often indulge in a visit than usual, " disorders me by over stimulasiesta-for sleep agrees with me, and I have a tion. I dislike its society more from reflection good, substantial theory to prove that it must; than from feeling. Company, to a certain exfor as a man who walks much requires to sit tent, intoxicates me. I do not often commit the down and rest himself, so does the brain, if it be fault of talking too much, but very often say the part most worked, require its repose. Well, what would be better unsaid, and that, too, in a after tea I go to poetry, and correct, and re- manner not to be easily forgotten. People go write, and copy till I am tired, and then turn to away and repeat single sentences, dropping all any thing else till supper; and this is my life- that led to them, and all that explains them; and which, if it be not a very merry one, is yet as very often, in my hearty hatred of assentation, I happy as heart could wish. At least I should commit faults of the opposite kind. Now I am think so if I had not once been happier; and I sure to find this out myself, and to get out of do think so, except when that recollection comes humor with myself; what prudence I have is upon me. And then, when I cease to be cheer- not ready on demand; and so it is that the soful, it is only to become contemplative-to feel ciety of any except my friends, though it may be at times a wish that I was in that state of ex-sweet in the mouth, is bitter in the belly." istence which passes not away; and this always As concerns his social and political opinions, ends in a new impulse to proceed, that I may it may be said that they were for many years leave some durable monument and some efficient in a transition state-rather settling and sobergood behind me." ing than changing; indeed, if fairly examined, The place of abode which he had chosen for they altered through life, not so much in the obhimself, or, rather, which a variety of circum- jects he had in view, as in the means whereby stances had combined to fix him in, was, in most those objects were to be gained. He had berespects, well suited to his wishes and pursuits. gun in early youth with those generous feelings Surrounded by scenery which combines in a rare toward mankind, which made him believe aldegree both beauty and grandeur, the varied and most in their perfectibility, but these soon passed singularly striking views which he could com- away. "There was a time," he wrote, six mand from the windows of his study were of years earlier, " when I believed in the persuadthemselves a recreation to the mind, as well as ibility of man, and had the mania of man-menda feast to the eye, and there was a perpetual in- ing. Experience has taught me better." But ducement to exercise which drew him oftener before experience had finished her lessons, he from his books than any other cause would have had another stage to pass through; and from done, though not so often as was advisable for having too good an opinion of human nature, he, due relaxation both of mind and body. Unin- for a time, entertained far too low a one. Many terrupted leisure for a large portion of the year of his early letters are full of the strongest miswas absolutely essential; and that the long win- anthropical expressions; and in his earliest pubter of our northern clime, which may be said lished prose work, the letters from Spain and generally to include half the autumnal and near- Portugal, he gives emphatic utterance to the ly all the spring months, was well calculated to same feelings. " Man is a beast," he exclaims, afford him. With the swallows the. tourists be- " and an ugly beast, and Monboddo libels the gan to come, and among them many friends and orang-outangs by suspecting them to be of the acquaintances, and so many strangers bearing same family " but this, again, was naturally a 200 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 32. transition state, and his mature mind judged Wyndham told Wynn that from what he had more justly and much more charitably, being re- seen of the abusive reviews, he was inclined to moved alike from the visionary enthusiasm of like the poem exceedingly, and from those specihis young life, and the self-concentered apathy mens speaks of it in high terms: this would which succeeded it. make Godwin's nose three times as horrid as With respect to particular questions of poli- ever we thought it." ties, it will be seen, in the course of this volume, To this my father replies: that on certain prominent subjects his feelings became strongly enlisted on the same side which To Grosvenor C. edford, Esq. the Tory politicians advocated, and in direct op- "Jan. 1, 1806. position to those who professed to be the leaders "DEAR GROSVENOR, of Liberal opinions; agreement on some points "You use Godwin's name as if he had malielicited agreement on others, and, in like man- ciously reviewed Madoc, which I do not by any ner, disagreement naturally had for its fruits means suspect or believe, though he has all the dislike and complete estrangement. ill will in the world to make me feel his power. His religious views, also, during middle life, The Monthly was rather more dull than he would were settling down into a more definite shape, have made it. I should well like to know who and were drawing year after year nearer to a the writer is; for, by the Living Jingo-a deity conformity with the doctrines of the Church of whom D. Manuel* conceives to have been worEngland. However vague and unsettled his shiped by the Celts-I would contrive to give thoughts on such subjects were in early youth, him a most righteous clapper-clawing in rehe had never doubted the great truths of Reve- turn. lation; and how rarely this was the case at that " Thalaba is faulty in its language. Madoc period, especially among men of cultivated minds, is not. I am become what they call a Puritan at least of that stirring democratic school intoi in Portugal with respect to language, and I dare whose society he had been thrown, the memo- assert that there is not a single instance of illeries of many of the passing generation will bear gitimate English in the whole poem. The faults testimony. "I knew no one who believed," is are in the management of the story and the conthe startling expression of one of my father's co- elusion, where the interest is injudiciously transtemporaries, himself a man of intellect and well- ferred from Madoc to Yuhidthiton; it is also anstored mind, when speaking of his own passage other fault to have rendered accidents subservient through that' Valley of the Shadow of Death," to the catastrophe. You will see this very acand referring to the friends of his own age and curately stated in the Annual Review: the restanding; and he goes on to say that he took up mark is new, and of exceeding great value. I the study of the grounds and evidences of Chris- acknowledge no fault in the execution of any tianity with the full expectation that he should magnitude, except the struggle of the women find no difficulty whatever in refuting to his own with Amalahta, which is all clumsily done, and satisfaction what so many others considered as must be rewritten. Those faults which are inhardly worthy the serious consideration of rea- herent in and inseparable from the story, as they sonable men. Many of those persons whose could not be helped, so are they to be considered mental and social qualifications my father most as defects or wants rather than faults. I mean admired were at best but unsettled in their faith; the division of the poem into two separate stoand though, almost without exception in later ries and scenes, and the inferior interest of the life, they sought and found the only sure resting- voyage, though a thing of such consequence. place for their hopes and fears, still the frequent But as for unwarrantable liberties of languageintercourse with such men was an ordeal not to there is not a solitary sin of the kind in the be passed through without difficulty or without whole 9000 lines. Let me be understood: I danger. But he was blessed with a pure and call it an unwarrantable liberty to use a verb truthful heart, strong in the rejection of evil prin- deponent, for instance, actively, or to form any ciples; and this, through God's mercy, was con- compound contrary to the strict analogy of the firmed by his solitary, laborious, and dutiful life, language-such as tameless in Thalaba, applied united as it was with the constant study of the to the tigress. I do not recollect any coinage Holy Scriptures, and at a rather later period, by in Madoc except the word deicide; and that an acquaintance with the works of most of the such a word exists I have no doubt, though I great English theologians. can not lay my finger upon an authority, for deThe reader has seen from my father's letters pend upon it the Jews have been called so a the reception which Madoc had hitherto met thousand times. That word is unobjectionable. with, and that many of the reviews had been It is in strict analogy-its meaning is immedisomewhat unfavorable, and had not failed to take ately obvious, and no other word could have exfull advantage of those defects in the structure pressed the same meaning. Archaisms are of the story of which the author himself seems faulty if they are too obsolete. Theies is the to have been well aware. only one I recollect; that also has a peculiar These hostile criticisms, however, had not al- meaning, for which there is no equivalent word. ways their intended effect. Mr. Bedford asks But, in short, so very laboriously was Madoc rehim at the close of the past year, " I should like * The fictitious name of the writer of "Espriella's Letto know what you, call the real faults of Mado? ters." .ETAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 201 written and corrected, time after time, that I few months than in traveling and spoiling his will pledge myself, if you ask me in any in- complexion. stance why one word stands in the place of an- " The extraordinary success of Bonaparte, or, other which you, perhaps, may think the better rather, the wretched misconduct of Austria, has one, to give you a reason (most probably, eu- left the Continent completely under the control phonics gratia), which will convince you that I of France. Our plan should be to increase our had previously weighed both in the balance. Sir, cruisers and scour the seas effectually-to take the language and versification of that poem are all we can, and keep all we take-professing as full of profound mysteries as the Butler; and that such is our intention, and that we are ready he, I take it, was as full of profundity as the to make peace whenever France pleases, upon great deep itself, the simple terms of leaving off with our win" I do not know any one who has understood nings. Meantime we ought to take the Cape, the main merit of the poem so nearly as I wish- the French islands in the East (those in the ed it to be understood as yourself: the true and West would cost too many lives, and may be left intrinsic greatness of Madoc, the real talents of for the blacks), Minorca, Sicily, and Egypt. If his enemies, and (which I consider as the main France chooses to have the main-land, the islwork of skill) the feeling of respect for them- ands should be ours. I suppose we shall go upon of love even for the individuals, yet with an ab- some such plan. As for invasion, the old story horrence of the national cruelties that perfectly will begin again in the spring; but it is a thing reconcile you to their dreadful overthrow. You impossible, and you sailors best know this. Lord have very well expressed this. St. Vincent used to say, when it was talked of, c" * * * * * * *'I don't say they can't come; I only say that I have written this at two days-many sittings they can't come by sea.' What will affect me -under the influence of influenza and antimony. is the fate of Portugal; for it is now more than I am mending, but very weak, and sufficiently ever to be expected that Bonaparte will turn us uncomfortable. R. S. out, merely to show he can do it. This will be "Jan. 1. Multos et felices." to me a grievous annoyance. It is not unlikely that he will propose peace after these splendid To Lieut. Southey, H.M.S. Amelia. victories, and it is not impossible that Pitt may "Jan. 1, 1806. (Many happy returns.) accept it, to keep his place. Heaven forbid! To " MY DEAR TOM, give up Malta now would be giving up the na* * *' * * * tional honor: it would be confessing that we had "Don't be cast down, Tom: were I to make lost the game, whereas we can play the singlelaws, no man should be made master and corn- handed game forever. Our bad partners ruin us. mander till he was thirty years of age. Made The ultimate consequences of the success of you will be at last, and will get on at last as France may not be so disastrous to Europe as is high as your heart can wish: never doubt that, generally supposed. Suppose that the Continent as I never doubt it. be modeled as Bonaparte pleases-which it will " Don't send me another turtle till I am lord be-and that it remains so in peace for twenty mayor, and then I shall be much obliged to you or thirty years: he will have disabled Austria, for one; but, for Heaven's sake, not till then. it is true, but all the other powers will be I consigned over all my right and title in the strengthened, and a new state created in Italy green fat to Wynn, by a formal power sent to which did not exist before. Then she will Coutts the banker, who was to look out for him; be under French direction: true, but still not but of his arrival not a word yet-ten to one French; the difference of language effectually ut he is digested. When you are coming home, prevents that. Bonaparte will not be a longif you could bring a cargo of dried tamarinds, I lived man; he can not be, in the ordinary course should like them, because they are very seldom of nature; there has been, and will be too much to be got in England: I never saw them but wear and tear of him. His successor, if the suconce. Dried, mark you, in the husk-not pre- cession go regularly on, as I suppose it wrill, will served. The acid is exceedingly delightful. certainly not inherit his talents, and the firstNow remember, the words are when you are born emperor will have all the benefit of impe coming home, and bring: do not attempt to send rial education, which is quite sure to make him them, or there will be trouble, vexation, unneces- upon a level with all other sovereign princes. sary expense, and, most likely, the loss of the By that time the French generals will have died thing itself. off, and we must not forget that it is the Revolu" My daughter never sees a picture of ship or tion which made these men generals, and that boat but she talks of her uncle in the ship, and men no longer rise according to their merit. as regularly receives the kiss which he' sent in the letter. You will be very fond of her if she "Jan. 5. goes on as well when you come home as she does " I have just received the following news:'Sir at present. Harry is hard at work for the last sea- -Am extremely sorry to be obliged to inform son at Edinburgh, preparing to pass muster and you, that a turtle, that I flattered myself would be be-doctored in July. Most likely he will go have survived home, from the excessive long to Lisbon with me in the autumn-at least I passage and performance of quarantine at Cork, know not how he can be better employed for a Falmouth, and Sea Reach, died in the former 202 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 32. port, with every one on board the ship. Re- half so strong a proof of this as the Mexican spectfully, yr much obliged and obedient servant, sacrifices, which I think commenced not till STEPHEN T. SELK.' So much for the turtle! I about A.D. 1300-and by a kind of accident or think, if government will make such beasts per- whim-and lasted above 200 years, with a horform quarantine, they ought to pay for the loss. rible increase, and with the imitation of all the Surfeits and indigestions they may bring into the neighboring states. This last circumstance is a city, but of the yellow fever there can be no dan- wonderful proof of the love of blood in the human ger. The Court of Aldermen should take it into mind. Without that, the practice must have consideration. raised the strongest aversion around Mexico. I " And now, to finish this letter of gossip, I believe Leviathan Hobbes says'that a state of am in the midst of reviewing, which will be over nature is a state of war, i. e., bloodshed.' I beby the time this reaches you, even if, contrary gin to think so too; else why has Nature made to custom, it should reach you in regular course. such a variety of offensive as well as defensive Espriella also will, by that time, be gone to press. armor in all her animal and vegetable producThis, and the History of the Cid, I shall have to tions? It seems a perverted industry, and is send you in the summer. No further news of unexplainable, unless we believe Hobbes."' the sale; in fact, if the edition of 500 goes off in My father's reply shows he was of a different two years, it will be a good sale for so costly a opinion. book. I hope it will not be very long before Thalaba goes to press a second time. God bless To John Rickman, Esq. you! R. S., "Jan. 15,1806. "DEAR RICKMAN, To Messrs. Longman and Rees. "Before I speak of myself, let me say some"Jan. 5, 1806. thing upon a more important subject. Nature " DEAR SIRS, has given offensive armor for two reasons: in the " A gentleman in this neighborhood, Mr. -, first place, it is defensive because it serves to inis printing some poems at his own expense, which timidate; a better reason is, that claws and teeth Faulder is to publish; and he has applied to me are the tools with which animals must get their to request that your name also may appear in living; and that the general system of one creatthe title-page. In such cases, the only proper ure eating another is a benevolent one, needs mode of proceeding is to relate the plain state little proof; there rust be death, and what can of the matter. His verses are good for nothing, be wiser than to make death subservient to life? and not a single copy can possibly sell, except As for a state of nature, the phrase, as applied what his acquaintance may purchase; but he to man, is stark naked nonsense. Savage man has been laboring under mental derangement- is a degenerated animal. My own belief is, that the heaviest of all human calamities-and the the present human race is not much more than passion which he has contracted for rhyming has six thousand years old, according to the concurchanged the character of his malady, and made rent testimony of all rational history. The Inhim, from a most miserable being, a very happy dian records are good for nothing. But add as one. Under these circumstances you will not, many millenniums as you will, the question,'How perhaps, object to gratifying him, and depositing came they here at first?' still occurs. The incopies of his book in your ware-room, for the ac- finite series is an infinite absurdity; and to supcommodation of the spiders. He tells me his pose them growing like mushrooms or maggots MS. is at -, if you think fit to inspect it: in mud, is as bad. Man must have been -node this trouble you will hardly take: the poems are here, or placed here with sufficient powers, bodas inoffensive as they are worthless. I shall ily and mental, for his own support. I think the simply tell him that I have made the applica- most reasonable opinion is, that the first men had tion, without giving him any reason to expect its a knowledge of language and of religion; in success. You will, of course, use your own short, that the accounts of a golden or patrijudgment, only I will beg you to signify your as- archal age are, in their foundation, true. How sent or dissent to him himself. * * * soon the civilized being degenerates under un"Believe me, yours truly, favorable circumstances, has been enough prov"ROBERT SOUTHEY." ed by history. Free-will, God, and final retribution solve all difficulties. That Deity can not The following curious letter needs some ex- be understood, is a stupid objection; without one planation. My father had sent the MS. of his we can understand nothing. I can not put down letters, under the assumed character of Espriella, my thoughts methodically without much revision to his friend Mr. Rickman for his remarks, who and re-arrangement; but you may see what I was anxious that some strong condemnation of would be at: it is no difficult matter to harpoon pugilism should not appear, as he considered it the Leviathan, and wound him mortally. acted as a sort of safety-valve to the bad pas- * * * * * * sions of the lower orders, and in some cases You may account by other means for the spread prevented the use of the knife; and he goes on of the Mexican religion than by the love of blood. to say, " The abstract love of bloodshed is a very Man is by nature a religious animal; and if the odd taste, but I am afraid very natural; the increase of gladiatorial exhibitions at Rome is not * J. R. to R. S., Jan. 9,1806. E TAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 203 elements of religion were not innate in him, as is publishing this present work without any view I am convinced they are, sickness would make whatever to profit; indeed, he does not print him so. You will find that all savages connect copies enough to pay his expenses. superstition with disease-some cause, which "Mrs. Southey and her sister join me in rethey can neither comprehend nor control, affects membrance to Mrs. Scott. I know not whether them painfully, and the remedy always is to ap- I shall ever again see the Tweed and the Yarpease an offended Spirit, or drive away a malig- row, yet should be sorry to think I should not. nant one. Even in enlightened societies, you Your scenery has left upon me a strong impreswill find that men more readily believe what sion-more so for the delightful associations they fear than what they hope: * * which you and your country poets have insepareligions, therefore, which impose privations and rably connected with it. I am going in the auself-torture, have always been more popular than tumn, if Bonaparte will let me, to streams as any other. How many of our boys' amusements classical and as lovely-the Mondego of Camoconsist in bearing pain? grown children like to ens, the Douro, and the Tagus; but I shall not do the same from a different motive. You will find such society on their banks. more easily persuade a man to wear hair-cloth "Remember me to my two fellow-travelers. drawers, to flog himself, or swing upon a hook, Heaven keep them and me also from being the than to conform to the plain rules of morality subject of any further experiments upon the inand common sense. I shall have occasion to finite compressibility of matter. look into this subject when writing of the spirit "Believe me, yours very truly, of Catholicism, which furnishes as good an il- "ROBERT SOUTHEY. lustration as the practices of the Hindoos. Here, If Hogg should publish his poems, I shall in England, Calvinism is the popular faith.... be very glad to do what little I can in getting Beyond all doubt, the religion of the Mexicans subscribers for him." is the most diabolical that has ever existed. It is not, however, by any means so mischievous as To the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. the Brahminical system of caste, which, wherever Keswick, Feb. 8, 1806. it exists, has put a total stop to the amelioration MY DEAR FRIEND, of society. The Mexicans were rapidly advanc- " You tell me to write as an egotist, and I am ing. Were you more at leisure, I should urge well disposed so to do; for what else is it that you to bestow a week's study upon the Spanish gives private letters their greatest value, but the language, for the sake of the mass of information information they bring us of those for whom we contained in their travelers and historians. -* are interested? I saw your marriage in the " God bless you! R. S." papers, and perhaps one reason why my letter has remained so long unfinished in my desk is a To Walter Scott, Esq., Advocate. sort of fear lest I should mention it after death "Greta Hall, Keswick, Feb. 4, 1806. might have dissolved it-a sort of superstitious " MY DEAR SIR, feeling to which I am subject. I wish you" We are under considerable uneasiness re- being a father myself-as large a family as you specting Coleridge, who left Malta early in Sep- can comfortably bring up, and if you are not tember to return overland from Naples, was provided with a godfather upon the next occaheard of from Trieste, and has not been heard sion, I beg you to accept of me, as an old and of since. Our hope is, that, finding it impracti- vary affectionate friend;'tis a voluntary kind of cable to proceed, he may have returned, and be relationship, in which it would gratify me to wintering at Naples or in Sicily. stand to a child of yours, and which I should "Wordsworth was with me last week; he has consider as a religious pledge on my part for of late been more employed in correcting his any useful, kind, and fatherly offices which it poems than in writing others; but one piece he might ever happen to be in my power to perhas written, upon the ideal character of a soldier, form. than which I have never seen any thing more "I have for some time looked on with pleasfull of meaning and sound thought. The subject ure to the hope of seeing you next autumn, when, was suggested by Nelson's most glorious death, in all probability, if the situation of affairs abroad though having no reference to it. He had some does not prevent me, I shall once more visit Portthoughts of sending it to the Courier, in which ugal, not for health's sake, but to collect the last case you will easily recognize his hand. materials for my history, and to visit those parts " Having this occasion to write, I will ven- of the kingdom which I have not yet seen. In ture to make one request. My friend Duppa is this case my way will lie through Devonshire, about to publish a Life of Michael Angelo: the and I will stop a day or two at Crediton, and talk book will be a good book, for no man understands over old times. his art better. I wish, when it comes in course " You inquire of the wreck of the Seward famof trial, you would save it from Judge Jeffrey, ily-a name as dear to my inmost heart as it can or intercede with him for as favorable a report be to yours. No change has taken place among as it may be found to deserve. Duppa deserves them for some years, as I understand from Dupwell of the public, because he has, at a very ipa, who was my guest here the autumn before considerable loss, published those magnificent last, and with whom I have an occasional correheads from Raffaelle and Michael Angelo, and spondence. 204 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF /ETAT. 32. "I passed through Oxford two years ago, and I quarreled long ago, and I have been nothing walked through the town at four o'clock in the but skin and bone ever since; and as for the morning; the place never before appeared to me devil, I have made more ballads in his abuse than half so beautiful. I looked up at my own win- any body before me. dows, and as you may well suppose, felt as most " God bless you, Lightfoot! people do when they think of what changes time "Yours very affectionately, brings about. "ROBERT SOUTHEY." "If you have seen or should see the Annual Review, you may like to know that I have borne To John Rickman, Esq. a great part in it thus far, and I may refer you "Feb. 11, 1806. for the state of my opinions to the Reviewals of MY DEAR RICIMAN, the Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Mission, " * * * * vol. i., of Malthus's Essay on Population, Miles's * * It seems to me that the Grenvilles History of the Methodists, and the Transactions get into power just as they could wish, but that of the Missionary Society, vol. ii. and iii., and of it is otherwise with Fox and Grey. They are the Report of the Society for the Suppression of pledged to parliamentary reform, and in this Vice, vol. iii. In other articles you may trace their other colleagues will not support them. It me from recollections of your own, by family will be put off at first with sufficient plausibililikeness, by a knowledge of Spanish literature, ty, under the plea of existing circumstances; and by a love of liberty and literature freely and but my good old friend Major Cartwright (who warmly expressed. I was ministerial under Ad- is as noble an old Englishman as ever was made dington, regarded his successor with the utmost of extra best superfine flesh and blood) will find indignation, and am exceedingly well pleased at that existing circumstances have no end; there the present changes. Time, you say, moderates must come a time when it will appear, that if opinions as it mellows wine. My views and the question be not honestly brought forward, it hopes are certainly altered, though the heart and has been given up as the price of their admissoul of my wishes continues the same. It is the sion to power; and in that case, Fox had better world that has changed, not I. I took the same for himself have died, instead of the other minway in the afternoon that I did in the morning, ister who had nothing to lose in the opinion of but sunset and sunrise make a different scene. wise men; so that I am not sure that Fox's If I regret any thing in my own life, it is that I friends ought to rejoice at his success. could not take orders, for of all ways of life that " But quoad Robert Southey, things are differwould have best accorded with my nature; but ent. I have a chance of getting an appointment I could not get in at the door. at Lisbon (this, of course, is said to yourself only); " In other respects time has not much altered either the Secretaryship of Legation or the Conme. I am as thin as ever, and to the full as sulship-whichever falls vacant first-has been noisy: making a noise in any way whatever is asked for me, and Lord Holland has promised to an animal pleasure with me, and the louder it is back the application. -' I I the better. Do you remember the round hole at shall follow my own plans-relying upon nobody the top of the stair-case, opposite your door? but myself, and shall go to Lisbon in the au"Coleridge is daily expected to return from tumn: if Fortune finds me there, so much the Malta, where he has been now two years for his better, but she shall never catch me on the wild health. I inhabit the same house with his wife goose chase after her. and children-perhaps the very finest single spot I want Tom to be an admiral, that when he in England. We overlook Keswick Lake, have is fourscore he may be killed in a great victory the Lake of Bassenthwaite in the distance on the and get a monument in St. Paul's; for this reaother side, and Skiddaw behind us. But we only son, I have some sort of notion that one day or sojourn here for a time. I may, perhaps, be other I may have one there myself, and it would destined to pass some years in Portugal-which, be rather awkward to get among so many sea indeed, is my wish-or, if otherwise, must ulti- captains, unless one had a friend among them to mately remove to the neighborhood of London, introduce one to the mess-room. It is ridiculosL for the sake of the public libraries, giving the captains the honors-a colonel in tlh "My dislike was not to schoolmasters, but to army has the same claim; better build a pyrathe rod, which I dare warrant you do not make mid at once, and insert their names as they fall much use of. Here is a long letter, and you in this marble gazette. * * * l have in it as many great I's as your heart can " God bless you! R. S." wish. It will give me much pleasure to hear again from you, and to know that your family is To Lieutenant Southey, tI.M. S. nmelia. increased. If I can not be godfather now, let me " Keswick February 15, 1806. put in a claim in time for the next occasion; but: A world of events have taken place since I hope you will write to tell me that three things last I wrote-indeed, so as almost to change the have been promised and vowed in my name by world here. Pitt is dead, Fox and the Grenproxy. No man can more safely talk of defying villes in place, Wynn Under Secretary of State the world, the flesh, and the devil. With the in the Home Office. I have reason to expect world my pursuits are little akin; the flesh and something; of the two appointments at Lisbon * See p. 219. which would suit me, whichever falls vacant first ]ETAT. 32. ROB E T SOUTHEY. 205 is asked for me; both are in Fox's gift, and "No news yet of Coleridge. We are seriLord as well as Lady Holland speak for me. It ously uneasy about him. It is above two months is likely that one or other will be vacated ere since he ought to have been home. Our hope long, and if I should not succeed, then Wynn will is, that, finding the Continent overrun by the look elsewhere. Something or other will cer- French, he may have returned to Malta. Edith's tainly turn up ere it be very long. I hope, also, love. something may some way or other be done for " God bless you, Tom! R. S." you; you shall lose nothing for want of application on my part. To Richard Duppa, Esq. "St. Vincent supersedes Cornwallis in the "Feb. 23,1806. Channel fleet: Sir Samuel was made admiral in "DEAR DUPPA, the last list of promotions. As for peace or war, "Nicholson, I see, sets up a new review. one knows not how to speculate. If I were to Carlisle ought to get you well taken care of guess any thing, it would be, that by way of get- there. Need you be told the history of all reting all parties out of the way with credit, Bona- views? If a book falls into the hands of one parte may offer us Malta, which he can not take, who is neither friend nor enemy-which for a as an indemnification for Hanover, which we man known in the world is not very likely-the must lose. I should be glad this compromise reviewer will find fault to show his own superiwere made. You have news enough here to set ority, though he be as ignorant of the subject you in a brown study for the rest of the day. I upon which he writes as an ass is of metaphyswill only add an anecdote, which I believe is not ics, or John Pinkerton of Welsh antiquities and in the papers, and which sailors will like to know. Spanish literature. As your book, therefore, has The flag of the Victory was to be buried with little chance of fair play, get it into the hands Nelson; but the sailors, when it was lowering of your friends. Have you any access to the into the grave, tore it in pieces to keep as relics. Monthly? His reward has been worthy of the country-a "For politics. As far as the public is conpublic funeral of course, and a monument, be- cerned, God be praised! How far I may be consides monuments of some kind or other in most cerned, remains to be seen. My habits are now of the great cities by private subscriptions. His so rooted, that every thing not connected with widow made countess with 22000 a year, his my own immediate pursuit seems of secondary brother an earl with an adequate pension, and consequence, and as far as relates to myself, X200,000 to be laid out in the purchase of an hardly worth a hope or fear. So far as any thing estate, never to be alienated from the family. can be given me which will facilitate that purWell done, England! suit, I greatly desire it, and have good reason to " As several of my last letters have been di- expect the best. But nothing that can happen rected to St. Kitt's, I conclude that by this time will in any way affect my plan of operations for one or other may have reached you. Yours is the present year. I go to London in a month's good news so far as relates to your health, and time; I go to Lisbon in the autumn, and in the to the probability of going to Halifax-better interim must work like a negro. By-the-by, can summer-quarters than the Islands. If you should not you give me a letter to Bartolozzi? He will go there, such American books as you may fall like to see an Englishman who can talk to him in with will be curiosities in England. The New of the persons with whom he was acquainted in York publications I conclude travel so far north; England. reviews and magazines, novels or poetry-any " I am reading an Italian History of Heresies thing of real American growth I shall be glad in four folios, by a certain Domenico Bernino. to have. Keep a minute journal there, and let If there be one thing in the world which delights nothing escape you. * * me more than another, it is ecclesiastical histo" Did I tell you that I have promised to sup- ry. This book of Bernino's is a very useful one ply the lives of the Spanish and Portuguese au- for a man who knows something of the subject, thors in the remaining volumes of Dr. Aikin's and is aware how much is to believed, and how great General Biography? This will not inter- much is not. fere with my own plans; where it does, it is lit- " My reviewing is this day finished forever and tie more than printing the skeleton of what is ever, amen. Our Fathers who are in the Row hereafter to be enlarged. I can tell you nothing will, I dare say, wish me to continue at the emof the sale of Madoc, except that Longman has ployment, but I am weary of it. Seven years told me nothing, which is proof enough of slow have I been, like Sir Bevis, preying upon' rats sale; but if the edition goes off in two years, or and mice, and such small deer,' and for the fuindeed in three, it will be well for so costly a ture will fly at better game. It is best to choose book. There is a reaction in these things; my my own subjects. poems make me known first, and then I make " You mentioned once to me certain prophetthe poems known: as I rise in the world, the ical drawings by a boy. Did you see them, or books will sell. I have occasional thoughts of can you give me any particulars concerning going on with Kehama now, when my leisure them? for I find them connected with Joanna time approaches, to keep my hand in, and to Southcote, of whose prophecies I have about a leave it for publication next winter. Not a line dozen pamphlets, and about whom Don Manuel has been added to it since you left me. is going to write a letter. I like our friend Hunt 206 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ~ETAT. 32. ingdon's Bank of Faith so well on a cooler pe-' and that we were heartily glad to see each other. rusal, that I shall look for two other of his works They who tell me that men grow hard-hearted at the shop of his great friend, Baker, in Oxford as they grow older, have had a very limited view Street. That man is a feature in the age, and of this world of ours. It is true with those whose a great man in his way. People who are curi- views and hopes are merely and vulgarly worldous to see extraordinary men, and go looking ly; but when human nature is not perverted, after philosophers and authors only, are some- time strengthens our kindly feelings, and abates thing like the good people in genteel life, who our angry ones. * * * pay nobody knows what for a cod's head, and " God bless you! don't know the luxury of eating sprats. Oh! "Yours affectionately, R. S." Wordsworth sent me a man the other day who was worth seeing; he looked like a first assas- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. sin in Macbeth as to his costume, but he was a "Keswick, March 6, 1806. rare man. He had been a lieutenant in the "I am writing, Grosvenor, as you know, the navy, was scholar enough to quote Virgil aptly, History of Portugal-a country of which I probhad turned Quaker or semi-Quaker, and was ably know more than any foreigner, and as much now a dealer in wood somewhere about twenty as any native. Now has it come athwart me, miles off. He had seen much and thought much, this afternoon, how much more accurate, and his head was well stored, and his heart in the perhaps, a thousand years hence, more valuable, right place. a book it would be, were I to write the History "It is five or six-and-twenty years since he of Wine Street below the Pump, the street wherewas at Lisbon, and he gave me as vivid a de- in I was born, recording the revolutions of every scription of the Belem Convent as if the impres- house during twenty years. It almost startles sion in his memory was not half a day old. Ed- me to see how the events of private life, within ridge's acquaintance, Thomas Wilkinson, came my own knowledge, et quorum pars maxima, etc., with him. They had both been visiting an old equal or outdo novel and comedy; and the conman of a hundred in the Vale of Lorton, and it elusion to each tale-the mors omnibus est cornwas a fine thing to hear this Robert Foster de- munis-makes me more serious than the sight scribe him. God bless you! of my own gray hairs in the glass; for the hoar c" R. S." frosts, Grosvenor, are begun with me. Oh, there would be matter for moralizing in such a history To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. beyond all that history offers. The very title is " Feb. 28,1806. a romance. You, in London, need to be told " MY DEAR WYNN, that Wine Street is a street in Bristol, and that "The intelligence* in your letter has given there is a pump in it, and that by the title I me more pleasure than I have often felt. In would mean to express that the historian does spite of modern philosophy, I do not believe that not extend his subject to that larger division of the first commandment is an obsolete statute yet, the street which lies above the pump. You, I and I am very sure that man is a better being, say, need all these explanations, and yet, when as well as a happier one, for being a husband and I first went to school, I never thought of Wine a father. May God bless you in both relations Street and of that pump without tears, and such of life! a sorrow at heart as, by Heaven! no child of "I shall be in London about the time when mine shall ever suffer while I am living to preyou are leaving it. * * It is long since vent it; and so deeply are the feelings connected we have met, and I shall be sorry to lose one of with that place rooted in me. that perhaps, in the those opportunities of which life does not allow hour of death, they will be the last that survive. very many. It will be nearly two years since Now this history it is most certain that I, the you were here, and if our after meetings are to Portuguese historiographer, &c., &c., &c., shall be at such long intervals, there are not many to never have leisure, worldly motive, nor perhaps look on to. Many things make me feel old- heart to write; and yet, now being in tune, I ten years of marriage; the sort of fatherly situ- will give you some of the recollections whereof ation in which I have stood to my brother Hen- it would be composed, catching them as they ry, now a man himself; the premature age at float by me; and as I am writing, forms enough which I commenced author; the death of all who thicken upon me to people a solitary cell* in were about me in childhood; a body not made Bedlam, were I to live out the remainder of a of lasting materials, and some wear and tear of seventy years' lease. mind. You once remarked to me how time "Let me begin with the church at the corner. strengthened family affections, and, indeed, all I remember the old church: a row of little shops early ones: one's feelings seem to be weary of were built before it, above which its windows retraveling, and like to rest at home. I had a proof the other night in my sleep how the mere * Baron Trenck, in his account of his long and wretched lapse of time changes our disposition; I thought, imprisonment, says, "I had lived long and much in the *of all men in the world, ~-f called upon me world; vacuity of thought, therefore, I was little troubled of all men in the world,.-.t called upon me, with." May not this give some clew to the cause why solitary confinement makes some insane and does not af* Of the birth of a child. feet others? I have read somewhere of a man who said, t A Westminster school-fellow, from whom he had re- if his cell had been round he must have gone mad, but ceived much brutal treatment. there was a corner for the eye to rest upon.-ED. lETAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 207 ceived light; and on the leads which roofed them, was at Ashton. I sent you once, years ago, a crowds used to stand at the chairing of members, drawing of this church. It is my only freehold as they did to my remembrance when peace was -all the land I possess in the world-and is proclaimed after the American war. I was now full-no matter! I never had any feeling christened in that old church, and at this mo- about a family grave till my mother was buried ment vividly remember our pew under the or- in London, and that gave me more pain than was gan, of which I certainly have not thought either reasonable or right. My little girl lies these fifteen years before. -- was then the with my dear good friend Mrs. Danvers. I, myrector, a humdrum somnificator, who, God rest self, shall lie where I fall; and it will be all one his soul for it! made my poor mother stay at in the next world. Once more to Christ Church. home Sunday evenings, because she could not I was present in the heart of a crowd when the keep awake after dinner to hear him. A world- foundation stone was laid, and read the plates ly-minded man succeeded, and effected, by dint wherein posterity will find engraved the name of begging and impudence, a union between the of Robert Southey-for my father was churchtwo parishes of Christ Church and St. Ewins,x warden-by the same token that that year he for no other conceivable reason than that he gave me a penny to go to the fair instead of a shilmight be rector of both. However, he was a ling as usual, being out of humor or out of mongreat man; and it was the custom once a year ey; and I, referring to a common phrase, called to catechize the children, and give them, if they him a generous church-warden. There was monanswered well, a good plum-cake apiece in the ey under the plate. I put some half-pence which last day of the examination, called a cracknell, I had picked out for their good impressions; and and honestly worth a groat; and I can remem- Winter, the bookseller, a good medal of the presher eating my cracknell, and being very proud ent king. * ~ * * of the praise of the curate (who was a really * * *- Shame on me for not good man), when he found that I knew the ety- writing on foolscap! Vale! mology of Decalogue; for be it known to your " ROBERT SOUTHIEY.:' worship that I did not leave off loving plum-cake when I began my Greek, nor have I left it off To John Rickman, Esq. now when I have almost forgotten it. But I "March 15, 1806. must turn back to the pew, and tell you how, in " MY DEAR RICIMAN, my very young days, a certain uncle Thomas, who " My last week has been somewhat desultoriwould make a conspicuous figure in the history ly employed in going through Beausobre's Hisof Wine Street below the pump, once sentenced tory of Manicheism, and in sketching the life of me to be deprived of my share of pie on Sunday D. Luisa de Carvajal, an extraordinary woman for some misdemeanor there committed-I for- of high rank, who came over to London in get what-whether talking to my brother Tom, James the First's time, to make proselytes to or reading the Revelations there during the ser- the Catholic religion, under the protection of mon, for that was my favorite part of the Chris- the Spanish embassador. It is a very curious tian religion, and I always amused myself with story, and ought to be related in the history of the scraps from it after the collects whenever that wretched king, who beheaded Raleigh to the prayer-book was in my hand. please the Spaniards. "There were quarter-boys to this old church "Beausobre's book is one of the most valuaclock, as at St. Dunstan, and I have many a time ble that I have ever seen; it is a complete Thestopped with my satchel on my back to see them saurus of early opinions, philosophical and theostrike. My father had a great love for these logical. It is not the least remarkable circumpoor quarter-boys, who had regulated all his stance of the Catholic religion that it has silently movements for about twenty years; and when imbibed the most absurd parts of most of the the church was rebuilt, offered to subscribe heresies which it opposed and persecuted. I do largely to their re-establishment; but the Wine not conceive Manes to have been a fanatic: Streeters had no taste for the arts, and no feel- there is too much philosophy in the whole of ing for old friends, and God knows what became his system, even in the mythology, for that. of the poor fellows; but I know that when I saw His object seems to have been to unite the suthem represented in a pantomine, which was perstitions of the East and West; unluckily, called Bristol, and got up to please the citizens, both priests and magi united against the grand I can not say whether I felt more joy at seeing scheme-the Persians flayed him alive, and the them, or sorrow in thinking they were only rep- Catholics roasted his disciples whenever they resented-only stage quarter-boys, and not the could catch them. Beausobre, as I expected, real ones. has perceived the similarity between Buddas "The church was demolished, and sad things and the Indian impostor; but he supposes that were said of the indecencies that occurred in re- he came from the East. I am inclined to think moving the coffins for the new foundation to be otherwise, because I have found elsewhere that laid. We had no interest in this, for our vault the Adam whose footstep is shown in Ceylon was a Manichean traveling disciple, though * These are still held by one person; but as the popu- both Moors and Portugese very naturally attriblation of the latter is stated at fifty-five only in the Clergy uted this story to their ol acquaintance. A List, and the income of the two under ~400, it would seem uted s tor to their old acquaintance to be an unobjectionable union.-ED. proof this that the immediate disciples of Manes 208 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT.32. were successful; besides, the Asiatic fables are how they exist, and whence their funds are dofull of resemblances to Christianity. - I rived, is a secret to himself. This is a highly "If there be any one thing in which the world curious fact, and to me, particularly, a very inhas decidedly degenerated, it is in the breed of teresting one: I shall make further inquiry. St. Heresiarchs: they were really great men in for- Winifred has lately worked a miracle at her Well, mer times, devoting great knowledge and pow- and healed a paralytic woman. These Catholics erful talents to great purposes. In our days want only a little more success to be just as imputhey are either arrant madmen or half rogues. dent as they were three centuries ago. * * * *x I am about to be the St. "God bless you, my dear Edith! R. S." Epiphanius of Richard Brothers and Joanna Southcote; what say you to paying these wor- From Norwich my father went on to London, thies a visit solme morning? the former is sure where, however, he remained only a very short to be at home, and we might get his opinion of time, and then returned home through HerefordJoanna. I know some of his witnesses, and shire, where he had some affairs to look after concould enter into the depths of his system with cerning his uncle, Mr. Hills, living in that county. him. As for Joanna, though tolerably well A letter to Mr. Bedford on his return comversed in the history of human credulity, I have mences with one of those quaint fancies with never seen any thing so disgraceful to common which he delighted to amuse himself. sense as her precious publications. *x': Metaphysicians have become less mischiev- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. oUs, but a good deal more troublesome. There "Greta Hall, May 27,1806. was some excuse for them when they believed " A discovery of the original language protheir opinions necessary to salvation; and it was pounded to the consideration of the worshipful certainly better for plain people like you and I Master Bedford. that they should write by the folio than talk by "There was in old times a King of Egypt, the hour. * * * * * who did make a full politic experiment touching "God bless you! R. S." this question, as is discoursed of by sundry antique authors. Howbeit to me it seemeth that To Mrs. Southey. it falleth short of that clear and manifest truth "Norwich, April 12,1806. which should be the butt of our inquiry. Now, "MY DEAR EDITH, methinks, if it could be shown what is the very -*' * * * * language which Dame Nature, the common " My adventures here are such as you might mother of all, hath implanted in animals whom guess-a mere repetition of visits and dinners, we, foolishly misjudging, do term dumb, that $ * * Yesterday a sumptuous din- were, indeed, a hit palpable and of notable imner with Joseph Gurney. The two impossibili- port. To this effect I have noted what that silly ties for a stranger at Norwich are, to find his bird, called of the Latins Anser, doth utter in way about the city, and to know the names of time of affright; for it then thinketh of the wathe Gurneys. They talked about Clarkson, and ter, inasmuch as in the water it findeth its safeseemed to fear his book would not sell as he ex- ty; and while its thoughts be upon the water so pected it to do, not more than twenty subscribers greatly desired of, it crieth qua-a-qua-a-qua having been procured among the Quakers there. wherefore it is to be inferred that aqua is tho; * To-morrow I sup at New- very natural word for water, and the Latin, theremarket on my way to London, and sleep in the fore, the primitive, natural, and original tongue. coach; and there you have my whole history "Etymology is of more value when applied to thus far. the elements of language, and it must be ac"King Arthur has, I see, been playing his knowledged that I have here hit upon an eleusual editorial tricks with me, and has lopped mentary word. One of those critics, I forget off a defense of Bruce against Pinkerton because which, who thought proper to review Thalaba he did not like to have Mr. Pinkerton contradict- without taking the trouble to understand the ed; and some remarks upon the infamous blun- story, noticed, as one of the absurdities of the ders of the printer, because he did not choose to book, that Thalaba was enabled to read some insert any thing that was not agreeable to the unintelligible letters on a ring by others equally bookseller. And yet Miss Lucy Aikin says her unintelligible upon the head of a locust-an abbrother is by nature of an intrepid character, surdity existing only in their own stupid and careand alleges as a proof of his intrepidity that he less misconception, for the thing is clear enough. puts his name to the Annual Review! I remember giving myself credit for putting a "I have got a clew to the state of the Catholics very girlish sort of thing into Oneiza's mouth here, of which some use may be made by D. when I made her call those locust's lines'NaManuel. -- is the head of the sect here, ture's own language;' for I have heard unthinkand loves to talk about them, and from him I have ing people talk of a natural language; and you borrowed a sort of Catholic almanac, which ex- know the story of the woman with child by a plains their present state. I shall purchase one Dutchman, who was afraid to swear the child to in London, and turn it to good account. He tells an Englishman, because the truth would be found me the Jesuits exist in England as a separate out when the child came to speak Dutch. body, and have even a chapel in Norwich; but I beseech you to come to me this season: we ]TAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 209 shall see more of each other in one week when it would grow), as a more appropriate tree. and once housed together, than during a seven years' to pour a brimming libation of its juice, if we intercourse in London. And if you do not come had any reason to think that the spirit of the this year, the opportunity may be gone forever, grape could reach the spirit of the man. Poor and you will never see this country so well nor fellow! that phrase of'being no one's enemy eo cheerfully after I have left it. If he were but his own' is not admitted as a set-off on earth, here, would be the thought to damp enjoyment, but in the other world, Grosvenor! you would come as a mere laker, and pay a "Our last month has been so unusually fine guide for telling you what to admire. When I that the farmers want rain. July will probably go abroad it will be to remain there for a con- give them enough. September and October are siderable time, and you and I are now old enough the safest months to come down in; though, if to feel the proportion which a few years bear to you consider gooseberry-pie as partaking of the the not very many that constitute the utmost nature of the summum bonum (to speak modestly length of life. of it), about a fortnight hence will be the happi"This feeling is the stronger upon me just est time you can choose. If Tom and Harry now, as, in arranging my letters, I have seen should be with me in time for the feat, I have those of three men now all in their graves, each thoughts of challenging all England at a match of whom produced no little effect upon my char- at gooseberry-pie: barring Jack the Gigantiacter and after life- Allen, Lovell, and poor cide's leathern bag, we are sure of the victory. Edmund Seward —whom I never remember Thank God! Tom has escaped the yellow fever; without the deepest love and veneration. Come and if ever he lives to be an admiral, Grosvenor you to Keswick, Bedford, and make sure of a -as by God's blessing he may-he shall give few weeks' enjoyment while we are both alive. you and me a good dinner on board the flag"I wish you would get the Annual Reviews, ship. We shall be so much the older by that because without them my operas are very in- time, that I fear good fortune would make neither complete: my share there is very considerable, of us much the happier. and you would see in many of the articles more "I have been inserting occasional rhymes in of the tone and temper of my mind than you can Kehama, and have in this way altered and otherwise get at. * * - R amended about six hundred lines. -When what You must be my biographer if I go first. * * is already written shall be got through in this Documents you shall have in plenty, if, indeed, manner, I shall think the poem in a way of you need more than our correspondence already completion: indeed, it will most likely supply supplies. This is a subject on which we will my ways and means for the next winter, instead talk some evening when the sun is going down, of reviewing. Elmsley advised me to go on and has tuned us to it. If the harp of Memnon with it; and the truth is, that my own likings had played in the evening instead of at the sun- and dislikings to it have been so equally divided, rise, it would have been a sweet emblem of that that I stood in need of somebody's encouragestate of mind to which I now refer, and which, ment to settle the balance. It gains by rhyme, indeed, I am at this minute enjoying. But it is which is to passages of no inherent merit what supper-time. rouge and candle-light are to ordinary faces. "God bless you, Grosvenor!" Merely ornamental parts, also, are aided by it, as foil sets off paste. But where there is either To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. passion or power, the plainer and more straight"Keswick, June 17,1806. forward the language can be made, the better. "DEAR GROSVENOR, Now you will suppose that upon this system I " There are two poets who must come into our am writing Kehama. My proceedings are not series, and I do not remember their names in quite so systematical; but what with revising your list: Sir John Moore, of whom the only and re-revising over and over again, they will poem which I have ever seen should be given. amount to something like it at last. It is addressed to a lady, he himself being in a " God bless you. R. S." consumption. If you do not remember it, Wynn will, and I think can help you to it, for it is very To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. beautiful. The other poor rhymer is poor old July 5, 1806. Botch Hayes, whom we are in duty bound not to MY DEAR GROSVENOR, forget, and of whom you may say what you will, I thought it so likely you would hear from only let it be in the best good humor; because Wynn the particulars concerning John Southey's poor Botch's heart was always in the right place, will,* that I felt no inclination to repeat the which certainly his wig was not. And you may story to you, which would not have been the say, that though his talent at producing common- case had the old man done as he ought to have place English verses was not very convenient for done. Good part of his property, consisting of his competitors at Cambridge for the Seatonian a newly-purchased estate, is given to a very disprize, that his talent of producing common-place tant relative of his mother's family, and, of course, Latin ones was exceedingly so for his pupils at gone forever. About oC2000 in legacies: the Westminster. I don't say that I would wish to rest falls to his brother, as sole executor and replant a laurel upon old Hayes's grave; but I * An uncle of my father's, a wealthy solicitor of Tauncould find in my heart to plant a vine there (if ton. See p. 18. 0 210 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 32. siduary legatee. Neither my own name nor No joy in my up-growing; b o th r is mentone. Thomas And when from the world's beaten way either of my brothers' is mentioned. Thomas I turned mid rugged paths astray, Southey apprised me of this the day of the old No fears where I was going. man's death. With him I am on good terms- "It touched thee not if envy's voice that is, if we were in the same- town, we should Was busy with my name; Nor did it make thy heart rejoice dine together, for the sake of relationship, about To hear of my fair fame. once a month; and if any thing were to happen Old man, thou liest upon thy bier, to me, of any kind of family importance-such And none for thee will shed a tear! as the birth of a child-I should write a letter They'll give thee a stately funeral, to* him, * bea U' He i s me With coach and hearse, and plume and pall; to him, beginning'Dear Uncle.' He invites me But they who follow will grieve no more to the' Cottage' and I shall go there on my way Than the mutes who pace with their staves before. to. t isbon. I tn i l tha h e Wa ith a light heart and a cheerful face to Lisbon. I think it likely that he will leave Will they put mourning on, his property rather to Tom than to me, for the And bespeak thee a marble monument, nar.e's sake, but not likely that he will leave it And think nothing more of Old John. out of the family. He is about three or four- "An enviable death is his, Who, leaving none to deplore him, and-fifty, a man of no education, nor, indeed, of Hath yet a joyin his passing hour, any thing else. And so you have all that I can Because all he loved have died before him. tell you about the matter, excepting that there's The monk, too, hath a joyful end, And well may welcome death like a friend, an end of it. Some people, they say, are born When the crucifix close to his heart is press'd, with silver spoons in their mouths, and others And he piously crosses his arms on his beast, wih w d lal e *I wi hp s hi r And the brethren stand round him and sing him to rest, with wooden ladles. I will hope something for And tell him, as sure he believes, that anon, my daughter, upon the strength of this proverb, Receiving his crown, he shall sit on his throne, And sing in the choir of the bless'd. inasmuch as she has three silver cups; but, for ing in the choir ofthe bless myself, I am of the fraternity of the wooden ",But a hopeless sorrow it strikes to the heart, myef Ie a oftefaentyo h odn To think how men like thee depart. ladle. Unloving and joyless was thy life, " * * * Last night I began the Unlamented was thine end; Preface* —huzza! And now, Grosvenor, let me Hadst thou s ngle riend next tell you what I have to do. I am writing, 1. None to weep for thee on earthThe History of Portugal; 2. The Chronicle of None to greet thee in heaven's hall; Father and mother, sister and brotherthe Cid; 3. The Curse of Kehama; 4. Espriel- Thy heart had been shut to them all. la's Letters. Look you, all these I am writing. "Alas, old man, that this should be The second and third of these must get into the One brother had raised up seed to thee; press, and out of it before this time twelve And hadst thou, in their hour of need, Cherished that dead brother's seed, months, or else I shall be like the Civil List. Thrown wide thy doors, and called them in, By way of interlude comes in this Preface. Don't How happy thine old age had been a a.nd bn thing a a. Thou wert a barren tree, around whose trunk, swear, and bid me do one thing at a time. I Needing support, our tendrils should have clung; tell you I can't afford to do one thing at a time Then had thy sapless boughs -no, nor two neither; and it is only by doing With buds of hope and genal frut bee hung; Yea, with undying flowers, many things that I contrive to do so much; for And wreaths forever young." I can not work long together at any thing without hurting myself, and so I do every thing by To Lieutenant Southey, H.M.S. Amelia. heats; then, by the time I am tired of one, my "Monday, July 28, 1806. inclination for another is come round. MY DEAR TOM, "Dr. Southey is arrived here. He puts his "For many days I have looked for a letter degree in his pocket, summers here, and will from you, the three lines announcing your arrival winter in London, to attend at an hospital. in England being all which have yet reached me. About this, of course, I shall apply to Carlisle; Yesterday the Dr. and I returned home after a and, if it should so happen that you do not see five days' absence, and I was disappointed at him here, shall give him a direction to you when finding no tidings of you. We were two days he goes to London. R. S." at Lloyd's; and have had three days' mountaineerning-one on the way there, two on our reThe following lines, written immediately after turn-through the wildest parts of this wild hearing of the event mentioned in the commence- country, many times wishing you had been with ment of this letter, and preserved accidentally us. One day we lost our way upon the mountby a friend to whom he had sent them, may be ains, got upon a summit where there were precappropriately inserted here. ipices before us, and found a way down through "So thou art gone at last, old John, a fissure, like three sides of a chimney, where And hast left all from me: we could reach from side to side, and help ourlaGod give tee rest among the blesd selves with our hands. This chimney-way was "Nor marvel I, for though one bloodconsiderably higher than any house, and then Through both our veins was flowing, we had an hour's descent afterward over loose Full well I know, old man, no love stones. Yesterday we mounted Great GabelFrom thee to me was owing. From thee to me was owing. one of the highest mountains in the country" Thou hadst no anxious hopes for me, n In t he winning yearbs of in men, and had a magnificent view of the Isle of Man, _ rising out of a sea of light, for the water lay like * To the " Specimens of English Poets." a sheet of silver. This was a digression from AETAT. 32. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 211 our straight road, and exceedingly fatiguing it to be sold, each of which will give me 5s.; but was; however, after we got down we drank five the sale will be rather slower than distillation quarts of milk between us, and got home as fresh through a filtering stone. We mean to print a as larks after a walk of eleven hours. You will small edition in two vols. without delay, and find it harder service than walking the deck without alterations, that the quarto may not lose when you come here. its value. "Our landlord, who lives in the house adjoin- "Of the many reviewings of this poem I have ing us, has a boat, which is as much at our serv- only seen the Edinburgh, Monthly, and Annual. ice as if it were our own; of this we have voted I sent a copy to Mr. Fox, and Lady Holland told you commander-in-chief whenever you shall ar- me it was the rule at St. Ann's Hill to read aloud rive. The lake is about four miles in length, till eleven, and then retire; but that when they and something between one and two in breadth. were reading Madoc they often read till the However tired you may be of the salt water, I clock struck twelve. In short, I have had as do not think you will have the same objection to much praise as heart could desire, but not quite fresh when you see this beautiful basin, clear as so much of the more solid kind of remuneration. crystal, and shut in by mountains on every side * * * * * I am pre. except one opening to the northwest. We are paring for the press the Chronicle of the Cidvery frequently upon it, Harry and I being both a very curious monument of old Spanish mantolerably good boatmen; and sometimes we sit in ners and history, which will make two little volstate and the women row us-a way of manning umes, to the great delight of about as many reada boat which will amuse you. The only family ers as will suffice to take off an edition of 750. with which we are on familiar terms, live, dur- " You suggest to me three epic subjects, all ing the summer and autumn, on a little island of them striking, but each liable to the same obhere-one of the loveliest spots in this wide jection, that no entire and worthy interest can world. They have one long room, looking on be attached to the conquering party in either. the lake from three windows, affording the most 1st. William of Normandy is less a hero than beautiful views; and in that room you may have Harold. The true light in which that part of as much music, dancing, shuttle-cocking, &c., our history should be regarded was shown me as your heart can desire. They generally em- by William Taylor. The country was not thorbargo us on our water expeditions. I know not oughly converted. Harold favored the pagans, whether you like dining under a tree, as well as and the Normans were helped by the priests. with the conveniences of chairs and table, and a 2dly. Alaric is the chief personage of a French roof over your head-which I confess please me poem by Scudery, which is notoriously worthbetter than a seat upon any moss, however cush- less. The capture of Rome is in itself an event iony, and in any shade, however romantic; if, so striking that it almost palsies one's feelings; however, you do, here are some delightful bays yet nothing resulted which could give a worthy at the head of the lake, in any of which we may purport to the poem. In this point Theodoric is land; and if you love fishing, you may catch a better hero: the indispensable requisite, howperch enough on the way for the boat's company, ever, in a subject for me is, that the end-the and perhaps a jack or two into the bargain. ultimate end-must be worthy of the means. " One main advantage which this country pos- 3dly. The expulsion of the Moriscoes. This is sesses over Wales is, that there are no long a dreadful history, which I will never torture tracks of desolation to cross between one beau- myself by reading a second time. Besides, I am tiful spot and another. We are sixteen miles convinced, in opposition to the common opinion, only from Winandermere, and three other lakes that the Spaniards did wisely in the act of exare on the way to it. Sixteen only from Wast- pelling them, though most wickedly in the way water, as many from Ulswater, nine from But- of expelling them. One word more about littermere and Crummock. Lloyd expects you erature, and then to other matters. How goes will give him a few days-a few they must be; on the Fall of Cambria, and what are you about? for though I shall be with you, we will not spare " My little girl is now two years atid a quaryou long from home; but his house stands de- ter old-a delightful play-fellow, of whom I am lightfully, and puts a large part of the finest somewhat more fond than is fitting. * scenery within our reach. You will find him * Edith is in excellent health; Imyself very friendly, and will like his wife much-she the same barebones as ever, first cousin to an is a great favorite with me. The Bishop of anatomy, but with my usual good health and LIandaff lives near them, to whom I have lately steady good spirits; neither in habits nor in any been introduced. God bless you! R. S." thing else different from what I was, except that if my upper story is not better furnished, a great To Joseph Cottle, Esq. deal of good furniture is thrown away. "Keswick, Aug. 11,1806. * * * * * "MY DEAR COTTLE, In spite of the slow sale of Madoc, I can not but " Madoc has not made my fortune. By the think that it may answer as well for the year's state of my account in May last-that is, twelve ways and means to finish the'Curse of Kehama,' months after its publication-there was a bal- and sell the first edition, as to spend the time in ance due to me (on the plan of dividing the prof- criticising other people's books. * * its) of -C3 19s. Id. About 180 then remained God bless you! R. SOUTHEY." 212 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 33. To John Rickman, Esq. certain books for the Cid at the Museum and at "Oct. 13, 1806. Holland House. God bless you! R. S." "MY DEAR RICKMAN,' You will be glad to hear that my child proves To John Rickman, Esq. to be of the more worthy gender. "Dec. 23, 1806. "I would do a great deal to please poor To- "MY DEAR RICKMAN, bin (indeed, it is doing a good deal to let him in- " * * * * * * flict an argument upon me), but to write an epi- I am left alone to my winter occupations, and logue is doing too much for any body. Indeed, truly they are quite sufficient to employ me. were I ever so well disposed to misemploy time, Two months, however, if no unlucky interruption paper, and rhymes, it would be as much out of prevent, will be sufficient to clear all off, and send my reach as the moon is; and I bless my stars Espriella and Palmerin into the world. I have for the incapacity, believing that a man who can an additional and weighty motive for dispatch. do such things well can not do any thing better. The times being South American mad, my ac"I am also thoroughly busy. Summer is my count of Brazil, instead of being the last work in holiday season, in which I lay in a store of ex- the series, must be the first. There are in the ercise to serve me for the winter, and leave my- book-case down stairs at your house sixteen bunself, as it were, lying fallow to the influences of dies of sealed papers. Those papers contain heaven. I am now very hard at Palmerin-so more information respecting South America than troublesome a business, that a look before the his majesty's agents have been able to obtain at leap would have prevented the leap altogether. Lisbon-more, in all probability, than any other I expected it would only be needful to alter the person in Europe possesses except one FrenchPropria quce maribus to their original orthogra- man, now returned to Paris: he has seen them, phy, and restore the costume where the old and is very likely to get the start of me, unless, translators had omitted it, as being to them for- which is not improbable, Bonaparte choose to eign or obsolete; but they have so mangled, mu- withhold from the world information which would tilated, and massacred the manners-vulgarized, be of specific use to England. impoverished, and embeggared the language- "Concerning these papers, of whose contents so lopped, cropped, and docked the ornaments, I was till last week ignorant, my uncle has writthat I was fain to set my shoulder stiffly to the ten to me, urging me to make all possible speed wheel, and retranslate about the one half. As with this part of the book, and desiring me to ofthis will not produce me one penny more than fer the information to government. I inclosed if I had reprinted it with all its imperfections on the letter to Wynn, and it may be he will advise its head, the good conscience with which it is me to come up to London upon this business. I done reconciles me to the loss of time; and I hope not. I should rather wash my hands of all have, moreover, such a true love of romance that other business first, and then can certainly, in the labor is not irksome, though it is hard. To half a year. accomplish a large volume, for on correct a sheet-sixteen pages of the square- this subject there is no collateral information to sized black letter-is a day's work; that is, hunt for. A very few books contain all the from breakfast till dinner, allowing an hour's printed history, and there will be more difficulty walk, and from tea till supper; and the whole is in planning the work than in executing it. There about sixty sheets. will be business of some consequence in the way "Secondly, Espriella is regulated by the print- of map-making, which will delight Arrowsmith. er, who seems as little disposed to hurry me as My uncle has very valuable materials for a map I am to hurry him. * * * of Brazil. "Thirdly, the reviewing is come round, of "This is of so much consequence that it will which, in the shape of Missionaries, Catholic perhaps be advisable to let the Palmerin sleep, Miracles, Bible and Religious Societies, Clark- and so have a month's time. * * son, and little Moore (not forgetting Captain Wynn's letter will instruct me whether to set to Burney), I have more to do than I at first de- work for myself or for the government; giving sired, yet not more than will make a reasonable them information is, God knows, throwing pearls item on the right side of the King of Persia's* you know to whom, but, so the pearls be paid books. for, well. The best thing they could do for me "Fourthly, I have done half the Cid, and, and for them, if they really want information whenever I seem sufficiently ahead of other em- about South America, is to send me to Lisbon ployment to lie-to for a while, this is what I go to. for that specific purpose, without any ostensible "Lastly, for the Athenaum-alias Foolaeum, charge. for I abominate such titles-I am making some " There is nothing in the world like resolute, preparations, meaning, among other things, to straightforward honesty; it is sure to conquer in print there certain collections of unemployed the long run. I have been reading Quaker hisnotes and memoranda, under the title of Omnia- tory, which is worth reading because it proves na. * * * By God's blessing I this, and proves also that institutions can comnshall have done all this by the end of the winter, pletely new-model our nature; for, if the instinct and come to town early in the spring, to inspect of self-defense be subdued, nothing else is so powerful. * Artaxerxes, surnamed Longimanus —Longman. " Fox's death is a loss to me, who had a prom JETAT. 33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 213 ise from him, but I will not affect to think it a whole character of the subject of it could be loss to the country: he lived a year too long. drawn out and contemplated. England can not fall yet, blessed be God! be- In the spring of the year 1804, he had obcause its inhabitants are Englishmen; but, if served in the Monthly Review what he considany thing could destroy a country, it would be ered a most harsh and unjust reviewal of a small the incurable folly of such governors. volume of poems by Henry Kirke White; and " Have you seen the Memoirs of Colonel having also accidentally seen a letter which the Hutchinson? If not, by all means read it: it is author had written to the reviewers, explaining the history of a right Englishman; and the sketch the peculiar circumstances under which these of English history which it contains from the poems were written and published, he undertime of the Reformation is so admirable, that it stood the whole cruelty of their injustice. In ought to make even Scotchmen ashamed to men- consequence of this, he wrote to Henry to ention the name of Hume. I have seldom been courage him: told him that, though he was well so deeply interested by any book as this. * aware how imprudent it was in young poets to * * * ~- * "R. S." publish their productions, his circumstances seemed to render that expedient from which it. —..._ would otherwise be right to dissuade him; advised him, therefore, if he had no better prosCHAPTER XIII. pects, to print a larger volume by subscription, IE UNDERTAKES TO EDIT KIRKE WHITE'S RE- and offered to do what little was in his power to serve him in the business. MAINS' —DETAILS OF HIS SETTLING AT GRETAservem the busess HALL-GRANT OF A SMiALL PENSION —OPINIONS This letter, which I regret has not been preON THE CATHOLIC QUESTION-PROGRESS OF served, produced a reply full of expressions of KIRIKE WHITE'S REMAINS' -HEAVY DEDUC- gratitude both for the advice and offers of assistTIONS FROM HIS PENSION-MODERN POETRY- ance it contained; but, in consequence of Kirke POLITICSPREDICTS SEVEE CITICISS ONWhite's going very soon afterward to Cambridge, POLITICS-PREDICTS SEVERE CRlTICISMIS ON THE " SPECIMENS OF ENGLISH POETRY -REC- but little further communication took place, and OLLECTIONS OF LEGE IEhis untimely and lamented death, in October, OLLECTIONS OF COLLEGE FRIENDS-REMIARKS ON CLASSICAL READING —THE CATHOLIC QUES- 1806, caused by the severe and unrelenting TION-SPANISH PAPERS WANTED-MR. DUP- course of study he pursued, acting upon a frame PA S LIFE OF MICHAEL ANGELO -MOTIVESalready debilitated by too great mental exertion, FOR EDITING'KIRKE WHITE'S REMAINS"- put an end to the hopes my father had cherished EST SEASON FOR VSITING THE both of enjoying his friendship and of witnessing BEST SEASON FOR VISITING THE LAKES-EF- his fam. FECT UPON THEM OF CLOUD AND SUNSHINE — l THEORY OF EDUCATING CHILDREN FOR SPE- On his decease, one of his friends wrote to my CIFIC LITERARY PURPOSES-PROBABLE ESTAB- father, informing him of the event, as one who LISHIMENT OF A NEW EDINBURGH REVIEW- had professed an interest in his fortunes. This PLAYFUL LETTER TO THE LATE HARTLEY COLE- led to an inquiry what papers he had left behind RIDGE-NEW EDITION OF DON QUIXOTE H YPRO- him, to a correspondence with his brother NevJECTED-PLAN OF A CRITICAL CATALOGUE- ille, and, ultimately, to the publication, under PALMERIN OF ENGLAND-LAY OF THE LAST my father:s editorship, of two volumes of his MINSTREL-CHRONICLE OF THE CID-MORTE Remains," accompanied with a brief Memoir D'ARTHUR-PECUNIARY DIFFICULTIES-SALE of his Life. OF ESPRIELLA'S LETTERS-SPECIMENS OF EN-. To the preparation of these the three following letters refer; others. relating to the same GLISH POETRY-OVERTURES ADE TO HIM TO letters refer; others, relating to the same TAKE PART IN THIE EDINBURGH REVIEW-REA- subject, as well as to more general matters, adSONS FOR DECLINING TO DO SO. —1807. dressed to Kirke White's two brothers, with whom, especially the elder, the acquaintance AMID all my father's various and multiplied thus begun ripened into an intimate and life-long occupations, he was yet one of those of whom it friendship, will appear in their proper places. might be truly said, that " They can make who fail to find To Mr. Neville White. Brief leisure even in busiest days" " eswick, Dec. 20, 1806. for any kindly office; and needful as was all his "DEAR SIR, time and all his labor to provide for the many "Your letter and parcel arrived yesterday, calls upon him, he was never grudging of a por- just as I had completed the examination of the tion of it to assist another. " Silver and gold" former papers. I have now examined the whole. he had little to bestow, but " such as he had" he "What account of your brother shall be given "gave freely." it rests with you, sir, and his other nearest friends, We have already seen how materially he had to determine. I advise and entreat that it may assisted, in conjunction with his friend Mr. Cot- be as full and as minute as possible. The extle, in establishing the reputation of Chatterton, ample of a young man winning his way against and in procuring for his needy relatives some great difficulties, of such honorable ambition, profit from his writings; he now engaged him- such unexampled industry, such a righteous and self in a task not dissimilar, except in the per- holy confidence of genius, ought not to be withfect and unalloyed satisfaction with which the held. A full and faithful narrative of his diffi 214 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 33. culties, his hopes, and his eventual success, till lished in some magazine. These are the highit pleased God to promote him to a higher state est gratifications which a writer can receive; for of existence, will be a lasting encouragement to that class of readers who call themselves the others who have the same up-hill path to tread; public, I have as little respect as need be; but he will be to them what Chatterton was to him, to interest and influence such a mind as Henry and he will be a purer and better example. If White's is the best and worthiest object which it would wound the feelings of his family to let any poet could propose to himself-the fulfillall and every particular of his honorable and ad- ment of his dearest hopes. mirable life be known, those feelings are, of " Yours truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY." course, paramount to every other consideration. But I sincerely hope this may not be the case. To Mr. Neville White. It will, I know, be a painful task to furnish me "Keswick, Feb. 3, 1807. with materials for this, which is the most useful " DEAR SIR, kind of biography, yet, when the effort of begin- " * * * It will be well to print ning such a task shall have been accomplished, the Melancholy Hours, and some other of the the consciousness that you are doing for him prose compositions. They mark the character, what he would have wished to be done, will as well as the powers, of your brother's mind, bring with it a consolation and a comfort. and should, therefore, be preserved. The No. " Let me beg of you and of your family, when 10 which you mention is, I believe, that critiyou can command heart for the task, to give me cism upon Thalaba the Destroyer, of which I all your recollections of his childhood and of spoke in a former letter. I may be permitted to every stage of his life. Do not fear you can be expunge from it, or to soften, a few epithets, of too minute; I will arrange them, insert such which it gratifies me that your brother should poems as will best appear in that place, and add have thought me worthy, but which it is not desuch remarks as grow out of the circumstances. cent that I should edit myself. * * BeThe narrative itself can not be told too plainly; lieve me, sir, if I were not now proving the high all ornament of style would be misplaced in it: respect which I feel for your brother, it would that which is meant to tickle the ear will never give me pain to think what value he assigned to find its way either to the understanding or the the mere expression of it. How deeply I regret heart. that the little intercourse we ever had should " Respecting the mode of publication, you had have ended where it did, it is needless now to better consult Mr. ---. The booksellers will, say. I should have begged him to have visited beyond a doubt, undertake to publish them on me here but for this reason: when he told me condition of halving the eventual profits, which he was going to Cambridge, there were some are the terms on which I publish. The profit, circumstances which made me believe he was I fear, will not be much, unless the public should under the patronage of Mr. Henry Thornton, or be taken with some unusual fit of good feeling; of some other persons of similar views; that his and, indeed, this is not unlikely, for they are more opinions had taken what is called an evangelical frequently just to the dead than to the living. turn, and that he was designed for that particuI shall be glad to see all his magazine pub- lar ministry. My own religious opinions are not lications; possibly some of the pieces marked by less zealous and not less sincere, but they are me for transcription may be found among them. totally opposite. I would not run the risk of There is one poem, printed in the Globe for Feb. disturbing his sentiments, and therefore delayed 11, 1803, which I remember noticing when it He views things through a peculiar phasis; and while he appeared, and which may be more easily copied has the feelings of a man, they are those of a man almost from the newspaper than from the manuscript.- abstracted from mortality, and reflecting on and painting the scenes of life as if he were a mere spectator, uninWhether any of his prose writings should be in- fluenced by his own connection with the objects he surserted, I shall better be able to judge after hav- veys. To this faculty of bold discrimination I attribute vg. _a. u ttz. many of Mr. Southey's excellences as a poet. IHe never ing seen the magazines. But the most valuable seems to inquire how other men would treat a subject, materials which could be intrusted to me would or what may happen to be the usage of the times; but, be his letters-the more that could be said of filled with that strong sense of fitness, which is the result of bold and unshackled thought, he fearlessly pursues him in his own words, the better. that course which his own sense of propriety points out. "I have been affected at seeing my own name ^ * At first, indeed, the verse may appear uncouth, because it among your brother's papers; there is a defense is new to the ear; but I defy any man, who has any feelof Thalaba, a part of which I regard as the most ing of melody, to peruse the whole poem without paying di m. ia t'.a p. ra., w. _ tribute to the sweetness of its flow and the gracefulness discriminating and appropriate praise which I of its modulation. have received.* It seems to have been pub- "In judging of this extraordinary poem, we should consider it as a genuine lyric production-we should con* It may not be uninteresting to the reader to see here ceive it as recited to the harp, in times when such relathat portion of Kirke White's remarks on Thalaba which tions carried nothing incredible with them. Carrying is thus referred to. After saying that " an innovation so this idea along with us, the admirable art of the poet will bold as that of Mr. Southey is sure to meet with disap- strike us with ten-fold conviction; the abrupt sublimity of probation and ridicule," he continues: " Whoever is con- his transitions, the sublime simplicity of his manner, and versant with the writings of this author, will have ob- the delicate touches by which he connects the various served and admired that greatness of mind and compre- parts of his narrative, will then be more strongly observhension of intellect by which he is enabled, on all occa- able; and we shall, in particular, remark the uncommon sions, to throw off the shackles of habit and preposses- felicity with which he has adapted his versification, and, sion. Southey never treads in the beaten track: his in the midst of the wildest irregularity, left nothing to thoughts, while they are those of nature, carry that cast shock the ear or offend the judgment."-Remains, vol. ii., of originality which is the stamp and testimony of genius. p. 285, 286. AETAT. 33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 215 forming that personal friendship with him, to be scrupulously careful; and if, when the pawhich I looked on with pleasure, till his mind pers pass through your hands, you should think should have outgrown opinions through which I have not been sufficiently so, I beg you will, it was well that it should pass. without hesitation, expunge whatever may ap"In reading and re-reading the poem, I have pear exceptionable. filled up a few of the gaps with conjectural words * * * * * * of correction, which shall be printed in italics, "When I obeyed the impulse which led me and to which, therefore, there can be no objec- to undertake this task, it was from a knowledge tion. The more I read them, the more is my that Henry White had left behind him an examadmiration; they are as it should be-of very va- pie, which ought not to be lost, of well-directed rious merit, and show the whole progress of his talents, and that, in performing an act of respect mind. Many of them are excellently good-so to his memory, I should at the same time hold good that it is impossible they could be better, up the example to others who have the up-hill and all together certainly exceed the productions paths of life to tread. No person can be more of any other young poet whatsoever. I do not thoroughly convinced that goodness is a better except Chatterton from the number; and I have thing than genius, and that genius is no excuse a full confidence that, sooner or later, the public for those follies and offenses which are called its opinion will confirm mine. Perhaps this may be eccentricities. immediately acknowledged. "The mention made in my last of any differ"I am greatly in hopes that many of his let- ence in religious opinions from your brother was ters may be fit for publication. Till these ar- merely incidental; nor is it by any means my rive, it is not possible to judge to what extent intention to say any more upon the subject than the proposed introductory account (in which they simply to state that those opinions are not mine, would probably be inserted, or after it) will run; lest it should be supposed they were, from the but as soon as this is ascertained, the volumes manner in which I speak of him. may be divided, and the second go to press. "I shall now proceed as speedily as I can Will you have the goodness to copy for me that with the work. abominable criticism in the Monthly Review "Yours truly, and with much esteem, upon Clifton Grove, and also the notice they took "ROBERT SOUTHEY." of your brother's letter? That criticism must be inserted; and if you remember any other re- To Richard Duppa, Esq. viewal in which he was treated with illiberality,. March 27, 1807. I shall be glad to hold up such criticism to the "DEAR DUPPA, infamy which it deserves. "The ministry-by this time, perhaps, no lon" It will give me great pleasure if a likeness ger a ministry-have made a very pretty kettle can be recovered-very great pleasure. Your of fish of it; which phrase, by-the-by, would look brother Henry, sir, is not to be lamented. He well in literal translation into any other language. has gained that earthly immortality for which he Perhaps you will be surprised to hear that on labored, and that heavenly immortality of which the Catholic Question I am as stiffly against them he was worthy. I say this with tears, but they as his majesty himself. Of all my friends, Coleare tears of admiration as well as of human re- ridge is perhaps the only one who thinks with gret. If you knew me, sir, and how little prone me upon this subject; but I am clear in my own I am to let such feelings as these appear upon mind. I am, however, sorry for the businessthe surface, you would understand these words more to think what a rabble must come in, than in their literal sense and in their full meaning. for any respect for those who are going out"Yours very truly, though the Limited Service and the Abolishment " ROBERT SOUTHEY." of the Slave Trade are great things. As for any effect upon my own possible fortunes, you need not To Mr. Neville White. be told how little any such possibilities ever enter " March 3, 1807. into my feelings: they have entered into my cal"MY DEAR SIR, culations just enough to keep me unsettled, and "Your parcel reached me on Sunday evening, nothing more. And here I am now planting garand I have perused every line of its contents with den inclosures, rose-bushes, currants, gooseberdeep and painful interest. The letters, and your ries, and resolute to become a mountaineer-peraccount (of which I should say much were I haps forever-unless I should remove for final setwriting to any other person), have made me tlement at Lisbon. My study is to be finishedthoroughly acquainted with one of the most ami- my books gathered together; and if you do not able and most admirable human beings that ever come down again, the very first summer you are was ripened upon earth for heaven. Be assured not otherwise engaged, why-you may stay and that I will not insert a sentence which can give be smoke-dried in London for your good-forpain or offense to any one. There will come a nothingness. I have a man called Willy, who time (and God only knows how soon it may is my Juniper in this business. We are going come) when some one will perform that office to have laburnums and lilacs, syringas, barberry for me which I am now performing for your in- bushes, and a pear-tree to grow up by your wincomparable brother, and I shall endeavor to show dow against the wall, and white curtains in my how that office ought to be performed. I will library, and to dye the old ones in the parlor 216 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 33. blue, and to put fringe to them, Mr. Duppa, and At the commencement of the preceding letter, to paper the room, Mr. Duppa, and I am to have my father alludes to the tottering condition of a carpet in my study, Mr. Duppa, and the chairs the Grenville ministry, of which his friend Mr. are to be new bottomed, and we are to buy some Wynn was a member, who had been for some fenders at the sale of the general's things, and time looking out for an opportunity of serving we have bought a new hearth-rug. And then him; and under the impression that their resigthe outside of the house is to be rough-cast as nation had taken place, without any having )csoon as the season will permit, and there is a curred, he now writes: "When you have it in border made under the windows, and there is to your power again, let the one thing you seek be a gravel walk there, and turf under the trees for me be the office of Historiographer, with a beyond that, and beyond that such peas and beans! decent pension. If ~300, it would satisfy my Oh! Mr. Duppa, how you will like them when wishes-if X400, I should be rich. I have no you come down, and how fine we shall be, if all worldly ambition: a man who lives so much in this does not ruin me! the past and the future can have none. " The reason of all this is, that some arrange- * * When you are in, do not form ments of Coleridge's made it necessary that I higher wishes for me than I have for myself. I should either resolve upon removing speedily, or am in that state of life to which it has pleased God remaining in the house. The one I could not to call me, for which I am formed, in which I do, and was, not unwillingly, forced to the other. am contented; nor is it likely that I could be in Indeed, the sense of being unsettled was the only any other so usefully, so worthily, or so happily uneasiness I had; and these little arrangements employed. If what I now receive shall in the for future comfort give me, I am sure, more future come from the Treasury, I shall not then solid satisfaction and true enjoyment than his have any serious wish for any change of fortune; great Howickship can possibly have felt upon nor would this be one, if you were wealthier. getting into that Downing Street, from whence What more is necessary I get-hardly enough, he will so reluctantly get out-like a dog on a it is true, but still in my own way; and it is wet day out of the kitchen, growling as he goes, not impossible but that some day or other one of with his tail between his legs, and showing the my books should, by some accident, hit the fashteeth with which he dares not bite. Jackson- ion of the day, and, by a rapid sale, place me in God bless him-is as well pleased about it as I comparative affluence. I must be a second time am; and that excellent good woman, Mrs. Wil- cut off if I do not still inherit an independence; son, is rejoiced at heart to think that we are and if, after all, I should go out of the world as likely to remain here for the remainder of her poor a man as I am at this present-the modays. ment it comes to be'poor Southey,' my name "Sir, it would surprise you to see how I dig becomes a provision for my wife and children, in the garden. I am going to buy the'Com- even though I had not that reliance upon indiplete Gardener;' and we do hope to attain one vidual friendship which experience makes me day to the luxuries of currant wine, and such feel."* like things, which I hope will meet your appro- The next letter shows that his friend had sucbation, after you and I have been up Causey ceeded in obtaining for him a small pension, Pike again, and over the Fells to Blea Tarn- which, though it really diminished his income expeditions to the repetition of which I know instead of increasing it, was very acceptable, for you look on with great pleasure. the reasons he here states. "I shall miss Harry this summer-an excellent boatman, and a companion whose good spir- To John May, Esq. its and good humor never fail. If T. Gren- "Keswick, March 30, 1807. ville would make Tom a captain, and send him "MY DEAR FRIEND, down to grass for the summer, he would do a "I am just now enabled to give you some inbetter thing than he has done yet since he went telligence concerning myself. In this topsyto the Admiralty. Wynn did mention my broth- turvying of ministers, Wynn was very anxious, er to him; but we had no borough interest to as he says,' to pick something out of the fire for back us, and fourteen years' hard service go for me.' The registership of the Vice-Admiralty nothing, with wounds, blowing up, honorable Court in St. Lucia was offered, worth about mention, and excellent good conduct. Still I ~600 a year. He wrote to me, offering this, have a sort of faith (God willing) that he will or, as an alternative, the only one in his power, be an admiral yet. a pension of ~200; but, before my answer could "I am hurrying my printer with Espriella, arrive, it was necessary that he should choose for fear another translation should appear before for me, and he judged rightly in taking the latmine, which, you know, would be very unlucky. ter. Fees and taxes will reduce this to ~160,f Ten sheets of the second volume are done. I the precise sum for which I have hitherto been much wish it were out, having better hopes of its indebted to him, so that I remain with just the sale than the fate of better books will perhaps same income as before. The different source warrant. But this is a good book in its way, from which it is derived is, as you may suppose, nld its way ought to be, in book-selling phrase, sufficiently grateful; for though Wynn could till taking one.s yu!RS. Thdecto* March 27. 1807. "- God bless you! R. S." i The deduction proved to be ~56, reducing it to ~144 ETAT. 33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 217 now well afford this, and I had no reluctance in you those parts of the country which you have accepting it from one who is the oldest friend I not seen, and which I have since you were here; have in the world (we have been intimate for and to introduce you to the top of Skiddaw, nineteen years), he has now nearly doubled his which is an easy morning's walk. expenditure by marrying. * * This, "The mystery of this wonderful history of the I suppose, is asked for and granted to me as a change in administration is certainly explained; man of letters, in which character I feel myself but who are the king's advisers? Are they his fully and fairly entitled to receive it; and you sons, or old Lord Liverpool? Mr. Simeon's know me too well to suppose that it can make wise remark, that'the new ministry was better me lose one jot of that freedom, both of opinion than no ministry at all,' put me in mind of a and speech, without which I should think my- story which might well have been quoted in reself unworthy, not of this poor earthly pittance ply. One of the German electors, when an alone, but of God's air and sunshine, and my in- Englishman was introduced to him, thought the heritance in heaven. best thing he could say to him was to remark "I sent you the Specimens, and shall have to that' it was bad weather;' upon which the Ensend you, owing to some omissions of Bedford's, glishman shrugged up his shoulders and replied, a supplementary volume hereafter, which will'yes-but it was better than none!' Would not complete its bibliographical value. Of its other this have told in the House? You do not shake merits and defects, hereafter. It will not be my opinion concerning the Catholics. Their relong before, I trust, you will receive Espriella: ligion regards no national distinctions-it teaches the printer promises to quicken his pace, and I them to look at Christendom and at the Pope as hurry him, anticipating that this book will give the head thereof-and the interests of that religyou and my other friends some amusement, and ion will always be preferred to any thing else. deserve approbation on higher grounds. Thank Bonaparte is aware of this, and is aiming to be you for all your kindness to Harry. * * the head of the Catholic party in Germany. This change of ministry-I am as hostile to the "These people have been increasing in Enmeasure which was the pretext for it as the gland of late years, owing to the number of semking himself; but, having conceded that meas- inaries established during the French Revolution. ure, the king's conduct is equally unexception- It is worth your while to get their Almanacable. Neither the country nor the Commons the'Lay Directory' it is called, and published called for the change, and they were getting by Brown and Keating, Duke Street, Grosvenor credit, and deserving it, by the'Arms Bill,' the Square. They are at their old tricks of mirablessed'Abolition of the Slave Trade,' the pro- cles here and every where else. St. Winifred jected reforms, and the projected plan for edu- has lately worked a great one, and is in as high eating the poor. And now their places are to be odor as ever she was. filled by a set of men of tried and convicted in- "I am for abolishing the test with regard to capacity, with an old woman at their head! But every other sect-Jews and all-but not to the I must refer you to my friend, Don Manuel Al- Catholics. They will not tolerate: the proof is varez, for the reason why there is always a lack in their whole history-in their whole systemof talents in the English government. and in their present practice all over Catholic "God bless you! Europe: and it is the nature of their principles "Yours in haste, R. S." now to spread in this country; Methodism, and the still wilder sects preparing the way for it. To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. You have no conception of the zeal with which "April, 1807. they seek for proselytes, nor the power they " MY DEAR WYNN, have over weak minds;, for their system is as " And so I am a Court Pensioner! It is well well the greatest work of human wisdom as it is that I have not to kiss hands upon the occasion, of human wickedness. It is curious that the or, upon my soul, I do not think I could help Jesuits exist in England as a body, and have laughing at the changes and chances of this possessions here; a Catholic told me this, and world! O dear, dear Wynn, when you and I pointed out one in the streets of Norwich, but used to hold debates with poor Bunbury over a he could tell me nothing more, and expressed pot of porter, how easily could your way of life his surprise at it, and his curiosity to learn more. have been predicted! And how would his and Having been abolished by the Pope, they keep mine have mocked all foresight! And yet mine up their order secretly, and expect their restorahas been a straight-onward path! Nothing more tion, which, if he be wise, Bonaparte will effect. has taken place in me than the ordinary process Were I a Catholic, that should be the object to of beer or wine-of fermenting-and settling- which my life should be devoted-I would be and ripening. the second Loyola. "If Snowdon will come to Skiddaw in the " Concessions and conciliations will not satisfy summer, Skiddaw will go to Snowdon at the fall the Catholics; vengeance and the throne are of the leaf. I shall work hard to get the Cid what they want. If Ireland were far enough ready for publication, and must go with it to from our shores to be lost without danger to our London. In that case my intention is to go first own security, I would say establish the Catholic to Bristol, and perhaps to Taunton, and Wales religion there, as the easiest way of civilizing it; will not be out of my way. But I wish to show but Catholic Ireland would always be at the 218 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 33. command of the Pope, and the Pope is now at ualizing character, and then remember that the command of France. It is dismal to think Henry's is to be a name equally dear to the genof the state of Ireland. Nothing can redeem eration which will come after us. * that country but such measures as none of our * * * * * * statesmen, except perhaps Marquis Wellesley, "My heart has often ached during this emwould be hardy enough to adopt-nothing but a ployment. system of Roman conquest and colonization, and' Yours very truly and respectfully, shipping off the refractory to the colonies. ROBERT SOUTHEY."' England condescends too much to the Catholic religion, and does not hold up her own to One extract from a letter written to Mr. Nevsufficient respect in her foreign possessions; and ille White at the close of the year I will place the Catholics, instead of feeling this as an act of here, as it speaks of the completion of my father's indulgence to their opinions, interpret it as an grateful office. acknowledgment of their superior claims, and " The sight of the books now completed gave insult us in consequence. This is the case at me a melancholy feeling, and I could not help Malta. In India the want of an established repeating some lines of Wordsworth's: church is a crying evil. Nothing but mission- " Thou soul of God's best earthly mold, aries can secure in that country what we have Thou happy soul, andcan it be won. The converts would immediately become Is all that must remain of thee i' English in their feelings; for,, like Mohammed, But this is not all: so many days and nights of we ought to make our language go with our re- unrelenting study, so many hopes and fears, so ligion-a better policy this than that of introduc- many aspirations after fame, so much genius, and ing pig-tails, after our own home-plan of princely so many virtues, have left behind them more than reform, for which -, with all due respect to this-they have left comfort and consolation to him, or whoever else was the agent in this in- his friends, an honorable remembrance for himconceivable act of folly, ought to be gibbeted self, and for others a bright and encouraging exupon the top of the highest pagoda in Hindostan. ample. God bless you! R. S." Our intercourse will not be at an end. When I visit London, which will certainly be during To Mr. Neville White. the winter, and probably very soon, I shall see "April 7, 1807. you. We shall have, it is to be hoped and ex" MY DEAR SIR, pected, to communicate respecting after editions; * * * * * * * ^and at all times it will give me great pleasure The preliminary account is nearly finished. I to hear from you." have inserted in it such poems as seem best suited to that place, because they refer to Henry's then To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. state of mind, and thus derive an interest from "April 21,1807. the narrative, and in their turn give it also. "Whether, Grosvenor, you will ascribe it to After the introduction I purpose to insert a se- the cut of my nose, I can not tell; nor whether lection-of his letters, or, rather, of extracts from it be a proof of the natural wickedness of the them, in chronological order. Upon mature con- heart, but so it is, that I am less disposed to be sideration, and upon trial as well, I believe this very much obliged to the Treasury for giving to be better than inserting them in the account me Jo200 a year, than I am to swear at the of his life. If the reader feel for Henry that love Taxes for having the impudence to take o56 of and admiration which I have endeavored to make it back again. And if it were a pull Devil pull him feel, he will be prepared to receive these Baker between that loyalty which, as you know, epistolary fragments as the most authentic and has always been so predominant in my heart, most valuable species of biography; and if he and that Jacobinism of which, you know how does not feel that love, it is no matter how he vilely, I have been suspected, I am afraid the 56 receives them, for his heart will be in fault, and would give a stronger pull on the Baker's side his understanding necessarily darkened. than the 144 on the Devil's. Look you, Mr. "I have, to the best of my judgment, omitted Bedford of the Exchequer, it is out of all conevery thing of which the publication could oc- science. Ten in the hundred has always, in all casion even the slightest unpleasant feeling to Christian states, been thought damnable usury; any person whatever; and if any thing of this and to say that a man took ten in the hundred kind has escaped me, you will, of course, con- was the same as saying that he would go to the sider your own opinion as decisive, and omit it Devil.* But this is eight-and-twenty in the accordingly, without any regard to mine. Assuredly we will not offend the feelings of any * So says the epigram attributed to Shakspeare, upon his one; but there are many passages which, though friend Mr. Combe, an old gentleman noted for his wealth and usury: they can give no pain to an individual, you per- n " Ten in the hundred lies here ingraved; haps may think will not interest the public. If'Tis a hundred to ten his soul is not saved. this fear come across you, take up Chatterton's If any man ask,'Who lies in this tomb?' letters to his mother and sister, and see if the'Oh! oh!' quoth the Devil,'tis my John-a-Combe. " very passages which will excite in you the great- It must be added that Mr. Knight strenuously opposes very passages whc wl ex.cit 1,.i yo. the tradition that Shakspeare wrote these lines —Knight's est interest are not of the individual and individ- Shakspeare, a Biography, p. 488. ETTAT. 33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 219 hundred, for which may eight-and-twenty hund- your teeth! how you will curse the reviewers, red Devils * * * * * and the printers, and the poor poets, with now I am a little surprised to hear you speak so con- and then a remembrance of me and yourself. temptuously of modern poetry, because it shows Why, man, there never was so bad a book behow very little you must have read, or how little fore! If I were to take any twenty pages, and you can have considered the subject. The im- enumerate all the faults in them-do you rememprovement during the present reign has been to ber Duppa, when he came from the Installation the full as great in poetry as it has been in the at Oxford, all piping hot? even to that degree experimental sciences, or in the art of raising of heat would the bare enumeration excite you, money by taxation. What can you have been and your shirt would be as wet as if you had thinking of? Had you forgotten Burns a second tumbled into a bath. I tell you my opinion as time? had you forgotten Cowper, Bowles, Mont- a friendsjust to prepare you for what is to come, gomery, Joanna Baillie, Walter Scott? to omit and am actually laughing at the conceit of how a host of names which, though inferior to them, you will look when you take up the first reare above those of any former period except the view! Farewell! R. S." age of Shakspeare, and not to mention Wordsworth and another poet, who has written two very To the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. pretty poems in my opinion, called Thalaba and "Keswick, April 24,1807. Madoc. * * * I am as busy in "MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, my household arrangements as you can be. My "Circumstances have prevented me going to tent is pitched at last, and I am thankful that my Portugal so soon as I intended. I am, however, lot has fallen in so goodly a land. likely (God willing, I may say certain, as far as " Politics are very amusing, and go to the tune human intentions can be so) to procure a whole of Tantara-rara. The king has been fighting holiday for your boys in the month of November for a veto upon the initiation of laws, and he has next. Business will then lead me to London, won it. I had got into good humor with the late and when I am so far south I have calls into the ministry because of the Limited Service Bill, the west, having an uncle and aunt near Taunton. Abolishment of the Slave Trade, and their wise The Barnstaple coach will carry me to Tiverton; conduct with regard to the Continent. As for and for the rest of the way I have shoulders to their successors, they have given a pretty sam- carry a very commodious knapsack, and feet to pie of their contempt for all decency by their re- carry myself, being a better walker than when instatement of Lord Melville, the attempt at giv- we were at Oxford. ing Percival the place for life, and the threat "Your last letter is fourteen months old, and held out by Canning of a dissolution. The Gren- they may have brought forth so many changes villes now find the error of their neglecting Scot- that I almost fear to ask for my godchild Fanny. land at the last election, an error which I heard During that time I have had a son born into the noticed with regret at the time. What is it has world, and baptized into the Church by the name made them so unpopular in the city? It is to of Herbert, who is now six months old, and bids me incomprehensible why the memory of Pitt fair to be as noisy a fellow as his father-which should be held in such idolatrous reverence-a is saying something; for be it known that I am man who was as obstinate in every thing wrong quite as noisy as ever I was, and should take as as he was ready to give up any thing good, and much delight as ever in showering stones through who, except in the Union and in the Scarcity, the hole of the stair-case against your room door, was never by any accident right during his long and hearing with what hearty good earnest'you administration, fool!' was vociferated in indignation against me " I finish poor Henry White's papers to-mor- in return. 0, dear Lightfoot, what a blessing it row. One volume of Palmerin still remains to is to have a boy's heart! it is as great a blessing do, and then there will be nothing to impede my in carrying one through this world, as to have a progress in S. America. Our Fathers wrote to child's spirit will be in fitting us for the next. me about the same time that you did; they were "If you are in the way of seeing reviews and then in pursuit of the culprits Hinchcliffe and magazines, they will have told you some of my Gildon. I'll tell you what I would have done occupations; the main one they can not tell you, had I been in town and could not have found for they do not know it, nor is it my intention then. I would have made them a present of that they shall yet a while. I am preparing that verses of my own, just enough in number to fill branch of the History of Portugal for publication the gap, and dull enough to suit them. Nobody first which would have been last in order, had not would have suspected it, and it would have been temporary circumstances given it a peculiar ina very pious fraud to save trouble. terest and utility-that which relates to Brazil "It consoles me a little when I think of the and Paraguay. The manuscript documents in reviewing* that is to take place: how much my possession are very numerous, and of the utmore you will feel it than I shall. I am case- most importance, having been collected with unhardened; but you-oh, Mr. Bedford, how your wearied care by my uncle during a residence of back and shoulders will tingle! how you will above thirty years in Portugal. perspire! how you will bite your nails and gnash " Burnett is about to make his appearance in the world of authors with, I trust, some credit * Of the Specimens of English Poets. to himself. When we meet I will. tell you the 220 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 33. whole course of his eventful history, for more he knows why and wherefore he admires either. eventful it has been than any one could have Elmsley will tell you this, and I suppose you prognosticated on his entrance at old Baliol. will admit him to be authority upon this subject. "Elmsley, I am sorry to say, is fatter than " You ask me about the Catholic question. I ever he was: he is one of my most intimate and am against admitting them to power of any kind, most valuable friends. I hear from Duppa, or of because the immediate use that would be made him, frequently. His visit to Oxford at the In- of it would be to make proselytes, for which stallation has been the occasion of throwing him Catholicism is of all religions best adapted. quite into the circle of my friends in London. I Every ship which had a Catholic captain would sometimes think with wonder how few acquaint- have a Catholic chaplain, and in no very long ances I made at Oxford; except yourself and time a Catholic crew: so on in the army; just Burnett, not one whom I should feel any real as every rich Catholic in England at this time pleasure in meeting. Of all the months in my has his mansion surrounded with converts fairly life (happily they did not amount to years), those purchased-the Jerningham family in Norfolk which were passed at Oxford were the most un- for instance. I object to any concessions, beprofitable. What Greek I took there I literally cause no concession can possibly satisfy them; left there, and could not help losing; and all I and I think it palpable folly to talk or think of learned was a little swimming (very little the tolerating any sect (beyond what they already worse luck) and a little boating, which is greatly enjoy) whose first principle is that their Church improved, now that I have a boat of my own is infallible, and, therefore, bound to persecute upon this delightful lake. I never remember to all others. This is the principle of Catholicism have dreamed of Oxford-a sure proof how little every where, and when they can they avow it it entered into my moral being; of school, on the and act upon it. contrary, I dream perpetually. " If our statesmen (God forgive me for de" C is become a great disciplinarian. grading the word)-if our traders in politics — Some friend of Dr. Aikin's dined one day at had better information of how things are going Baliol, and I was made the subject of conversa- on abroad, they would not talk of the distinction tion in the common room; poor C — was my between Catholic and Protestant as political paronly friend: I believe he allowed that I must be ties being extinct. But for that distinction Prusdamned for all my heresies, that was certain, but sia could not have retained its conquests from that it was a pity; he remembered me with a Austria; and that distinction Bonaparte is at degree of affection which neither a dozen years, this time endeavoring to profit by. This is a nor that heart-deadening and uncharitable at- regular conspiracy-a system carrying on to mosphere had effaced. I should be glad to shake propagate popery in the North of Germany, of hands with him again. * * Let me which Coleridge could communicate much if he hear from you, and believe me, would, he knowing the main directors of the new "Yours very truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY." propaganda at Rome. The mode of doing it is curious: they bring the people first to believe in To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. Jacob Behmen, and then they may believe in any "Keswick, MIay 5, 1807. thing else. All fanaticism tends to this point. "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, You will hear something that bears upon this "When I wished you never to read the clas- subject from Espriella when he makes his apsics again, it was because, like many other per- pearance; and you will also see more of the sons, you read nothing else, and were not likely present history of enthusiasm in this country than ever to get more knowledge out of them than any body could possibly suspect who has not, as you had got already, especially as you chiefly (I I have done, cast a searching eye into the holes may say exclusively) read those from whom least and corners of society, and watched its under curis to be got, which is also another sin of the age. rents, which carry more water than the upper Your letter contains the usual blunders which stream. the ignorance of the age is continually making, "I have a favor to ask of Horace, which is, and upon which, and nothing else, rests the that he will do me the kindness to send me the whole point at issue between such critics as Jef- titles of such Portuguese manuscripts as are in frey and myself: you couple Homer and Virgil the Museum. There can not be so many as to under the general term of classics, and suppose make this a thing of much trouble; and there that both are to be admired upon the same are some of great value, which were, I believe, grounds. A century ago this was better under- part of the plunder of Osorio's library carried off stood; the critics of that age did read what they from Sylvas by Sir F. Drake. I wish to know wrote about, and understood what they read, and what they are, for the purpose of ascertaining they knew that whoever thought the one of these how many among them are not to be found in writers a good poet must upon that very prin- their own country, and either taking myself, or ciple hold the other to be a bad one. Greek and causing to be taken, if a fit transcriber can be Latin poets, Grosvenor, are as opposite as French found, copies to present to some fit library at and English (excepting always Lucretius and Lisbon: in so doing I shall render the literature Catullus), and you may as well suppose it pos- of that country a most acceptable service, which sible for a man equally to admire Shakspeare and it would most highly gratify me to do, and for Racine as Homer and Virgil; that is, provided which I should receive very essential services in AETAT.33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 221 return. There are, I believe, in particular, some end. I should have been angry at seeing your papers of Geronimo Lobos concerning Abyssinia, book abused when the abuse could do any hurt, and a MS. of which Vincent has made some use. and should have felt that sort of heat in my cheek I am particularly desirous of effecting this, not which denotes the moral temperature of the minmerely because I could do nothing which would ute to be above temperate. Now, whenever it be more essentially useful to my own views there, falls in my way, which, very likely, never may but also because of the true and zealous love be the case, it will come as a matter of literary which I feel for Portuguese literature, in which history-as what was said by some malevolent I am now as well versed as in that of my own and ignorant person when a good book first apcountry, and into which (whenever the reign of peared, and so it will furnish me an anecdote to priestcraft is at an end) I hope to be one day relate when I speak of the book; or if I should adopted. ever live to old age, and have leisure to leave "I pray you remember that what I think upon behind me that sort of transcript from recollecthe Catholic question by no means disposes me tions which would make such excellent materials in favor of the new ministry. I, Mr. Bedford, for the literary history of my own times. am, as you know, a court pensioner, and have, " You are mistaken about Henry White; the as you well know, deserved to be so for my great fact is briefly this: at the age of seventeen he and devoted attachment to the person of his maj- published a little volume of poems of very great esty and the measures of his government. Nev- merit, and sent with them to the different Reertheless, Mr. Bedford, his ministers are men of views a letter stating that his hope was to raise tried and convicted incapacity; they have always money by them to pursue his studies and get to been the contempt of Europe; whether they can college. Hamilton, then of the Critical, showed be more despised than their predecessors have me this letter. I asked him to let me review uniformly and deservedly been, I know not. I the book, which he promised; but he sent me no can not tell how far below nothing the political books after the promise. Well, the M. Review barometer can sink till it has been tried. noticed this little volume in the most cruel and "God bless you! R. S." insulting manner. I was provoked, and wrote to encourage the boy, offering to aid him in a To Richard Duppa, Esq. subscription for a costlier publication. I spoke " May 23,1807. of him in London, and had assurances of assist"MY DEAR DUPPA, ance from Sotheby, and, by way of Wynn, from "Your book and your letter reached me at the Lord Carysfort. His second letter to me, howsame time. I have cut the leaves, collated the ever, said he was going to Cambridge, under prints, and observe many valuable additions and Simeon's protection. I plainly saw that the some great typographical improvements. It was Evangelicals had caught him; and as he did not accompanied by a note from Mr. Murray of a want what little help I could have procured, and very complimentary kind. I like to be compli- I had no leisure for new correspondences, ceased mented in my authorial character, and best of to write to him, but did him what good I could all by booksellers, because their good opinion in the way of reviewing, and getting him friends gets purchasers, and so praise leads to pudding, at Cambridge. He died last autumn, and I rewhich I consider to be the solid end of praise. ceived a letter informing me of it. It gave me " I have Walter Scott's promise to do what he a sort of shock, because, in spite of his evangelcan for M. Angelo in the Edinburgh, with this icism, I always expected great things, from the sort of salvo-that Jeffrey is not a very practi- proof he had given of very superior powers; cable man, but he would do his best with him. and, in replying to this letter, I asked if there My acquaintance with Scott is merely an ac- were any intention of publishing any thing which quaintance; but I had occasion once to write to he might have left, and offered to give an opinhim respecting the sale of a MS. intrusted to ion upon his papers, and look them over. Down me, and bought by him for the Advocate's Li- came a boxful, the sight of which literally made brary, and in that letter I introduced the subject. my heart ache and my eyes overflow, for never I was greatly in hopes, and indeed expected, that did I behold such proofs of human industry. To Wordsworth would have done as much in the make short, I took the matter up with interest, Critical, by means of his brother, who writes collected his letters, and-have, at the expense of there. Had it not been for this, I might, per- more time than such a poor fellow as myself can haps, have done something by applying to Fel- very well afford, done what his family are very lowes, the anti-Calvinist, a very interesting man grateful for, and what I think the world will -such a one, indeed, that, though I never met thank me for too. Of course I have done it grahim but once, I could without scruple have writ- tuitously. His life will affect you, for he fairly ten to him. Wonderful to tell, he bears a part died of intense application. Cambridge finished in that Review, though his opinions ate as op- him. When his nerves were already so overposite to Hunt's, and all his other steeple-hunt- strained that his nights were utter misery, they ing whippers-in, as light is to darkness. The gave him medicines to enable him to hold out hostile article I have not seen; one of the ad- during examination for a prize! The horse won, vantages of living here is, that I never see these but he died after the race! Among his letters things till their season is over, and then, like there is a great deal of Methodism: if this prowasps in winter, their power of stinging is at' an cures for the book, as it very likely may, a sale 222 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 33. among the righteous over-much, I shall rejoice the south of England. Our harvests, such as for the sake of his family, for whom I am very they are, are sometimes not in till the end of Ocmuch interested. I have, however, in justice to tober, every thing with us being proportionably myself, stated, in the shortest and most decorous late. manner, that my own views of religion differ " Mrs. Rickman has seen all that water colors widely from his. Still, that I should become, can do for our lakes, in seeing them as delineated and that, too, voluntarily, an editor of methodist- by Glover, who is of all our artists the truest to ical and Calvinistic letters, is a thing which, nature. But I will show her sights beyond all when I think of it, excites the same sort of smile reach of human coloring-such work as nature that the thoughts of my pension does, and I won- herself makes with traveling clouds, and columns der, like the sailor, what is to be done next. of misty sunshine, falling as if from an eye of " Want of room has obliged me to reserve light in Heaven, like that upon Guy Fawkes in most of your letters, which I meant for the lat- the prayer-book. Every point of sight is beauter end of Espriella's remarks;* but when I tiful, and Derwentwater can only be judged by came to the latter end, the printing had got be- a panorama, such as you will have from our boat. yond my calculation of pages so much that I was Do not wait for another year for the sake of infain to stop. I have good hopes of such a sale eluding your Scotch journey. God knows what as may induce my friend to travel again, my own another year may produce, either of good or evil, stock of matter not being half exhausted, nor, in- to both of us. There is always so much chance deed, my design half completed. The book ought of being summoned off on the grand tour of the to be published in a month. Palmerin will ap- universe, that a man ought not, without good pear nearly at the same time, and, perhaps, tend reason, to delay any little trip he may wish to to remove suspicion, if any should subsist. The take first upon our microcosm. * * reception of this book will determine whether it * * * What you say about breeding is to be followed up or not; but if it be, be as- up a boy to understand the Keltic language has sured that you shall have ample revenge upon often been in my mind. Have you seen a good Fuseli. book in reply to Malthus by Dr. Jarrold? This "I know nothing of botany, and every day re- disjointed question comes in, because he shows gret that I do not. It is a settled purpose of my how animals that are the most highly finished are heart, if my children live, to make them good most apt, like looking-glasses, to break in the naturalists. If you come either into Yorkshire making; and I have always the fear of too much or Northumberland, you must not return to the sensorial power in my children so before my south without touching at Greta Hall, and seeing eyes, as never willingly to shape any plan about me in my glory. We have papered the parlor them which might occasion more cause for disthis very day. It is not so fine a room as yours, appointment. How easy would it be for the Mr. Duppa, but it is very beautiful, I assure you London Institution, or any society, to look out -and the masons are at this time making a ceil- promising lads, and breed them up for specific ing to my study-and I have got curtains for it, literary purposes. Should Herbert live, I should the color of nankeen-and there is to be a car- more incline (as more connected with my own pet, and a new fender, and all sorts of things pursuits) to let him pass two or three years in that are proper. Miss Barker tells me she has Biscay, and so procure all that is to be found of seen you. I am in good hope of persuading her Cantabrian antiquity-a distinct stock, I learn, to come down this summer, and if she comes she from the Keltic; but I believe that one part of shall not go till I have a set of drawings for the our population came from those shores, of which parlor. the prevalence of dark hair and dark complex"I want to hear, in spite of great trouble and ions is to me physical proof. Nothing can be so little profit, that you have fixed upon a new sub- little calculated to advance our stock of knowl ject, and are again at work. There is no being edge as our inveterate mode of education, where happy without having some worthy occupation by we all spend so many years in learning so lit in hand. tie. I was from the age of six to that of twenty "Farewell! R. S." learning Greek and Latin, or, to speak more truly, learning nothing else. The little Greek I had To John Rickman, Esq. sleepeth, if it be not dead, and can hardly wake "May 27, 1807. without a miracle, and my Latin, though abund" MY DEAR RICKMAN) ant enough for all useful purposes, would be held "The pleasantest season in the country for in great contempt by those people who regard one who lives in it is undoubtedly the month of the classics as the scriptures of taste. * * blossoms and beauty, when we have not only im- " God bless you! R. S." mediate enjoyment, but summer before us. The best season for seeing a country, and especially Some differences having arisen between the this country, is during the turn of the leaf. Sep- Messrs. Longman and Co. and the editor of the tember and October are our best months. We Edinburgh Review, it was at this time in conhave usually long and delightful autumns, ex- templation to carry on the work under a differtending further into the winter than they do in ent management; and on this supposition they * Mr. Duppa had been furnishing him with some infor- ote to m father, requesting him to furnish mation for this book. them with certain articles " in his best manner," iETAT. 33. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 223 and offering payment at a higher rate than he "Is there not a new edition of Whitehead's had received for the Annual Review. His re- Life of Wesley? If you will send me it, and ply shows that his principle was, " whatsoever with it the life published by Dr. Coke for the conhis hand found to do, to do it with his might."* ference, I will either review it for you, or make The contemplated separation of the editor from a life myself for the Atheneum, having Thompthe Review did not, however, take place, and son's here, and also a complete set of Wesley's the articles were consequently transferred to the journalsy which I have carefully read and marked Annual, my father stating that nothing but the for the purpose. circumstance of the Review having changed " Yours truly, R. SOUTHEY. hands, and their needing a ready writer, would "I hope you will accommodate matters with induce him to have any thing to do with it, dis- Jeffrey; for if there should be two Edinburgh approving as he did the principles upon which it Reviews, or if he should set up another under a was conducted. new title, you would probably be the sufferer, even though yours should manifestly be the best To the Messrs. Longman and Co. -such is the force of prejudice." "June 5, 1807. " DEAR SIRs, The following playful effusion was addressed " I will review the books as soon as they ar- to Hartley Coleridge, who is often referred to in rive, and as well as I can, but I can not do them the earlier letters by the name of Moses, it being better for an Edinburgh Review than for an An- my father's humor to bestow on his little playnual one. There are many articles which are fellows many and various such names. When valued precisely in proportion to the time and those allusions and this letter were selected for labor bestowed upon them, and which, therefore, publication, my cousin was yet among us, and I can be accurately fixed accordingly; these arti- had pleasantly anticipated his half-serious, halfcles are not of that description. The worst re- playful remonstrances for thus bringing his childviewals you have ever had from me have cost hood before the public. Now he is among the me more time and labor than the best. When departed; and those only who knew him intithe subject is good, and I am acquainted with mately can tell how well-stored and large a it, the pen flows freely; otherwise it is tilling an mind has gone with him, much less how kind a ungrateful soil. I can promise you a better re- heart and how affectionate a disposition. He has view of Clavigero than any other person could found his last peaceful resting-place (where Dr. furnish; upon the other books, I will do my best. Arnold so beautifully expresses a wish that he All reviewals, however, which are not seasoned might lie) " beneath the yews of Grasmere either with severity or impertinence, will seem church-yard, with the Rotha, with its deep and flat to those whose palates have been accustomed silent pools, passing by;" but his hame will long to --'s sauce-damnable. be a "living one" among the hill-sides and glens " Some time ago, the Bishop of Llandaff ob- of our rugged country, served to me that few things were more wanted "stern and wild, than a regular collection of translations of the Meet nurse for a poetic child." ancient historians, comprising the whole of them in their chronological order. It is worth think- To Hartley Coleridge. ing of; and if you should think of it, modern "Keswick, June 13, 1807. copyright need not stand in your way. Little- "NEPHEW JOB, bury's Herodotus is better than Beloe's, and Gor- "First, I have to thank you for your letter don's Tacitus far superior to Murphy's. Such a and your poem; and, secondly, to explain why I collection, well annotated, &c., could not fail to have not done this sooner. We were a long sell, and might best be published volume by vol- time without knowing where you were, and, ume; if it were carried to the end of the Byz- when news came from Miss Barker that you antine history, so much the better both for the were in London, by the time a letter could have public and the publishers. This is not a plan in reached you you were gone; and, lastly, Mr. which I could bear any part myself, but it is worth Jackson wrote to you to Bristol. I will now your consideration. compose an epistle which will follow you fur* * * * * * * ther west. "The Spanish Joinville, I fear, perished at "Bona Marietta hath had kittens.; they were Hafod. If, however, by good fortune, it should remarkably ugly, all taking after their father have been returned to you before the fire, have Thomas, who there is reason to believe was eithe goodness to inclose it in the next parcel. I ther uncle or grandsire to Bona herself, the prowait the arrival of one, expected-by every car- hibited degrees of consanguinity which you will rier, to make up a bundle for Dr. Aikin: the rea- find at the end of the Bible not being regarded son is this; one of the books which I sent for im- by cats. As I have never been able to persuade plies by the title that I have been deceived in one this family that catlings, fed for the purpose and of the Omniana articles, and I ordered the book smothered with onions, would be rabbits to all for the sake of ascertaining the truth and cor- eatable purposes, Bona Marietta's ugly progeny reeting the error. no sooner came into the world than they were sent out of it; the river nymph Greta conveyed * Ecclesiastes, ix., 10. them to the river god Derwent; and if neither 224 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 33. the eels nor the ladies of the lake have taken a off that evil habit of quizzing me and calling me fancy to them on their way, Derwent hath con- names: it is not decorous in a woman of her signed them to the Nereids. You may imagine years. them converted into sea-cats by favor of Nep- Remember me to Mr. Poole, and tell him I tune, and write an episode to be inserted in shall be glad when he turns laker. He will find Ovid's Metamorphoses. Bona bore the loss pa- tolerable lodgings at the Hill; a boat for fine tiently, and is in good health and spirits. I fear weather, good stores of books for a rainy day, that if you meet with any of the race of Mrs. and as hearty a shake by the hand on his arrival Rowe's cat at Ottery, you will forget poor Ma- as he is likely to meet with between Stowey and rietta. Don't bite your arm, Job. Keswick. Some books of mine will soon be "We have been out one evening in the boat ready for your father. Will he have them sent -Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Wilson, and the children- any where? or will he pick them up himself and kindled our fire upon the same place where when he passes through London on his way you drank tea with us last autumn. The boat northward? Tell him that I am advancing well has been painted, and there is to be a boat-house in South America, and shall have finished a volbuilt for it. Alterations are going on here upon ume by the end of the year. The Chronicle of a great scale. The parlor has been transmog- the Cid is to go to press as soon as I receive rifled. That, Hartley, was one of my mother's some books from Lisbon, which must first be exwords; your mother will explain it to you. The amined. This intelligence is for him also. masons are at work in my study; the garden is "I am desired to send you as much love as inclosed with a hedge; some trees planted be- can be inclosed in a letter: I hope it will not hind it, a few shrubs, and abundance of currant- be charged double on that account at the posttrees. We must, however, wait till the autumn office; but there is Mrs. Wilson's love, Mr. Jackbefore all can be done that, is intended in the son's, your Aunt Southey's, your Aunt Lovell's, garden. Mr. White, the Belligerent, is settled and Edith's; with a purr from Bona Marietta, in the general's house. Find out why I give an open-mouthed kiss from Herbert, and three him that appellation. wags of the tail from Dapper. I trust thev will "There has been a misfortune in the family. all arrive safe, and remain, We had a hen with five chickens, and a gleed" Dear nephew Job, has carried off four. I have declared war against" Your dutiful uncle, the gleed, and borrowed a gun; but since the "ROBERT SOUTHEY." gun has been in the house, he has never made his appearance. Who can have told him of it? To the Messrs. Longman and Co. Another hen is sitting, and I hope the next brood "June 29, 1807. will be luckier. Mr. Jackson has bought a cow, "DEAR SIRS, but he has had no calf since you left him. Edith "I have been told by persons most capable of has taken your place in his house, and talks to judging, that the old translation of Don Quixote Mrs. Wilson by the hour about her Hartley. She is very beautiful. The book has never fallen in grows like a young giantess, and has a dispo- my way. If it be well translated, the language sition to bite her arm, which, you know, is a of Elizabeth's reign must needs accord better very foolish trick. Herbert is a fine fellow; I with the style of Cervantes than more modern call him the Boy of Basan, because he roars like English would do, and I should think it very a young bull when he is pleased; indeed, he probable that it would be better to correct this promises to inherit his father's vocal powers. than to translate the work anew. As for my "The weather has been very bad —nothing undertaking any translation, or, indeed, any rebut easterly winds, which have kept every thing vision, which might lead to the labor, or half the back. We had one day hotter than had been labor, which Palmerin cost me, it is out of the remembered for fourteen years: the glass was question; but if Mr. Heber can lend you this at 85~ in the shade, in the sun in Mr. Calvert's translation, I will give you my opinion upon it; garden at 118~. The horses of the mail died and I will do for you, if you want it, what you at Carlisle. I never remember to have felt such would find much difficulty in getting done by heat in England, except one day fourteen years any other person-add to a Life of Cervantes an ago, when I chanced to be in the mail-coach, account of all his other writings, and likewise and it was necessary to bleed the horses, or they of the books in Don Quixote's library, as far as would have died then. In the course of three my own stores will reach, and those which we days the glass fell forty degrees, and the wind may find access to, and make such notes upon was so cold and so violent that persons who at- the whole book as my knowledge of the history tempted to cross the Fells beyond Penrith were and literature of Spain can supply. I believe a forced to turn back. new translation has been announced by Mr. -, "Your friend Dapper, who is, I believe, your whose translation of Yriarte proved that either god-dog, is in good health, though he grows he did not understand the original, or that of all every summer graver than the last. This is the translators he is the most impudent. Such prenatural effect of time, which, as you know, has liminaries as these which I propose might fill made me the serious man I am. I hope it will half a volume, or extend to a whole one, just as have the same effect upon you and your mother, might be judged most expedient. It gives me and that, when she returns, she will have left very great pleasure to hear that you have en ETAT. 34. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 225 gaged for a genuine version of the Arabian preliminaries as I formerly statea, and to add Nights, which I consider as one of the greatest notes. desideratums in modern Oriental literature. We " The'Catalogue Raisonne' can not be exehave a number of imitations in our language, cuted by a single person. I could do great part which I am still boy enough to delight in; and of it-probably all except the legal and scientific were you, as the French have done, to publish a departments. Upon this matter I will think, complete collection of them, I, for one, should be and write to you in a few days. glad of the opportunity of buying them. If you "What is this History of South America published them volume by volume, with good which I am told is announced? I am getting prints, like your Theatre, school-boys would take on with my own Brazil and the River Plata, and off half an edition. it is not possible that any man in England can "As the new Joinville is, beyond all compar- have one tenth part of the materials which I ison, the most unreasonably dear book I ever possess for such a work. Were you to see the saw, so is your Holinshed the cheapest; and I manuscripts which I possess, you would be fully shall keep the copy you have sent accordingly. convinced of this, and without seeing them you Dear books may not deter the rich from purchas- can hardly form an estimate of their value and ing, but here is proof for you that cheap ones importance. * * * tempt the poor." Yours truly, R. SOUTHEY." "To-morrow I will make up my parcel for the Athen-eum. At Dr. Aikin's request, I have To the Messrs. Longman and Co. undertaken (long since) the Spanish and Portu- "Sept. 20,1807. guese literary part of his Biography. Some ar- " DEAR SIRS, tides appeared in the last volume, and, few as "I have been considering and reconsidering they are, I suppose they entitle me to it. Will the plan of a Critical Catalogue. On the scale you ask Dr. A. if this be the case? which you propose, it approaches so nearly to "Yours truly, R. SOUTHEY." what we had formerly projected as a complete Bibliotheca Britannica, that I should be loth to To the Messrs. Longman and Co. go so near it and yet stop short. On the pres"August 25, 1807. ent scale (and were you disposed to extend it DEAR SIRS, to the original extent, it would be quite impos"The motives which induced me to propose sible for me till my historical labors are closed),,selling an edition of the Cid may be very soon the opinions given must necessarily be so short, explained. I have been settling myself here in that in most instances the main business would a permanent place of abode, and, in consequence, be to copy title-pages. Now it would take an many unavoidable expenses have been incurred. amanuensis more time ten-fold to hunt out the Among others, that of removing from Bristol a book than to do this; and yet, as you say, my much larger library than perhaps any other man time may be employed more satisfactorily for living, whose means are so scanty, is possessed myself, and probably more to your advantage as of. I thank you for the manner in which you well as my own, than in mere transcription. have objected to purchasing it, and am more "Of the possible size of such a work I can gratified by it than I should have been by your not form even a decent conjecture. Scarce books acceptance. The sale of this book can not be are more numerous than good ones, have longer so doubtful as that of a poem. A part of it shall titles, and require sometimes a long description.. be sent up in a few days, and the sooner it is put Perhaps the best way would be to begin with a to press the better. If it suit you, I should much chronological list of all that have been printed like to let Pople print it. He has not made all before the accession of Henry VIII., when printthe haste he could with Palmerin, but he has ing may be said to have become common. All taken great pains with it; for never had printer these books have a great value from their scara more perplexed copy to follow, and he has city-indeed, their main value-and had better been surprisingly correct. be classed together than under any separate "I do not know what the state of my account heads. A complete list might be furnished by with you is. Mr. Aikin has sent me no returns Mr. Dibdin, who must already have collected all either for this year's reviewing or the last. I the necessary knowledge for his edition of Ames. suppose, however, that the edition of Espriella Mr. Park could supply the poets, and, indeed, will about balance it; and if I may look to you manage the whole better than any other person. for about 0150 between this and the end of the I could give a better opinion of works than he year, my exigencies will be supplied. Mean- could, and believe that I know more of them; time I am desirous that my exertions should be but there is a sort of title-page and colophon proportionate to my wants. The old edition of knowledge-in one word, bibliology-which is Don Quixote, if carefully collated and corrected, exactly what is wanted for this purpose, and in will, I believe, be very superior to any other. which he is very much my superior. The way As soon as the original arrives, with the re- in which I could be best employed would be in mainder of my books, from London, I shall be looking over the MS., adding to it any thing in able to speak decisively; but I have little or no my knowledge, if any thing there might be, doubt but it will prove as I expect. If this be the which had escaped him, and supplying a brief case, I am ready to undertake it, to supply such I criticism where it was wanted, and I could give it. P 226 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JATAT. 34. " Any such assistance I should willingly give; To Messrs. Longmnan and Co. but upon slow and frequent consideration, I cer- "Nov. 13,1807. tainly think the whole may be better executed "DEAR SIRs, in London than here, and by many others than " We have certainly some reason to complain by me, for of all sorts of work, it is that in of Cadell and Davies; poor Cervantes, however, which there must be most transcription, and in has more. a * Their splendid which it will be most inconvenient to employ an edition will be sure to sell for its splendor. I amanuensis. would have made such a work as should have " The extent of such a book will probably be been reprinted after the plates were worn out. wholly immaterial to its sale. None but those I thank you for offering to engage in it, but my who have libraries will buy it, and those may nature is as little disposed to this kind of warfare almost be calculated upon. There will also be as yours; and I have as many plans to execute some sale for it abroad, more than is usual for En- as I shall ever find life to perform. Let it pass. glish books. The one thing in which it seems Morte d'Arthur is a book which I shall edit with possible to improve upon the best catalogue is, by peculiar pleasure, because it has been my delight arranging the books in every subdivision chrono- since I was a school-boy. There is nothing to logically, according to the time when they were be done in it but to introduce it with a preface written. and accompany it with notes. No time need be - * * 7 X X lost. As soon as you can meet with a copy, it " Yours truly, R. SOUTHEY." may be put into Pople's hands; and by the time he has got through it, the introduction and anTo WZalter Scott, Esq. notations will be ready. I will send back Heber's'Keswick, Sept. 27, 1807. books (which I have detained, expecting to use "MY DEAR SIR, them for the D. Quixote). For the Athenaum, "I have desired Longman to send you a copy it will be sufficient to say that I am preparing of Palmerin of England, knowing that you, who an edition of Morte d'Arthur, with an introduclove to read as well as to sing of knights' and tion and notes. gentle ladies' deeds, will not be dismayed at the "I have materials for a volume of Travels in sight of four volumes more corpulent than vol- Portugal, which the expulsion of the English from umes are wont to be in these degenerate days. that country, and the consequent impossibility The romance, though not so good as Amadis, is of my returning there to visit the northern prova good romance, and faur superior to any other of inces, as was my intention, induces me to think the Spanish school that I have yet seen. I know of preparing for the press. In what form are not whether you will think that part of the pref- such works most profitable? If in quarto with ace satisfactory, in which it is argued that Mo- engravings, I can procure some sketches and raes is the author. It is so to myself.- some finished drawings. If you judge it expedit I rejoice to hear that we are to have another ent to reprint my former volume, it must underLay, and hope we nay have as many Last Lays go some corrections; for, though it has pleased of the Minstrel as our ancestors had Last Words the public to receive my first publications far of Mr. Baxter. M fy own lays are probably at an more favorably than my later ones, I am fully end. That portion of my time which I can af- sensible of their faults, and look upon them wXith ford to employ in laborionb for fame is given to sufficient humiliation. historical pursuits; and poetry will not procure "' * - -: * for me any thing more substantial. This motive The D. Quixote shall be returned in my first alone would not, perhaps, wean me from an old parcel. The only reason I have for regretting calling, if I were not grown more attached to that Mr. Balfiur has elbowed me out of an office the business of historical research, and more dis- to which he certainly has no pretensions whatposed to instruct and admonish mankind than to ever is, that I wished to do something, the emoluamuse them. ment of which should be certain, for I can not "The Chrolniele of the Cid is just gone to be anticipating uncertain profits without feeling press-the most ancient and most curious piece some anxiety. I have translations enough alof chivalrous history in existence-a book after most to make a little volume like Lord Strangyour own heart. It will serve as the pro!loue ford's, but then I am not a lord. I have ballads to a long series of labors, of which, nc rwhc ever enou'g for half a volume, but people are more you will take KeS wick in your way to or from ready to ask copies of them now than they would London, I shall be very glad to show you soeo be to buy them; and were I to write as many samples. I am now settled here, and am get. more, according to all likelihood I should not get ting my bookls aibout nme; you will find a boat more by publishing them than any London newsfor fine weather, and a good many out-eof-h- paper would give me for any cnumber of verses, way books for a rainy day. (ood, bad, or indifferent, sold by the yard, and "I beg to be remembered to Mrs. Scott. -without the maker's name to vwarrant them.; Yours very truly, What I feel most desirous to do is to send E sprlioReOB;EtT SOUTIITY." ella a.r)ain on his travels, and so co: plete my (- e sign h but tlhis must not be unless he h its the * It has since been proved that the real author of Pal- f y ot te p fancy of the public. menri was Luis tHr"adio, a Spaniard. See Quartery ly, B. Pt _ view, vol. lxxii., p. 10.; Yours truly R. SOvTrzI JETAT. 34. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 227 To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. toward me, and offer to publish my edition upon "Nov. 15, 1807. our ordinary terms of halving the profits. This, MY DEAR GROSVENOR, however, would not serve my purpose. "I do not know that I should have taken up "My affairs are not in a bad train, except for my pen with the intention of inflicting a letter the present. The profits of the current edition upon you, if it had not been for a suspicion. pro- of Espriella, and of the unborn one of the Cid, duced by your last letter, that you expect me in are anticipated and gone. Those of the SpeciLondon sooner than it is any ways possible for mens, of the small edition of Madoc, and of Palme to be there, and that peradventure, therefore, merin, are untouched. But if the three send me you may think it is not worth while to look after in ~100 at the end of the year's sale, it will be my pension till I arrive in proper person to re- more than I expect. The first volume of Brazil ceive it. Now, Mr. Bedford, touching this mat- will be ready for the press next summer. I think ter there are two things to be said. My going also of publishing my travels in Portugal, for to London seems to me no very certain thing. which good materials have long lain by me, and It depends something on my uncle's movements, we are now talking of editing Morte d'Arthur. of whose arrival from Lisbon I daily expect to Reviewing comes among the ordinaries of the hear; and, of;ourse, if I go, my journey must be year; in my conscience I do not think any body so timed as to meet him. It depends, also, some- else does so much and gets so little for it. thing on my finances; and I begin to think that Have I told you that my whole profits upon I can not atford the expense of the journey, for I Madoc up to Midsummer last amount to ~25? have had extraordinary goings-out this year in and the whole it is likely to be, unless the resettling myself, and no extraordinary comings-in maining 134 copies be sold as waste paper. to counterbalance them. The Constable is a' I shall do yet; and if there be any thing like leaden-heeled rascal, and if I do not take care, a dispirited tone in this letter, it is more because will be left confoundedly behind. I must work my eyes are weak than for any other cause. It like a negro the whole winter to set things right, is likely that Espriella will bear me out-I must and the nearer the time for my projected journey be more than commonly unlucky ifit does notapproaches, the less likely is it that I can spare and if it does not, I will seek more review elmit. My object in going would be to consult cer- ployment, write in more magazines, and scribble tain books for the preliminaries and notes for the verses for the newspapers. As long as I can Cid; and these books I should assuredly feel my- keep half my time for labors worthy of myself self bound to consult if it required no other sacri- and of posterity, I shall not feel debased by sacrifices than those of time and trouble. But if the ficing the other, however unworthily it may be necessary expense can not prudently and justi- employed. You will say, why do you not write fiably be afforded, I must be content to do the for the stage The temptations, to it are so best I can, which wvill be quite good enough to strong, and I have made the resolution so often, satisfy every body except myself. In the second that not to have done it yet is good proof of a place, if you can, by any i;ntcr-st, get my pension self-conviction that it would not be done well; paid, I pray you exort it. I foresee that I shall besies, I have not leisure from plresent urgeiocies. be kept in hot water by it till I am lucky enough' Nowv do not fancy me bent double like the to get some little prize in the lottery of lie, which Pilgrim, under this load upon my back; I am as will enable me to wait without inconvenience for bolt upright as ever, and in as wholesome good arrears. At present, the only chance for this is spirits, and, as soon as this letter is folded and in the sale of Espriella. Should that go through sent of, shall go on with reviewing Buchanan's two or three editions, it will set me fairly afloat. Travels, and forget every thing except what I " I thought to have brtso;ught up my lee-wNay by Iknow concerning Mal:tbar. doing a specific piece of job-work, of which I God bless you! R. S." have been rather unhandsomely disappointed. The story is simply this: Smirke has projeeted To Richard reber, Esq. a splendid edition of Don Quixote with Cadell " eswvick, Nov., I 1, 07. and Davies. They proposed to Longman to take MY DEAR SIR, a share in it, and he was authorized by them to'I am now about to edit Miorte d"'Arthur. ask me to translate it. While I was correspond- My Round-table know ledge is as exiensive as ingr with them upson the fitness of revising the that of any, perhaps, but my iRound-table libra-rv first translation in preference, and forming such is scanty: of old bools it contains none except a plan for prelimin rie and annotations as woiuld the English G-eoT-rey of.ninouh aind tl t-o have nmasde a gr-eat body of Spanish learning!, loig Poems of Lui-i Alemanrni. M ly plln i, t, Ctadell and DaIieDs, unklrnovn to them, struik a gi ve the history of Arthur, andt collect, by tih,barg(ain with a MJr. Balfour, who o is n maore ll aidl of Turner, Owen, and Edward W illia., all to tratnsla te Don Quiote than he would have been that the relsh themselves ecn Sulppl'r and the to write it. Thi:'5 is s me. islaprpopintmenti to me, the crlicil'bio-liogrphy of the Rui-nd Tab's. as I should have oben paid a sp eific sum Tor my The notes willl refer to othe originals fi'omC.'-l vwork, and could have calculated upon it. Te this delightful book has been c-mpiled, ad i- iv: Lonigans behave aas they oulht o do in th a ll. the illustratiols that I can supply. Oinc business. They re'lruse to t:k'e rany ra 1r"le in tit more, therclfro, I must beg your ass:istance, andi wor in -onseIuence o' this',' orn ask you to sc;d me as many books as yo ou hae 228 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 34. which bear upon this subject. A Mr. Goldsmid that sum, simply by writing anonymously, and sent me a list of his romances some time ago, doing what five hundred trading authors could and his collection will probably contain what do just as well. This is the worst which can yours may want. Will you add to them your befall me. copy of Oviedo's History of the New World? Old John Southey dealt unjustly by me; but " The printer's copy of Palmerin was, I hope, it was what I expected, and his brother will, returned to you, according to your desire and my without doubt, do just the same. In case of directions. It will show you that I am not an Lord Somerville's death without a son, a consididle editor, whatever those unhappy Specimens erable property devolves to me or my representmay have induced you to think. Should this atives-encumbered, however, with a lawsuit Palmerin sell, I would gladly follow it with the to recover it; and, as I should be compelled to third part, if the original could be procured; but enter into this, I have only to hope his lordship the only chance of meeting with one would be will have the goodness to live as long as I do in the king's library, and there, of course, it and save me fiom the disquietude which this would be useless. would occasion. I used to think that the repu "I have many things in hand. The Chroni- tation which I should establish would ultimately cle of the Cid will be likely to please you. It turn to marketable account, and that my books will soon be followed by the History of Brazil, would sell as well as if they were seasoned with and that by the other part of the History of Por- slander or obscenity. In time they will-it will tugal and its Conquests. With poetry I must not be in my time. I have, however, an easy have done, unless I could afford another Madoc means of securing some part of the advantage to for five-and-twenty pounds, which is all that it my family, by forbearing to publish any more has pleased the public to let me get by it. I corrected editions during my lifetime, and leav feel some pride in having done well, but it is ing such corrections as will avail to give a sec more than counterbalanced by the consciousness ond lease of copyright, and make any book-sell that I could do better, and yet am never likely er's editions of no value. As for my family, I to have an opportunity. St. Cecilia herself could have no fears for them; they would find friendk not have played the organ if there had been no- enough when I am gone; and having this confi body to blow the bellows for her. Drafts upon dence, you may be sure that there is not a light posterity will not pass for current expenses. My er-hearted man in the world than myself. poems have sold exactly in an inverse ratio to " Basta-or, as we say in Latin, Ohe jam their merit; and I can not go back to boyhood, satis est. My eyes are better, which I attribute and put myself again upon a level with the taste to an old velvet bonnet of Edith's, convertec of the book-buying readers. My numerous plans without alteration into a most venerable study and collections for them will figure away when ing cap for my worship: it keeps my ears warm I am dead, and afford excellent occasion for ex- and I am disposed to believe that having the elamations of edifying regret from those very sides of my head cold, as this Kamtschatka persons who would have traduced what they will weather needs must make it, affected the eyes. think it decorous to lament. Mr. Bedford, you may imagine what a venera"You will see, in the preface to Palmerin, ble, and, as the French say, penetrating air this that I have tracked Shakspeare, Sydney, and gives me. Hair, forehead, eyebrows, and eyes Spenser to Amadis of Greece, I have an im- are hidden; nothing appears but nose; but that perfect copy of Florisel of Nequea, the next in is so cold that I expect every morning when I the series, and there I find the mock execution get out of bed to see the snow lie on the summit of Pamela and Philoclea, and Amoret with her of it. This complaint was not my old Egyptian* open wound. plague, but pure weakness, which makes what "Yours very truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY." I have said probable. * * x * " We had an interesting guest here a few To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. evenings ago, who came to visit Tom-Captain "Keswick, Nov. 24, 1807. Guillem, Nelson's first lieutenant at Trafalgar, "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, a sailor of the old Blake and Dampier breed, who " Mine is a strong spirit, and I am very de- has risen from before the mast, was in Duncan's sirous that you should not suppose it to be more action, and at Copenhagen, &c. He told us more severely tried than it is. The temporary incon- of Nelson than I can find time to write. * * venience which I feel is solely produced by un- * * * * * * * avoidable expenses in settling myself, which will "God bless you!. S." not occur again; and if Espriella slides into a good sale, or if one edition of our deplorable To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. Specimens should go off, I shall be floated into "Dec 5, 1807. smooth water. Bear this in mind, also, that I "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, can command an income, fully equivalent to all " * * * * * * my wants, whenever I choose to write for money, Our Fathers inform me that about 300 copies of and for nothing else. Our Fathers in the Row Espriella remain unsold, and that probably it would finrl me task-work to any amount which would be expedient to begin reprinting it in I might wish to undertake, and I could assuredly I migrht'ish to undertake, and I could assuedly A species of ophthalmia, from which he formerly suf. smake o300 a year as easily as I now make half fered. ETAT. 34. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 229 about a month. You may have heard or seen terms of the Edinburgh Review are ten guineas that D. Manuel has a friend in the Courier and per sheet, and will shortly be advanced considin the Morning Post. This is Stuart's doing, erably. I question if the same unpleasant sort who will befriend him still more by giving me of work is any where else so well compensated. some facts for what further is to be added to The only reason which occurs to me as likely to complete the object of the book. As for the prevent your rendering the Edinburgh some critSpecimens, I am perfectly satisfied that it will ical assistance, is the severity of the criticisms be very easy to metamorphose them into a good upon Madoc and Thalaba. I do not know if book, if ever there should be a second edition. this will be at all removed by my assuring you, "I have seen only one reviewal of it, which as I do upon my honor, that Jeffrey has, notwas in the Monthly Magazine some months ago, withstanding the flippancy of these attacks, the and then the author contrived to invalidate all most sincere respect both for your person and the censure which he had cast upon it by abusing talents. The other day I designedly led the conme in toto as a blockhead, coxcomb, &c., &c. versation on that subject, and had the same rea" I am a good deal surprised at your saying son I always have had to consider his attack as that the dunces of 1700 were like the dunces of arising from a radical difference in point of taste, 1800. Surely you have said this without think- or, rather, feeling of poetry, but by no means ing what you were saying: they are as different from any thing approaching either to enmity or as the fops of the two periods. You are wrong, a false conception of your talents. I do not also, in your praise of Ellis's book: his is a very think that a difference of this sort should prevent praiseworthy book, as far as matter of fact, his- you, if you are otherwise disposed to do so, from tory, and arrangement go; but the moment that carrying a portion, at least, of your critical laends, and the series of specimens begins, all bors to a better market than the Annual. Pray views of manner, and all light of history, disap- think of this; and, if you are disposed to give pear, and you have little else than a collection your assistance, I am positively certain that I of amatory pieces selected with little knowledge can transact the matter with the utmost delicacy and less taste. toward both my friends. I am certain you may * * -* * * * * add ~100 a year, or double that sum, to your "Captain Guillem is at home in the Isle of income in this way, with almost no trouble; and, Man, having realized from ten to fifteen thousand as times go, that is no trifle." pounds. He has no chance of being employed, In this letter (which is published in Sir Walhaving no interest to get a ship, and, what is ter Scott's Life) he speaks also of his intention of better, no wish to have one. Yet he is precisely publishing a small edition of the Morte d'Arthur, such a man as ought to be employed-a true- which, as the reader has seen, was ground albred English sailor. Let him be at sea forty ready preoccupied by my father, who, in his reyears, and there would be no mutiny on board ply, explains this, as well as answers at length his ship; boy-captains are the persons who make his friend's proposal. mutinies. Oh, Grosvenor Bedford, what a pamphlet would I write about the navy if my brother To Walter Scott, Esq. were not in it! "K eswick, Dec. 8, 1807. "I do not send you Henry White's Remains, "MY DEAR SCOTT, because, though as many copies were offered me "I am very much obliged to you for the offer as I should choose to take, I declined taking any which you make concerning the Edinburgh Remore than one for myself. I hope they will sell, view, and fully sensible of your friendliness, and and believe so; his piety will recommend the the advantages which it holds out. I bear as book to the Evangelicals, and his genius to men little ill-will to Jeffrey as he does to me, and atof letters. tribute whatever civil things he has said of me " God bless you! R. S." to especial civility, whatever pert ones (a truer epithet than severe would be) to the habit which My father's acquaintance with Sir Walter he has acquired of taking it for granted that the Scott, commenced by the short visit he had made critic is, by virtue of his office, superior to every to Ashestiel in the autumn of 1805, and con- writer whom he chooses to summon before him. tinned, as we have seen, by letter, now began to The reviewals of Thalaba and Madoc do in no assume a closer character, and, through his degree influence me. Setting all personal feelfriendly mediation, some overtures were now ings aside, the objections which weigh with me made to him to take service in the corps of his against bearing any part in this journal are these: opponent Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh Review. I have scarcely one opinion in common with it " As you occasionally review," Sir Walter wrote upon any subject. Jeffrey is for peace, and is to him at this time (November, 1807), " will you endeavoring to frighten the people into it: I am forgive my suggesting a circumstance for your for war as long as Bonaparte lives. He is for consideration, to which you will give exactly the Catholic emancipation: I believe that its immedegree of weight you please? I am perfectly diate consequence would be to introduce an Irish certain that Jeffrey would think himself both priest into every ship in the navy. My feelings happy and honored in receiving any communica- are still less in unison with him than my opintions which you might send him, choosing your ions. On subjects of moral or political importbooks and expressing your own opinions. The ance, no man is more apt to speak in the very 230 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF YETAT.34. gall of bitterness than I am, and this habit is ritanical stickler for correctness, or fastidious likely to go with me to the grave; but that sort about any faults except this own. The best artof bitterness in which he indulges, which tends ists, both in poetry and painting, have produced directly to wound a man in his feelings, and in- the most. Give me more lays, and correct them jure him in his fame and fortune (Montgomery at leisure for after editions-not laboriously, but is a case in point), appears to me utterly inex- when the amendment comes naturally and uncusable. Now, though there would be no ne- sought for. It never does to sit down doggedly cessity that I should follow this example, yet ev- to correct. cry separate article in the Review derives au- " The Cid is about half through the press, and thority from the merit of all the others; and, in will not disappoint you. It is much in the lanthis way, whatever of any merit I might insert guage of Amadis, both books having been writthere would aid and abet opinions hostile to my ten before men began to think of a fine style. own, and thus identify me with a system which This is one cause why Amadis is so far superior I thoroughly disapprove. This is not said hasti- to Palmerin. There are passages of a poet's ly. The emolument to be derived from writing feeling in the Cid, and some of the finest circumat ten guineas a sheet, Scotch measure, instead stances of chivalry. I expect much credit fronm of seven pounds, Annual, would be considerable; this work. the pecuniary advantage resulting from the dif-: To recur to the Edinburgh Review, let me ferent manner in which my future works would once more assure you that, if I do not grievous.. be handled, probably still more so. But my ly deceive myself, the criticisms upon my own moral feelings must not be compromised. To poems have not influenced me; for, however unJeffrey as an individual I shall ever be ready to just they were, they were less so, and far less show every kind of individual courtesy; but of uncourteous, than what I meet with in other Judge Jeffrey of the Edinburgh Review I must journals; and, though these things injure me ever think and speak as of a bad politician, a materially in a pecuniary point of view, they worse moralist, and a critic, in matters of taste, make no more impression upon me than the bite equally incompetent and unjust. of a sucking flea would do upon Garagantua.' Your letter was delayed a week upon the The business of reviewing, much as I have done road by the snow. I wish it had been written in it myself; I disapprove of, but, most of all. so>oner, and had traveled faster, or that I had when it is carried on upon such a system as Jefcommunicated to you my own long-projected frey's. The judge is criminal who acquits the edition of Morte d Arthur. I am sorry to have guilty, but he is far more so who condemns the forestalled you. and you are the only person whom innocent. In the Annual I have only one coadjuI should be sorry to forestall in this case, because tor, all the other writers being below contempt. you are the only person who could do it certain- In the Edinburgh I should have had many with ly as well, and perhaps better, with less labor whom I should have felt it creditable to myself than myself. My plan is to give the whole bib- to have been associated, if the irreconcilable difliology of the Round Table in the preliminaries, ference which there is between Jeffrey and myand indicate the source of every chapter in the self upon every great principle of taste, moralinotes. ty, and policy did not occasion an irremovable' The reviewal of Wordsworth I am not likely difficulty. Meantime, I am as sincerely obliged to see, the Edinburgh very rarely lying in my to you as if this difference did not exist, and I way. My own notions respecting the book agree could have availed myself of all its advantages, in the main with yours, though I may probably to the importance of which I am fully sensible. go a step further than you in admiration. There " I am very curious for your Life of Dryden, are certainly some pieces there which are good that I may see how far your estimate of his mcrfor nothing (none, however, which a bad poet its agrees with my own. In the way of editinli. could have written), and very many which it was we want the yet unpublished metrical romances highly injudicious to publish. That song to Lord from the Auchinleck MS., of which you have Clifford, which you particularize, is truly a noble just given such an account as to whet the pubpoem. The Ode upon Pre-existence is a dark lie curiosity, and a collection of the Scotch poets. subject darkly handled. Coleridge is the only K. James, who is the best, has not been well edman who could make such a subject luminous. ited; Blind Harry but badly Dunbar, and many The Leech-gatherer is one of my favorites; there others, are not to be procured. Your name would he has caught Spenser's manner, and, in many make such a speculation answer, however exof the better poemets, has equally caught the tensive the collection might be. I beg nmy rebest manner of old Wither, who, with all his long speets to Mrs. Scott, and am, fits of dullness and prosing, had the heart and "Yours very truly, soul of a poet in him. The sonnets are in a grand ROBERT SOUTIIEY.' style. I only wish Dundee had not been mentioned. James Grahame and I always call that man Claverhouse, the name by which the devils CHAPTER XIV. know him below. Marmion is expected as impatiently by me BRAZILIAN AFFAIRS-DISLIKE OF LEAVING HOME as he is by ten thousand others. Believe me, -CONDEMNS THE IDEA OF MAKING PEACE WITI Scott, no man of real genius was ever yet a pu- BONAPARTE-TISE INQUISITION-TIE SALE OP iETAT.34. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 231 HIS WORKS-GRATEFUL FEELINGS TOWARD MR. speak the language of cats, dogs, cuckoos, and COTTLE-THOUGHTS ON THE REMOVAL OF HIS jackasses, &c., before he can Atticulate a word BOOKS TO KESWICIK-M-EETING WITHI THE AU- of his own-there is such a comfort in all these THOR OF GEBIR-REMARKS ON MSARIION-PO- things, that transportation to London for four or LITICAL OPINIONS-KEHAMA —IIS POSITION AS five weeks seems a heavier punishment than any AN AUTHOR —ON IETERS-POPULATION OF sins of mine deserve. Nevertheless, I shall be SPAIN-CONDUCT OF THE FRENCH AT LISBON- heartily glad to see Grosvenor Bedford, provided REMARKS ON DISEASES-PHYSICAL PECULIARI- Grosvenor Bedford does not look as if his liver TIES-SPANISH. AFFAIRS-PRESENT OF BOOKS were out of order. 8 * - 0 * FROM MR. NEVILLE WHITE-ACCOUNT OF FLOAT- "God bless you! R. S.' ING ISLAND IN DERWENTWATER-HE PREDICTS THE DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH IN THE PENIN- To Walter Scott, Esq. SULA-PORTUGUESE LITERATURE-INFANCY OF "Keswick, Feb. 11, 1808. HIS LITTLE BOY —POETICAL DREAMS-CHRONI- "MY DEAR SCOTT, CLE OF THE CID-DOUBTS ABOUT GOING TO I should long ago have thanked you for your SPAIN-ANECDOTE OF AN IRISH DUEL-LITER- offer of Sir Lancelot, but as I had written to ARY EMPLOYIMENTS-ADVICE TO A YOUNG AU- Heber requesting from him all his Round-table TIOR-THE CONVENTION OF CINTRA-SPANISH books, I waited, or rather have been waiting, to BALLADS-POLITICS OF THE EDINBURGH RE- see whether or not it would be among them. It VIEW-THE QUARTERLY REVIEW SET ON FOOT is above two months since news came that He-THE CHRONICLE OF THE CID-KEHAMA- ber would look them out for nme; but as they ARTICLES IN THE QUARTERLY REVIEW-SPAN- are not yet arrived, and my appearance in LonISHi AFFAIRS.-1808. don has been expected for the last two or three weeks, it is probable that he is waiting to let me To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. look them out for myself. I go for London next "Jan. 11, 1808. week, my family having just been increased by "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, the birth of another girl-an event for which I,5 - - *, X *', have been waiting. I have seen both the Scotch and the more ras- "Wordsworth has completed a most masterly cally British Reviews of our Specimens-both poem upon the fate of the Nortons; two or three a good deal worse than the book itself, which lines in the old Ballad of the Rising in the North is a great consolation; for they have really not gave him the hint. The story affected me more discovered its defects, and have imputed faults deeply than I wish to be affctecd; young readto it which it does not possess. If the first edi- ers, however, will not object to the depth of the tion carr be got off, I will make it a curious and distress-and nothing was ever more ably treatgood book. ed. He is looking, too, for a narrative subject "How soon I may see you, Heaven knows: to be pitched in a lower key. I have recomthe sooner the better. My uncle is in town, mended to him that part of Amadis wherein he and applications are made to him from all quar- appears as Beltenebros-which is what Bernardc ters for that information which Lord G. rejected Tasso had originally chosen, and which is in itlast year, as relating to the zorong side of South self as complete as could be desired. This reAmerica-a strong fact, between you and I, minds me that to-day I met with the name of against his statesmanship. I am in hopes he Amadis as a Christian name in Portugal, in the will draw up an account of the present state of age between Lobeira and Montaloo. Having Brazil (which no other person living can do so found Oriana, Briolania, Grimanesa, and Lisuarte well), while I proceed with the history. This there before, they may be looked upon as five removal of the Braganza family is a great event, good witnesses that the story is originally Portthough it has been done not merely without that uguese. dignity which might have been given to it, but "My Chronicle of the Cid is printed, and waits even meanly ard pitifully. * *, for the introduction and supelerogatory notes. Still, the event itself is a great one; and if I both which will be of considerable length, and could transfuse into you all the recollections, must be completed at Holland House, where 1 &c., which it brings with it to me, you would shall find exactly those books which were out of, feel an interest in it which it is not very easy to reach of my means. The History of Brazil will describe. be in the press as soon- as this is out of it. What "I am hard at work, and shall be able to send an epoch in history will this emigration of the my first volun:e to press as soon as I return Braganzas prove, if we are not frightened by, from London. Meanwhile, the thought of the cowardly politicians into making peace, and ca. journey plagues me-the older I grow the more joling them back again to Portugal! Such men, do I dislike going from home. Oh dear! oh as these have long since extinguished all politidear! there is such a comfort in one's old coat cal morality and political honesty among us, and:: and old shoes, one's own chair and own fireside, now they would extinguish national honor, which. one's own writing-desk and own library, with a is all we have left to suppy their place! My little girl climbing up to my neck, and saying, politics would be, to proclaim to France and to' Don't go to London, papa; you must stay with the world that England will never make peace Edith;' and a little boy, whom I have taught to with Napoleon Bonaparte, because he has proved. 232 LIFE AND CO/RRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 34, himself to be one whom no treaties and no ties can alter not, notwithstanding the spiders spin their bind, and still more because he is notoriously a webs so securely over whole piles of Mladoc and murderer, with whom it is infamous to treat. Send Thalaba. l * this language into France, and let nothing else I am strongly moved by the spirit to mako go into it that our ships can keep out, and the an attack upon Jeffrey along his whole inc, beFrench themselves would, in no very long time, ginning with his politics. Stuart would not be rid the world of a tyrant. The light of Prince displeased to have half a dozen letters. Nothing Arthur's shield would bring Orgoglio to the but the weary work it would be to go through ground. God bless you! his reviews for the sake of collecting the blun" Yours very truly, R. SOUTHEY." ders in them, prevents me. He, and other men who are equally besotted and blinded by party, To S. T. Coleridge, Esq. will inevitably frighten the nation into peace, Feb. 12, 1808. the only thing which can be more mischievous "MvY DEAR COLERIDGE, and more dishonorable than our Danish expedi"De Oriine et Progressu Officii S. Inquisi- tion. I wish to God you would lift up your tionis, ejusque dignitate et utilitate, Antone Lu- voice against it. Alas! Coleridge, is it to be dovico a Panamo, Boroxense, Archidiaconio et wondered at that we pass for a degenerated race, Canonico Legionense.... 1598, folio. The when those who have the spirit of our old worbook is in the Red Cross Street Library. I read thies in them let that spirit fret itself away in it six years ago, and sent up an account of it silence? within the last six weeks for Dr. Aikin's Biog- " Lamb's book I have heard of, and know not raphy, where it will be in villainously bad com- what it is. If co-operative labor were as pracpany. You will find there that God was the ticable as it is desirable, what a history of Enfirst Inquisitor, and that the first Auto da F6 glish literature might he, and you, and I set was held upon Adam and Eve. You will read forth! * * X ~ enough to show you that Catholic writers defend " God bless you! R. S." the punishment of heretics, and quite sufficient to make your blood run cold. I have the His- To Joseph Cottle, Esq. tory of the Portuguese Inquisition to write, and "Greta Hall, April 20, 1808. look on to the task with absolute horror. I am "MY DEAR COTTLE, decidedly hostile to what is called Catholic " On opening a box to-day, the contents of Emancipation, as I am to what is called peace. which I had not seen since the winter of 1799, " I have had a correspondence with Clarkson your picture made its appearance. Of all Robert concerning the best mode of publishing my Bra- Hancock's performances it is infinitely the best. zilian history; and what he points out as the best I can not conceive a happier likeness. I have plan is little better than the half-and-half way, been thinking of you and of old times ever since and involves a great deal of trouble, and, what it came to light. I have been reading your Fall is worse, a great deal of solicitation. I am a of Cambria, and in the little interval that rebad trading author, and doomed always to be so, mains before supper must talk to you in reply to but it is not the bookseller's fault; the public do your letter. not buy poetry unless it be made fashionable "What you say of my copyrights affected me mine gets reviewed by enemies who are always very much. Dear Cottle, set your heart at rest more active than friends; one reviewer envies on that subject. It ought to be at rest. These me, another hates me, and a third tries his hand were yours, fairly bought, and fairly sold. You upon me as fair game. Thousands meantime bought them on the chance of their success, read the books, but they borrow them; even which no London bookseller would have done; those persons who are what they call my friends, and had they not been bought, they could not and who know that I live by these books, never have been published at all. Nay, if you had buy them themselves, and then wonder that they not purchased Joan of Are, the poem never do not sell. Espriella has sold rapidly, for which would have existed, nor should I, in all probabilI have to thank Stuart; the edition is probably ity, ever have obtained that reputation which is by this time exhausted. and, I verily believe, the capital on which I subsist, nor that power half the sale must be attributed to the puffs in which enables me to support it. the Courier. The sale of a second edition would " But this is not all. Do you suppose, Cottle,;right me in Longman's books. Puff me, Cole- that I have forgotten those true and most esseniridge! if you love me, puff me! Puff a couple tial acts of friendship which you showed me *of hundreds into my pocket! when I stood most in need of them? Your " As for the booksellers, I am disposed to dis- house was my house when I had no other. The Atinguish between Longman and Tradesman na- very money with which I bought my wedding. lture (setting human nature out of the question): ring and paid my marriage fees was supplied by now Tradesman nature is very bad, but Long- you. It was with your sisters I left Edith durman nature is a great deal better, and I am in- ing niy six months' absence, and for the six f^,i~~ _a lying divination," and also as boldly enunciating those principles which they were endeavorCHAPTER XXII. ina with heart and soul to undermine and destroy. Moved, doubtless; by some feelings of the kind, SURREPTITIOUS PUBLICATION OF WAT TYLER I,, t an attempt was now made by certain persons CONSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS —IS ATTACKED IN CONSEQ oj- COMuON /^ (and eagerly taken up by others) to annoy and THE HOUSE OF COMMONS BY WILLIAM SMITH1. -OFFER OF A LU E A T C- injure him, which need only to be related to char— OFFER OF A LUCRATIVE APPOINTMENT CON- acterize itself, without requiring the use of strong NECTED WITH THE TIMES NEWSPAPER —TOUR a n language on my part-an attempt, the chief IN SWITZERLAND-LETTERS FROM THENCE- - J, effect of which was to increase his notoriety ACCOUNT OF PESTALOZZI —OF FELLENBERG J more than any other event in his whole life. --— IMPRESSIONS OF THE ENGLISH LAKES ON }IS It appears that in the summer of 1794, when RETTURN —IIIGH OPINION OF NEVILLE WHITE in his twenty-first year, he had thrown off in a — NORFOLK SCENERY —SPECULATIONS ON ANmoment of fiery democracy, a dramatic sketch, OTHER LIFE —LIFE OF WESLEY IN PROGRESS. J entitled Wat Tyler, in which, as might be ex-CURIOUS NEWS FROM THE NORTH POLE- J. IS ON THE DATH O E PRINC CHAR- pected from the subject, the most leveling sentiLINES ON THE DEATH OF THE PRINCESS CHAR- ments were put into the mouths of the dramatis LOTTE —GURE FOR TIHE BITE OF SNAKES. — 1817. personae. MY father's acceptance of the office of poet * Final Memorials of Charles Lamb, vol. ii., p. 130. t Memoirs of William Taylor of Norwich, vol. ii., p B The seat of his friend Humphrey Senhouse, Esq. 461. jETAT. 43. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 347 The MS. of this production was taken up to self and his family as in the very depths of hutown by his brother-in-law, Mr. Lovel, and placed man misery. This is not the only proof I have in a bookseller's hands, Ridgeway by name; and had of a strange opinion that I am overflowing my father happening to go up to town shortly with riches. Poor wretched man, what can I afterward, called upon this person, then in New- do for him! However, I do not like to shut my gate, and he and a Mr. Symonds agreed to pub- ears and my heart to a tale of this kind. Send lish it anonymously. There was also present in him, I pray you, a two-pound note in my name, Ridgeway's apartment a Dissenting minister, by to No. 10 Hercules Buildings, Lambeth; your name Winterbottom. servant had better take it, for fear he should It seems, however, that this intention was have been sent to the work-house before this quickly laid aside, for no proofs were ever sent time. When I come to town, I will seek about to my father; and " acquiescing readily in their if any thing can be done for him. cooler opinion," he made no inquiries concerning "I wrote to Wynn last night to consult him the poem, and took so little thought about it as about Wat Tyler, telling him all the circumnot even to reclaim the MS.; indeed, the whole stances, and desiring him, if it be best to procure circumstance, even at the time, occupied so little an injunction, to send the letter to Turner, and of his thoughts, that I have not been able to find desire him to act for me. Three-and-twenty the slightest allusion to it in his early letters,* years ago the MS. was put into Ridgeway's numerous and wholly unreserved in expression hands, who promised to publish it then (anonyas have been those which have passed through mously, unless I am very much mistaken), and my hands. from that time to this I never heard of it. There In the spring of this year (1817), to my fa- was no other copy in existence except the origther's utter astonishment, was advertised as just inal scrawl, which is now lying up stairs in an published, Wat Tyler, by Robert Southey; the old trunk full of papers. I wish the attorneytime having been seized for doing so, when the general would prosecute the publisher for sediopinions it contained could be most strongly con- tion; this I really should enjoy. Happy are trasted with those the writer then held and ad- they who have no worse sins of their youth to vocated, and when the popular feelingt was ex- rise in judgment against them. actly in that state in which such opinions were "Government are acting like themselves. likely to be productive of the greatest mischief. Could I say any thing more severe? They The first step taken in the matter, with the should have begun with vigor and rigor; and advice of his friends, was to reclaim his property, then, when they had the victory, have made their and to apply for an injunction against the pub- sacrifices ex proprio motu, with a good grace. lisher. The circumstances connected with this, But they ought not, on any account, to have and the manner in which the application was de- touched the official salaries-a thing unjust and feated, will be found in the following letters. unwise, which, instead of currying favor for them with the rabble, will make them despised for their To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. pusillanimity. I have neither pity nor patience "Keswick, Feb. 15,1817. for them. Was ever paper used like this last "MY DEAR G., article has been to please them! They have " Do you remember that twenty years ago a absolutely cut it down to their own exact measletter, directed for me at your house, was car- ure; every thing useful is gone, and every thing ried to a paper-hanger of my name in Bedford original; whatever had most force in it was sure Street, and the man found me out, and put his to be struck out. Of all the practical measures card into my hand? Upon the strength of this upon which I touched, one only has escaped, acquaintance, I have now a letter from this poor and that because it comes in as if by accidentnamesake, soliciting charity, and describing him- the hint about transportation for sedition. If we come out of this confusion without an utter over* In of the reviews of the first volume of this work, it is, i as w s d the nowd remarked (naturally enough) as strange that Wat Tyler is throw, it will be as we escaped te gunpowder not mentioned in the account of his Oxford life, when it plot-not by any aid of human wisdom, and God was written. My reason for the omission was, that there knows we have no right to calculate upon mirabeing no mention of it in the papers or letters relating to that period, its history seemed properly to belong to the cles. The prospect is very dismal; and it is time of its surreptitious publication; especially as, had it provoking to think that nothing is wanting to not been so published, its very existence would never have ~~~~~been known. ~secure us but foresight and courage; but of what t As a proof how well the movers in this business had use is railing, or advising, or taking thought for calculated both the mischief the publication, at such a time, such things 9 I am only a passenger the officers was likely to do, and the annoyance it would probably eng give my father. I may quote the following letter, in which must look to the ship; if she is lost, the fault a play-bill of Wat Tyler was inclosed: rests with them. I have nothing to answer for, To Robert Southey, Esq., Poet Laureate and Pensioner of and must take my share in the wreck with paGreat Britain. "~,Whittington, July 11, 1817. SIR hittingtn 11 1817 Murray offers me a thousand guineas for my "Your truly patriotic and enlightened poem of Wat intended poem in blank verse, and begs it may Tyler was last night presented to a most respectable and crowded audience here, with cordial applause; nor was n there a soul in the theater but as cordially lamented the I rather think the poem will be a post-obit, and sudden deterioration of your principles, intellectual and in that case twice that sum at least may be demoral, whatever might have been the cause thereof. " Yours, JACK STRAW." manded for it. What his real feelings toward 348 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 43. me may be, I can not tell; but he is a happy matter-whether it be better to interfere, or let fellow, living in the light of his own glory. The it take its course. Review is the greatest of all works, and it is all " Yours very truly, R. SOUTHEY." his own creation; he prints 10,000, and fifty times ten thousand read its contents, in the East To C. H. Townshend, Esq. and in the West. Joy be with him and his jour- "Keswick, Feb. 16, 1817. nal. " MY DEAR CHAUNCEY, "It is really amusing to see how the rascals "If there be any evil connected with poetry, attack me about the court, as if I were a regu- it is that it tends to make us too little masters lar courtier, punctual in attendance, perfect in of ourselves, and counteracts that stoicism, or flattery, and enjoying all that favor, for the slight- necessary habit of self-control, of which all of us est portion of which these very rascals would must sometimes stand in need. I do not mean sell their souls, if they had any. Malice never as to our actions, for there is no danger that a aimed at a less vulnerable mark. man of good principles should ever feel his in"God bless you! R. S." clination and his duty altogether at variance. "Longman has just sent me the Resurrection But as to our feelings. You talk of mourning of Sedition. The verses are better than I ex- the loss of your trees, and not enduring to walk pected to find them, which I think you will allow where you were wont to see them. I can unto be a cool philosophical remark." derstand this, and I remember when I was little more than your age saying that To Messrs. Longman and Co.e who does not sometimes wake " Keswick, Feb. 15, 1817. And weep at midnight, is an instrument DEAR SIRS, Of Nature's common work;' " There is, unluckily, a very sufficient reason but the less of this the better. We stand in need for not disclaiming Wat Tyler-which is, that of all that fortitude can do for us in this changeI wrote it three-and-twenty years ago. ful world, and the tears are running down my " It was the work, or rather the sport, of a cheeks when I tell you so. week in the summer of 1794: poor Lovel took "Thomas Clarkson I know well: his book it to London, and put it into Ridgeway's hands, upon Quakerism keeps out of sight all the darker who was then in Newgate. Some weeks after- parts of the picture; their littleness of mind, their ward I went to London and saw Ridgeway about incorrigible bigotry, and their more than popish it; Symonds was with him, and they agreed to interference with the freedom of private actions. publish it (I believe, or rather I am sure, the Have you read his history of the Abolition of the publication was to have been anonymous), and Slave Trade? I have heard it from his own lips, what remuneration I was to have was left to and never was a more interesting story than that themselves, as dependent upon the sale. This of his personal feelings and exertions. I have was the substance of our conversation, for noth- happened in the course of my life to know three ing but words passed between us. From that men, each wholly possessed with a single object time till the present, I never heard of the work: of paramount importance-Clarkson, Dr. Bell, they, of course, upon better judgment, thought it and Owen of Lanark, whom I have only lately better left alone; and I, with the carelessness of known. Such men are not only eminently usea man who has never thought of consequences, ful, but eminently happy also; they live in an made no inquiry for the manuscript. How it atmosphere of their own, which must be more has got to the press, or by whose means, I know like that of the third heaven than of this everynot. day earth upon which we toil and moil. " The motive for publication is sufficiently " I am very ill pleased with public proceedplain. But the editor, whoever he may be, has ings. The present ministry are deficient in every very much mistaken his man. In those times thing except good intentions; and their oppoand at that age, and in the circumstances where- nents are deficient in that also. These resignain I was placed, it was just as natural that I tions ought to have been made during the pressshould be a Republican, and as proper, as that ure of war, uncalled for, when they would have now, with the same feelings, the same principles, purchased popularity. They come now like misand the same integrity, when three-and-twenty erable concessions forced from cowardice, and years have added so much to the experience of reap nothing but contempt and insult for their mankind, as well as matured my own individual reward. Nor ought they at any time to have intellect, I should think revolution the greatest resigned part of their oficial appointments, beof all calamities, and believe that the best way of cause the appointments of office are in every inameliorating the condition of the people is through stance inadequate to its expenses, in the higher the established institutions of the country. departments of state. They should take money " The booksellers must be disreputable men, from the sinking fund, and employ it upon public or they would not have published a work under works, or lend it for private ones, stimulating insuch circumstances. I just feel sufficient anger dividual industry by assisting it with capital, and to wish that they may be prosecuted for sedition. thus finding work for idle hands, and food for "I would write to Turner, if my table were necessitous families. From the same funds they not at this time covered with letters; perhaps, should purchase waste lands, and enable specuif you see him, yonu vili ask his opinion unon thie iators and industriious poor to colonize them; the -ETAT. 43. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 349 property of the lands remaining in the nation, will coincide in their opinion, and, be it what it as a source of certain revenue, improving in pro- may, I shall act accordingly. God bless you! portion to the prosperity of the country. R. S." " God bless you! "Your affectionate friend, R. S." To Sharon Turner, Esq. "Keswick, Feb. 24, 1817. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. "MY DEAR TURNER, "Feb. 19, 1817. "My brother has written to dissuade me " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, strongly from proceeding in this business. My' This poor wretched paper-hanger* has sent own opinion is, that if I do not act now, the men me another letter, because I did not reply to his who have published the work will compel me to first. Men are too prone to take offense at im- do so at last, by inserting my name in such a portunity, finding anger a less uncomfortable manner as to render the measure unavoidable. emotion than pity; this indeed it is; and for that Indeed it was inserted as a paragraph in the reason I scold my wife and my children when Chronicle, which I suppose they paid for as an they hurt themselves. As to this unhappy man, advertisement. Therefore I think it best to take I hope you have sent him the two pounds; it the short and open course, believing that in most will do him very little good, but it is really as cases such courses are the best. However, I much as I can afford to give him for the sake of have sent Harry's letter to Wynn, and, if his arthe name, and a great deal more than I ever got guments convince him, have desired him to let by it. you know. This was done yesterday, and if you " The tide seems to be turning, and if govern- have not heard from him before this reaches you, ment will but check the press they would soon it may be concluded that he thinks it best to proright themselves. In this part of the country I ceed. I suppose there can be no doubt of obhear that travelers (the bagmen) collect their taining the injunction. The statement is permoney more easily than on their last rounds, and fectly accurate; I know not whether it be of any receive more orders. A fellow was selling Cob- use to let you know that at the time the transbett's twopenny Register and other such things action took place I was under age. I was just at Rydal the other day; he was, or appeared to twenty when the poem was written, and saw be, a sailor, and his story -Xas that he was going these booksellers about four months afterward. to Whitehaven, and a gentleman had given him " I fully assent to what you say concerning these to support himself on the road by selling political discussions, and intermeddle with them them. no further than as they are connected not only "In grief and in uneasiness I have often with the future good, but, as appears to me, with caught myself examining my own sensations, as the immediate safety of society. It is not for any if the intellectual part could separate itself from men, or set of men, that I am interested, nor for that in which the affections predominate, and any particular measures. But with regard to stand aloof and contemplate it as a surgeon does the fearful aspect of these times, you may perthe sufferings of a patient during an operation. haps have traced the ground of my apprehenThis I have observed in the severest sorrows sions in Espriella, in the Edinburgh Register, that have ever befallen me, but it in no degree and in the Quarterly, more especially in a paper lessens the suffering; and whenever I may have upon the Poor about four years ago. It is now any serious malady, this habit, do what I may to come to this question, Can we educate the peosubdue it, will tend materially to impede or pre- pie in moral and religious habits, and better the vent recovery. But in petty vexations it has its condition of the poor, so as to secure ourselves use. I was more vexed than I ought to have from a mob-revolution; or has this duty been been about this publication of Wat Tyler; for, neglected so long, that the punishment will overthough I shook off the first thoughts, or, rather, take us before this only remediable means can immediately began to consider it in the right take effect? The papers which I shall write point of view as a thing utterly unimportant, still upon the real evils of society will, I hope, work there was an uneasiness working like yeast in for posterity, and not be wholly forgotten by it; my abdomen, and my sleep was disturbed by it they proceed from a sense of duty, and, that for two nights; by that time it had spent itself, duty discharged, I shall gladly retire into other and I should now think nothing more about it if ages, and give all my studies to the past and all it were not necessary to determine how to act. my hopes to the future. Wynn will find the thing more full of fire and " My spirits, rather than my disposition, have brimstone, perhaps, than he imagines; and yet, undergone a great change. They used to be perhaps, the wiser way will be not to notice it, exuberant beyond those of almost every other but let it pass as a squib. Indeed, I could laugh person; my heart seemed to possess a perpetual about it with any person who was disposed to fountain of hilarity; no circumstances of study, laugh with me. I shall hear from him again to- or atmosphere, or solitude affected it; and the morrow, and probably shall receive a letter from ordinary vexations and cares of life, even when Turner by the same post. Turner has a cool, they showered upon me, fell off like hail from a clear head; I have very little doubt that they pent-house. That spring is dried up; I can not now preserve an appearance of serenity at all See ante, p. 347. times without an effort. and no prospect in this 350 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF lETAT. 43. world delights me except that of the next. My which make men discontented in this country, heart and my hopes are there. and what the means which may tend to heal this "I have a scheme to throw out somewhere foul gangrene in the body politic. Never was for taking the Methodists into the Church, or any paper so emasculated as my last; and yet borrowing from Methodism so much of it as is it was impossible to resent it, for it was done in good, and thereby regenerating the Establish- compassion to the weakness, the embarrassment, ment. There is little hope in such schemes, ex- and the fears of the ministry. They express cept that in process of time they may produce themselves much indebted to me. In reply to some effect. But were it effected now, and their intimations of a desire to show their sense would the Church accept the volunteer services of this, I have pressed a wish that Tom be reof lay coadjutors, I should feel strongly inclined membered when there is a promotion in the navy. to volunteer mine. This is a dream, and I fear For myself, I want nothing, nor would I, indeed, the whole fabric will fall to pieces even in our accept any thing. They give me credit for a days. reasonable share of foresight, and perhaps wish "Believe me, that my advice had been taken four years ago. "Yours with affection and esteem, "God bless you! R. S." "ROBERT SOUTHEY." It was now decided, upon the advice of his To the Rev. Herbert Hill. legal friends, that application should be made to "Keswick, Feb. 28, 1817. the Court of Chancery* for an injunction to reMY DEAR UNCLE, strain the publication of Wat Tyler. This was "Your copies of Brazil are, I hope, by this done, but without success, upon the singular time delivered at the doctor's, and in a day or ground that as the work was calculated to do an two I shall send the third volume to the press; for injury to society, the author could not reclaim if I should only get through a single chapter be- his property in it. This, which would seem a fore my journey, it will be so much gained. just decision in the case of the piracy of an imMy movements will be upon a wide scale. I moral, blasphemous, or seditious work, applies purpose to start for London the second week in very differently in the case of a publication, set April, and, if you are then in Hampshire, to run forth without the consent or knowledge of the down to you for a week, as soon as I have rest- author, and apparently gives liberty to any scouned myself, and shaken hands with Bedford and drel to plunder a man's writing-desk, and send Rickman; and on May-day, or as soon after as forth to the public any chance squibs he may my companions can be ready, I start with Sen- have thrown off in an idle hour for the amusehouse to Netherhall, and my former compagnon ment of his friends. de voyage, Nash, for the Continent. From six These fellows must have reaped a rich harvest weeks to two months is to be the length of our by their roguery, 60,000 copies being said to furlough, during which we mean to get as far as have been sold at the time. Lago Maggiore and Milan, back over the Alps a second time, and, seeing as much as we can of To the Editor of the Courier. Switzerland, to return by way of the Rhine, and " In Courier, March 17, 1817. reach home as early as possible in July. " SIR, "I learn from to-day's Courier that Brougham " Allow me a place in your columns for my attacked me in the House of Commons. I hope'last words' concerning Wat Tyler. this affair will give no friend of mine any more " In the year 1794, this manuscript was placed vexation than it does me. Immediately upon by a friend of mine (long since deceased) in Mr. seeing the book advertised, I wrote to Wynn and Ridgeway's hands. Being shortly afterward in to Turner, giving them the whole facts, and pro- London myself for a few days, I called on Mr. posing to obtain an injunction in Chancery. How * The following was Lord Eldon's judgment upon this they will determine I do not know. Perhaps, case: " I have looked into all the affidavits and have read as Brougham has thus given full publicity to the the book itself. The bill goes the length of stating that n..... - 1., |hn -.dial. po the work was composed by Mr. Southey in the year 1794; thing, they may not think it advisable to pro- that it is his own production, and that it has been pubceed, but let it rest, considering it, as it really is, lished by the defendants without his sanction or authorof no importance. Men of this stamp, who live ity; and, therefore, seeking an account of the profits which have arisen from, and an injunction to restrain, the pubin the perpetual fever of faction, are as little ca- lication. I have examined the cases that I have been able pable of disturbing my tranquillity as they are of to meet with containing precedents for injunctions of this nature, and I find that they all proceed upon the ground understanding it. of a title to the property in the plaintiff. On this head a "I have just finished the notes and preface to distinction has been taken to which a considerable weight the Morte d'Arthur, a thing well paid for. For of authority attaches, supported as it is by the opinion of the MI!orte d'Arthur, a thing well paid for. For o uLord Chief-justice Eyre, who has expressly laid it down, the next Quarterly, I have to review Mariner's that a person can not recover in damages for a work Tonga Islands (including a good word for our which is in its nature calculated to do an injury to the pubf rnd thelap n tin*)ad wr lic. Upon the same principle, this court refised an infriend the captain*), and to write upon the Re- juncon nin the case of Walcot (Peter Pinder) v. Walker, port of the Secret Committees; but I shall fly inasmuch as he could not have recovered damages in an from the text, and, sa g as le as my be action. After the fullest consideration, I remain of the from the text, and, saying as little as may be same opinion as that which I entertained in deciding the upon the present, examine what are the causes cases referred to. Taking all the circumstances into my consideration, it appears to me that I can not grant this * Captain, afterward Admiral, Burney, who published injunction until after Mr. Southey shall have established a collection of voyages in the South Seas. his right to the property by action." Injunction refused. iETAT. 43. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 351 Ridgeway, in Newgate, and he and Mr. Symonds when such opinions, or rather such hopes and agreed to publish it. I understood that they had fears, were confined to a very small number of changed their intention, because no proof-sheet the educated classes; when those who were was sent to me, and, acquiescing readily in their deemed Republicans were exposed to personal cooler opinion, made no inquiry concerning it. danger from the populace; and when a spirit of More than two years elapsed before I revisited anti-Jacobinism prevailed, which I can not charLondon; and then, if I had thought of the manu- acterize better than by saying that it was as script, it would have appeared a thing of too blind and as intolerant as the Jacobinism of the little consequence to take the trouble of claiming present day. The times have changed. Had it for the mere purpose of throwing it behind the it been published surreptitiously under any other fire. That it might be published surreptitiously political circumstances, I should have suffered at any future time, was a wickedness of which it to take its course, in full confidence that it I never dreamed. would do no harm, and would be speedily for" To these facts I have made oath. Mr. Win- gotten as it deserved. The present state of terbottom, a Dissenting minister, has sworn, on things, which is such as to make it doubtful the contrary, that Messrs. Ridgeway and Sy- whether the publisher be not as much actuated monds having declined the publication, it was bypublic mischief as byprivatemalignity, renderundertaken by himself and Daniel Isaac Eaton; ed it my duty to appeal for justice, and stop the that I gave them the copy as their own property, circulation of what no man had a right to publish. and gave them, moreover, a fraternal embrace, And this I did, not as one ashamed and penitent in gratitude for their gracious acceptance of it; for having expressed crude opinions and warm and that he, the said Winterbottom, verily be- feelings in his youth (feelings right in themselves, lieved he had a right now, after an interval of and wrong only in their direction), but as a man three-and-twenty years, to publish it as his own. whose life has been such that it may set slander " My recollection is perfectly distinct, notwith- at defiance, and who is unremittingly endeavorstanding the lapse of time; and it was likely to ing to deserve well of his country and of manbe so, as I was never, on any other occasion, kind. ROBERT SOUTHEY." within the walls of Newgate. The work had been delivered to Mr. Ridgeway; it was for him A letter addressed by Mr. Foster to Mr. Cotthat I inquired, and into his apartments I was tie, and published by him in his Reminiscences shown. There I saw Mr. Symonds, and there of Coleridge and Southey,* rather involves the I saw Mr. Winterbottom also, whom I knew to matter in more difficulty than explains it. be a Dissenting minister. I never saw Daniel " I wonder if Mr. Southey ever did get at the Isaac Eaton in my life; and as for the story of secret history of that affair. The story, as I the embrace, every person who knows my dis- heard it, was, that Southey visited Winterbottom position and manners will at once perceive it to in prison, and, just as a token of kindness, gave be an impudent falsehood. Two other persons him the MS. of Wat Tyler. It was no fault of came into the room while I was there; the name Winterbottom that it was published. On a visit of the one was Lloyd-I believe he had been an to some friends at Worcester, he had the piece officer in the army; that of the other was Bar- with him, meaning, I suppose, to afford them a row. I remembered him a bishop's boy at West- little amusement at Southey's expense, he being minster. I left the room with an assurance that held in great reproach and even contempt as a Messrs. Ridgeway and Symonds were to be the turn-coat. At the house where Winterbottom publishers; in what way Winterbottom might be was visiting, two persons, keeping the piece in connected with them, I neither knew nor cared, their reach at bedtime, sat up all night tranand Eaton I never saw. There is no earthly scribing it, of course giving him no hint of the balance in which oaths can be.weighed against maneuver. This information I had from one of each other; but character is something in the the two operators." scale; and it is perfectly in character that the My father distinctly states he did not give the man who has published Wat Tyler under the MS. to any body, and that he did not put it into present circumstances, should swear-as Mr. Winterbottom's hands at all. But even if it had Winterbottom has sworn. been so, how came Winterbottom to appear in " Thus much concerning the facts. As to the court, and justify the publication upon oath, if work itself, I am desirous that my feelings should the circumstances were as Mr. Foster relates? neither be misrepresented nor misunderstood. It It might have been supposed, that, with the contains the statement of opinions which I have proceedings before the lord chancellor, the matlong outgrown, and which are stated more broad- ter would have ended; that the surreptitious publy because of this dramatic form. Were there lication of the crude and hasty production of a a sentiment or an expression which bordered youth of twenty, long since forgotten by the upon irreligion or impurity, I should look upon it writer, would hardly have been deemed worthy with shame and contrition; but I can feel neither the attention of the public, especially as he had for opinions of universal equality, taken up as never concealed or suppressed his former opinthey were conscientiously in early youth, acted ions, which stood plainly on record in his early upon in disregard of all worldly considerations, and published works. left behind me in the same straightforward course as I advanced in years. The piece was written * P. 235. 352 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF lETAT. 43. But the opportunity was too tempting to be supposed, forever from my thoughts. I hear that lost, and the subject was twice brought forward in consequence of this affair, and of the effect in Parliament-once by Mr. Brougham, the sec- which that paper in the Quarterly produced, ond time by William Smith, the member for Nor- Murray has printed two thousand additional copwich, who, arming himself for the occasion with ies of the number; and yet the paper has been Wat Tyler in one pocket and the Quarterly Re- dismally mutilated of its best passages and of view in the other, stood forth in the House of some essential parts. I shall have a second part Commons to contrast their contents. in the next number to follow up the blow. In reply to this attack,* which was answered " My fear is that when commerce recovers, as at the time by Mr. Wynn, my father published a it presently will, government should suppose that letter to William Smith, defending himself against the danger is over, and think that the disease is the charges brought against him, and stating his removed because the fit is past. There are some past and present opinions, and his views as to the excellent remarks in Coleridge's second lay sercondition of the country and the measures most mon upon the overbalance of the commercial likely to promote the welfare of the community. spirit, that greediness of gain among all ranks to This letter, with the remarks that called it forth, which I have more than once alluded in the will be found at the end of this volume, where I Quarterly. If Coleridge could but learn how to think it right to place it, as, from my father's re- deliver his opinions in a way to make them read, printing it in his Essays, it appears plainly that and to separate that which would be profitable he intended it should be preserved, and as the his- for all from that which scarcely half a dozen men tory of Wat Tyler is incomplete without it. in England can understand (I certainly am not one of the number), he would be the most useful To Humphrey Senhouse, Esq. man of the age, as I verily believe him in ac"Keswick, March 22,1817. quirernents and in powers of mind to be very far MY DEAR SENHOUSE, the greatest. "You see I am flourishing in the newspapers "Yours very truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY." as much as Joanna Southcote did before her expected accouchement; and I have not flourished In the minds of many men who were not disin Chancery,t because a Presbyterian parson has posed to slander my father, nor to entertain hosmade oath that I gave the MSS. to him and to tile feelings toward him, there yet remained an another person whom I never saw in my life. impression that he attacked with intemperate There is no standing against perjury, and there- language the same class of opinions which he fore it is useless to pursue the affair into a court himself had once held. The next letter shows of law. I have addressed two brief letters to us how he defended himself against this imputaWilliam Smith in the Courier, and there the mat- tion, when represented to him by Mr. Wynn. ter will end on my part, unless he replies to them. In the second of those letters you will see To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. the history of Wat Tyler, as far as it was needful " eswick, April 13,1817. to state it. There was no occasion for stating "MY DEAR WYNN, that about a year after it was written I thought " Do you not see that the charge of my speakof making a serious historical drama upon the ing acrimoniously against persons for thinking as same subject, which would have been on the side I once thought is ridiculously false? Against of the mob in its main feelings, but in a very dif- whom are the strong expressions used, to which ferent way; and, indeed, under the same circurn- you refer in the Quarterly Review and the Regisstances, I should have brained a tax-gatherer just ters? Against the rank Bonapartists, with whom as he did. The refaccimento proceeded only some I had never any more resemblance than I have fifty or threescore lines, of which I only remem- with the worshipers of the devil in Africa; and her this short passage, part of it having been against those who, without actually favoring him transplanted into Madoc. Some one has been as Whitbread did, nevertheless thought it hopesaying, a plague on time! in reference to Tyler's less to make our stand against him on the ground'gloomy state of mind, to which he replies, where we had every possible advantage. And "'Gently on man doth gentle Nature lay as for the Jacobin writers of the day-in what The weight of years; and even when over-laden have I ever resembled them? Did I ever adHe little likes to lay the burden down. dress myself to the base and malignant feelings A plague on care, I say, that makes the heart Grow old before its time.' of the rabble, and season falsehood and sedition d it bn c, it m t he sd with slander and impiety? It is perfectly true "Had it been continued, it might have stood that I thought the party who uniformly predicted that I thought the party who uniformly predicted.beside Joan of Arc, and perhaps I should haveour failure in Spain to be ignorant,* and ptsillanibecome a dramatic writer. But Joan of Arc left mous, and presumptuous-surely, surely, their me no time for it then, and it was dismissed, as Imo, and presu tuos-sure, sure, their own words, which are given in the Register, * Mr. Wilberforce wrote to my father at this time, say- prove them to have been so. Can you have foring he could not feel satisfied until he had informed him gotten in 1809-10. how those persons who that he was not in the House of Commons when Willian ho ht with me that there was reasonable Smith brought the subject forward, or his voice would thought with me that there was reasonable also have been heard in his defense. t My father seems to have mistaken the grounds of the * "The paper in the Quarterly Review is directed against chancellor's decision. Probably he had only been in- the Edinburgh Reviewer, whose words are quoted to jus formed of the result, and had not seen the judgment. tify the epithets."-R. S. IETAT. 43. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 353 ground for hope and perseverance were insulted the particulars of the offer, but at once declined as idiots, and laughed to scorn? For my own it, upon the plea that no emolument, however part, I never doubted of success; and proud I great, would induce him to give up a country am that the reasons upon which my confidence I life, and those pursuits in literature to which the was founded were recorded at the time. Had studies of so many years had been directed. you been in power, you would have thought "Indeed," he adds, "I should consider that porotherwise than as you did, because you would tion of my time which is given up to temporary have known more of the state of Europe. Arms politics grievously misspent, if the interests at were sent from this country to Prussia as early stake were less important."* as the autumn of 1811. Believe me, the terms The situation alluded to was that of writing in which I have spoken of the peace party are the chief leading article in the Times, together, milk and water compared to what I have seen I suppose, with some general authority over the among the papers with which I have been in- whole paper; and the remuneration which it was trusted. But enough of this. intended to offer was 02000 a year, with such " If you saw me now, you would not think a share in the profits as would have enabled him otherwise of my temper under affliction than you to realize an independence in a comparatively did in the summer. I have never in the slight- short time. est degree yielded to grief, but my spirits have In a former letter my father speaks of an innot recovered, nor do I think they ever will re- tention of making a tour of the Continent in the cover, their elasticity. The world is no longer course of the spring. His habits of laborious the same to me. You can not conceive the study rendered some perfect relaxation absolutechange in my occupations and enjoyments: no ly necessary, and traveling abroad was the only person who had not seen what my ways of life way in which he could obtain it. At home he were can conceive how they were linked with his could not be unemployed; he had no tastes or life. But be assured that I look habitually for pursuits of any kind to lead him from his books, comfort where it is to be found. and any journey he might take in his own coun"God bless you! I shall be in town on the try was only a series of hurried movements from 24th, at my brother's, and leave it on the 1st of one friend to another. Of London, the reader May. need not be told, he had not merely a dislike, "Yours affectionately, R. S." but absolutely a "horror;" and thus his mind was hardly ever completely unbent except on the An incident that occurred in the midst of the few occasions when he could afford himself a Wat Tyler controversy must now be noticed, as foreign excursion. one which, had my father thought fit to take ad- From such a change (which at this time was vantage of it, would have changed the whole particularly needful to him) no one ever derived current of his life, and which offered him the more benefit or more pleasure. With his travelmost favorable prospects of pecuniary advantage ing garments he put on totally new habits, and of any which presented themselves either in ear- set out with the determination to make the most lier or later life. of all pleasures and the least of all inconvenThis was a proposal made privately, through iences, being thus as good-humored and as acthe medium of his friend, Mr. Henry Crabbe commodating a "compagnon de voyage" as it Robinson; and, in the first instance, the simple was possible to conceive. His journal on this question was asked whether, "if an offer were occasion (like all his other journals) is elaborately made him to superintend a lucrative literary minute, and shows how perseveringly he must establishment, in which he would have-if he have labored at it in spite of fatigue. Every cirdesired it-a property, of which the emolument I cumstance is detailed; in every place he seems would be very considerable, and which would to find objects of interest which would altogether give him extensive influence over the whole escape the eye of an ordinary traveler.- Indeed, kingdom, he were in a condition to accept it;" the industry of his pen, the activity of his mind, or, rather, whether he was willing to listen to and the quickness of his perceptive faculties, are the details of such a proposal. "But," it was nowhere so plainly shown as in these records of added, "if he was so attached to his delightful his foreign journeys. residence, and to that kind of literary employ- Every spare moment of his time being thus ment which alone gives fame, and must, in its occupied, his letters during this journey contain exercise, be the most delightful, an immediate little more than the outlines of his route; a few answer to that effect was requested." of them, however, will not be thought out of My father had no doubt from whom the pro- place here. posal came and to what it referred, being aware of his friend's intimacy with Mr. Walter, the pro- To Mrs. Southey. prietor of the Times; but so completely was he "Neufchatel, Wednesday, May 28, 1817. wedded to his present mode of life, so foreign to MY DEAR EDITH, his habits would this sort of occupation have "Yesterday we entered Switzerland, and been, combined with a residence in London, and reached this place after a week's journey from so much more strongly was his mind set upon Paris, without let, hinderance, accident, or inconfuture and lasting fame than upon present profit, venience of any kind. that he did not even request to be informed of * R. S. to H. C. R., March 13, 1817. z 354 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 43. " It is with the greatest difficulty that 1 find an equal distance in Great Britain would appear time to keep a journal. We rise at five, and to a foreign traveler; I mean that he would meet have traveled fiom ten to twelve hours every with a country more generally beautiful, finer day, going about twenty miles before breakfast. parts, and better towns. But there have been Hunger would hardly permit us to do any thing very fine parts upon this journey, with a characin the way of writing before dinner, if there were ter and beauty of their own. In Switzerland not always something to see while dinner is pre- every step must be interesting, and, go in what paring; and after dinner it requires an effort of direction you will, it is impossible to go wrong. heroic virtue to resist the pleasures of wine and "Nothing surprised me more in France than conversation, and it becomes almost impossible, that there should be no middle-aged women upon taking the pen in hand, to resist sleep. among the peasantry; they appear to pass at This morning we lay in bed till seven, that we once from youth to hagged old age, and it is no might have the full enjoyment of a whole holiday. exaggeration to say that they look like so many I remember at Westminster the chief gratifica- living and moving mummies. Fond as they are tion which a whole holiday on a Sunday afforded of finery in youth (for they are then tricked out was that of lying abed till breakfast was ready in all the colors of the rainbow), in old age their at nine o'clock. dress is as wretched and squalid as their appear" Our windows are within a stone's throw of ance. I see nothing among them of the gayety the lake, and we see the Alps across it. The of which we have heard so much in former times. lake is like a sea in its color, its waves, and its Not a single party have we seen dancing throughvoice, of which we are, of course, within hearing. out the whole journey. The weather, indeed, The Alps, of which we have the whole extent in has been unusually cold, but certainly not such view, can not be less than fifty miles distant in as would check the propensities of a light-heeled the nearest point, directly across the lake, and generation, if they ever were as fond of a dance Mont Blanc, which is at the extremity on the as their light-hearted progenitors. I must say, right, about fourscore. If our horizon at Kes- to their credit, that we have uniformly met with wick were wide enough, I could sometimes civility; not the slightest insult or incivility of show you the Alps in the clouds. They have any kind has been offered to us; and if some exprecisely the appearance of white cumulated tortion has been practiced generally at the hotels, clouds, at the verge of the sky, resting upon it is no more than what is done every where, and the earth, and silvered with sunshine; and from perhaps more in England than any where else. such clouds they are only to be distinguished by God bless you! Give my love to all. their definite outline and permanent forms. It " Your affectionate husband, R. S." is idle to compare this country with our own; or, rather, it would be worse than idle to form To Mrs. Southey. any comparison for the purpose of depreciating "Turin, Wednesday, June 11, 1817. either. Part of our yesterday's journey* was so " MY DEAR EDIT, like Cumberland, that I could fancy myself within " I wrote to you on this day fortnight from an hour's walk of home; and this forced upon Neufchatel, since which time all has gone well me such a sense of time and distance, and separa- with us, and we have traveled over very interesttion, that the tears were more than once ready ing ground. Half a day brought us to Yverdun, to break loose. The mountains through which where the other half was passed for the sake of we passed from Pontarlier to this place rise be- seeing Pestalozzi.* The next day to Lausanne. hind the town, and in that direction the view as to its natural objects might be English. A huge * " The castle is a huge, plain, square building, with few o is natural ject mit be Engis. windows, and a round tower at each corner with an exharbor, or, still better, an arm of the sea, with tinguisher top. Thishas been assigned to Pestalozzi; and such a sky as I have described, will give you 2a having taken up our quarters at the Maison Rouge, forth suchl ida sk s thae r d, wl gv we sallied to pay our respects to this celebrated personfull idea of the rest. age. " We hear dismal stories of famine and dis- "We ascended the steps and got into the court; the tress but the scene continually recedes as xe first person whom we accosted was a boy. who proved to tress ut te scene co y r s as be a young Philistine, and replied with a petition for petite approach it, nor have we seen any indication of charit8; just then we got sight of one of the scholars, and it whatever. From all that I can collect the at his summonsPestalozzi himself came out to us. Ihave seen many strange figures in my time, but never a stranger bad harvest of last year has acted here as it does than was now presented to our view: a man whose face and in England and must every where; it presses stray tusk-like teeth would mark him for fourscore, if his severe that class of persons who stood in hair, more black than gray, did not belie the wrinkles of severely upon that class of persons who stood i his countenance; this hair a perfect glib in full undress, no need of economy before, and who, with economy, hat or covering for the head, no neckcloth, the shirt collar had a little to spare for others. There are plenty open and a pair of coarse dark trowsers, and a coat, if coat it may be called, of the same material, which Hyde would of beggars throughout France, and much squalid as little allow to be cloth as he would the habiliment to be misery; but the children of the peasantry are as' a coat at all.' He speaks French nearly as ill as I do, hale and app l as wel fd asr as alp-and much less intelligibly, because his speech is rapid hale, and apparently as well fed, as far as all ap- and impassioned, and, moreover, much afbected by the pearances of flesh and blood may be trusted, as loss of his teeth. I introduced myself as a friend of Dr. those in our own country. What I have seen of Bell, who had read M. Julien's book, and the American work upon his system, but was desirous of obtaining a France, about five hundred miles, from Calais to clearer insight into it. In his gesticulations to welcome Pontarlier, is, on the whole, less interesting thanus he slipped into a deep hole, and might very easily have met with a serious hurt. He led me into a small school-.... —. -- ---— room, hung round with vile portraits of some favorite * Across the Jura. pupils, apparently works of the school; his own bust was JETAT. 43. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 355 where, for the mere beauty of the place, we ain pass of the Echelles in one, with a tunnel stayed a day. Tuesday to Geneva, seeing Fer- through the mountain, and by the road in the nay on the way. Wednesday we halted to see other the most glorious waterfall I ever beheld. this famous, most ugly, most odd, and most strik- That evening we entered the Savoy Alps at ing city, compared to which Lisbon is a city of Aiguebelle, and slept at La Grande Maison, a sweet savors. Friday to Aix-that Aix where sort of large Estalagem in the midst of Borrowthe adventure of King Charlemagne and the arch- dale scenery upon a large scale. Nash made a bishop happened: Pasquier (in whom I found the view from the window. I do not stop to describe story) mistakes it for Aix-la-Chapelle. There things, because my journal will do all this. Monis a lake here, and a magnificent one it is. N. day we continued our way up the valley, followand S. both made sketches of it before break- ing the course, or, rather, ascending the River fast on Friday. We reached Les Echelles that Arco: such a river! the color of my coat prenight, and Saturday visited the Chartreuse: this cisely, which, though Mr. Hyde admits it to be was a horse expedition, and a whole day's work; a very genteel mixture as well calculated to but we were most amply rewarded for the heat hide the dust, is a very bad color for a river; and fatigue which we endured. I am fully dis- but for force and fury it exceeds any thing that posed to believe, with Wordsworth, that there is I had ever before seen or imagined: we follownothing finer in Switzerland than this. The place ed it as far as Lans le Bourg, a little town at the took us two stages out of our way, which we foot of Mount Cenis, and itself as high above the had to retrace on Sunday; they happened to be sea as the top of Skiddaw. Yesterday (Tuesday) remarkably interesting ones, having the mount- we crossed Mount Cenis, descended into the plain of Piedmont, and, after the longest of all our days' there, strikingly like him, but large enough for Goliath, journeys in point of time, reached Turin just as he himself being rather below the middle size. Theret rw dark happened to be a display of fencing, where the beau ge r monde of Yverdun were at this time assembled, and the From Besangon to this place it has been one military band giving them tunes between the acts. Here succession of fine scenery, yet with such variety his tutors were gone, and many of his boys, but in the evening, he said, he hoped to show us practically the sys-that every day has surprised us. Fine weather ter which he now explained: the sum of his explana- began on the 1st of June, and here in Italy we tion was, that true education consists in properly develop have found a great dierence of climate. On the ing the talents and faculties of the individual. It was not likely that so metaphysical a head should think more of other side the Alps, the cherries are not larger Dr. Bell, than Dr. Bell, in his practical wisdom, thinks ofthan green pease here they are ripet Cur such metaphysics. I mentioned Owen of Lanark, and the Essay upon the Formation of Character, and presently rants, oranges, and Alpine strawberries are in perceived that Ihad touched the right string. We parted the markets, and apricots, which are perfectly till the evening. A large party were dining at the hotel, as if it were a club or public meeting, which, however, the o ess waiter said was not the case; but there was unusual busi- Our journey has been in all respects pleasness in the house; perhaps many persons had come from ant and I shall find the full advanta-e of it in the country round to see the fencing. We walked about of i the town, and saw the view which it commands. the knowledge which it has given me, and the "We met Pestalozzi in a walk without the town. He new images withiWhich it has stored my memohad dressed himself, and was in a black coat, but still without a hat, and he was arm-in-arm with a figure more ry. Of theiAps; I will only say here that they extraordinary than his own: a man some twenty-five or make me love Skiddaw better than ever, and thirty years of age, dressed in a short and neat slate-color- that Skiddaw will outlast them; at least, will ed jacket and trowsers trimmed with black. his bonnet of at ddaw ill outlast them at least, ill the same materials and color, and his countenance so full, outlast all that we have yet seen, for they are so fixed, so strongly and dismally charactered, that a falling to pieces. The wreck and ruin which painter might select him for one of the first disciples of St. Francis or of Loyola. In the course of our walk we they display in many places are hardly to be went behind the castle into a large open garden, and there described. we saw some of the pupils employed in developing their We e burned like gipsies, especially Snbodily powers: a pole, about eighteen feet high, was se. e are burned lke especially Sencurely fixed in an inclined position against a ladder; the house.'All friends round Skiddaw' has been boys ascended the ladder and slid down the pole; others our daily toast; and we drank it in all kinds and were swinging in such attitudes as they liked from a gallows. About six, P. called upon us to show us the prac- qualities of wine. As for news, we know not tice of his system; it was exhibited by two very intelli-how the world goes on and have ceased to think gent teachers as applied to drawing and arithmetic. In rawing, they were made to draw the simplest forms,about t. The only thing for which we are anxand were not instructed in the laws of perspective till the ious is to get letters from home, and this we shall eye and hand had acquired correctness; just as we learn d when we get to Mr. Awdry's. If I could but to speak by habit before we know the rules of grammar. In arithmetic, it appeared to me that the questions served know that all was well! only to quicken the intellect, but were of no utility in God bless you! Good night, my own dear themselves, and acted upon boys just as the disputes of -. the schoolmen formerly acted upon men. Ason ofAker- Edith. R.S.' man's, in the Strand, was one of the boys, and said he was much happier than at an English school. His cousin of To ol,. the same name, a German by birth, is one of the teachers; he had been in England, where he knew Words- "Brussels, Aug. 1, 1817. worth, and he studied under Mr. Johnson at the Central " MY DEAR FRIEND School, and he had traveled in Switzerland with Dr. Bell. He also was very curious concerning Owen; with him I I wrote you a long letter* from Geneva on had much conversation, and wasmuch pleased with him. our way to Italy, and since that time I have M. Julien also was introduced to us; author of those hooks which I bought at Aix-la-Chapelle. We wrote our names at parting, and although Mr. P. knew no more of * This seems to have been a letter of elaborate descripmine than he did of Tom Long the carrier's, he was evi- tion. It never reached its destination, having been dedently gratified by our visit, and we parted good friends, stroyed by the person to whom it was given to put into with all good wishes."-From his Journal. the post, for the sake of appropriating the postage money I 356 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 43 written twice to London, so that I conclude you Zurich, and struck into the Oberland, where we would hear by roundabout means that I had traveled ten days by land and water, on horsereached Milan, and afterward that we had safely back or on foot, sometimes in ears and somereturned into Switzerland. From Geneva we times in carts. The snow rendered it impossimade for Mont Cenis, and turned aside from ble to cross the Grimsel without more risk than Chambery to visit the Grande Chartreuse, which, it would have been justifiable to incur. We after all that we have since seen, remains im- slept on the Righi. At Zurich a day's halt was pressed upon our minds as one of the finest im- necessary for the love of the washerwoman. We aginable scenes. * * * At then set off homeward in good earnest, through Milan I purchased some books. Thence to Co- the Black Forest. * * * We then mo, where I found Landor, and we remained made for Frankfort and Mentz, and down the three days. Bellaggio, twenty miles from Como, left bank of the Rhine to Cologne, where we saw upon the fork of the lake, is the finest single the three kings, and a very considerable number spot I have ever seen, commanding three distant of the eleven thousand virgins-certainly some lake views, each of the grandest character. Lu- thousands of thenm-a sight more curious than gano was our next staoe; and somewhere here gan was ou ettg;n omwee hereX had been the only member of the Council, he said, who, it is, that, if climate and scenery alone were to at the first invasion, proposed vigorous resistance, so as be consulted, I should like to pitch my tent; to make all Switzerland a la Vend6e: they talked of perhapr s at Laveno, npon the Lago T Maggiore. shooting him, &c. Afterward, some of the Swiss direce tory who knew him, and whom he knew to be desirous The Isola Bella, upon that lake, is of all extrav- of doing the best they could for their country under such agant follies the most absurd. Having crossed calamitous circumstances, induced him, as he was at Paris on private business, to remain there as secretary to the emthe lake, we entered upon the Simplon road, bassy, and serve Switzerland as well as he could against which, on the whole, I do not think so fine as her own embassador and the French government. This, the passage of Mont Cenis; but it is foolish to I think, was intended as an apology for his political life. the passage of Mont Cenis, but it is fool oHis object, he said, was, in the first place, to fulfill his duty compare things which are in so many respects as father of a family and as a citizen. He wished to reessentially different. In the Maurienne and store the moral character of Switzerland; to raise her again to her former respectable state; and to make her indeed, when you begin to descend into Pied- the nmeans of rendering services to Europe which other mont, the world seems tumbling to pieces about powers might receive from her without jealousy. This 7X c. n -il r.-~. part of his plan turned out to be a wild scheme of instiyour ears, of such perishable materials are the tuting a seminary for those who were destined by birth mountains made. In the Simplon you have to hold offices-princes, peers, and statesmen: they were generally rocks of granite. A glorious Alpine to be educated so as to know and love each other: the purest Christianity was to be practically taught; and his descent brought us into the Valais, which, even institution was then to co-operate with the Chri.tian Allimore than the Maurienne, is the land of goitres ance. which was the favorite scheme of the Emperor a, b me n a Alexander and the Emperor of Austria. This part of his and cretins, both more numerous and more shock- institution, though very high prices were paid by the ining to behold than I could have believed possi- dividuals, did not support itself, the expense of masters ble. At Martig-ny we halted and crossed to hbeing so great. The agronomic part afforded funds, from the farm (which appeared in beautiful order) and the Chamouny by the Tete Noir. In the album at manufacture of agricultural implements upon his imthe Montanvert I found John Coleridge's adven- provements, the demand for them being great. All that we had seen were about to be sent off to those who had tures in going to the Garden, as it is called: bespoken them. About 200 workmen are employed; a unluckily, the ink with which he wrote has made third part assisted in the education of poor destitute chilthem in part illegible. dren-there were only about thirty; these amply supported themselves by the employments in which they were L Whereturned by the Tete Noir as we came, traied. The aristocracy of Berne discouraged him: treatthe Col de Balme beino- still covered in great ed him as a visionary, and even forbade the circulation of those books which expounded his views; I should part with snow; and proceeding by Vevay and not be able to get them any where in Switzerland, only Lausanne, returned to Mr. Awdry's, at Echi- at Geneva: so he gave me the collection. As for the chens where we rested three days. Just four seminary for statesmen. I can not but suspect there is ~~c~~~~~hn~ens, where e rested three das. Jst our of humbug than of enthusiasm in it. F. neither weeks had elapsed since we left that place, and looks nor talks like a man who can suppose himself desit was a high enjoyment to find ourselves again tined to found a school like the philosophers of old. If he has any enthusiasm, it is respecting agriculture, which among friends. * * * * * he spoke of as the means of developing moral v'rtues; Proceeding to Berne,* we sent our carriage to and he was proud of his inventions, and evidently hurt, — — __ v ~_ ~_ ___ a _ - -that the Board of Agriculture had not acknowledged the * The following account of Fellenberg's Institution at receipt of some which he had presented to them, and not Hofwyl, near Berne, may interest the reader: " Immedi- published the result of experiments made with them. He ately after breakfast we drove to the noted spot. Fellen- had also made experiments of great importance upon the berg was not within when I delivered Sir T. Acland's let- nature of different soils, as to their property of retaining ter and the book with which he had intrusted me; a mes- heat and moisture. Of Dr. Bell he was disposed to speak senger was dispatched to seek him, and a young man slightingly, saying he was an enthusiast and an excellent meanwhile carried us over the institution, and to aware- schoolmaster, but unfit for a director. Upon this point I house full of agricultural machines and instruments made told him of Madras: he thought that the doctor pushed upon the new principles, many of them so exceedingly the principle of emulation too far, and used means for encomplicated that it seemed as if the object had been how couraging a spirit which is in itself but too prevalent. On to attain the end desired by the most complex means; to this point he spoke in a manner which in some measure the smiths, the blacksmiths, &c., &c.; we also visited the accorded with my own judgment. dairy, which was really a fine one, being so contrived that "Kosciuzko's name was in the book of visitors. He in hot weather half the floor is covered with cold water, requested me, at my leisure, to give him some account and in time or severe frost with hot; the granaries, &c., of the best works which had been published in England and the place of gymnastics, where the boys are taught to during the French Revolution, that he might send for climb ropes. aiid walk upon round poles. About an hour them for his library; for, though he did not speak our had been passed in this manner when F. returned. His language, he understood it, and was desirous that our countenance is highly intelligent; his light eyes uncom- literature should be cultivated on the Continent. He had monly clear and keen; his manners those of a man of the about 250 acres in cultivation, and inspected his laborers world, not of an enthusiast. He entered into a long de- from a tower with a telescope; because, as one of his tail, rather of his own history than of his system. He people said, he can not be in all places at the same time." iETAT.44. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 357 any of its kind in Portugal or Spain. Here we lier places in the Oberland of Berne, and the adarrived last night. * *4 * jacent small cantons; but Lausanne has all those I have made large purchases, which, with the comforts which are desirable, and there is as Acta Sanctorum, now at last completed, will fill good society in the canton of Vaud as need be dethree chests. Verbiest has promised to dispatch sired. We could not gain admittance into Gibthem immediately. You may well imagine how bon's garden, though his house belongs to a bankanxious I am to hear from home, and how desir- er on whom we had bills. The assigned reason ous to get there. As for news, we have lived for refusing was, that the way lay through a so long without it that the appetite seems almost chamber which was occupied by an invalid. I extinguished. By mere chance, I got at Zurich confess that I doubted this, and could not believe a German account of Massena's campaign in that the only way into the garden should be Portugal, written by a physician of his army. through a bed-chamber. This was a mortifying My knowledge of the subject assisted me greatly disappointment. As some compensation, howin making out the meaning, and I have found in ever, our own apartments were not more than it some curious matter. As far as I can learn, one hundred yards off, and opened upon a terrace this is the only original document concerning which commanded exactly the same view of the the war which has yet been published in Ger- lake and mountains, with no other difference of many. foreground than a hundred yards will make in "I have been perfectly well during the jour- looking over gardens and groves of fruit-trees. ney, and the knowledge it has given me amply "Does this country, you will ask. appear flat repays the expense both of money and of time. and unprofitable after Alpine scenery? CerIt has been with great difficulty that I could keep tainly not. It has lost very little by the cornup my Journal, so fully has every day and every parison, and that little will soon be regained. hour been occupied, from five and frequently four Skiddaw is by much the most imposing mountain, in the morning. I have, however, kept it. My for its height, that I have yet seen. Many mountspirits have been equal to any demand which out- ains, which are actually as high again from their ward circumstances might make upon them; but base, do not appear to more advantage. I find to live always out of one's self is not possible, here, as Wordsworth and Sir G. Beaumont had and in those circumstances which frequently oc- told me I should, the charm of proportion, and cur amid the excitement and exhilaration of such would not exchange Derwentwater for the Lake a journey, my lonely feelings have perhaps been of Geneva, though I would gladly enrich it with the more poignant than they would have been amid fruit-trees and the luxuriant beauties of a Swiss the even tenor of domestic life; but I have learned summer. Their waterfalls, indeed, reduce ours to give them their proper direction, and when I to insignificance. On the other hand, all their am once more at home, I shall feel the benefit of streams and rivers are hideously discolored, so having traveled. that that which should be one of the greatest "God bless you, my dear friend! And be- charms of the landscape is in reality a disgusting lieve me most truly and affectionately yours, part of it. The best color which you see is that "ROBERT SOUTHEY." of clean soap-suds; the more common one that of the same mixture when dirty. But the rivers To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. have a power, might, and majesty which it is " Keswick, Aug. 23, 1817. scarcely possible to describe. "MY DEAR WYNN, God bless you, my dear Wynn!:" * * * * * * " Yours most affectionately, R. S." They tell me, both here and in town, that traveling has fattened me. Certainly it agreed with To John May, Esq. my bodily health most admirably, whether it be "Keswick, Oct. 13,1817 attributable to early rising, continual change of "MY DEAR FRIEND, air, or copious libations of good wine, or to all "The notion of writing again that letter which these. The early rising is unluckily the only the rascal Louis destroyed at Geneva has, I verily practice which it would be possible to continue believe, prevented me from beginning one in the here. As for the wine,+ when I think of the red natural order of things. I can place myself at wines of Savoy (the Montmelian in particular), Thebes or at Athens on every occasion, dive into and the white wines of the Rhine and the Mo- Padalon, or scale Mount Calasay; but to reselle, I feel something as the children of Israel member what I then wrote, further than the jourdid when they remembered the flesh-pots of nal you have seen might remind me of the facts, Egypt. Were I to settle any where on the Con- is beyond my power. Let us see, however, what tinent, Switzerland should be the country, and can be done, with as little repetition as possible, probably Lausanne the place. There are love- of what you have taken the trouble to decipher. * Let not the reader suppose from this and other co-In peaking of Paris, I probably might have remendations of the juice of the grape, that my father was marked what an out-of-door life is led by the ininclined to over-indulgence therein, for no man was everhabitants and how prodiously busy those peo more strictly temperate. Indeed, his constitution required i more generous living than he ordinarily gave it; and part ple are who have nothing to do. There is more of the benefit he always derived from continental travel- stir and bustle than in London, and of a very difmg was, as he here intimates, from his partaking more freely of wine when abroad than in the regularity of his - domestic life. * See the Curse of Kehama. 358 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF. ETAT. 44. ferent character. In London they bear the stamp breakfast has neither the comfort nor the domesof business. You see that the crowds who pass tic character of an English one; it is had better by you in Cheapside have something to do, and at a restaurateur's or an hotel than at home. But something to think of; and in Paris you see as domestic habits are what are wanting in France; clearly that restlessness and dissipation bring peo- and if it were the fashion to drink tea, they would pie into the street because they have nothing to be very much promoted by it. In Morocco, tea do at home. I should think France decidedly in- is gradually superseding the use of coffee. I do ferior to England in beauty of country; yet I did not know why it is so little liked upon the Connot find the scenery altogether so uninteresting tinent of Europe, when among us it has become as I had been taught to expect. Picardy has one of the first necessaries of life. We tried it much historical interest to an Englishman, and sometimes, but scarcely ever with success; and perhaps the recollection of great events makes me it is curious enough that we never on any occaenjoy scenes which might else have been insipid; sion met with cream, except at Chalets in Switzfor I thought of the struggle between Burgundy erland, which is famous for it. Neither in France, and France; and in tracts where there was little Switzerland, Italy, Germany, nor the Nethermore than earth and sky to be seen, I remem- lands, rich in dairies as all these countries are, bered that that same earth had been trodden by do the inhabitants ever appear to use it. Perhaps our countrymen before the battles of Cressy and I described the lakes of Neufehatel and Geneva Agincourt, and that that same sky had seen their in my last letter, and the abominable odor of the victory. The towns, also, have many interesting great city of Calvinism. antiquities, where an antiquarian or artist would " Since my return we have had much comfind enough to employ him. The rivers have a pany, and, in consequence, I have been led into magnitude and majesty to be found in few En- much idleness.@ Winter is now setting in: alglish streams. On the other hand, there is a though the weather continues fine, the days are want of wood or of variety of wood. Poplars shortening fast; long evenings will confine me give a sameness to the scene, and a sort of sickly to my desk, and the retirement which this place coloring, very different from the deep foliage of affords during the dark season is such that I am our oaks and elms. The very general custom of in no danger of being disturbed. At present, I housing the cattle is unfavorable to the appear- am finishing a paper upon Lope de Vega for the ance of the country; there is a want of life, and next Quarterly, and preparing the first chapter motion, and sound. I believe, also, that there of the Peninsular War for the press. are fewer birds than in England. I scarcely re- " Believe me, yours most affectionately, member to have seen a crow or a bird of prey. "ROBERT SOUTHEY." The most beautiful part of France which we saw (except the Jura country, which has a Swiss To Chauncey Hare Townshend, Esq. character) was French Flanders, which is, indeed, "Oct. 31, 1817. exceedingly beautiful. The country from Lisle "MY DEAR CHAUNCEY, to St. Omer's may vie with the richest parts of " During this fine autumn (the finest which England. John Awdry was much disappointed we can remember in this country) I have frewith the South of France; perhaps this was be- quently regretted that you were not with us upon cause he entered it from Switzerland and Savoy; our mountain excursions, and thought sometimes but the features, as he described them, were nat- how busily your hammer would have been at urally unfavorable. The country upon the Loire work among the stones, over which I was treadhas been much extolled. Landor told me it had ing as ignorantly as the cart-horse in our comthe same fault which I had observed in other pany. parts-a pale and monotonous coloring from the " You have not estimated Neville White more poplars, which was not relieved by vineyards, and favorably than he deserves. There does not in summer by sands which the river then left breathe a better or a nobler heart. Men are bare. We came upon a fine country as we ap- sometimes strangely out of their place in this proached Besanqon. The air of the Jura Mount- world: there, for instance, is a man living in ains seemed congenial to me; and if I did not Milk Street, and busied about Nottingham goods, look upon the people with some partiality be- who, if he were master of a palace and a princeCause they were mountaineers, they were a bet- ly fortune, would do honor to the one, and make ter race in many respects than the natives of the best possible use of the other. I felt toward Burgundy and Champagne. Were I to visit him just as you have done, at first sight; and Switzerland again, I should wish to see more of recognizing instantly the character, scarcely perthe Jura. I do not think that a traveler can en- ceived that the individual was a stranger. There ter Switzerland in any better direction than by is more in these sympathies than the crockery way of Pontarlier and Neufchatel. If the wine class of mankind can conceive; or than our wise of this latter territory could reach England, I men have dreamed of in their philosophy. should think it would have a great sale, for it has " Your picture of the Norfolk scenery is very the flavor of Burgundy and the body of Port. If lively and very just. I have been twice in my the duties are lowered (as I understand they are life at Norwich, and once at Yarmouth, many likely to be), it will find its way by the Rhine. * " If the general use of tea could be introduced, *His f'iend Mr. Bedford had been passing some weeks M g e nea ue o f tul7 tat Keswick, to their mutual enjoyment; and Mr. Rickman it might prove a general benefit. A French had also been there for a short time. AE.f. v.44. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 359 years ago, long enough to have drawn from that To the Reverend John Jebb.* open and level country some images, which were "Keswick, Dec. 6, 1817. introduced in Thalaba. I remember writing an' SIR,-A volume like yours needs no other inepistle in blank verse from thence in 1798,* troduction than its own merits. I received it last which had some descriptive lines that might be night, and rejoice to see such topics treated in worth transcribing, if they were at hand. It was a manner so judicious, so forcible, and so imthe unbroken horizon which impressed me, ap- pressive. You are treading in the steps of the pearing so much wider than at sea; and the sky- great and admirable men by whom our Church scapes which it afforded. I had the same im- has been reformed and supported; and those who pression in passing through Picardy; and if I are to come after us will tread in yours. Unless lived in such a country, should perhaps find as I deceive myself, the state of religion in these many beauties in the sky as I do here upon the kingdoms is better at this time than it has been earth. Any where I could find food for the heart at any other since the first fervor of the Reformaand the imagination, at those times when we tion. Knowledge is reviving as well as zeal, are open to outward influences, except in great and zeal is taking the best direction. We stand cities. If I were confined in them, I should in need of both when evil principles are so activewither away like a flower in a parlor window. ly at work. Did you notice the cry of the bittern in that coun- "I am writing the Life of Wesley in such a try? I heard it between Yarmouth and Nor- manner as to comprise our religious history for wich. Its spiral flight, when it takes wing, is the last hundred years. It is a subject which I as remarkable and as peculiar as its cry. This have long meditated, and may God bless the labird has been extirpated here; only one has been bor. Perhaps you can give me some light into seen since I have resided at Keswick, and that the reasons why Methodism should have made was shot by a young Cantab, who ate it for his so little progress in Ireland, where the seed seems dinner, and had no more brains in his head than to have fallen upon a most ungenial soil, though the bittern. it was scattered with abundant care. In Scot"Having nothing to hope in this world, and land its failure may be explained by the general nothing to desire in it for myself, except as quiet respectability of the Scotch clergy, the effect of a passage through it as it may please God to education, the scattered population, and the cold grant, my mind, when it takes its course, recurs and cautious character of the people. Is the to the world which is to come, and lays as natu- jealousy with which the Romish priests watch rally now the scenes of its day-dreams in Heaven over their deluded flocks sufficient to account for as it used to do upon earth. I think of the many its failure in Ireland? If so, why was not Quakintimacies I have made among the dead, and with erism equally unsuccessful? what delight I shall see and converse with those " I will not apologize for asking your opinion persons whose lives and writings have interested upon this subject. Even if we were not both me, to whom I have endeavored to render justice, fortunate enough to possess the same valuable or from whom I have derived so much pleasure friends, we are now known sufficiently to each and benefit of the highest kind. Something, per- other; and men of letters, who hold the same haps, we shall have to communicate, and oh! faith, and labor, though in different ways, for the how much to learn! The Roman Catholics, same cause, are bound together by no common when they write concerning Heaven, arrange ties. the different classes there with as much pre- " Believe me, sir, with sincere respect, cision as a master of the ceremonies could do. "Your obedient servant, Their martyrs, their doctors, their confessors, "RBERT SOUTHEY." their monks, and their virgins, have each their separate society. As for us poets, they have To Walter Savage Landor, Esq. not condescended to think of us; but we shall "Keswick, Dec. 17, 1817. find one another out, and a great many questions " Perhaps the Lugano Gazette may not have I shall have to ask of Spenser and of Chaucer. given you the great news from the North, which Indeed, I half hope to get the whole story of excites much more interest in me than any thing Cambuscan bold; and to hear the lost books of which is going on at present in the political the Faery Queen. Lope de Vega and I shall world. The Greenlandmen, last season, got as not meet with equal interest, and yet it will be far as 84~, and saw no ice in any direction; they a pleasant meeting. were of opinion, that if they could have ventured "What are you now about? If I had seen to make the experiment, they might have reached you here, where we could have conversed at the pole without any obstruction of this kind. leisure and without reserve, I would have told The coast of East Greenland, which had been you of my own projects, formed in youth and now blocked up for four or five centuries, was open. never to be resumed, talked over your own, and It is believed that some great convulsion of nahave endeavored to show you where you might ture has broken up the continent of ice which gather the freshest laurels. has during those centuries been accumulating; "God bless you! and it is certain that the unnatural cold winds "R. S." which were experienced throughout the whole * Afterward Bishop of Limerick. The book referred to * See ante, p. 103. is his first publication; a volume of sermons, with notes. 360 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF XlTAT. 44. of May last, from the S. and S.W., were occa- as long as the narcotic effect is perceived. A sioned by this ice floating into warmer latitudes. surgeon in India saved himself in this manner, This effect is more likely to have been produced by taking much larger doses than he could have by volcanic eruption than by earthquakes alone, prescribed to any other person, because he unbecause for the last two years the fish have for- derstood his own sensations, and proportioned saken the Kamtschatka coast, so that the bears the remedy accordingly. He took a tea-spoon(iXOv6oaiyoz) have been carrying on a civil war ful of the spiritus ammonite compositus in a Maamong themselves, and a war plus quan civile deira glassful of water every five minutes for with the Russians. Earthquakes would not dis- half an hour, and seven other such doses at compose the fish much, but they have a great longer intervals (according to the symptoms) beobjection to marine volcanoes. We are fitting fore he considered himself out of danger; in the out four ships for a voyage to the pole and the whole, a wine-glassful of the medicine. This is northwest passage. We shall have some curi- a very valuable fact, the medicine having lost its ous facts about the needle; possibly even our repute in such cases, because it was always adclimate may be improved, and trees will grow ministered in insufficient doses. large enough for walking sticks in Iceland. " God bless you! R. S." "The amusements of Como may very probably become the amusements of England ere long.* - This I think a likely consequence, from the death of the Princess Charlotte. In the lamentations CHAPTER XXIII. upon this subject there has been a great deal of RETROSPECT OF LIFE —REVIEWVING-LIFE OF fulsome canting, and not a little faction; still,,, i,~-. i,, r ~ i p WESLEY —USES OF AFFLICTION —EDINBURGH among the better part and the better classes of WE Y-USES OF AFLITIN-DINUR ANNUAL REGISTER —WESTIMORELAND ELECsociety, there was a much deeper and a more ANNUAL REGISTER -WESTMORELAND ELEC7,. p i u i i ^ ] TION —HUMBOLDT —PAPER ON TtlE POOR LAWS general grief than could have been expected or -COBBETT-NUTRITIVE QUALITIES OF COFwould easily be believed. Two or three persons F AN OE O SAI OFR have told me that in most houses which they en- I~ * T ~ I~ 1 * " ~ LIBRARIANSHIP OF THE ADVOCATES LIBRARY, tered in London the women were in tears. EDINBURGH-SCARCITY OF LITERARY MEN IN "'Tis not the public loss which hath impress'd AMERICA-RTCHIE-MUNGO PARI-RECOLThis general grief upon the multitude; And made its way at once to every breast, LECTIONS OF HIS TOUR ON THE CONTINENTThe old, the young, the gentle, and the rude. HE IS ATTACKED FROMI THE HUSTINGS AT A'Tis not that in the hour which might have crowned The prayers preferred by every honest tongue, WESTMORELAND ELECTION-WISHES TO PRINT The very hour which should have sent around HIS POEMS IN A CHEAPER FORM-M OB MEETTidings wherewith all churches would have rungA AT And all our echoing streets have pealed with gladness, ING CONGRATULATIONS TO R. JUSTICE And all our cities blazed with festal fire, COLERIDGE ON HIS MARRIAGE-LITERARY ADThat then we saw the high-raised hope expire, VICE ABITS OF ASCETICISM NOT UNFAVORAnd England's expectation quenched in sadness. This surely might have forced a sudden tear. ABLE TO LONG LIFE-MR. WILBERFORCE VISYet had we then thought only of the state, ITS IIESWICI-SCHOOL REBELLION-REMARKTo-morrow's sun, which would have risen as fair, Had seen upon our brow no cloud of care. ABLE SEASON COMPARATIVE HAPPINESS OP It is to think of what thou wert so late; CHILDHOOD AND RIPER YEARS-CHANGES IN Oh, thou who liest clay-cold upon thy bier, TE CRIMINAL LAW WANTED. 188. So young and so beloved, so richly bless'd Beyond the common lot of royalty; Beyond the common lot of royalty; AFFAIRS in the political world had now someThe object of thy worthy choice possess'd, The many thousand souls that pray'd for thee, what settled down, and the immediate fear of an Hoping in thine a nation's happiness; insurrectionary movement had passed away. And in thy youth, and in thy wedded bliss, And in the genial bed-the cradle dress'd- The original intention of the government in Hope standing by, and joy a bidden guest. wishing my father to come up to town for the'Tis this that iroim te heart of private life purpose of conferring with him was, as he had Makes unsophisticated sorrows flow: We mourn thee as a daughter and a wife, supposed, to endeavor to induce him to conduct And in our human natures feel the blow.t a political journal which should aim at counter"Have you succeeded in getting sight of the acting the influence of the seditious and anarchaspide? In Cyprus they stand in such dread of ical portion of the daily and weekly press. This, this serpent, that the reapers have bells fixed to however, was a scheme which no inducement their sides and their sickles: KVoo they call it they could have offered would have persuaded there. One traveler names it the asp, and an- him to enter into; and, indeed, we have seen other asks veterum aspis? so I suppose it to be that he had declined an offer of the same nature, your neighbor. I do not know if the venom of' which would have combined far greater indeyour serpent produces death (as some others do), pendence of action with large pecuniary advantby paralyzing the heart, but it may be worth ages. It appears, however, that they were by knowing, that in that case the remedy is to take no means so anxious that he should write " ex spirit of hartshorn* in large doses, repeating them proprio motu'," as under their own especial inT__ - ----- -— h — -- - _ fluence; and he was urged to employ the Quar* This refers to the Princess of Wales, then living at eview as a vehice for his opinions and Com. terly Review as a vehicle for his opinions and t This h-s never been published. The Funeral Song for th i:r rir ccs Charlotte is a much more elaborate and remedy for the sting of a wasp: there may be some bea il'tif cz(:,'.;ri()-,iion~. affinity in the two cases. only the application is inward in * -i.';['! -Il;orln inimmediately applied, is the best the one, and outward in the other.-Ed. ETAT. 44. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 361 arguments, in preference to a separate and inde- " I am writing for the Quarterly Review upon pendent publication. the Poor Laws, or, rather, upon the means of This, in the first instance, he consented to do; improving the lower classes-a practical paper, and the result was that article " On the Rise and containing, I think, some hints which any clergyProgress of popular Disaffection"* which excited man or other influential person in a parish may the " ponderous displeasure" of Mr. William usefully improve. It is not unlikely that I may Smith; but for some time he still adhered to his gradually withdraw from the Review-that is to intention of embodying his views of the dangers say, as soon as I can live without it. It takes and evils of the existing\ state of society in En- up far too great a portion of my time; for, algland, and the remedies, in a small volume fitted though no man can take to task-work with less in size and price for general circulation. reluctance, still, from the very circumstance of Other avocations, however, intervened, and, its being task-work-something which must be together with the improved aspect of public af- done, and not what I desire at the time to dofairs, caused him to lay aside this idea for the it costs me twice or thrice the time of any other present. "As to politics," he writes, at the composition, as much in the course of the year close of the year, "I have nothing to do with as it took to write Thalaba or Kehama. This them now. The battle has been won; but that, last poem is going to press for a fourth edition; indeed, was a cause in which I would have spent they sell slowly and steadily. something more precious than ink." * "The life of Wesley is my favorite employ"When I touch upon politics," he continues, "it ment just now, and a very curious book it will will be with a wider range and a larger view be, looking at Methodism abroad as well as at than belongs to any temporary topics." It seems home, and comprehending our religious history probable, indeed, that the Colloquies on the Prog- for the last hundred years. I am sure I shall ress and Prospects of Society took their rise from treat this subject with moderation. I hope I the ideas thus aroused. come to it with a sober judgment, a mature mind, The first letter with which the new year opens and perfect freedom from all unjust prepossesshows pleasingly how abiding were his feelings sions of any kind. There is no party which I am of gratitude to his early friend Mr. Wynn, and desirous of pleasing, none which I am fearful of also speaks of his present literary employments, offending; nor am I aware of any possible circumstance which might tend to bias me one way To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. or other from the straight line of impartial truth. "Keswick, Jan. 1,1818. For the bigot I shall be far too philosophical; "MY DEARWYNN, for the libertine, far too pious. The Ultra" Many happy returns of the new year to you churchman will think me little better than a and yours. It is now thirty years since you and Methodist, and the Methodists will wonder what I first met in Dean's Yard, and in the course of I am.'Ayta dyiotc will be my motto. these years half the human race who were then " My books from Milan have reached London living have gone under ground. How long ei- -something more than 100 volumes. Ramusio ther of us may keep above it, God knows; but is among them, and the Gesta Dei. I have not while we do, there is little likelihood that any yet heard of my Acta Sanctorum, the arrival of circumstances can break or loosen an attach- which will form a grand day in my life. Little ment which has continued so long. Your path leisure as I find for poetry, and seldom, indeed, has been just what might have been predicted- as I think of it, there is yet a sort of reluctance in straight, honorable, and in full view, only that me wholly to give up any scheme of a poem on one might have expected to have found you on which I have ever thought with any degree of the other side the house and in office; and one fondness; and because I had meditated a Jewish day or other (the sooner the better) I trust to see poem many years ago, I bought at Milan the you there. What mine might have been with- great Bibliotheca Rabinica of Barlotacci as a reout your helping hand, when I was among the pository of materials. Could I have afforded to bogs and briers, I know not. With that help it have written verses during those years when nohas been a very pleasant uphill road, with so body bought them, I verily believe I should have many incidents by the way that the history of written more than any of my predecessors. God them would make no bad Pilgrim's Progress, es- bless you! R. S." pecially as I am now at rest among the Delectable Mountains, and have little more to do than To Walter Scott, Esq. to cross the river whenever my turn comes. " Keswick, March 10, 1818. "We are enjoying a beautiful winter here. MY DEAR SCOTT, No snow has yet fallen in the valley, and it lies "I am glad that the first tidings which inon the fells not raggedly, but in an even line, so formed me of your illness told of your recovery that Skiddaw and Grisdale bear no distant re- also. There is an enjoyment of our absent friends, semblance to the Swiss mountains, and imbibe even of those from whom we are far distant, in tints at morning and evening which may vie with talking and thinking of them, which makes a any thing that ever was seen upon Mont Blanc large part of the happiness of life. It is a great or Jungfrau. thing to be in tne same place with a friend, it is something to be in the same planet; and when* This article was reprinted in his Essays. ever you are removed to a better, there are few Z 362 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT.44. men whose loss will be more widely felt in this, topics requiring a clear head for statistical calfor I know no one who has administered so much culation and political economy. He had, howdelight to so extensive a part of the public. I ever, been urged to it by Mr. Rickman, who hope your illness has left no weakness behind it. furnished him with information and argument on We stand in need, sometimes, of visitations which all those points he felt himself unequal to-" as may lead us to look toward eternity, and in such a history of the poor rates, a catalogue raisonne cases the stroke is merciful when it falls on the of the abominable effects of the Poor Laws, an body. There is a joyousness, too, in the sense expose of the injudicious quackeries which from of returning health - a freshness of sensation, generation to generation had made bad worse."' such as one might expect from a draught of the It appears that although " the Poor-Law quesfountain of youth. tion and its remedies, if to be remedied," would " About four months ago, John Ballantyne have seemed, of all subjects, one of the least obwrote to ask me if he should dispose of my prop- jectionable for discussion, Gifford at first had erty in the Ed. An. Register to Constable, upon some fears lest it might be rather above the the same terms as those of the other persons temperature of the Review, and to his hesitation who had the same share in it. As I had given about inserting it (before he had seen it) the folit up for a lost concern, I was very glad to hear lowing letter refers, while the next shows that a that I was to have about the same sum which perusal of the paper removed his objections. the shares had cost, in a bill from Constable at twelve months' date; four months, however, have To John Rickman, Esq. elapsed, and I have heard nothing further. Per- "April 5, 1818. haps, if you have an opportunity, you will do me " MY DEAR R., the kindness to ask how the matter stands. "I apprehend, as you know, some such de" The neighboring county is in an uproar al- murrer on the part of the feeble. They are, I ready with the expected election. - has suc- believe, the only persons who, when engaged in ceeded in producing as much turbulence there mortal combat, were ever afraid of provoking.as he could desire; and if we mav judge of what their enemies, or striking them too hard. *.the play will be by what the rehearsal has been, " Murray wrote me a brief note the other day, it may prove a very serious tragedy before it is wherein, without any mention of this paper, he over. I am out of the sphere of this mischief. said he never desired to see another article upon We shall have mobs, I think, upon the Poor-Law either politics or religion in the Review, because question, which is as perilous in its nature as a they are'certain of offending a great mass of corn bill, and yet must be taken in hand. I know people.' I replied to this at some length in a not whether the next Quarterly Review will look way which for a little while would impress the the danger in the face, and say honestly that we magnus homo; but because Mackintosh and must be prepared to meet it. Preventive meas- a few other Ops. praise a number which does ures are very easy, and would be found effect- them no harm, he fancies because they are pleasual. How grievously do we want some man of ed the rest of his readers must be pleased too. commanding spirit in the House of Commons to This is the mere impression for the moment; do constantly what Canning only rouses himself but that the Review will ever proceed in a bold, to do now and then. There is, however, good upright, and straightforward course is not to be promise in the solicitor general; to him, I think, expected. we may look with hope, and to Peel. " I have a chance letter from Stuart: he says "I saw Humboldt at Paris; never did any Cobbett has fallen one third in sale, and all such man portray himself more perfectly in his writ- publications are declining, but the anarchists are ings than he has done. His excessive volubility, as active as ever, and new opportunities will oohis fullness of information, and the rapidity with cur for bringing their venom into life.'These which he fled from every fact into some wide wretches,' he continues,'are cffecting their purgeneralization, made you more acquainted with poses by libeling; they are driving off the ground his intellectual character in half an hour than every man that can oppose them; they are conyou would be with any other person in half a quering by scandal, and ministers wish as much year. Withal, he appeared exceedingly good- as others to keep out of the way. Unless this natured and obliging. It was at Mackenzie's spirit of scandal is put down, unless the licenthat I met him. tiousness of the press be restrained, certainly it " Remember us to Mrs. Scott and your daugh- will effect a revolution-restrained, I mean, by iter, who is now, I suppose, the flower of the new laws and new regulations. It is altogethTweed. er, as at present practiced, a new thing, not older " Believe me, my dear Scott, than the French Revolution. Ican perceive every "Ever affectionately yours, one shrinking from it-you, me, Wordsworth, ROBERT SOUTHEY.v" Coleridge, &c. Every one about the press dreads Cobbett's scandal; and thus, when a man In a preceding letter my father refers to an throws off all consideration of character, he has article on the Poor Laws which he was then all others in his power. Even the ministry, too, preparing for the Quartely Review. This was and their friends, I think, shrink from those who a subject he would hardly have taken up of him- fight their battles, when covered with filth in self, being well aware of his inability to handle the fray.' ]ETAT. 44. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 363 " Stuart is wrong in two points. This sort of work of great power. But the story is ill conscandal is certainly as old as Junius and Wilkes, structed, and the style has a vice analogous to perhaps much older; and he mistakes my feel- that which prevailed in prose about one hundred ings upon the subject and Wordsworth's. and seventy years ago, when every composition "God bless you! R. S." was overlaid with strained thoughts and farfetched allusions. The faults here are a perTo John Rickman, Esq. petual stretch and strain of feeling; and the too "April 11, 1818. frequent presence of the narrator, bringing his " MY DEAR R., own fancies and meditations in the foreground, "I am not a little pleased that the paper has and thereby-as in French landscape engraving passed through the hands of Gifford with so little -calling off attention from the main subject, and mutilation. * * My letter to Murray- destroying the effect. With less poetry Samor magne in reply to his intended act of exclusion would have been a better poem. Milman has has had its proper effect; but behold, the said been endeavoring to adapt the moody and thoughtMurraymagne does not regard the Poor-Law ful character of Wordsworth's philosophical popaper as political:'Such papers as these,' he etry to heroic narration: they are altogether insays,'are exceedingly desirable for the Review, compatible; and Wordsworth himself, when he because they are of essential service to the coun- comes to narrate in his higher strains, throws it try, and they must obtain for us the esteem of all aside like a wrestler's garment, and is as severe well-thinking men.' He only meant that we a writer as Dante, who is the great master in should avoid all party politics. I wish he did this style. If Milman can perceive or be permean this. However, for the present, we have suaded of his fault, he has powers enough for got a most important paper-most important in any thing; but it is a seductive manner, and I two points-for strengthening authority, as much think that as our poetry in Cowley's days was as for its remedy for the evil of the Poor Laws. overrun with conceits of thought, it is likely in * * * * the next generation to be overflown with this " The second Police Report is not of the char- exuberance of feeling. acter which you supposed. There is much valu- "This is a great error. That poetry (I am able matter in it; and, indeed, both Reports fur- speaking of heroic narrative) which would reach nish stronger positions for me than for the enemy the heart, must go straight to the mark like an to occupy. The Bow Street men appear to arrow. Away with all trickery and ornaments great advantage in both. It really appears as when pure beauty is to be represented in picif the coffee shops would almost supersede dram- ture or in marble; away with drapery when you drinking, so comfortable do the working classes would display muscular strength. Call artifices find warmth and distention (your philosophy). Do of this kind to your aid in those feebler parts you know that of all known substances coffee which must occur in every narrative, and which produces the most of that excitement which is ought to be there to give the other parts their required in fatigue? The hunters in the Isle of proper relief. France and Bourbon take no other provision into "Henry Milman was here, with an elder broththe woods; and Bruce tells us that the viaticum er, about four years ago, who lodged at Keswick of the Galla, in their expeditions, consists of balls for some twelve months. He is a fine young of ground coffee and butter, one per diem (I be- man, and his powers are very great. They are, lieve), the size of a walnut, sufficing to prevent however, better fitted for the drama than for narthe sense of hunger. I have just made a curi- ration; the drama admits his favorite strain of ous note upon the same subject for the History composition, and is easier in its structure. Inof Brazil: a people in the very heart of South deed, it is as much easier to plan a play than a America, living beside a lake of unwholesome poem of such magnitude as Samor, as it is to water, instead of making maize beer, like all their build a gentleman's house than a Cathedral. neighbors, carbonized their maize-as good a " Do you know any thing of Sir George Dalsubstitute for coffee as any which was used un- las? He has sent me some marvelous verses by der Bonaparte's commercial system; and this a son of his not yet thirteen-as great a prodigy was their sole beverage, and it was found very as I have ever read of. Verse appears as easy conducive to health. to him as speech; Latin verse is at his fingers' "Edith May has found a brazen or copper end like English; and he has acted a part in a spear-head upon Swinside, in a craggy part of play of his own composition like another young the mountain, where it may have lain unseen for Roscius. centuries. It is perfectly green, but not corrod- * * * * *. ed; exceedingly brittle, quite plain, but of very "I am busy with history myself, and have neat workmanship, as if it had been cast-one of written no poetry for many months; why this my spans in length. disuse, there is here hardly room to explain, if it "God bless you! R. S.' were worth explanation. The account of Lope de Vega in the last Quarterly is mine, as you To Chauncey Hare Townshend, Esq. would probably guess. I have read widely in "Keswick, April 12, 1818. Spanish poetry; and might in historical and liter" MY DEAR CHAUNCEY, ary recollections call myself half a Spaniard, if,'I have just finished Henry Milman's poem, a being half a Portuguese also, this would leave any 364 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JTAT. 44. room for the English part of my intellectual be- pearance at the Lakes. When he comes I will ing. I anticipate much pleasure in showing you provide him with an introduction to Wordsworth, the treasures with which I am surrounded here if he should not bring one from London; and if upon these shelves. he is particularly desirous of seeing live poets, "God bless you! R. S." he shall have credentials for Walter Scott. I suppose an American inquires for them as you In the course of the spring of this year, an offer or I should do in America for a skunk or an oposwas made to my father of an appointment, which sum. They are become marvelously abundant it might have been imagined would have been in England, so that publications which twenty more suited to his habits and likings than any years ago would have attracted considerable atother that had been proposed to his acceptance, tention, are now coming from the press in shoals and which, indeed, had it been made to him in unnoticed. This makes it the more remarkable earlier life, it is more than probable he would that America should be so utterly barren: since have gladly taken advantage of. This was the the Revolution they have not produced a single situation of librarian to the Advocates' Library at poet who has been heard of on this side of the Edinburgh; the salary O400 a year, with the Atlantic. Dwight and Barlow both belong to the prospect of an increase, and the labor of making Revolution; and well was it for the Americans. a catalogue attached to it. "Few persons," he taking them into the account, that we could not says, speaking of this offer, " would dislike such say of them, tarn Iiarte, quam Mlercurio labor less, but I am better employed. I do not I am very sorry that your friend Ritchie love great cities. I will not remove further from should have gone upon an expedition which has my friends (being already too far from them); proved fatal to every one who has yet underand having, God be thanked, no pecuniary anxie- taken it, and which I think the amateur geograties, I am contented where I am and as I am, phizing' gentlemen of England who sit at home wanting nothing and wishing nothing." at ease' are altogether unjustifiable in pursuing In thus expressing his freedom from pecuniary at such a cost of valuable lives. The object is anxiety (of which, in reality, he had so large a not tantamount, as it is in a voyage of discovery. share), it seems probable that he alluded chiefly In such voyages men are only exposed to some to the small provision the laureateship had ena- additional risk in the way of their profession, and bled him to secure for his family by means of a the reward, if they return safe, is certain and life insurance. In other respects, however he proportionate; but here, Mungo Park went upon might feel in moments of high hope and active his second expedition literally because he could exertion, when he perceived his reputation stead- not support his family after the first. If, howily rising, and his work becoming more remu- ever, Ritchie should live to accomplish his object, nerative, there were many times when the con- I am no ways apprehensive that his reputation sciousness came over him that his subsistence will be eclipsed by his intended rival Ali Bey, depended upon his ability to follow day by day that solemn professor of humbug having always "his work and his labor until the evening;" and made less use of his opportunities than any other when the feeling that sickness might at any time, traveler. * * * * * * and that old age certainly would " dim the eye, " If you go through Cologne (as I suppose you and deaden the memory, and palsy the hand," will), do not fail to visit St. Ursula and the Elevcame across him like a cloud over the face of en Thousand Virgins, whose relics form the most the sun. extraordinary sight that the Catholic superstition This the reader will see strikingly exemplified has to display. You will also find the Three in a letter to Mr. Bedford, written at the close Kings in the same city well worthy a visit to of the year, which forms a singular contrast to their magnificent shrine. From thence to Mentz the expressions my father uses respecting this and Frankfort you will see every where the havoc offer. It would seem, indeed, that he had taken which the Revolution has made; further I can root so firmly among the mountains of Cumber- not accompany your journey. We came to land, and was so unwilling to encounter the dif- Frankfort from Heidelburg and the Black Forficulties of a removal, and to take upon him new est. habits of life, that he exercised unconsciously a "Your most truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY.'7 kind of self-deception whenever an offer was made to him, and conjured up for the time feel- To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. (Boulogne). ings of security from anxiety which had no solid' Keswick, Aug. 4,1818. foundation, but which served for the time to ex- "MY DEAR WYNN, cuse him to himself for declining them. "I envy you your French wines, and in a less degree your French cookery also, both indisTo John Kenyon, Esq. pensable in the alderman's heaven, where the "Keswick, June 13, 1818. stomach is infinite, the appetite endless, and the "MY DEAR SIR, dinner eternal. I should envy, also, your bath"Your letter to Mr. Coleridge, which has this ing upon that noble beach, if Derwentwater were day arrived, enables me to thank you for Dobriz- not within reach, and, still better, the rock baths hoffer, and for the good old Huguenot Jean de in Newlands, which are the perfection of bathLeny. The American by whom the letter was ing. What you say of the country about Bousent to my brother's has not yet made his ap- logne is just what I should have supposed it to ZETAT. 45. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 365 be from what we saw upon the road, and the phlet (in the form of that addressed to William place itself is a very interesting one. I slept Smith), which my father had drawn up in reply there, and did not leave it till noon the next day, to an attack which was made upon him during happening to have an acquaintance there. a contested election in Westmoreland. He had I had been told that the road to Paris was un- been accused from the hustings of having busied interesting, but to me it appeared far otherwise; himself greatly on the Tory side, and he was for even if it had not possessed an historical in- denounced to an excited multitude as one rollingr terest of the highest kind to an Englishman, the in riches unworthily obtained. To the former scenery itself is in many parts very striking. charge he could have given a direct denial, not "You will be better pleased to hear that, if the having taken any part whatever in the matter; carriers do not disappoint me, I may expect to- the latter one need not be further alluded to morrow to receive my three cases of books, with than as proving some little forbearance on his the Acta Sanctorum, and some fourscore volumes part in not carrying out his intention of publishbesides, the gatherings of my last year's journey ing a reply. It is right to add that a counterfrom Como to Brussels. Far better, and far statement was made from the same place. on a more agreeably, would my time and thoughts be subsequent occasion, by the same person. employed with the saints of old than with the sinners of the present day, with past events and To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. in other countries than with the current politics "Keswick, Sep. 6,1818. of our own. Heaven knows I have no predilec- "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, tion for a train of thought which brings with it " If you had written to me in extenuation, as nothing elevating and nothing cheerful. But I you term it, I should have been as nearly angry can not shut my eyes either to the direct tend- with you as any thing could make me, for how ency of the principles which are now at work, could I possibly attribute any thing you had or to their probable success; inevitable indeed, said to any motive but the right one, or whereand at no very distant time, unless some means fore should I be more displeased with you for not be taken for checking the progress of the evil. liking my extended epistle more than you were "The state of religious feeling appears to dif- with me for not liking your Dalmatian wine? fer much in different part of France. In most The roughness of the one did not suit my palate, places we found that the churches were very ill nor the asperity of the other your taste. And attended, but at Auxerre they were so full that what of that? I dare say you think quite as we literally could not decently walk in to ex- favorably of your wine as before, and I am not a amine them as we wished to have done. In whit the less satisfied with my style objurgatory. Switzerland the Protestant cantons have suffer- But let that pass. * * * * * ed more than the Catholic ones. I had good " I have just purchased Gifford's Ben Jonson. opportunities of inquiring into this in the Pays de He supposes that the laureate continues to reVaud, and the state of religion in Geneva is now ceive his tierce of Spanish Canary, and recomnotorious. Upon the banks of the Rhine, all the mends him yearly to drink to old Ben in the first inhabitants who were not actually employed in glass. Tell him, if he will get me reinstated in the fields seemed to be busy in performing a pil- my proper rights, I will drink to Ben Jonson not grimage. It was a most striking sight to see once a year, but once a day, and to him also. By them-men, women, and children, toiling along the manner in which he speaks of Sidney's Arbareheaded, under a July sun, singing German cadia, I conclude that either he has never read hymns. I suspect that the progress of irreligion the book, or has totally forgotten it. has kept pace with the extent of French books " So you are to have a Palace-yard meeting in the Catholic part of Europe, and that where to-morrow. How few weeks have elapsed since they have not found their way the people remain Hunt was beaten and blackguarded in the face in the same state as before. But if things remain of the mob till his own miscreants hooted at him, quiet for one generation, the Catholic Church and yet, you see, he is in full feather again. The will recover its ascendency; its clergy are wise fellow ought to be tried for sedition; he would as serpents, and, with all their errors, one can certainly be found guilty, for the jury, as yet, not, considering all things, but heartily wish would be nothing worse than Burdettites, and, them success. therefore, disposed to give him his deserts; and, " You should go to St. Omer's, if it were only during his confinement, he should be restricted to to groan over the ruin of its magnificent Cathe- prison diet, kept from all intercourse with visitors, dral. The country between that place and Lisle and left to amuse himself with the Bible, the is the perfection of cultivated scenery, and the Prayer-book, and Drelincourt upon death, or the view from Cassel the finest I have ever seen Whole Duty of Man, for his whole library. At the over a flat country. end of two years he would come out cured. " God bless you, my dear Wynn! I half hope' God bless you! R. S." Parliament may be sitting in December, that I may meet you in town! To John Taylor Coleridge, Esq. "Yours most affectionately, R. S." "Keswick, Sept. 8,1818. " MY DEAR SIn, The commencement of the next letter refers "I am glad to hear that you have taken your to some remarks of Mr. Bedford upon a pam- chance for happiness in that state in which alone 366 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF YATAT. 45. there is a chance of finding it. Men in your To Sharon Turner, Esq. station too frequently let the proper season go "Keswick, Sept. 21,1818. by, waiting till they can afford to start with a MY DEAR TURNER, showy establishment. Among those who have You have taken, I see, Cornano for your phynot more than an ordinary share of good prin- sician. Had I made the same experiment, I ciples, this is a very common cause of libertine should have been disposed to prefer a diet of habits; and they who escape this evil incur an- roots, fruits, and esculent plants to bread, which other, which is sometimes not less fatal. They is so likely to be adulterated. There is as much look out for a wife when they think themselves difference in the stomachs of men as in their temrich enough, and this is like going to market for pers and faces; severe abstinence is necessary one: the choice on their part is not made from for some, and others feed high and drink hard, those feelings upon which the foundation of hap- and yet attain to a robust old age; but, unquespiness must be laid; and, on the other part, they tionably, the sparing system has most facts in its are accepted, not for their own sakes, but for the favor, and I have often remarked with wonder sake of the establishment which they offer. Sim- the great length of life to which some of the ilarity of disposition is not consulted, and there is hardest students and most inveterate self-torgenerally in such cases a disparity of years, which mentors among the monastic orders have attainis not very likely to produce it. You have chosen ed. Truly glad shall I be if you derive from a better course, and may God bless you in it. your system the permanent benefit which there "The most profitable line of composition is seems such good reason to expect. Both you reviewing. You have good footing in the Quar- and I must wish to remain as long as we can in terly, and I am glad of it, for heretofore there has this'tough world' for the sake of others. Thank been vile criticism in that journal upon poetry, Heaven, it is no rack to us, though we have both and upon fine literature in general. This con- reached that stage in our progress in which the nection need not preclude you from writing for highest pleasure that this life can afford is the the British Review. Translation is of all liter- anticipation of that which is to follow it. ary labor the worst paid-that is, of all such "You have made a wise determination for labor as is paid at all; and yet there are so many your son William, for I believe that medical studpoor hungry brethren and sisters of the gray ies are of all others the most unfavorable to the goose-quill upon the alert, that new books are moral sense. Anatomical studies are so revoltsent out from France and Germany by the sheet ing, that men who carry any feeling to the puras they pass through the press, lest the transla- suit are glad to have it seared as soon as possition should be forestalled. ble. I do not remember ever in the course of " Any thing which is not bargained for with my life to have been so shocked as by hearing the booksellers is, of course, matter of specula- Carlisle relate some bravados of young men in tion, and success is so much a matter of acci- this state when he was a student himself. dent (that is to say, temporary success) in litera- " I wonder you should have any qualms at goture, that the most knowing of them are often as ing to the press, knowing, as you do, how caprigrievously deceived as a young author upon his ciously at best, and, in general, with what infirst essay. Biography, however, is likely to sue- justice and impudent partiality praise or blame ceed; and, with the London libraries at hand, is awarded by cotemporary critics, and how abthe research for it would be rather pleasurable solutely worthless their decrees are in the court than toilsome. History, which is the most de- of posterity, by which the merits of the case must lightful of all employments (experto crede), is be finally determined. I am so certain that any much less likely to be remunerated. I have not subject which has amused your wakeful hours yet received so much for the History of Brazil must be worthy to employ the thoughts of other as for a single article in the Quarterly Review. men, and to give them a profitable direction, But there are many fine subjects which, if well that, without knowing what the subject is, I exhandled, might prove prizes in the lottery. A hort you to cast away your fears. history of Charles I. and the Interregnum, or of "Remember me most kindly to your houseall the Stuart kings, upon a scale of sufficient hold. extent, and written upon such principles as you " Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." would bring to it, would be a valuable addition to the literature of our country-useful to oth- To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. ers, as well as honorable to yourself. Venice "Keswick, Nov. 4,1818. offers a rich story, and one which, unhappily, is IMY DEAR WYNN, now complete. Sweden, also, is a country fruit- " Since I wrote to you at Boulogne, the greater ful in splendid and memorable events. For this, part of my time has been consumed by interindeed, it would be necessary to acquire the ruptions of which I ought not to complain, seeNorselanguages. SharonTurner acquired them, ing they must needs be beneficial to my health, and the Welsh to boot, for a similar purpose, with- however they may be felt in the sum total of the out neglecting the duties of his practice. It may year's work. I have had for a guest C-. almost be asserted that men will find leisure for There is something remarkable in the history of whatever they seriously desire to do. * * this family. His grandmother was a she-philoso" Believe me, yours faithfully, pher, a sort of animal much worse than a she" ROBERT SOUTHEY.) bear. Her housekeeper having broken her leg, ,ETAT. 45. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 367 she was exceedingly indignant at not being able was my intention to have spent the Christmas in to convince her that there was no such thing as London; a very unexpected cause induced me pain; and when the poor woman complained to delay my journey. More than six years have that the children disturbed her by playing in a elapsed since the birth of my youngest child: all room over her head, she insisted upon it that thoughts of having another had naturally ceased. that was impossible, because it was the nature In February or March, however, such an event of sound to ascend; and, therefore, she could not may be looked for. My spirits are more debe disturbed unless they played in the room un- pressed by this than they ought to be; but you der her. This good lady bred up her children may well imagine what reflections must arise. as nearly as she could upon Rousseau's maxims, I am now in my forty-fifth year, and if my life and was especially careful that they should re- should be prolonged, it is but too certain that 1 ceive no religious instruction whatever. Her should never have heart again to undertake the daughter had nearly grown up before she ever duty which I once performed with such diligence entered a church, and then she earnestly en- and such delightful hope. It is well for us that treated a friend to take her there from motives we are not permitted to choose for ourselves. of curiosity. This daughter has become a truly One happy choice, however, I made when I bereligious woman. The son has not departed took myself to literature as my business in life. from the way in which he was trained up; but When I have a heart at ease, there can be no as he is not a hater of religion, only an unbe- greater delight than it affords me; and when I liever in it, and has a good living in his gift, he put away sad thoughts and melancholy forebodchooses that his only son should take orders, this ings, there is no resource so certain. living being the most convenient means of pro- " I begin to be solicitous about making such viding an immediate establishment for him! a provision as should leave me at ease in my "C —- introduced himself to me about three ways and means, if loss of health or any other years ago by sending me some poems, which for calamity should render me incapable of that cona youth of seventeen were almost better than stant labor, from which, while health and ability should be wished. * When he first may last, I shall have no desire to shrink. When proposed to visit me, his father was thrown into my next poem is finished, I shall be able to do a paroxysm of anger, notwithstanding the mollia what has never before been in my power-to tempora fandi had been chosen for venturing to demand a sum for it. make the request; but he suffered him to see me " God bless you, my dear Wynn! in London last year. I- had formed a notion " Yours most affectionately, R. S." that I was a Methodist, an,'"ank nothing but water; and I believe it raised me considerably To John May, Esq. in his estimation when C — assured him that "Keswick, Nov. 16,1818. I seemed to enjoy wine as much as any man. " MY DEAR FRIEND, * * * * * * * I' * * * * * * *'" Wilberforce, also, has been here with all his I know something of rebellions, and generally household, and such a household! The prin- suspect that there has been some fault in the ciple of the family seens to be that, provided the master as well as in the boys, just as a mutiny servants have faith, good works are not to be ex- in a man-of-war affords a strong presumption of pected from them, and the utter disorder which tyranny against the captain. Without underprevails in consequence is truly farcical. The standing the merits of this case, it is easy to perold coachman would figure upon the stage. ceive that the boys believed their privileges were Upon making some complaint about the horses, invaded, and fancied that the Magna Charta of he told his master and mistress that since they Eton was in danger (the Habeas Corpus in had been in this country they had been so lake- schools is in favor of the governors-a writ issuand-river-and-mountain-and-valley-mad, that they ed against the subject, and affecting him in tail), had thought of nothing which they ought to think — took the patriotic side, acting upon Whig of. I have seen nothing in such pell-mell, topsy- principles. They are very good principles in turvy, and chaotic confusion as Wilberforce's their time and place, and youth is a good time apartments since I used to see a certain break- and school a good place for them. When he fast-table in Skeleton Corner.* His wife sits in grows older, he will see the necessity of suborthe midst of it like Patience on a monument, and dination, and learn that it is only by means of he frisks about as if every vein in his body were order that liberty can be secured. * * filled with quicksilver; but, withal, there is such I have a fellow-feeling for -, because I was a constant hilarity in every look and motion, such myself expelled from Westminster, not for a rea sweetness in all his tones, such a benignity in bellion (though in that, too, I had my share), all his thoughts, words, and actions, that all sense but for an act of authorship. Wynn, and Bedof his grotesque appearance is presently over- ford, and Strachey (who is now chief secretary come, and you can feel nothing but love and ad- at Madras), and myself, planned a periodical miration for a creature of so happy and blessed paper in emulation of the' Microcosm. It was a nature. not begun before the two former had left school, " A few words now concerning myself. It and Bedford and I were the only persons actually engaged in it. I well remember my feelings * A part of Christ Church, so called, where Mr. Wynn's t f n b rooms were situated. when the first number appeared on Saturday; 368 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 45. March 1, 1792. It was Bedford's writing, but at dinner, and now (on the 28th) there has not that circumstance did not prevent me from feel- been the slightest snown on the mountains, nor ing that I was that day born into the world as the slightest appearance of frost in the valley. an author; and if ever my head touched the The late flowers continue to blossom still, and stars while I walked upon the earth, it was then. the early ones are pushing forward as if it were It seemed as if I had overleaped a barrier, which spring. The great scarlet poppy has two large till then had kept me from the fields of immor- buds ready to burst, and your favorite blue thistle tality, wherein my career was to be run. In all has brought forth a flower. But, what is more London there was not so vain, so happy, so extraordinary, the annual poppies, whose stalks, elated a creature as I was that day; and, in to all appearance dead and dry, were left in the truth, it was an important day in my life; far ground merely till Mrs. Lovel should give direcmore so than I or than any one else could have tions for clearing them away, have in many inanticipated, for I was expelled for the fifth num- stances shot out fresh leaves of diminutive size, ber. The subject of that number was flogging, and produced blossoms correspondently small, and Heaven knows I thought as little of giving not bigger than a daisy. This is in our own offense by it as of causing an eclipse or an earth- garden, which, as you know, has no advantages quake. I treated it in a strange, whimsical, and of shelter or situation; in happier spots the garironical sort of manner, because it had formed dens have more the appearance of September a part of the religious ceremonies of the hea- than of winter. thens, and the fathers had held that the gods of' Gifford will tell you that I have been speakthe heathens were our devils, and so I proved it ing a good word in behalf of the historical paintto be an invention of the Devil, and therefore ers. (By-the-by, get Nash to take you to see unfit to be practiced in schools; and though this Haydon's great picture, which is prodigiously was done with very little respect for the Devil, fine.) I am now upon the Copyright question, or the fathers, or the heathen gods, or the school- which I shall make as short a possible; a few masters, yet I as little expected to offend one as days will finish it, and a few days more finish a the other. I was full of Gibbon at the time, and paper upon the Catacombs, in which I have had caught something of Voltaire's manner. And brought together a great collection of facts from for this I was privately expelled from Westmin- out-of-the-way sources, some of them very curister, and for this I was refused admission at ous. The Copyright must have a place in the Christ Church, where Randolph, from the friend- present number, and no doubt it will, being much ship which he professed for my uncle, could not more for Murray's interest than mine. The else have decently refused to provide for me by a Catacombs will eke out my ways and means for studentship; and so I went to Baliol instead, in the next quarter, and I shall have done with the a blessed hour, for there I found a man of ster- Quarterly Review for the next six months. ling virtue (Edmund Seward), who led me right "I shall not move southward till both the when it might have been easy to have led me Brazil and the Wesley are finished. Three winwrong. I used to call him Talus for his unbend- ter months will do wonders, as I hope to be ening morals and iron rectitude, and his strength tirely free from interruptions. Other circumof body also justified the name. His death in stances would not allow me to leave home before the year 1795 was the first severe affliction that March, nor will I move then unless these works I ever experienced; and sometimes even now I are off'my hands. I shall then start fairly, withdream of him, and wake myself by weeping, be- out impediment, and in full force for the Penincause even in my dreams I remember that he is sular War; and thus my life passes, looking to dead. I loved him with my whole heart, and the completion of one work for the sake of beshall remember him with gratitude and affection ginning another, and having to start afresh for a as one who was my moral father, to the last new career as often as I reach the goal; and so moment of my life; and to meet him again will I suppose it will be, till I break down and foundat that moment be one of the joys to which I er upon the course. But if I live a few years shall look forward in eternity. My dear John longer in possession of my faculties, I will do May, I have got into a strain which I neither in- great things. tended nor foresaw. Misfortunes, as the story " God bless you! R. S." says, are good for something. The stream of my life would certainly have taken a different To C. W. WH. Wynn, Esq., M.P. direction if I had not been expelled, and I am "Keswick, Nov. 30, 1818. satisfied that it could never have held a better "MIY DEAR WYNN, course. R * * * * * "I was truly glad to hear of your daughter's "God bless you, my dear friend! recovery. I have been in a storm at sea, in a "Believe me, most truly and affectionately Spanish vessel, and the feeling, when the weather yours, ROBERT SOUTHEY." had so sensibly abated that the danger was over, is the only one I can compare with that which is To Grosvcnor C. Bedford, Esq. felt in a case like yours upon the first assurance "Keswick, Nov. 28, 1818. that the disease is giving way. Those writers " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, who speak of childhood or even youth as the hap" This is a most remarkable season with us. piest season of life, seem to me to speak with On the 20th of November we had French beans little reason. There is, indeed, an exemption JETAT.45. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 369 from the cares of the world, and from those discretionary power allowed for tempering it to anxieties which shake us to the very center. the level of the lowest. You would take up the But, as far as my own experience goes, when we matter with a due sense of its difficulty, and with are exempt from trials of this nature, our happi- every possible advantage of character, both in the ness, as we grow older, is more in quantity, and House and in the country; and, moreover, the dishigher in degree as well as in kind. What hopes position of the ministers ought to be, and I really we have are no longer accompanied with uneasi- should suppose would be, in your favor. * * ness or restless desires. The way before us is " God bless you, my dear Wynn! R. S." no longer uncertain; we see to the end of our journey; the acquisition of knowledge becomes more and more delightful, and the appetite for it may truly be said to grow with what it feeds on; CHAPTER XXIV. and as we set our thoughts and hearts in order ~, en11 r i TI NERVOUS FEELINGS — ANXIETIES FOR THE FUfor another world, the prospect of that world beTURE —RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY JOURNEYS comes a source of-deeper delight than any thing PRUDENCE OF ATICIPATING POPULAR,..,,,. 11 j ** *... i — PRUDENCE OF ANTICIPATING POPULAR OPINwhich this could administer to an immortal spirit. ^~,1n~~~,~. ION —ODE ON THE QUEENS DEATH —HAYDON On the other hand, we are vulnerable out of our-WORDSWORTH —LIFE OF WESLEY —HOME selves, and you and I are reaching that time of 1.P *o ~.~.*, i., ta POLITICS — SWITZERLAND — CRITICISMS ON A life in which the losses which we have to endure VOLUME OF POEMS BY MR. E. ELLIOTT-BIRTH will be so many amputations. The wound may 1 1 1 1.11i 1 - RTV OF A SON —HISTORY OF BRAZIL —RISING POheal, but the mutilation will always be felt. Not ETS-WAVERLEY NOVELS-REASONS FOR DEto speak of more vital affections, the loss of a faCLINING TO ATTEND THE WESTMINSTER MEETmiliar fiiend casts a shade over the remembrance pn ~~,~~..,. ~. ING —COLLEGE RECOLLECTIONS —RELIGION of every thing in which he was associated. You NECESSARY TO HAPPINESS —NOTICES OF THE and I, my dear Wynn, are less to each other than L 5 J. 7,.- ~., ~ ~LAKE COUNTRYI-MR. WORDSWORTIIH S WAGwe were in old times. Years pass away without J ONER — ADVISES ALLAN CUNNINGHAMI ON LITour meeting; nor is it at all likely that we shall RSUITS YON'S HOIIT~~~. znt~ 7.. ERARY PURSUITS-LORD BYRON S HOSTILITYever again see as much of each other in this PRBABLE RECEPTION OF THE HISTORY OF world as we used to do in the course of one short BRAZIL —CRABBE S POEMS-PETER ROBERTS term at Oxford; and yet he who is to be the sur- EPLOYENTS COLONIZATION vivor will one day feel how much we are to each NCESSARY-TOUR IN SCOTLAND-DESIRABLEother, even now-when all those recollections NESS OMATURE YEARS TAING HL which he now loves to invite and dwell upon will OES - JN MORGAN I DIFFICULTIES - come.h l ORDERS- JOHN MORGAN IN DIFFICULTIES come to him like specters. PROJECTED JOURNEY. —1818 —1819. However, I hope that both you and I may be permitted to do something more before we are THE following is the letter before alluded to, removed; and I can not but hope that you will as showing so strong a contrast to that freedom take upon yourself a conspicuous part in that from anxiety and confidence in himself which reformation of the criminal laws, which can not seemed to possess him at the time he refused the much longer be delayed; nor do I know any one offer of librarian to the Advocates' Library at (setting all personal feelings aside) by whom it Edinburgh. It is, indeed, no matter of wonder could so fitly be taken up. That speech of that, sensitively constituted as he was by nature, Frankland's was perfectly conclusive to my mind; and compelled to such incessant mental occupabut that alterations are necessary is certain, and tion, such feelings should at times come over the late trials for forgery show that they must be him; and we may see in them the sad forewarnmade, even now, with a bad grace, but with a ings of that calamity by which his latest years worse the longer they are delayed. To me it were darkened. has long appeared a safe proposition that the But if he was not altogether what he so well punishment of death is misapplied whenever the describes the stern American leader to have been, general feeling that it creates is that of com- "Lord of his own resolves, of his own heart absolute maspassion for the criminal. A man and woman ter,"* were executed for coining at the same time with he certainly possessed no common power over Patch. Now what an offense was this to the himself; and he here well describes how needful common sense of justice! There is undoubted- was its exercise. ly, at this time, a settled purpose among the Revolutionists to bring the laws into contempt To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. and hatred, and to a very great degree it has "Keswick, Dec. 5,1818. succeeded. The more reason, therefore, that " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, where they are plainly objectionable they should "It is, between ourselves, a matter of surbe revised. But for the principle of making the prise to me that this bodily machine of mine sentence in all cases proportionate to the crime, should have continued its operations with so few and the execution certain, nothing in my judg- derangements, knowing, as I well do, its excessment can be more impracticable, and I am sure ive susceptibility to many deranging causes. The nothing could lead to greater injustice than an nitrous oxyd approaches nearer to the notion of attempt to effect it. The sentence must be sufficient for the highest degree of the crime, and a * Vision of Judgment. A A 370 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 45. a neurometer than any thing which perhaps could hours in a man's life (abstracted from all real cabe devised; and I was acted upon by a far smaller lamity) are those which he spends alone at an dose than any person upon whom it had ever inn, waiting for a chance in a stage-coach. been tried, when I was in the habit of taking it. Time thus spent is so thoroughly disagreeable If I did not vary my pursuits, and carry on many that the act of getting into the coach, and resignworks of a totally different kind at once, I should ing yourself to be jumbled for four-and-twenty soon be incapable of proceeding with any, so or eight-and-forty hours, like a mass of inert surely does it disturb my sleep and affect my matter, becomes a positive pleasure. I always dreams if I dwell upon one with any continuous prepare myself for such occasions with some attention. The truth is, that though some per- closely-printed pocket volume, of pregnant matsons, whose knowledge of me is scarcely skin ter, for which I should not be likely to afford leisdeep, suppose I have no nerves, because I have ure at other times. Erasmus's Colloquies stood great self-control as far as regards the surface; me in good stead for more than one journey; if it were not for great self-management, and Sir Thomas More's Utopia for another. When what may be called a strict intellectual regimen, I was a schoolboy I loved traveling, and enjoyI should very soon be in a deplorable state of ed it, indeed, as long as I could say omnnia mea what is called nervous disease, and this would mecum; that is, as long as I could carry with have been the case any time during the last me an undivided heart and mind, and had nothtwenty years. ing to make me wish myself in any other place "Thank God, I am well at present, and well than where I was. The journey from London employed: Brazil and Wesley both at the press; to Bristol at the holidays was one of the pleasa paper for the Quarterly Review in hand, and ures which I looked for at breaking up; and I Oliver Newman now seriously resumed; while used generally to travel by day rather than by for light reading I am going through South's Ser- night, that I might lose none of the expected mons and the whole British and Irish part of the enjoyment. I wish I had kept a journal of all Acta Sanctorum. those journeys; for some of the company into " In the MSS. of Wesley, which passed through which I have fallen might have furnished matter Gifford's hands while you were absent, there was worthy of preservation. Once I traveled with a chapter which I wished you to have seen, be- the keeper of a crimping-house at Charing Cross, cause both in matter and manner it is among the who, meeting with an old acquaintance in the best things I have written. It contained a view coach, told him his profession while I was supof our religious history down to the accession of posed to be asleep in the corner. Once I formthe present family-not the facts, but the spirit ed an acquaintance with a young deaf and dumb of the history. You will be pleased to see how man, and learned to converse with him. Once I have relieved and diversified this book, which I fell in with a man of a race now nearly exwill be as elaborate as a Dutchman's work, and tinct-a village mathematician; a self-taught, as entertaining as a Frenchman's. iron-headed man, who, if he had been lucky "I want now to provide against that inability enough to have been well educated and entered which may any day or any moment overtake me. at Trinity Hall, might have been first wrangler, You are not mistaken in thinking that the last and perhaps have gone as near toward doubling three years have considerably changed me; the the cube as any of the votaries of Mathesis. outside remains pretty much the same, but it is (Pray write a sonnet to that said personage.) far otherwise within. If hitherto the day has This man was pleased with me, and (perhaps bebeen sufficient for the labor, as well as the labor cause I was flattered by perceiving it) I have a for the day, I now feel that it can not always, and distinct recollection of his remarkable countepossibly may not long be so. Were I dead there nance after an interval of nearly thirty years. would be a provision for my family, which, though He labored very hard to give me a love of his not such as I yet hope to make it, would yet be a own favorite pursuit; and it is my own fault respectable one. But if I were unable to work, that I can not now take the altitude of a church half my ways and means would instantly be cut tower by the help of a cocked hat, as he taught off, and the whole of them are needed. Such me, or would have taught, if I could have retainthoughts did not use to visit me. My spirits re- ed such lessons. tain their strength, but they have lost their buoy- " It is an act, not absolutely of heroic virtue, ancy, and that forever. I should be the better but of something like it, my writing to you this for traveling, but that is not in my power. At evening. Four successive evenings I have been present the press fetters me, and if it did not, I prevented from carrying into effect the fixed could not afford to be spending money when I purpose of so doing; first by the general's dropought to be earning it. But I shall work the ping in to pass the last evening with me before harder to enable me so to do. his departure, then by letters which required re" God bless you! R. S." ply without delay; and this afternoon, just before the bell rang for tea, a huge parcel was To Chauncey H. Townshend, Esq. brought up stairs, containing twenty volumes of "Keswick, Dec. 10, 1818. the Gospel Magazine, in which dunghill I am " MY DEAR CHAUNCEY, now about to rake for wheat, or for wild oats, it "You made the best use of your misfortune you like the metaphor better. at Kendal. The most completely comfortless " Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." AETAT. 45. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 371 To John Rickman, Esq. condition of educated women as the establish"Dec. 11, 1818. ment of savings' banks has been for bettering the " MY DEAR R., state of the lower classes. " * X 3 * * * * "I am reading Coxe's Memoirs of MarlborI sometimes try to persuade myself that mine is ough, by far the best of his books. -Marlbora Turkish sort of constitution, and that exercise ough appears to more advantage in all respects and out-of-door air are not needful for its well- the more he is known. The reading is not grabeing; but the body begins to require better tuitous, for I am to review the work. management than it did; it will not take care Longman sent me Muller's Universal Histoof itself so well as it did twenty years ago, and ry, a surprising work. though I find him deficient I need not look in the glass for a memento that in knowledge and in views in the points where I have begun the down-hill part of my journey. I am competent to be his judge. Have you seen So be it. There is so much for my heart, and Fearon's Sketches of America? It is very amushope, and curiosity at the end of the stage, that ing to see a man who hates all the institutions if I thought only of myself in this world, I should of his own country compelled to own that every wish that I was there. thing is worse in America, and groan while he "It is a strange folly, a fatality, that men in makes the confession; too honest to conceal the power will not see the prudence of anticipating truth, and yet bringing it up as if it were got at public feeling sometimes, and doing things with by means of emetic tartar, sorely against his a grace for the sake of popularity, which must stomach. I wish I were not too busy to write be done with ignominy upon compulsion. For a careful review of this book. instance, in Lord Cochrane's affair, it was wrong " Did I tell you concerning Morris Birbeck, to condemn him to the pillory; but if that part that he sunk E8000 by a speculation in. soap, of the sentence had been annulled before popu- and was Lord Onslow's tenant, which said Lord lar opinion was expressed, the prince would have Onslow indited upon him this epigram: gained credit instead of being supposed to yield' Had you ta'en less delight in to the newspapers. There is another case in the Political writing, suicide laws. *' And again in the Nor to vain speculations given scope, suide laws. * And again in the You'd have paid me your rent, matter of forgery; the law must be altered, and Your time better spent, this not from the will of the Legislature, but by And bsides-washed your hands of the soap. the will of the London juries! The juries, how- " God bless you! R. S." ever, if they go on in their present course, will do more than this-they will prove that the very To Mr. Ebenezer Elliott, Jun. institution of juries, on which we have prided "Keswick, Jan. 30, 1819. ourselves so long, is inconsistent not only with " MY DEAR SIR, common sense, but with the safety of society and "I received your little volume yesterday.* the security of government. I wish, when the You may rest assured that you ascribed the conquestion of forgery comes before the House (as demnation in the Monthly Magazine to the true it surely must do), that something may be said cause. and done also for restoring that part of the sys- " There are abundant evidences of power in tern which makes the jurymen punishable for a it; its merits are of the most striking kind; and false verdict. its defects are not less striking, both in plan and "I have written shortly about the Copyright execution. The stories had better each have question for the Q. R., and put in a word, without been separate, than linked together without any any hope of a change in my time, upon the ab- natural or necessary connection. The first consurd injustice of the existing laws. My own case sists of such grossly improbable circumstances, hereafter will plead more strongly against them that it is altogether as incredible as if it were than it is in my power to do now, as, according a supernatural tale; it is also a hateful story, to all appearances, my copyrights will be much presenting nothing but what is painful. In the more valuable property after my death than they second, the machinery is preposterously disprohave ever yet proved. portionate to the occasion. And in all the poems " God bless you! there is too much ornament, too much effort, too "Always and affectionately yours, R. S." much labor. You think you can never embroider your drapery too much; and that the more gold To John Rickman, Esq. and jewels you can fasten on it, the richer the "Jan. 1, 1818. effect must be. The consequence is, that there:' MY DEAR R., is a total want of what painters call breadth and "Many happy new years to you and yours, keeping, and, therefore, the effect is lost. and may you go on well however the world goes. " You will say that this opinion proceeds from Go as it may, it is some satisfaction to think the erroneous system which I have pursued in that it will not be the worse for any thing that my own writings, and which has prevented my you and I have done in it. And it is to be hoped poems from obtaining the same popularity as that our work is not done yet. I have a strong those of Lord Byron and Walter Scott. But look hope that something may be effected in our old at those poets whose rank is established beyond scheme about the reformed convents, and that would be as great a step toward amending the * This volume of poems was entitled "Night." 372 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AETAT. 45. all controversy. Look at the Homeric poems- a tenure as an infant's life, or indulging in any at Virgil, Dante, Ariosto, Milton. Do not ask vain dreams of what may be, I am thankful for yourself what are the causes of the failure or him now that he is come. success of your cotemporaries; their failure or " You would have heard from me ere long, success is not determined yet-a generation, an even if Mr. Ticknor* had not given a spur to my age, a century will not suffice to determine it. tardy intentions. I should soon have written to But see what it is by which those poets have say that you will shortly receive the concluding rendered themselves immortal; who, after the volume of my History of Brazil, for I am now lapse of centuries, are living and acting upon us drawing fast toward the close of that long labor. still. This volume has less of the kite and crow war" I should not speak to you thus plainly of fare than its predecessors, and is rich in informayour fault-the sin by which the angels fell-if tion of various kinds, which has never till now it were not for the great powers which are thus come before the public in any shape. Indeed, injured by misdirection; and it is for the sake of when I think of the materials from which it has bearing testimony to those powers, and thereby been composed, and how completely, during endeavoring to lessen the effect which a rascally great part of my course, I have been without eicriticism may have produced upon your feelings, ther chart or pilot to direct me, I look back that I am now writing. That criticism may with wonder upon what I have accomplished. give you pain, because it may effect the minds of I go to London in about seven weeks from this persons not very capable of forming an opinion for time, and as soon as I return the Peninsular War themselves, who may either be glad to be encour- will be sent to press. aged in despising your production, or grieved at " Our successors (for you and I are now old seeing it condemned. But in any other point of enough in authorship to use this term) are fallview it is unworthy of a moment's thought. ing into the same faults as the Roman poets after " You may do great things if you will cease the Augustan age, and the Italians after the goldto attempt so much-if you will learn to propor- en season of their poetry. They are overlabortion your figures to your canvas.' Cease to over- ing their productions, and overloading them with lay your foregrounds with florid ornaments. and ornament, so that all parts are equally promibe persuaded that, in a poem as well as in a nent, every where glare and glitter, and no keeppicture, there must be lights and shades; that ing and no repose. Henry Milman has spoiled the general effect can never be good unless the his Samor in this way. It is full of power and subordinate parts are kept down, and that the of beauty, but too full of them. There is anothbrilliancy of one part is brought out and height- er striking example in a little volume called ened by the repose of the other. One word Night, where some of the most uncouth stories more. imaginable are told in a strain of continued tip"With your powers of thought and language, toe effort; and you are vexed to see such unyou need not seek to produce effect by monstrous common talents so oddly applied, and such Herincidents or exaggerated characters. These culean strength wasted in preposterous exertions. drams have been administered so often that they The author's name is Elliott, a self-taught man, are beginning to lose their effect; and it is to in business (the iron trade, I believe) at Rothertruth and nature that we must come at last. ham. He sends play after play to the London Trust to them, and they will bear.you through. theaters, and has always that sort of refusal You are now squandering wealth with which, if which gives him encouragement to try another. it be properly disposed, you may purchase gold- Sheridan said of one of them that it was " a comen reputation. ical tragedy, but he did not know any man who " But you must reverence your elders more, could have written such a one." I have given and be less eager for immediate applause. him good advice, which he takes as it is meant, " You will judge of the sincerity of my praise and something may come of him yet. by the frankness of my censure. "It was reported that you were about to bring " Farewell! And believe me, yours faithful- forth a play, and I was greatly in hopes it might ly, R. SOTITHEY." be true; for I am verily persuaded that in this course you would run as brilliant a career as To Walter Scott, Esq. you have already done in narrative, both in prose "March 11, 1819. and rhyme, for as for believing that you have a " MY DEAR SCOTT, double in the field-not I! Those same powers "My conscience will not let me direct a let- would be equally certain of success in the drama; ter to your care without directing one to your- and were you to give them a dramatic direcself by the same post. tion, and reign for a third seven years upon the " A great event has happened to me within stage, you would stand alone in literary history. this fortnight-the birth of a child, after an inter- Indeed, already I believe that no man ever afval of nearly seven years, and that child a son. forded so much delight to so great a number of This was a chance to which I looked rather with his cotemporaries in this or any other country. dread than with hope, after having seen the flow- " God bless you, my dear Scott! Rememer of my earthly hopes and happiness cut down. But it is well that these thingfs are not in our But it is well that these things are not in * The accomplished author of " The History of Span. own disposal i and without building upon so frail ish Literature." Harper & Brothers, 1850. IETAT. 45. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 373 her me to Mrs. S. and your daughter, and be- evil would be to apprehend it. But I believe lieve me, that I manage myself well by frequent change "Ever yours affectionately, of employment, frequent idling, and keeping my " ROBERT SOUTHEY." mind as free as I can from any strong excitement. " God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. " R. S." "Keswick, April, 9, 1819. " MY DEAR G., To the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot.:: * ~: * * * *: "Keswick, May 29, 1819. Even if I were in town, I certainly should not " MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, go to the Westminster meeting. The chance " So long a time had elapsed without my hearof seeing some half dozen men with whom I ing from you, or by any accident of you, that I might exchange a few words of recognition and began to fear what might have been the cause shake hands, would not make amends for the of this long silence, and was almost afraid to inmelancholy recollection of those whom I loved quire. I am very sorry that Mr. Bush did not better and used to see at the same time. More- make use of your name when he was at Kesover, I have an absolute hatred of all public wick last summer; he could have brought with meetings, and would rather go without a din- him no better introduction, and I have always ner than eat it in such an assembly. I went to time to perform offices of attention and hospitalthe Academy's dinner for the sake of facing ity to those who are entitled to them. He left William Smith; but I go to no more such. a good impression here as an excellent preach" My wish will be to see as much of my friends er; indeed, I have seldom or never heard a more as I can, and as little of my acquaintance; and, judicious one. The account which he gave you therefore, I mean to refuse all such invitations of my way of life is not altogether correct. I as would throw me among strangers or indiffer- have no allotted quantum of exercise, but, as at ent persons, except in cases where I owe some- Oxford, sometimes go a long while without any, thing for civilities received; for I do not want to and sometimes take walks that would try the see lions, and still less do I desire to be exhibited mettle of a younger man. And a great deal as one, and go where I should be expected to more of my time is employed in reading than in open my mouth and roar. writing; if it were not, what I write would be "There is another reason* why I would not of very little value. But that I am a close stuattend the Westminster meeting. As I never dent is very true, and such I shall continue to be went during Vincent's life, it might seem as if I as long as my eyes and other faculties last. felt myself at liberty to go there now, and had "You must apply in time if you design to not done so before. Whereas, so far was I from place your son at Oriel; it is now no easy matharboring any resentment toward Vincent, or ter to obtain admission there, nor, indeed, at any any unpleasant feeling of any kind, that I have college which is in good reputation. I almost long and with good reason looked upon my ex- wonder that you do not give the preference to pulsion from Westminster as having been in its old Baliol for the sake of old times, now that the consequences the luckiest event of my life; and college has fairly obtained a new character, and for many years I should have been glad to have is no longer the seat of drunkenness, raffery, and met the old man, in full persuasion that he would indiscipline, as it was in our days. It is even have not been sorry to have met with me. doubtful whether if I were an under-graduate "I had a beautiful lettert yesterday from now I should be permitted to try my skill in poor Walter Scott, who has been on the very throwing stones for the pleasure of hearing them brink of the grave, and feels how likely it is that knock against your door. Seriously, however, any day or hour may send him there. If he is altered as the college is, there would be an adsufficiently recovered, I shall meet him in Lon- vantage in sending your son there, where you don; but his health is broken beyond all prospect have left a good name and a good example. or hope of complete recovery. He entreats me Poor Thomas Howe,* I believe, led but a melto take warning, and beware of overworking my- ancholy life after he left college; without neighself. I am afraid no person ever took that ad- bors, without a family, without a pursuit, he vice who stood in need of it, and still more afraid must have felt dismally the want of his old routhat the surest way of bringing on the anticipated tine, and sorely have missed his pupils, the chapel bells, and the common room. A monk is * Of your reasons for declining to be present at the Westminster meeting, one class I do not approve, and the much happier than an old fellow of a college other I do not admit. How it will look that you go to it who retires to reside upon a country living. after Vincent's death, never having gone to it during his ppier are you at this day, life, is no question, for it will have no look at all, for no- And how much happier are you at this day, with body will look at it. This is just one of the feelings that all the tedium which your daily occupation must a man has when he kcozos that he has a hole in his stock- brinr with it than if you had obtained a fellowing. and fancies, of course, that the attention of all the company is attracted to it. The last time I ever saw the ship, and then waited twenty years for preferold dean, he spoke of you with kindness and approbation, ment. and, I thought, with pride. * If I were to have you here on that day, I should tie a string round your leg Believe me, my dear Lightfoot, yours affecand pull you in an opposite direction to that in which I tionately as in old times, R. SOUITEY."' meant to drive you. Swallow that and digest it."-G. C..B. to R. S., April 12, 1819. t See Life of Sir Walter Scott, 2d edit., vol. vi., p. 41. * Iis college tutor. See ante, p. 73. 374 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 45. The following letter I found copied among my ject, and this would satisfy it; and if it has been father's papers, but without name or date; it ev- wounded, this, and this only, is the cure. idently, however, belongs to this period, and is, " Are you displeased with this freedom? Or I think, worthy of insertion here, as showing his do you receive it as a proof that I am disposed aptness to suggest religious thoughts whenever to become something more than a mere literary an occasion presented itself, and the judicious acquaintance, and that you have made me feel manner in which he does so. an interest concerning you which an ordinary person could not have excited? "Keswick, 1819.'8 * * *' " I have behaved very ill in having so long de- "Scott is very ill. He suffers dreadfully, but layed replying to a lady's letter, and that letter, bears his sufferings with admirable equanimity, too, one which deserved a ready and a thankful and looks on to the probable termination of them acknowledgment. Forgive me. I am not wont with calmness and a well-founded hope. God to be thus discourteous; and in the present in- grant that he may recover! He is a noble and stance there is some excuse for it, for your let- generous-hearted creature, whose like we shall ter arrived at a time of much anxiety. My wife not look upon again." had a three months' illness after the birth of a son; and during that time it was as much as I To Wade Browune, Esq. could do to force my attention to business which "Keswick, June 15, 1819. could not be left undone. My heart was not "MY DEAR SIR, enough at ease to be addressing you. When you hear that my journey to the south " The number of unknown correspondents must be postponed till the fall of the leaf, I fear whom I have had in my time does not lessen my you will think me infirm of purpose, and as little desire of seeing you, nor abate that curiosity to be depended on as the wind and weather in which men feel as strongly as women, except this our mutable climate. Its cause, however, that they have not the same leisure for thinking lies rather in a good, obstinate principle of perof it. severance than in any fickleness of temper. This * x * * * * * history, of which the hundredth sheet is now " You tell me that the whole of your happi- upon my desk, will confine me here so far into ness is dependent upon literary pursuits and rec- the summer (beyond all previous or possible calreations. It is well that you have these resour- culation), that if I went into the south as soon as ces; but, were we near each other, and were I it is completed, I should be under the necessity to like you half as well upon a nearer acquaint- of shortening my stay there, and leaving part of ance as it appears to me at this distance that I my business undone, in order to return in time should do, I think that when I had won your con- for a long-standing engagement, which in the fidence I should venture to tell you that some- autumn will take me into the Highlands. All thing better than literature is necessary for hap- things duly considered, it seems best to put off piness. my journey to London till November, by which " To confess the truth, one of the causes which time all my running accounts with the press will have prevented me from writing to you earlier be settled. has, been the wish and half intention of touching, 4 * upon this theme checked by that sort of hesita- Cuthbert, who is now four months old, is betion which sometimes (and that too often) pre- ginning to serve me as well as his sisters for a vents us from doing what we ought for fear of plaything. The country is in its full beauty at singularity. That you are a woman of talents this time-perhaps in greater than I may ever I know; and I think you would not have given again see it, for it is reported that the woods on me the preference over more fashionable poets, Castelet are condemned to come down next year: if there had not been something in the general this, if it be true, is the greatest loss that Kescharacter of my writings which accorded with wick could possibly sustain, and in no place will your feelings, and which you did not find in the loss be more conspicuous than from the room theirs. But you have lived in high life; you wherein I am now writing. But this neighbormove in circles of gayety and fashion; and though hood has suffered much from the ax since you you sympathize with me when I express myself were here.* The woods about Lodore are in verse, it is more than probable that the direct gone; so are those under Castle-Crag; so is mention of religion may startle you, as something the little knot of fir-trees on the way to church, unwarranted as well as unexpected. which were so placed as to make one of the feat"I am no Methodist, no sectarian, no bigot, ures of the vale; and, worst of all, so is that no formalist. My natural spirits are buoyant be- beautiful birch grove on the side of the lake beyond those of any person, man, woman, or child, tween Barrow aud Lodore. Not a single sucker whom I ever saw or heard of. They have had is springing up in its place; and, indeed, it would enough to try them and to sink them, and it is require a full century before another grove could by religion alone that I shall be enabled to pass be reared which would equal it in beauty. It the remainder of my days in cheerfulness and in is lucky that they can not level the mountains hope. Without hope there can be no happiness, nor drain the lake; bnt they are doing what they and without religion, no hope but such as de- "* See the beginning of Colloquy X., On the Progress ceives us. Your heart seems to want an ob- and Prospects of Society. 374 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 45. The following letter I found copied among my ject, and this would satisfy it; and if it has been father's papers, but without name or date; it ev- wounded, this, and this only, is the cure. idently, however, belongs to this period, and is, " Are you displeased with this freedom? Or I think, worthy of insertion here, as showing his do you receive it as a proof that I am disposed aptness to suggest religious thoughts whenever to become something more than a mere literary an occasion presented itself, and the judicious acquaintance, and that you have made me feel manner in which he does so. an interest concerning you which an ordinary person could not have excited? "Keswick, 1819.'8 * * *' " I have behaved very ill in having so long de- "Scott is very ill. He suffers dreadfully, but layed replying to a lady's letter, and that letter, bears his sufferings with admirable equanimity, too, one which deserved a ready and a thankful and looks on to the probable termination of them acknowledgment. Forgive me. I am not wont with calmness and a well-founded hope. God to be thus discourteous; and in the present in- grant that he may recover! He is a noble and stance there is some excuse for it, for your let- generous-hearted creature, whose like we shall ter arrived at a time of much anxiety. My wife not look upon again." had a three months' illness after the birth of a son; and during that time it was as much as I To Wade Browune, Esq. could do to force my attention to business which "Keswick, June 15, 1819. could not be left undone. My heart was not "MY DEAR SIR, enough at ease to be addressing you. When you hear that my journey to the south " The number of unknown correspondents must be postponed till the fall of the leaf, I fear whom I have had in my time does not lessen my you will think me infirm of purpose, and as little desire of seeing you, nor abate that curiosity to be depended on as the wind and weather in which men feel as strongly as women, except this our mutable climate. Its cause, however, that they have not the same leisure for thinking lies rather in a good, obstinate principle of perof it. severance than in any fickleness of temper. This * x * * * * * history, of which the hundredth sheet is now " You tell me that the whole of your happi- upon my desk, will confine me here so far into ness is dependent upon literary pursuits and rec- the summer (beyond all previous or possible calreations. It is well that you have these resour- culation), that if I went into the south as soon as ces; but, were we near each other, and were I it is completed, I should be under the necessity to like you half as well upon a nearer acquaint- of shortening my stay there, and leaving part of ance as it appears to me at this distance that I my business undone, in order to return in time should do, I think that when I had won your con- for a long-standing engagement, which in the fidence I should venture to tell you that some- autumn will take me into the Highlands. All thing better than literature is necessary for hap- things duly considered, it seems best to put off piness. my journey to London till November, by which " To confess the truth, one of the causes which time all my running accounts with the press will have prevented me from writing to you earlier be settled. has, been the wish and half intention of touching, 4 * upon this theme checked by that sort of hesita- Cuthbert, who is now four months old, is betion which sometimes (and that too often) pre- ginning to serve me as well as his sisters for a vents us from doing what we ought for fear of plaything. The country is in its full beauty at singularity. That you are a woman of talents this time-perhaps in greater than I may ever I know; and I think you would not have given again see it, for it is reported that the woods on me the preference over more fashionable poets, Castelet are condemned to come down next year: if there had not been something in the general this, if it be true, is the greatest loss that Kescharacter of my writings which accorded with wick could possibly sustain, and in no place will your feelings, and which you did not find in the loss be more conspicuous than from the room theirs. But you have lived in high life; you wherein I am now writing. But this neighbormove in circles of gayety and fashion; and though hood has suffered much from the ax since you you sympathize with me when I express myself were here.* The woods about Lodore are in verse, it is more than probable that the direct gone; so are those under Castle-Crag; so is mention of religion may startle you, as something the little knot of fir-trees on the way to church, unwarranted as well as unexpected. which were so placed as to make one of the feat"I am no Methodist, no sectarian, no bigot, ures of the vale; and, worst of all, so is that no formalist. My natural spirits are buoyant be- beautiful birch grove on the side of the lake beyond those of any person, man, woman, or child, tween Barrow aud Lodore. Not a single sucker whom I ever saw or heard of. They have had is springing up in its place; and, indeed, it would enough to try them and to sink them, and it is require a full century before another grove could by religion alone that I shall be enabled to pass be reared which would equal it in beauty. It the remainder of my days in cheerfulness and in is lucky that they can not level the mountains hope. Without hope there can be no happiness, nor drain the lake; bnt they are doing what they and without religion, no hope but such as de- "* See the beginning of Colloquy X., On the Progress ceives us. Your heart seems to want an ob- and Prospects of Society. 376 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 45. me freely; I would gladly be of use to you, if peruse it with avidity and delight. Some fifty, I could. perhaps, will buy the book because of the sub" Farewell, and believe me, ject, and ask one another if they have had time "Your sincere well-wisher, to look into it. A few of those who know me "ROBERT SOUTHEY." will wish that I had employed the time which it has cost in writing poems; and some of those To C. H. Townshend, Esq. who do not know me will marvel that in the ripe " Keswick, July 20, 1819. season of my mind, in the summer of reputation, " MY DEAR CHAUNCEY, I should have bestowed so large a portion of Cc t 3 A * * life upon a work which could not possibly beI have not seen more of Don Juan than some come either popular or profitable. And is this extracts in a country paper, wherein my own all? No, Chauncey Townshend, it is not all; name is coupled with a rhyme which I thought and I should deal insincerely with you if I did would never be used by any person but myself not add, that ages hence it will be found among when kissing one of my own children in infancy, those works which are not destined to perish, and talking nonsense to it, which, whatever you and secure for me a remembrance in other counmay think of it at present as an exercise for the tries as well as in my own; that it will be read intellect, I hope you will one day have occasion jin the heart of S. America, and communicate to to practice, and you will then find out its many the Brazilians, when they shall have become a and various excellences. I do not yet know powerful nation, much of their own history which whether the printed poem is introduced by a ded- would otherwise have perished, and be to them ication* to me, in a most hostile strain, which what the work of Ierodotus is to Europe. You came over with it, or whether the person who will agree with me on one point at least-that has done Lord Byron the irreparable injury of I am in no danger of feeling disappointment. sending into the world what his own publisher But you will agree, also, that no man can deand his friends endeavored, for his sake, to keep serve or obtain the applause of after ages, if he out of it, has suppressed it. This is to me a is too solicitous about that of his own. matter of perfect unconcern. Lord Byron at- " God bless you! R. S." tacked me when he ran amuck as a satirist; he found it convenient to express himself sorry for To C. W. W. Wynn, Esq., M.P. that satire, and to have such of the persons told " Keswick, July 22, 1829. so whom he had assailed in it as he was likely " MY DEAR WYNN, to fall in with in society-myself among the num- " I give you joy of your escape from late hours ber. I met him three or four times on courteous in the House of Commons and a summer in Lonterms, and saw enough of him to feel that he don. I congratulate you upon exchanging gaswas rather to be shunned than sought. Attack lights for the moon and stars, and the pavement me as he will, I shall not go out of my course of Whitehall for your noble terraces, which I to break a spear with him; but if it comes in never can think of without pleasure, because my way to give him a passing touch, it will be they are beautiful in themselves, and carry one one that will leave a scar. back to old times - any thing which does this " The third and last volume of my Opus Ma- does one good. Were I to build a mansion with jus will be published in two or three weeks; the means of Lord Lonsdale or Lord Grosvenor. they are printing the index. What effect will I would certainly make hanging gardens if the it produce? It may tend to sober the anticipa- ground permitted it. They have a character of tions of a young author to hear the faithful antic- grandeur and of permanence, without which ipations of an experienced one. None that will nothing can be truly grand, and they are fine be heard of. It will move quietly from the pub- even in decay. uishers to a certain number of reading socie- " I will come to you for a day or two, on my ties, and a certain number of private libraries; way to town, about the beginning of December. enough between them to pay the expenses of the This will be a flying visit; but one of these sumpublication. Some twenty persons in England, mers or autumns, I should like dearly to finish and some half dozen in Portugal and Brazil, will the projected circuit with you which Mr. Curry cut short in the year 1801, when he sent for the * This dedication, which is sufficiently scurrilous, is pre- most unfit man in the world to be his secretary, fixed to the poem in the Collected Edition of Lord Byron's having nothing whatever for him to do and Life and Works, with the following note by the Editor: "This dedication was suppressed in 181.5 with Lord By- many years must not be suffered to go by. My ron's reluctant consent; but shortly after his death its ex- next birth-day will be the forty-fifth, and every istence became notorious, in consequence of an article in - te fm te i the Westminster Review, generally ascribed to Sir John yea wll somethng the nclnaton to Hobhouse; and for several years the verses have been move, and perhaps, also, from the power of enselling in the streets as a broadside. It could, therefore, oyment. serve no purpose to exclude them on this occasion."Byron's Life and Works, vol. xv., 101. 1 was not disappointed with Crabbe's Tales. The editor seems by this to have felt some slight com- He is a decided mannerist, but so are all origpunction at publishing this dedication; but he publishes. for the first time another attack upon my father a hun- mal riters in all ages; nor is it possible for a dred-fold worse than this, contained in some " Observa- poet to avoid it, if he writes much in the salme key tions upon an Article in Blackwood's Magazine," without and pon the sae class of s ts. Cbbe's any apology. This subject, however, will imore properly fall to be lnoiccd hereafter. poems will have a great and lasting value as 2ETAT. 46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 377 pictures of domestic life, elucidating the moral find your spirits fail, put off your ordination and history of these times-times which must hold shorten your hours of study; Lord Coke requires a most conspicuous place in history. He knows only eight hours for a student of the law, and his own powers, and never aims above his reach. Sir Matthew Hale thought six hours a day as In this age, when the public are greedy for nov- much as any one could well bear; eight, he said, elties, and abundantly supplied with them, an was too much. author may easily commit the error of giving "I was about seven weeks absent from home. them too much of the same kind of thing. But My route was from Edinburgh, Loch Katrine, this will not be thought a fault hereafter, when and thence to Dunkeld and Dundee, up the east the kind is good, or the thing good of its kind. coast to Aberdeen, then to Banff and Inverness, " Peter Roberts is a great loss. I begin al- and up the coast as far as Fleet Mound, which most to despair of ever seeing more of the Ma- is within sight of the Ord of Caithness. We binogion; and yet, if some competent Welsh- crossed from Dingwall to the Western Sea, reman could be found to edit it carefully, with as turned to Inverness, took the line of the Caledoliteral a version as possible, I am sure it might nian Canal, crossed Ballachulish Ferry, and so be made worth his while by a subscription, to Inverary, Loch Lomond, Glasgow, and home. printing a small edition at a high price, perhaps This took in the greatest and best part of Scot200, at c<5 5s. I myself would gladly subscribe land; and I saw it under the most favorable cirat that price per volume for such an edition of cumstances of weather and season, in the midst the whole of your genuine remains in prose and of a joyous harvest, and with the best opportuniverse. Till some such collection is made, the ties for seeing every thing, and obtaining inform-'gentlemen of Wales' ought to be prohibited ation. I traveled with my old friend Mr. Rickfrom wearing a leek; ay, and interdicted from man, and Mr. Telford, the former secretary, and toasted cheese also. Your bards would have met the latter engineer to the two committees for the with better usage if they had been Scotchmen. Caledonian Canal and the Highland Roads and "Shall we see some legislatorial attorneys Bridges. They also are the persons upon whom sent to Newgate next session? or will the likely the appropriation of the money from the forfeitconviction of -- damp the appetite for rebell- ed estates, for improving and creating harbors, ion which is at present so sharp set? I heard has devolved. It was truly delightful to see how the other day of a rider explaining at one of the much government has done and is doing for the inns in this town how well the starving manu- improvement of that part of the kingdom, and facturers at Manchester might be settled by par- how much, in consequence of that encourageceling out the Chatsworth estate among them. ment, the people are doing for themselves, which The savings' banks will certainly prove a strong they would not have been able to do without it. bulwark for property in general. And a great "So long an absence involves me, of course, deal may be expected from a good system of in heavy arrears of business. I have to write colonization; but it must necessarily be a long half a volume of Wesley, and to prepare a long while before a good system can be formed (hav- paper for the Q. R. (a Life of Marlborough) being no experience to guide us, for we have no fore I can set my face toward London, so I shall knowledge how these things were managed by probably pass the months of February and March the ancients), and a long while, also, before the in and about town. * * * A great people can enter into it. But that a regular many Cantabs have been summering here, where and regulated emigration must become a part they go by the odd name of Cathedrals.* Sevof our political system, is as certain as that na- eral of them brought introductions to me, and ture shows us the necessity in every bee-hive. were good specimens of the rising generation. God bless you! R. S." -* * God bless you, my dear Neville! " Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." A large portion of the autumn of this year was occupied in a Scottish tour. to which the To ]lr. Neville White. following letter refers. Of this, as of all his "Keswick, Nov. 20, 1819. journeys, he kept a minute and interesting jour- " MY DEAR NEVILLE, nal, and the time and attention required for this "I wish, for your sake, that the next few purpose prevented him from writing any but months were over-that you had passed your short and hurried letters. examination, and were quietly engaged in the regular course of parochial duty. In labore To Mr. NTeville TVhite. quies, you know, is the motto which I borrowed "Keswick, Oct. 14, 1819. from my old predecessor Garibay. It is only in " MY DEAR NEVILLE, the discharge of duty that that deep and entire " You need not be warned to remember that contentment which alone deserves to be called all other considerations ought to give way to happiness is to be found, and you will go the that of health. A mai had better break a bone, way to find it. Were I a bishop, it would give or even lose a limb, than shake his nervous sys- me great satisfaction to lay hands upon a man tem. I, who never talk about my nerves (and like you, fitted as you are for the service of the am supposed to have none by persons who see altar by principle and disposition, almost beyond as far into me as they do into a stone wall), know this. Take care of yourself; and if you * This was a Cumberland corruption of " Collegian." B B 373 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF SETAT. 46. any man whom I have ever known. I have long who chooses on this occasion to be called A. B., regarded it as a great misfortune to the Church and I have written to his Bristol friends, who of England that men so seldom enter it at a ma- are able to do more for him than we are, and on ture age, when their characters are settled, when whom he has stronger personal claims, so that I the glare of youth and hope has passed away; hope we shall secure him the decencies of life. the things of tie world are seen in their true col- You will understand that this is an explanation ors, and a calm and sober piety has taken pos- to you, not an application. In a case of this session of the heart. The Romanists have a kind, contributions become a matter of feeling great advantage over us in this. and duty among those who know the party, but " You asked me some time ago what I thought strangers are not to be looked to. about the Manchester business. I look upon it God bless you! R. S." as an unfortunate business, because it has enabled factious and foolish men to raise an outcry, To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. and divert public attention from the great course "Keswick, Dec. 20, 1819 of events to a mere accidental occurrence. That MY DEAR G., the meeting was unlawful, and in terrorem pop- " 0 * * * * *, uli, is to me perfectly clear. The magistrates I have been obliged to complain to Gifford of the committed an error in employing the yeomanry mutilations which he has made in this paper. instead of the regulars to support the civil pow- Pray recover the manuscript if you can, or, what er; for the yeomanry, after bearing a'great deal, would be better, the set of proof-sheets. It is lost their temper, which disciplined troops would very provoking to have an historical paper of not have done. The cause of this error is obvi- that kind, which, perhaps, no person in England ously that the magistrates thought it less obnox- but myself could have written, treated like a ious to employ that species of force than the schoolboy's theme. Vexed, however, as I am, troops-a natural and pardonable mistake. I have too much liking for Gifford to be angry' It is no longer a question between Ins and with him, and have written to him in a manner Outs, nor between Whigs and Tories. It is be- which will prove this. * *. tween those who have something to lose, and "Your godson, thank God! is going on well, those who have every thing to gain by a disso- and his father has nothing to complain of, except, lution of society. There may be bloodshed, and indeed, that he gets more praise than pudding. I am inclined to think there will, before the Rad- I had a letter last night which would amuse you. icals are suppressed, but suppressed they will be A certain H. Fisher,' printer in ordinary to his for the time. What may be in store for us aft- majesty,' of Caxton Printing-office, Liverpool, erward, who can tell? According to all human writes to bespeak of me a memoir of his present appearances, I should expect the worst, were it majesty in one or two volumes octavo, pica type. not for an abiding trust in Providence, by whose long primer notes, terms five guineas per sheet wise will even our follies are overruled. and'as the work will be sold principally among " God bless you, my dear Neville! the middle class of society, mechanics and trades " Yours affectionately, people, the language, observations, facts, &c., &c., "ROBERT SOUTHEY." to suit them.' This is a fellow who employs hawkers to vend his books about the country. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. You see, Grosvenor,'some have honor thtust "Keswick, Dec. 3, 1819. upon them.' MY DEAR GROSVENOR, " A Yankee also, who keeps an exhibition at "' x a x I must trespass on you Philadelphia, modestly asks me to send him my further, and request that you will seal up ten painted portrait, which, he says, is very worthy pounds, and leave it with Rickman, directed for of a place in his collection. I am to have the Charles Lamb, Esq., from R. S. It is for poor pleasure of sitting for the picture and paying for John Morgan, whom you may remember some it, and he is to show it in Yankee land, admittwenty years ago. This poor fellow, whom I tance so much! knew at school, and whose mother has sometimes God bless you! R. S." asked me to her table when I should otherwise have gone without a dinner, was left with a fair To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. fortune, fiom eC10,000 to 615,000, and with- "Keswick, Dec. 22, 1819. out any vice or extravagance of his own he has " MY DEAR G., lost the whole of it. A stroke of the palsy has " Shields's note is a curiosity in its kind. It utterly disabled him from doing any thing to is so choicely phrased. But he is very civil, and maintain himself; his wife, a good-natured, kind- I would willingly task myself rather than decline hearted woman, whom I knew in her bloom, doing what he wishes me to do. If, however, beauty, and prosperity, has accepted a situation by a general chorus he means one which is to as mistress of a charity-school, with a miserable recur at the end of every stanza, an ode must be salary of;40 a year, and this is all they have. framed with reference to such a burden, or else it In this pitiable case, Lamb and I have promised would be a burden indeed; and, indeed, it would him ten pounds a year each as long as he, lives. be impossible to fit one to stanzas of such difI have got five pounds a year for him from an ferent import as these. If, on the other hand, a excellent fellow, whom you do not know, and concluding stanza is meant, more adaited for a ]ETAT. 46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 379'flourish of trumpets,' &c., I am afraid I can BROTHER EDWARD-JOHN MORGAN-LAUREnot find one, but I will try.* The poem, as it ATE ODES-THE LIFE OF VWESLEY —LETTER IN now stands, is not a discreditable one; so far RHYME FROSM WALES-ACCOUNT OF HIS REfrom it, indeed, that if I execute the scheme of CEIVING THE HONORARY DEGREE OF D.C.L. AT my visionary dialogue (upon which my mind OXFORD-RETURN HOME-CONGRATULATIONS runs), I should introduce it-that upon the prin- TO NEVILLE WHITE ON HIS MARRIAGE-OPINcess's death, and a few pieces more to be writ- IONS ON TIE LIFE OF WESLEY-EXCUSES FOR ten for the occasion, which would come in like IDLENESS- OCCUPATIONS - LETTER FROM the poems in Boethius. SHELLEY-PROJECTED LIFE OF GEORGE FOX "I thought I had explained to you my inten- -MIR. WESTALL AND MR. NASH-THE VISION tions about my journey. Being sufficiently mas- OF JUDGMENT-CLASSICAL STUDIES-RODERIC ter of my time, whether I set out a month sooner TRANSLATED INTO FRENCH-BIOGRAPHICAL or later may be regulated solely by my own con- ANECDOTE-DEATH OF MISS TYLER-BIRTHvenience, so that I return with the summer. I DAY ODE-PORTUGUESE AFFAIRS.- 1820, have to finish Wesley, which will be done in five 1821. weeks, taking it coolly and quietly. I have to finish the review of Marlborough, which will re- IN the preceding pages the reader has had quire three weeks. One of them is my morn- several specimens of the obloquy which my faings', the other my evenings' work. And if I ther's political writings had entailed upon him. am satisfied about the payment for my last pa- It may yet be allowed me once more to say a per, I shall recast the article upon the New few words upon this subject before we enter upon Churches, and perhaps prepare one other also, this last period of his intellectual life, in which in order to be beforehand with my ways and all his opinions and currents of thought were fixed means for the spring and summer. But if there and defined. be any unhandsome treatment, I will not submit It has been the fashion with many of those to it, but strike work as bravely as a radical persons whose opinions were most opposed to weaver. In that case, the time which would those my father held in later life, taking up their have been sold to the maximus homo of Albe- cue from the abuse which was for a long period marle Street will be far more worthily employ- showered upon him in the Liberal journals, to ed in finishing the Tale of Paraguay, which has assume, as an undoubted truth, that at some parproceeded more slowly than tortoise, sloth, or ticular period his views had changed totally and snail, but which, as far as it has gone, is good. suddenly, under the influence of unworthy moIndeed, I must finish it for publication in the en- tives; that he had veered round (like a weathersuing year, or I shall not be able to keep my head cock upon a gusty day) from the leveling opinabove water. The sum of all this is, that I in- ions set forth in Wat Tyler to high Toryism; that tend to work closely at home till the end of Feb- he was a " renegade," an "apostate," a " hireruary, to pass a few days at Ludlow on my way ling," and I know not what; and they attributo town, arrive in London about the second week ted this change, on the one hand, to the mortifiof March, pass five or six weeks, partly at cation he felt at the squibs of the Anti-Jacobin, Streatham, partly in town; go to Sir H. Bun- and at the various satirical attacks which he exbury's for a few days, and perhaps stretch on perienced; and, on the other, to the hope of baskinto Norfolk for another week or ten days, and ing in court smiles, and comfortably "featherfind my way back to Keswick by the end of ing his nest" under ministerial favor. His penMay. sion (which, the reader need not be reminded, A merry Christmas to you! God bless you! left him a poorer man than it found him) was by "R. S." some considered as the pivot upon which he had turned round; and the laureateship, paid by the ~ —^ —----- Imagnificent income of ~90, and taken at a time when the office was considered as all but ridicuCHAPTER XXV. olous, was by such persons regarded as the second instalment of a series of payments for this tergivOPINIONS ON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SUBJECTS- ersation. Others, again, unable to find that these CURIOUS BEQUEST FROM A LUNATIC-LETTER had been the agents in effecting the changes in TO 1HIM DISLIKE OF THE QUAKERS TO POET- his views, and determined to discover some unRY-LIFE OF WESLEY-COLLOQUIES WITH SIR worthy causes for the alteration rather than THOMAS MORE-SIR HOWARD DOUGLAS-THE frankly attribute it to time, experience, increasKING S DEATH PROSPECTS OF SOCIETY-REV. ed knowledge, and calm and deliberate convicPETER ELMSLEY-NEW FASHION OF POETRY tion, have declared that it was his connection OF ITALIAN GROWTH-DON JUAN POLITICAL with the Quarterly Review which chiefly influFOREBODINGS PARALLEL ROADS IN SCOTLAND enced the course of his life and opinions; not -DEATH OF THE DUKE DE BERRI-BEGUIN- choosing to suppose, with greater charity, that AGE SCHEME-ENGLISH SISTERHOODS-HIS the Quarterly Review exhibited those opinions, * "If I give the composer more trouble than poor Pye but did not make them, or to confess that they did, I am sorry for it, but I can no more write like Mr. were the spontaneous growth of his own mind. Pye than Mr. Pye could write like me. His pie-crust and I think it needless nw to attempt to rebut mine were not made of the same materials."-R. S. to G. I think it neeless now to attempt to rebut C. B. charges like these, because the candid reader of 380 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 46. the preceding pages, having seen the ardor and most calculated to ameliorate the condition of frankness with which my father expressed the the lower orders, and to cement the bonds of same opinions in his unguarded correspondence union between all classes of society, and this as which he advocated in his public writings, will proving that both in early and in later life the hardly be disposed to acquiesce in them, espe- objects he aimed at were the same, although he cially as his reasons for refusing to join the Ed- had learned to think that political power was inburgh Review, at a period antecedent to the not the panacea for all the poor man's evils. existence of the Quarterly, are on record. Among the various measures and changes he But as my father's views upon politics have advocated may be named the following, many been so often misrepresented and misunderstood, of which were topics he handled at greater or a brief sketch of the chief of these can hardly be less length in the Quarterly Review, while his misplaced here; and I am the more impelled to opinions upon the others may be found scattered make such a sketch, because I have lately seen throughout his letters: National education to be it asserted that "the only opinions England has assisted by government grants. The diffusion cause to dread are those held and advocated by of cheap literature of a wholesome and harmless Robert Southey during middle life." A notable kind. The necessity of an extensive and wellsentence, showing how little his political oppo- organized system of colonization, and especially nents either know or consider how many of the of encouraging female emigration. The imimprovements and changes which he advocated portance of a wholesome training for the imhave been, or are now being, carried into effect, mense number of children in London and other with the approbation of the best and most distin- large towns, who, without it, are abandoned to guished men of all parties. vice and misery. The establishment of Protest Now, as in politics there are two great and ant sisters of charity, and of a better order of opposite evils to be dreaded-tyrannical govern- hospital nurses. The establishment of savings' ment on the one hand, and anarchy on the other banks in all the small towns throughout the -my father believed that the time for dreading country. The abolishment of flogging in the the former was gone by, and that the latter dan- army and navy, except in cases flagrantly atroger was imminent; and on this account, as we cious. Alterations in the poor laws. Alterahave seen, he directed his energies to supportingi tions in the game laws.* Alterations in the the supreme authority, by urging the adoption criminal laws, as inflicting the punishment of of strong measures toward the seditious writers death in far too many cases. Alterations in the and speakers of the time, by opposing such pro- factory system, for the benefit of the operative, posals as seemed to have a tendency to strength- and especially as related to the employment of en the democratic element, and by himself pro- children. The desirableness of undertaking naposing and urging the adoption of measures for tional works, reproductive ones if possible, in improving the condition of the poorer classes. times of peculiar distress.t The necessity of Under these three heads are comprised, I be- doing away with interments in crowded cities. lieve, most of my father's political acts. Of the The system of giving allotments of ground to latwo first I need not speak: they are sufficiently borers; the employment of paupers in cultivatunderstood; but on the third I would wish to ing waste lands. The commutation of tithes; dilate a little further. Let me, however, first and, lastly, the necessity for more clergymen, guard against being supposed to claim infalli- more colleges, more courts of law. bility for my father in his political opinions. A man whose mind was full of projects of this Doubtless he sometimes erred in his estimate kind ought, I think, to be safe from sentences of both of the good and the evil likely to result indiscriminate condemnation, and, indeed, when from certain measures. Who, indeed, has not we remember how few of them had occupied the so erred? What politician or what party does attention of politicians when he wrote of them, not occasionally anticipate exaggerated effects, it must be allowed that he was one of the chief alike from what they support or what they dep- pioneers of most of the great and real improverecate? But I would submit that, with respect ments which have taken and are taking place in to the ultimate effects of those great measures society in our own times; and though some may he most strongly opposed, time has not yet fully still think his fears of a revolution were exagset his seal upon them; that we have not yet gerated, yet who can say how far the tranquillity seen the whole results either of Catholic Eman- we enjoy has not been owing to the preventive cipation or of the Reform Bill; and with respect and curative measures which he and others who to Free Trade, when its effects have already so thought with him so perseveringly labored to far outrun the calculations of its first movers, bring about? surely he must be a bold man, however much The various literary employments upon which he may wish it to succeed, who will say it is he was engaged in 1819-20 have been frequentnot still an experiment. ly referred to in his letters. The Life of WesBut while the correctness or the fallacy of my ley was in the press. The Peninsular WTar he father's opinions, and of those who thought with was busily employed upon; he had also in proghim upon these points, in great nmeasure has yet The changes he advocated in the game laws have to be decided, I would lay much more stress long since taken place, but, alas I without the good effects upon his views on social subjects - upon his anticipated from them. t Such as of later years has occurred in Treland and earnest advocacy of those measures he thought Scotland. NETAT. 46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 381 ress the Book of the Church, and the Colloquies untoward circumstances to give him one mowith Sir T. More; and to the Quarterly Review ment's disquiet. In the present instance he he was, as we know, a constant contributor, not most philosophically looked on the bright side of so much from choice as from necessity. the matter. " Twice in my life," he says, " has But, in addition to all his other manifold em- the caprice of a testator cut me off from what ployments, the laureateship was an inconvenient the law would have given me had it taken its tax upon his time, and a considerable one upon course, and now the law interferes and cuts me his ingenuity. The regular task-work was still off from what would have been given me by a required, and he was, at the same time, too de- testator. It is, however, a clear gain to escape sirous of rendering the laurel more honorable a suit in Chancery." than it had been, to be content with merely those common-place compositions, which no one could To C. W. TV. Wynn, Esq., M.P. hold more cheaply than he did himself, often des- "Keswick, Jan. 18, 1820. ignating them as "simply good for nothing," and MY DEAR WYNN, declaring " that next to getting rid of the task " I have two things to tell you, both sufficientwhich the laureateship imposed upon him, of ly remarkable. Lord Bathurst, supposing that writing stated verses at stated times, the best I had a son growing up, called on Croker lately thing he could do was to avoid publishing them to offer me a writership for him. I never saw except on his own choice and his own time." Lord B., nor have I any indirect acquaintance The death of the king, which occurred in Jan- with him. The intended kindness, therefore, is nary, 1820, now seemed to call for some more the greater. particular effort on his part; and as this event " A curious charge has been bequeathed me had been for some time expected, he had been -the papers of a man who destroyed himself turning over in his mind in what way he could on the first day of this year, wholly, I believe, best pay his official tribute, and at the same time from the misery occasioned by a state of utter produce something of real merit. We have seen unbelief. I never saw him but once. Last year that from his youth he had been desirous of mak- he wrote me two anonymous letters, soliciting ing the experiment of writing a poem in hex- me to accept this charge. I supposed him, from ameter verse, and it has been noticed that in the what he said, to be in the last stage of some year 1799 he commenced one in that measure. mortal disease, and wrote to him under that perHe now, therefore, determined upon the plan and suasion. And I rather imagined that the religstructure of the Vision of Judgment, which it ious character of my second reply had offended may be supposed was a work of no small time him, for I heard nothing more till last week, and labor, and with this addition to his other when there came a letter from an acquaintance employments he might well say that his " head of mine telling me his name, his fate, and that and his hands were as full as they could hold, the papers were deposited by the suicide himself and that if he had as many heads and as many the day before he executed his fatal purpose, to hands as a Hindoo god, there would be employ- await my directions. I have reason to believe ment enough for them all." that, with all proper respect to the dead as well One other subject may also be mentioned as as to the living, a most melancholy but instructoccupying his thoughts at this time, though prob- ive lesson may be deduced from them. His letably in a less degree than it would have occu- ters are beautiful compositions, and he was a man pied the thoughts of most persons. He has men- of the strictest and most conscientious virtue! tioned in his autobiography that his great uncle, The jury pronounced him insane, which perJohn Canon Southey, had left certain estates of haps they would not have done had they seen considerable value in trust for his great nephew, the paper which he addressed to them. That John Southey Somerville, afterward Lord Som- cruel law should be repealed, and I wish you erville, and his issue, with the intent that if he, would take the credit of repealing it. It is in who was then a child, should die without issue, every point of view barbarous. A particular the estates should descend to the Southeys. prayer for cases of this kind should be added to Lord Somerville was lately dead without issue, our Burial Service, to be used in place of those and my father was under the impression that he parts that express a sure and certain hope for had a legal claim to the property, and was at this the dead. God bless you! R. S." time taking advice upon the subject. It turned out, however, that Canon Southey had not taken Upon a careful examination of the papers here proper care that his intention should be carried alluded to, my father found that it would be quite into effect, for the opinions upon his claim were impossible to make any use of them, as they connot sufficiently favorable to encourage him to tained the strongest internal evidences of the pertake legal proceedings in the matter. feet insanity of the writer. The reader will probThis disappointment he bore as quietly as he ably be interested by the insertion here of the had done others of the same kind, and while by letter* which my father conceived had offended no man would a competence have been more the person to whom it was addressed. This, thankfully welcomed and regarded as a greater however, it had not done; on the contrary, it had blessing, and I believe I may add, better em- affected him considerably, but he reasoned inployed, he was far too wise to disturb himself with unavailing regrets, and never allowed these * My father's first letter to - has not been preserved. 382 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 46. sanely upon it, and it seems not improbable that: ings from the other world are sometimes commuit had caused him to postpone for a while his nicated to us in this; and that, absurd as the wretched intention of suicide, which it appears stories of apparitions generally are, they are not he had determined upon for six years. always false, but that the spirits of the dead have sometimes been permitted to appear. I believe bTo m-.this, because I can not refuse my assent to the "Keswick, March 2, 1819. evidence which exists of such things, and to the " Your letter, my dear sir, affects me greatly. universal consent of all men who have not learnIt represents a state of mind into which I also ed to think otherwise. Perhaps you will not deshould have fallen, had it not been for that sup- spise this as a mere superstition when I say that port which you are not disposed to think neces- Kant, the profoundest thinker of modern ages, sary for the soul of man. came, by the severest reasoning, to the same " I, too, identified my own hopes with hopes conclusion. for mankind, and at the price of any self-sacri- " But if these things are, then there is a state fice would have promoted the good of my fellow- after death; and if there be a state after death, creatures. I, too, have been disappointed in be- it is reasonable to presume that such things ing undeceived; but having learned to temper should be. hope with patience, and when I lift up my spirit " You will receive this as it is meant. It is to its Creator and Redeemer, to say, not with hastily and earnestly written, in perfect sincerithe lips alone, but with the heart also,'Thy ty, in the fullness of my heart. Would to God will be done,' I feel that whatever afflictions I that it might find its way to yours. In case of have endured have been dispensed to me in mer- your recovery, it would reconcile you to life, and cy, and am deeply and devoutly thankful for what open to you sources of happiness to which you I am, and what I hope to be when I shall burst are a stranger. my shell." But whether your lot be for life or death, "0, sir, religion is the one thing needful. dear sir, God bless you R. S." Withoutkit, no one can be truly happy (do you not feel'this?); with it, no one can be entirely To Bernard Barton, Esq. miserable. Without it, this world would be a Keswick, Jan. 21, 1820. mystery too dreadful to be borne-our best af- " DEAR SIR, fections and our noblest desires a mere juggle " You propose a questions to me which I can and a curse, and it were better, indeed, to be no more answer with any grounds for an opinnothing than the things we are. I am no bigot. ion, than if you were to ask me whether a lottery I believe that men will be judged by their ac- ticket should be drawn blank or prize, or if a tions and intentions, not their creed. I am a ship should make a prosperous voyage to the Christian; and so will Turk, Jew, and Gentile East Indies. If I recollect rightly, poor Scott, be in Heaven, if they have lived well according of Amwell, was disturbed in his last illness by to the light which was vouchsafed them. I do some hard-hearted and sour-blooded bigots, who not fear that there will be a great gulf between wanted him to repent of his poetry as of a sin. you and me in the world which we must both The Quakers are much altered since that time. enter; but if I could persuade you to look on to- I know one, a man deservedly respected by all ward that world with the eyes of faith, a change who know him (Charles Lloyd the elder, of Birwould be operated in all your views and feelings, mingham), who has amused his old age by transand hope, and joy, and love would be with you lating Horace and Homer. He is looked up to to your latest breath-universal love-love for in the society, and would not have printed these mankind, and for the Universal Father, into translations if he had thought it likely to give ofwhose hands you are about to render up your fense. spirit. " Judging, however, from the spirit of the age, "That the natural world, by its perfect order, as affecting your society, like every thing else, I displays evident marks of design, I think you should think they would be gratified by the ap. would admit, for it is so palpable that it can only pearance of a poet among them who confines be disputed from perverseness or affectation. Is himself within the limits of their general princiit not reasonable to suppose that the moral order ples. They have been reproached with being of things should in like manner be coherent and the most illiterate sect that has ever arisen in harmonious? It is so if there be a state of ret- the Christian world, and they ought to be thankribution after death. If that be proved, every ful to any of their members who should assist in thing becomes intelligible, just, beautiful, good. vindicating them from that opprobrium. There Would you not, from the sense of fitness and of is nothing in their principles which should prejustice, wish that it should be so? And is there vent them from giving you their sanction; and I not enough of wisdom and power apparent in will even hope that there are not many persons creation to authorize us in inferring that what- who will impute it to you as a sin if you should ever upon the grand scale would be the best, call some of the months by their heathen names.t therefore must be? "Pursue this feeling, and it will lead you to * The question was, whether the Society of Friends the cross of Christ. were likely to be offended at his publishing a volume ot I never fear to avow my belief that warn- One in the British Friend did impute this as a i,' I never fear to avow my belief that warn- t "' One in the British Friend did impute this as a sin, 2ETAT.46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 383 I know of no other offense that you are in dan- that I understand. The double grievance comger of committing. They will not like virtuous plained of is, that it appropriated commons and feelings and religious principles the worse for turned arable land into pasture. Now, could being conveyed in good verse. If poetry in it- this latter commutation answer in a country self were unlawful, the Bible must be a prohib- where the demand must have been as great for ited book. meal and malt as for wool and mutton? What " I shall be glad to receive your volume, and I perceive is this, that down to the union of the you have my best good wishes for its success. two Roses, men were the best stock that a lord The means of promoting it are not within my could have upon his estates; but when the age power; for though I bear a part in the Quarter- of rebellions, disputed succession, and chivalrous ly Review (and endure a large portion of the wars was over, money became of more use than grossest abuse and calumny for opinions which men, and the question was not, who could bring I do not hold, and articles which I have not most vassals into the field, but who could supwritten), I have long since found it necessary, port the largest expenditure; and in Sir Thos. for reasons which you may easily apprehend, to More's days the expenditure of the fashionables form a resolution of reviewing no poems what- was infinitely beyond any thing that is heard of ever. My principles of criticism, indeed, are al- in ours. So I take it they did as - is now together opposite to those of the age. I would doin: got rid of hereditary tenants who paid treat every thing with indulgence except what is little or nothing, in favor of speculators and large mischievous; and most heartily do I disapprove breeders who could afford to pay, and might be of the prevailing fashion of criticism, the direct rack-rented without remorse. I shall put totendency of which is to call bad passions into full gether a good deal of historical matter in these play. interlocutions, taking society in two of its crit"Heartily hoping that you may succeed to ical periods-the age of the Reformation, and your utmost wishes in this meritorious undertak- this in which we live. ing, I remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, "God bless you! R. S." ROBERT SOUTHEY." To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. To John Rickman, Esq. "Keswick, Feb. 11, 1820.' Jan. 28, 182 " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, " MY DEAR R.," When you see Gifford (and when you go " * * My knowledge is never near his door I wish you would make it a reason so ready as yours. The less you trust your for calling), will you tell him that among the memory, the worse it serves you; and for the last many applications to which, like himself, I am five-and-twenty years I have hardly trusted mine exposed on account of the Quarterly Review, at all; the consequence has been, that I must there is one from Sir - -, concerning go to my notes for every thing, except the gen- whose book I wrote to him some three or four eral impressions and conclusions that much read- months ago. I very much wish he would get ing leaves behind. Pasley to review that book. It would hardly re"Upon the deficiency of our Ecclesiastical quire more than half a dozen pages; and I beEstablishment and its causes, you will find an lieve the book deserves to be brought forward, historical chapter in my Life of Wesley, agree- as being of great practical importance. If, as I ing entirely with your notes in all the points on apprehend, it shows that we are so much supewhich we have both touched. Since that chap- rior to the French in the most important branch ter was written, I have got at sundry books on of war in theory, as we have proved ourselves the subject-Kennet's Case of Impropriations, to be in the field, the work which demonstrates Henry Wharton's Defense of Pluralities, Stave- this ought to be brought prominently into notice, ley's History of Churches-each very good and more especially as the notoriety which the Quarfull of sound knowledge; Eachard's Contempt terly Review may give to Sir -'s refutation of the Clergy, and Stackhouse's Miseries of the of Carnot's theories may tend to prevent our alInferior. Clergy-books of a very different char- lies from committing errors, the consequence of acter, but of great notoriety in their day; and which must be severely felt whenever France is two recent publications by a Mr. Yates, which able to resume her scheme of aggrandizement. contain a great deal of information. I was led.* * * to them by the mention made of them in Vansit- "Do you know that one of those London pubtart's speech upon the New Churches. * * lishers who are rogues by profession is now pub"I must borrow from some of the black letter lishing in sixpenny numbers a life of the king, men Sir Thomas More's works, which are toler- by Robert Southy, Esq., printed for the author. ably numerous; and when I am in London, I'Observe to order Southy's Life of the King, to must ask you to turn me loose for two or three avoid imposition.' J. Jones, Warwick Square, mornings among the statutes at large, for I must is the ostensible rogue, but the anonymous perexamine those of Henry the Seventh in particu- son who sent me the first number says' alias lar. There is something about the process of Oddy.' I have sent a paragraph to the Westsheep-farming in those days which I am not sure moreland Gazette, which may save some of my - neighbors from being taken in by this infamous twenty-five years after this was written."-Selections from tie Poems and Letters of Bernard Barton, p. 111. trick, and have written to Longman to ask 384 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 46. whether it be advisable that I should take any is made of one of the rolls, whether it shall be further steps. He must be the best judge of proceeded with or laid aside, in hope of finding this: and if he thinks I ought to apply for an in- something better, till the whole have been injunction, he will hand over my letter to Turner, spected. by whose opinion I shall be guided. The scoun- " A fashion of poetry has been imported which drel seems to suppose that he may evade the has had a great run, and is in a fair way of belaw by misspelling my name. ing worn out. It is of Italian growth-an adapt" The death of the king will delay my depart- ation of the manner of Pulci, Berni, and Ariosto ure two or three weeks beyond the time which in his sportive mood. Frere began it. What I had intended for it; for if I do not finish the he produced was too good in itself and too inofpoem, which I must of course write before I fensive to become popular; for it attacked nothleave home, my funeral verses would not appear ing and nobody; and it had the fault of his Italbefore the coronation. In my next letter I shall ian models, that the transition from what is seriprobably horrorize you about these said verses, ous to what is burlesque was capricious. Lord in which I have made some progress. Byron immediately followed, first with his Bep"I have about a fortnight's work with Wes- po, which implied the profligacy of the writer, ley, not more; and not so much if this sort of and lastly with his Don Juan, which is a foul holiday's task had not come to interrupt me. I blot on the literature of his country, an act of versify very slowly, unless very much in the hu- high treason on English poetry. The manner mor for it, and when the passion of the part car- has had a host of imitators. The use of Hudiries me forward. This can never be the case brastic rhymes (the only thing in which it differs with task verses. However, as I hope not to go from the Italian) makes it very easy. beyond two or three hundred lines, I imagine My poems hang on hand. I want no monthat, at any rate, a fourth part is done. I shall itor to tell me it is time to leave off. I shall not be very long about it. If I manage the end force myself to finish what I have begun, and as well as I have done the beginning, I shall be then-good night. Had circumstances favored, very well satisfied with the composition. I might have done more in this way, and better. All well, thank God, at present. But I have done enough to be remembered among " God bless you! R. S." poets, though my proper place will be among the historians, if I live to complete the works upon To Walter Savage Landor, Esq. yonder shelves. "Keswick, Feb. 20, 1820. God bless you ROBT. SOUTHEY." " Your poem has not found its way to me. It is either delayed or mislaid at Longman's. Oh To John May, Esq. that you would write in English! I can never "Keswick, Feb. 22, 1820. think of your predilection for Latin verse but as MY DEAR FRIEND, a great loss to English literature." * * * * * *$ "The times make less impression upon me You know what a rose-colored politician I was than upon men who live more in the political during the worst years of the war. My nature world. The present, perhaps, appears to you, inclines me to hope and to exertion; and in spite at a distance, worse than it Ai. The future will of the evil aspects on every side, and the indicabe what we may choose to make it. There is tions which are blackening wherever we look, I an infernal spirit abroad, and crushed it must be. think that if we do not avert the impending danCrushed it will be, beyond all doubt; but the gers we shall get through them victoriously, let question is, whether it will be cut short in its them come thick and threatening as they may. course, or suffered to spend itself like a fever. But it will not be without a heavy cost. The In the latter case, we shall go on through a murder of the Due de Berri surprised me more bloodier revolution than that of France, to an than a like tragedy would have done at home, iron military government —the only possible where such crimes have perseveringly been rectermination of Jacobinism. It is a misery to see ommended in those infamous journals, most of in what manner the press is employed to poison which have been suppressed by the late wholethe minds of the people, and eradicate every some acts. The effect of such things (as it is the thing that is virtuous, every thing that is honor- end also of all revolutions) must be to strengthable, every thing upon which the order, peace, en the executive power. As no man can abuse and happiness of society are founded. The re- his fortune without injuring it, so no people can cent laws have stopped the two-penny supply of abuse their liberty without being punished by the blasphemy and treason, and a few of the lowest loss of it, in whole or in part. * * and vilest offenders are laid hold of. But the " Is it within the bounds of a reasonable hope mischief goes on in all the stages above them. that an improved state of public opinion, and an " Do you remember Elmsley at Oxford-the extended influence of religion, may prevent the fattest under-graduate in your time and mine? degradation which, in the common course of He is at Naples, superintending the unrolling things, would ensue, after one or two halcyon the Herculaneum manuscripts, by Davy's proc- generations? How justly did the Romans con ess, at the expense of the prince regent-I gratulate themselves upon the security which should say, of George IV. The intention is, that they enjoyed under Augustus; but how sure was Elmsley shall ascertain, as soon as a beginning the tyranny, and corruption, and ruin which en JETAT. 46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 385 sued? Our chance of escaping the same proc- from the uncertainty of the value of money; but ess of decay depends upon the question wheth- it appears to me impossible that money should er religion or infidelity is gaining ground; and ever fall in value as it has done since the Middle if I am asked this question, I must comfort my- Ages; perhaps even such an advance in prices self by the wise and good old saying,'Well, as has taken place within our own, recollection masters, God's above.' will never again occur-I mean, as affecting ev" You have heard, no doubt, of the discovery cry thing. In the view which I take of the imof Cicero de Republica? This was brought to provement of society, stability is one of the good my mind at this moment by a thought whether things to be expected. we might not be verging toward a state of things "I like your Beguinage scheme in all its in which a general wreck of literature and de- parts. Endowments (analogous to college felstruction of libraries would make part of the lowships) would grow out of it in due course of plans of reform. The proposal of a new alpha- time; and great part of the business of female bet has been made by a German reformer, and education would be transferred to these instituapproved by an English one, because one of its tions, to the advantage of all parties. effects swould be to render all existing books use- The Due de Berri will do more good by his less! It was said of old that there was nothing death than he would ever have done by his life. so foolish but some philosopher had said it. I had been saying that such a tragedy in France Alas! there is nothing so mischievous or so surprised me much more than it would have atrocious but that men are found in these days done in England. The will, I knew, was not mad enough and malignant enough to recom- wanting, and intelligence soon came that the mend and to defend it. purpose had been formed. Your Oppositionists " Yours most affectionately, will call this discovery* a most unfortunate bus"ROBERT SOUTHEY.) iness, and such, I trust, it will prove for them. The jury who acquitted Thistlewood and WatTo John Rickman, Esq. son, the Oppositionists in Parliament and out of " March 1, 1820. it who ridiculed the green bag plot, and the sub" MY DEAR RICKMAAN, scribers to Hone & Co., are much more deeply " Your guess about the Parallel Roads* has implicated in the guilt of this business than they this in its favor, that if Glen Roy mean the king's would like to be told. They have given every glen, the word Roy would not have been used encouragement to traitors, and thereby have before there was an intercourse between the made themselves morally art and part in the Scotch and the French; they were never such treason. What a fortunate thing that the Hafriends with our Normans as to have taken it beas Corpus was not suspended! in that case from them. In point of time, therefore, this these miscreants would most of them have been would suit well. On the other hand, in that age in confinement, and the Whigs lamenting over chroniclers delighted as much in a good show as them, and promoting subscriptions for them as in a good battle, and Froissart would hardly the victims of oppression. The gallows will have failed to describe a hunting party upon so now have its due. * * * grand a scale as that for which these roads were " God bless you! R. S." made. It appears to be impossible that they should have been made for any other purpose; The following was the " Beguinage scheme" and when our friends at Corpach procure a list alluded to in the foregoing letter: of the names of places, and some Gael is found learned enough to translate them, this main fact, "A local habitation is all I wish for where I have no doubt, will be established. There is a secular nunnery is to be established; acres some possibility that by this means, also, we enough to preserve the integrity of aspect from may come near the age; not by the language encroachment and to prevent intrusion. * * (for I believe the Gaelic is not like the Welsh, in * * My notion of a female establishment is, which the date of a composition may be inferred that any benefactor erecting a set of chambers with some certainty by its language), but by the shall thereby acquire a right (alienable by will, names of some of the party, and perhaps of some gift, or sale, like other property) to place inof the implements used. mates there on certain conditions, such as that " You are quite right in thinking funded prop- security shall be given that each enjoy a compeerty better than landed property for charitable tent income, not less than ~ —, while she reinstitutions, as being rather more than less se- sides there; that she shall be bound to the neccure, safe from fraudulent management, and re- essary rules of female decorum, on pain of inquiring no trouble. There remains an objection stant expulsion, and to such other rules as are indispensable to the well-being of the communi* "I read in Froissart (chap. lxi.) that the King of Scot- ty but that nothing like common meals shall be -Of SIot- ty, but that nothing like common meals shall be land (Robert II.) was at that time absent from Edinburgh, being in the Highlands on a hunting party. The Parallel proposed. The ladies to choose their own muRoads in Glen Roy might be freshly made at that time, tual society-of which there would be enoughthe Scottish kings having had recent opportunity of en- n n n n n larging their ideas as prisoners or auxiliaries in England to make al m arrangements among the and France; and the listed field of a tournament might selves. I believe, for external appearance, to give the hint for a grand apparatus-a hunting spectacle. __ Game might be preserved in the neighborhood for royal diversion."-J. R. to R. S., Feb. 20, 1820. * Of the Cato Street conspiracy. 386 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 46. prevent expense and vanity, and to restrain the doubtful, and something more of the nature of number of idle applications, a uniform dress an asylum for persons of very limited means, or would be proper; and for many purposes, as for for those left altogether desolate, appears greatly prayers, bad weather, and peripatetic exercise, wanted. a large room would be a respectable adjunct to Institutions of this kind; however, so long as the edifice, and for which the fundatores might their object is limited to the benefit of their own be taxed a per centage upon their several cham- inmates, have not in them a sufficient largeness bers. Under such easy laws as these, and con- of purpose and general utility to command the sidering how fashionable and how laudable is the interest and admiration of mankind to any wide appetite for virtuous patronage, I do not see how extent. it could fail that among the female nobility and But when regarded in another light, as an inother opulent females many would be ready so fluential machinery for the moral and religious to invest part of their money. None of it could cultivation of the people, they become highly imbe spent more for their own reputation and re- portant. My father has unfolded his own ideas spectability; and, considering that the individu- upon this subject in the latter part of the Colloals admitted would not of necessity (nor usually) quies with Sir Thomas More, using frequently be maintained by the foundress of the chamber, the same phrases, and making the same suggesbut recommended to her by those who might tions which occur in these letters, whether his have interest or gratification in giving security own or his friend's; and he there indicates cerfor the maintenance of the inmate, I can not but tain principles which seem essential to the wellthink that the foundress, the immediate patron being of such communities. There must be a of the admitted female-who might thus exon- center of union sufficient to overpower, or at least erate himself from care and anxiety, were better to keep in harmonious subjection individual charmotive wanting-and the admitted female, whose acters; this can only be supplied by religion and maintenance for life, or, at least, for a specified the habit of obedience. " Human beings," he term of years, must be secured before her ad- remarks, " can not live happily in constrained mission, would all find motive enough for falling community of habits without the aid of religious into a plan, simple and unambiguous in its ar- feeling, and without implicit obedience to a surangement, and (if not wofully mismanaged) of perior;" but he did not expect that these rethe highest respectability. quirements would be easily met with in this age, " I do not know whether you are prepared to and he attributes the little success of some instiagree with me as to the necessity of a secured tutions to the want of them. income to each female, but I have inquired It seems also an absolute essential that they enough in and about such female societies (such should have their definite work; an object which there are for clergymen's widows at Bromley, may fill their thoughts and occupy their enerat Winchester, at Froxfield, at Lichfield, and, I gies; and this my father suggests, arguing that dare say, elsewhere) as to be fully convinced they ought to be devoted to purposes of Christian that respectability can not be otherwise main- charity, and showing how wide a field is open to tained. I* * In short, there the members of such societies in attendance upon must be a classification of relief, and I treat of the sick, in affording Christian consolation, and the upper classes, observing only that many in the relief and the education of the poor; and would be exalted into that upper class were the with reference to such offices as these, he conmeans of so exalting them easy, and obvious to eludes with the hopeful prognostic that "thirty the wealthy. Few wills would be without be- years hence the reproach may be effaced, and quests of the competent annuity to some humble England may have its Sisters of Charity." friend; various societies would be at various We have happily seen that in this respect, as rates-I should say from ~50 to ~100 per an- in some others, the tide has turned, and some innum, or some such minimum-and if a wealthy stitutions have sprung up whose existence is foundress resided herself, she would have larger based upon these two principles. While, howfacility for beneficence than display. The love ever, I sincerely rejoice that such a beginning of the community, so conspicuous among monks has been made, I may be allowed to express a in former times, would found libraries, planta- fear that as yet, with the enthusiasm of persons tions, walks, cloisters, gaudy days, whether obit following a new and exciting idea, they have or.birth-day, medical attendance, a chaplain, per- adopted too much of the minutiae and austerities haps. For government, the foundresses must of convent discipline to be widely acceptable to legislate."* the English mind. and consequently to be extensively beneficial; for the rigid strictness of the The reader will remember an interesting ac- rules (in some houses at least) is likely to deter count of a Beguinage at Ghent,t and the recur- any one from entering them who respects and rence to the subject at various intervals through- values the cheerfulness and rational liberty of out my father's life shows how much interest he domestic life, such as it appears in most religfelt in it. ions families, and the quantity and fatigue of the How far this plan of Mr. Rickman's, without duties required is such as can only be endured considerable modification, might answer, seems by persons in robust health; and thus the very J. R. to R. S., Feb. 20, 120. class who most need such a residence as an asyt See ante, p. 3 t9.lum, and who, under a more moderate system, IETAT. 46. RO B E RT SO U T H E Y. 387 might be both contented and useful, are altogeth- an author's fortune, and to introduce a poet at er excluded. It would seem, indeed, to be de- once into full celebrity. sirable that the inmates of such sisterhoods should " Turner is about to take an opinion concernaim at making as small a distinction as possible, ing my claims, both in law and in equity, to the consistently with their great objects and princi- Somersetshire estates. Where I to recover them, ples, between themselves and other sensible, in- I should have great satisfaction in resigning my dustrious, and devout English ladies. Some dif- pension. The laureateship I would keep as a ferences there must be; but such as, without be- feather, and wear it as Fluellen did his leek. ing necessary, are only likely to offend, should "Last night I finished the Life of Wesley; surely be studiously avoided. but I have outrun the printer as well as the conIn the following letter my father alludes to his stable, and it may be four or five weeks before youngest brother Edward, who has not been men- he comes up to me. Now I go dens et ung is tioned in these pages since his boyhood. The to my Carmen, which, if I do not like when it is subject is a painful one, and I may be excused done, why I will even skip the task, and prepare from entering into it further than to say that for the coronation. Alas! the birth-days will every effort had been made, both by his uncle, now be kept; learn for me on what days, that I Mr. Hill, and his brothers, to place him in a re- may be ready in time. I do not know why you spectable line of life, and induce him to continue are so anxious for rhyme. The rhythm of my in it. He possessed excellent abilities, and had Congratulatory Odes is well suited for lyrical received a good education; and if he would have composition; and the last poem which I sent you chosen any profession, they would have prepared was neither amiss in execution, nor inapproprihim for it. He was placed first in the navy, and ate in subject. God bless you! R. S. afterward in the army, but in vain; and he finally took to the wretched life of an actor in pro- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. vincial theaters. My father here sufficiently in- "March 26, 1820. dicates the course ultimately pursued toward him " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, by his brothers, who, in fact, did every thing it "Before I see you, you will receive the Life was possible to do for him. He died in 1845. of Wesley,* whereof only about two sheets remain to be printed. Some persons have expressTo Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ed their expectations that the book will have a "March 1, 1820. huge sale. I am much more inclined to think "MY DEAR G., that it will obtain a moderate sale and a durable "Though I never examined an account in my reputation. Its merit will hardly be apprecialife (holding it a less evil to be cheated than to ted by any person, unless it be compared with cast up long sums, and fret myself about 1. s. d.), what his former biographers have done; then, yet I think there is an error in yours, for you have indeed, it would be seen what they have overnot debited me for the Westminster subscription, looked, how completely the composition is my which must surely have been paid within the last own, and what pains it must have required to three months. collect together the pieces for this great tessel" I thank you for your solicitude concerning ated tablet. The book contains many fine things my readiness to give. But you do not know -pearls which I have raked out of the dunghill. when I turn a deaf ear. The case of poor Page's My only merit is that of finding and setting them. family is the only one in which I had not a co- It contains, also, many odd ones-some that may gent motive; there, perhaps, there was no bet- provoke a smile, and some that will touch the ter one than a regard to appearances-a tax to feelings. In parts I think some of my own best which I have paid less in the course of my life writing will be found. It is written with too than most other persons. My unhappy brother fair a spirit to satisfy any particular set of men. Edward has at least the virtue of being very considerate in his demands upon me. They come * " There are at this day half a million of persons in the seldom, and are always trifling. At present he world (adult persons) calling themselves Methodists, and following the institutions of John Wesley; they are pretis ill, perhaps seriously so. All that can be done ty equally divided between the British dominions and the for him is to take care that he may not want for United States of America; and they go on increasing year necessaris while in health, nor for comforts as after year. They have also their missionaries in all parts necessaries while in health, nor for comforts (as of the world. The rise and progress of such a communifar as they can be procured) when health fails ty is, therefore, neither an incurious nor an unimportant him part of the history of the last century. I have brought it "n1 John Morga'scseIactedf no further than the death of the founder. You will find " In John Morgan's case I acted from the in it some odd things, some odd characters, some fine double motive of good will toward him and his anecdotes, and many valuable facts, which the psycholowife, and of setting others an example -which gist will know how to appreciate and apply. My humor ife, and of setting others an example which as it would have been called in the days of Ben Jonson) has had its effect. There was an old acquaint- inclines me to hunt out such subjects; and whether the ance there; and for the sake of his mother at information be contained in goodly and stately folios of ane there r te se o hs old times, like mry noble Acta Sanctorum (which I shall whose table I have been a frequent guest, I would like to show you whenever you will find your way again have done more for him than this, had it been in to your old chamber which looks to Borodale), or in mod ern pamphlets of whity-brown paper, I am neither too inmy power. dolent to search for it in the one, nor so fastidious as to " People imagine that I am very rich, that I despise it in the other. In proof of this unabated appehave great interest with government, and that tite, I have just begun an account of our old acquaintance the Sinner Saved, in the shape of a paper for the Q. R."my patronage in literature is sufficient to make To Richard Dluppa, Esq., March 25,1820. 388 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF lETAT. 46. For the'religious public' it will be too tolerant people, that if this had been her bone, she must and too philosophical: for the Liberals it will be certainly have grown to be three times as tall as too devotional, the Methodists will not endure the steeple. any censure of their founder and their institutions; "Moreover, there is shown a monumental the High-Churchman will as little be able to al- stone, as being the tomb of Yorwerth Drwndwn low any praise of them. Some will complain of (w, you must know, serves in Welsh for long o). it as being heavy and dull; others will not think In the portfolio there are drawings of their tombs, it serious enough. I shall be abused on all sides, and of the church also. This Yorwerth was killand you well know how little I shall care for it. ed six hundred years ago. Nevertheless, as perBut there are persons who will find this work haps you may guess, he happened to be an acdeeply interesting, for the subjects upon which quaintance of mine, and therefore I always have it touches, and the many curious psychological had a design to pay him a visit whenever I could, cases which it contains, and the new world to and now the intention is at last made good. t which it will introduce them. I dare say that " God bless you! R. S." of the twelve thousand purchasers of Murray le Magne's Review, nine hundred and ninety-nine A very different record of the same scenes is persons out of a thousand know as little about preserved in my father's poems. One of the the Methodists as they do about the Cherokees guests at Llangedwin during his stay there was or the Chiriguanas. I expect that Henry will Bishop Heber, and the meeting was remembered like it, and also that he will believe in Jeffrey,* on both sides, for in Heber's journal there is an as I do. allusion to Oliver Newman, which must have' God bless you! R. S." been read to him at this time; and ten years later my father embodied, in his lines On the In April, May, and June my father was ab- Portrait of Bishop Heber, a graceful memorial sent from home, during which time he visited his of his friends, and the spots which he visited in friend Mr. Wynn, in Wales, spent some weari- their company. some weeks in society in and about London, and "Ten years have held their course finally received the honorary degree of D.C.L. Since last I look'd upon at the Oxford commemoration. That living countenance, ie 1 When on Llangedwin's terraces we paced The following letters are selected, becauseTogether, to and fro. they give some slight idea of that affectionate Partaking there its hospitality, in a character like his, ought We with its honor'd master spent, playfulness which, in a character like his, ought Well-pleased, the social hours; not to be wholly passed over in silence. His friend and mine-my earliest friend, whom I Have ever, through all changes, found the same, From boyhood to gray hairs, To Edith May Southey. In goodness, and in worth, and warmth of heart. " Shrewsbury, April 25, 1820. Together then we traced Having anothin else to do for a dismal hour or The grass-grown site, where armed feet once trod Having nothing else to do for a dismal hour or r The threshold of Glendower's embattled hall; two, I sit down to write to you, in such rhymes Together sought Melangel's lonely Church, as may ensue, be they many, be they few, ac- Saw the dark yews, majestic in decay, Which in their flourishing strength cording to the cue which I happen to pursue. Cyveilioc might have seen; I was obliged to stay at Llangedwin till to-day; Letter by letter traced the lines,,, T ~.,n,''~ TTT'On Yorwerth's fabled tomb; though I wished to come away, Wynn would And curiously observed what vestiges, make me delay my departure yesterday, in order Moldering and mutilate, that he and I might go to see a place whereof hef onaceas legend there are left A tale humane, itself once sent a drawing to me. Well-nigh forgotten now."* " And now I'll tell you why it was proper that I should go thither to espy the place with mine To Bertha, Kate, and Isabel Southey. own eye.'Tis a church in a vale, whereby hangs "June 26,1820. a tale, how a hare being pressed by the dogs and "Bertha, Kate, and Isabel, you have been much distressed, the hunters coming nigh and the very good girls, and have written me very nice dogs in full cry, looked about for some one to de- letters, with which I was much pleased. This fend her, and saw just in time, as it now comes is the last letter which I can write in return; pat in rhyme, a saint of the feminine gender. and as I happen to have a quiet hour to myself, " The saint was buried there, and a figure here at Streatham, on Monday noon, I will emcarved with care, in the church-yard is shown, as ploy that hour in relating to you the whole hisbeing her own; but'tis used for a whetstone (like tory and manner of my being ell-ell-deed at Oxthe stone at our back door), till the pity is the ford by the vice-chancellor. more (I should say the more's the pity, if it suit- " You must know, then, that because I had ed with my ditty), it is whetted half away-lack- written a great many good books, and more esa-day, lack-a-day! pecially the Life of Wesley, it was made known " They show a mammoth's rib (was there ever to me by the vice-chancellor, through Mr. Hesuch a fib?), as belonging to the saint Melangel. ber, that the University of Oxford were desirous It was no use to wrangle, and tell the simple of showing me the only mark of honor in their * Jeffrey was the name given to the invisible cause of * In both the ten volume and one volume edition of my certain strange noises which annoyed the Wesley family. father's poems, this poem " On the Portrait of Bishop He-See Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 445. ber" bears the wrong date of 1820. It was written in 1830. ETAT. 46. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 389 power to bestow, which was that of making me me that day! I was like other issimis, dressed an LL.D.-that is to say, a doctor of laws. in a great robe of the finest scarlet cloth, with "Now you are to know that some persons are sleeves of rose-colored silk, and I had in my ell-ell-deed every year at Oxford, at the great hand a black velvet cap like a beef-eater, for the annual meeting which is called the Commemo- use of which dress I paid one guinea for that ration. There are two reasons for this: first, day. Dr. Phillimore, who was an old schoolthat the University may do itself honor by bring- fellow of mine, and a very good man, took me ing persons of distinction to receive the degree by the hand in my turn, and presented me; upon publicly as a mark of honor; and, secondly, that which there was a great clapping of hands and certain persons in inferior offices may share in huzzaing at my name. When that was over, the the fees paid by those upon whom the ceremony vice-chancellor stood up, and said these words, of ell-ell-deeing is performed. For the first of whereby I was ell-ell-deed:' Doctissime et orthese reasons, the Emperor Alexander was made natissime vir, ego, pro auctoritate mea et totius a Doctor of Laws at Oxford, the King of Prus- universitatis hujus, admitto te ad gradum docsia, and old Blucher, and Platoff; and for the toris in jure civili, honoris causa.' These were second, the same degree is conferred upon no- the words which ellhell-deed me; and then the blemen, and persons of fortune and considera- bar was lifted up, and I seated myself among tion who are any ways connected with the Uni- the doctors. versity, or city, or county of Oxford. " Little girls, you know it might be proper for " The ceremony of ell-ell-deeing is performed me, now, to wear a large wig, and to be called in a large circular building called the theater, of Doctor Southey, and to become very severe, and which I will show you a print when I return, leave off being a comical papa. And if you and this theater is filled with people. The un- should find that ell-ell-deeing has made this difder-graduates (that is, the young men who are ference in me, you will not be surprised. Howcalled Cathedrals at Keswick) entirely fill the ever, I shall not come down in a wig, neither gallery. Under the gallery there are seats, which shall I wear my robes at home. are filled with ladies in full dress, separated from " God bless you all! the gentlemen. Between these two divisions of" Your affectionate father, the ladies are seats for the heads of houses, and L R. SOUTHEY.") the doctors of law, physic, and divinity. In the middle of these seats is the vice-chancellor, op- To the Rev. Neville White. posite the entrance, which is under the orches- "Keswick, July 6, 1820. tra. On the right and left are two kind of pul- "MY DEAR NEVILLE, pits, from which the prize essays and poems are "There is no better proof that two fellowrecited. The area, or middle of the theater, is travelers are upon a proper understanding with filled with bachelors and masters of arts, and each other than when they travel together for a with as many strangers as can obtain admission. good length of time in silence, each thinking his Before the steps which lead up to the seats of the own thoughts, and neither of them feeling it necdoctors, and directly in front of the vice-chan- essary to open his lips for the sake of politeness. cellor, a wooden bar is let down, covered with So it is with real friends: I have not written to red cloth, and on each side of this the beadles congratulate you on your change of state till stand in their robes. now, because I could not do it at leisure, I would " When the theater is full, the vice-chancel- not do it hastily, and I knew that you knew how lor, and the heads of houses, and the doctors en- completely every day, hour, and minute of my ter: those persons who are to be ell-ell-deed re- time must be occupied in London. Never, inmain without in the divinity schools, in their deed, was I involved in a more incessant suerobes, till the convocation have signified their as- cession of wearying and worrying engagements sent to the ell-ell-deeing, and then they are led from morning till night, day after day, without into the theater, one after another, in a line, into intermission; here, there, and every where, with the middle of the area, the people just making a perpetual changes of every kind, except the lane for them. The professor of civil law, Dr. change of tranquillity and rest. During an abPhillimore, went before, and made a long speech sence of nearly eleven weeks, I seldom slept in Latin, telling the vice-chancellor and the dig- more than three nights successively in the same nissimi doctores what excellent persons we were bed. At length, God be thanked, I am once who were now to be ell-ell-deed. Then he took more seated by my own fireside-perhaps it is us one by one by the hand, and presented each the only fire in Keswick at this time; but, like in his turn, pronouncing his name aloud, saying a cat and a cricket, my habits or my nature have who and what he was, and calling him many laud- taught me to love a warm hearth; so I sit with atory names ending in issimus. The audience the windows open, and enjoy at the same time then cheered loudly to show their approbation of the breath of the mountains and the heat of a the person; the vice-chancellor stood up, and re- sea-coal fire. peating the first words in issime, ell-ell-deed him; "And now, my dear Neville, I heartily wish the beadles lifted up the bar of separation, and you all that serious, sacred, and enduring hapthe new-made doctor went up the steps and took piness in marriage which you have proposed to his seat among the dignissimi doctores. yourself, and which, as far as depends upon your-' Oh Bertha, Kate, and Isabel, if you had seen self, you have every human probability of find 390 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 46. ing, and I make no doubt as far as depends upon whole better part of my nature; and as for the your consort also. Such drawbacks as are in- lapse of years, that can never be a mournful conseparable from our present imperfect state, and sideration to one who hopes to be ready for a such griefs as this poor flesh is heir to, you must better world whenever his hour may come. God sometimes expect, and will know how to bear. bless you! R. S." But the highest temporal blessings as certainly attend upon a well-regulated and virtuous course To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. of conduct now as they did during the Mosaic " Keswick, July 29, 1820. dispensation; for what other blessings are com- "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, parable to tranquillity of mind, resignation un- "It is very seldom that a whole month elapses der the afflictive dispensations of Providence, without some interchange of letters between you faith, hope, and that peace which passeth all un- and me; and, for my part, in the present inderstanding? However bitter upon the palate stance, I can not plead any unusual press of the good man's cup may be, this is the savor business, or any remarkable humor of industry. which it leaves; whatever his future may be, But, then, I can plead a great deal of enjoyment. his happiness depends upon himself, and must be I have been staying in the house all day-a great his own work. In this sense, I am sure you will happiness after the hard service upon which my be a happy man; may you be a fortunate one ten trotters were continually kept in London. I also. have been reading-a great luxury for one who "I had the comfort of finding all my family during eleven weeks had not half an hour for well, the children thoroughly recovered from the looking through a book. I have been playing measles, though some of them somewhat thinner, with Cuthbert, giving him the Cries of London and the mother a good deal so, from the anxiety to the life, as the accompaniment to a series of and the fatigue which she had undergone during prints thereof, and enacting lion, tiger, bull, bear, their illness. You hardly yet know how great horse, ass, elephant, rhinoceros, the laughing hya blessing it is for a family to have got through ena, owl, cuckoo, peacock, turkey, rook, raven, that disease-one of the passes perilous upon the magpie, cock, duck, and goose, &c., greatly to pilgrimage of life. Cuthbert had not forgotten his delight and somewhat to his edification, for me; five minutes seemed to bring me to his rec- never was there a more apt or more willing puollection; he is just beginning to walk alone-a pil. Whenever he comes near the study door, fine, stout, good-humored creature, with curling he sets up a shout, which seldom fails of prohair, and eyes full of intelligence. How difficult ducing an answer; in he comes, tottering along, it is not to build one's hopes upon a child like this. with a smile upon his face, and pica pica in his': I am returned to a world of business; enough mouth; and if the picture-book is not forthwith to intimidate any one of less habitual industry, forthcoming, he knows its place upon the shelf, less resolution, or less hopefulness of spirit. My and uses most ambitious and persevering efforts time will be sadly interrupted by visitors; who, to drag out a folio. And if this is not a proper with more or less claims, find their way to me excuse for idleness, Grosvenor, what is? during the season from all parts. However, little "But I have not been absolutely idle, only by little, I shall get on with many things, of comparatively so. I have made ready about five which the first in point of time will be the long- sheets of the Peninsular War for the press (the intended Book of the Church. I told you, if I main part, indeed, was transcription), and Willrecollect rightly, what the Bishop of London had iam Nicol will have it as soon as the chapter is finsaid to me concerning the Life of Wesley. You ished. I have written an account of Derwent will be glad to hear that Lord Liverpool ex- Water for Westall's Views of the Lakes. I have pressed to me the same opinion when I met him begun the Book of the Church, written half a at Mr. Canning's, and said that it was a book dialogue between myself and Sir Thomas More, which could not fail of doing a great deal of composed seventy lines for Oliver Newman, good. Had that book been written by a clergy- opened a Book of Collections for the Moral and man, it would have made his fortune beyond all Literary History of England, and sent to Longdoubt. But it will do its work better as having man for materials for the Life of George Fox come from one who could have had no view to and the Origin and Progress of Quakerism, a preferment, nor any undue bias upon his mind. work which will be quite as curious as the WesIf I live, I shall yet do good service both to the ley, and about half the length. Make allowChurch and State. ances for letter writing (which consumes far too "My visit to Oxford brought with it feelings great a portion of my time), and for the interof the most opposite kind. After the exhibition ruptions of the season, and this account of the in the theater, and the collation in Brazen-nose month will not be so bad as to subject me to any Hall given by the vice-chancellor, I went alone very severe censure of my stewardship. into Christ Church walks, where I had not been "The other day there came a curious letter for six-and-twenty years. Of the friends with from Shelley, written from Pisa. Some of his whom I used to walk there, many (and among friends persisted in assuring him that I was the them some of the dearest) were in their graves. author of a criticism* concerning him in the I was then inexperienced, headstrong, and as Quarterly Review. From internal evidence, and full of errors as of youth, and hope, and ardor. Through the mercy of God, I have retained the * My father was not the writer of this article, ETAT. 47. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 391 from what he knew of me, he did not and would And he goes on to say: " But although I have not believe it; nevertheless, they persisted; and stated that I see no objection to intrusting thee he writes that I may enable him to confirm his with any materials which thou mayest consider opinion. The letter then, still couched in very at all essential to thy undertaking, I think I can courteous terms, talks of the principles and slan- see, and I doubt not thou dost, why some little derous practices of the pretended friends of order, hesitation should exist in certain quarters. Thy as contrasted with those which he professes, hints name is, of course, more likely to be known as at challenging the writer of the Review, if he that of a poet; and though poets as well as poshould be a person with whom it would not be etry are, I should hope, of rather increasing good beneath him to contend, tells me he shall cer- repute among us, yet some distrust of their salutainly hear from me, because he must interpret tary tendency, which too much of our modern my silence into an acknowledgment of the offense, poetry may perhaps justify, still, perhaps, operand concludes with Dear-Sir-Ship and civility. ates to their disadvantage. Then, again, many If I had an amanuensis, I would send you copies of us are very plain matter-of-fact sort of people, of this notable epistle, and of my reply to it. making little allowance for poetical license, and " God bless you, Grosvenor! little capable of appreciating the pure charm and "Yours as ever, R. S." hidden moral of superstition and legendary lore, Now supposing thy Old Woman of BerkeleyTo Bernard Barton, Esq. St. Romuald-the Pope, the Devil, and St. An. "Keswick, Nov. 24,1820. tidius-or the Love Elegies of Abel Shufflebot" My DEAR SIR, tonm, to have fallen in the way of such personages, " In reply to your questions concerning the and then for them to be abruptly informed that Life of George Fox, the plan of the work re- the author of them was about compiling a Life sembles that of the Life of Wesley as nearly as of George Fox, &c., thou wilt, I think, at once possible. Very little progress has been made in see a natural and obvious cause for hesitation in the composition, but a good deal in collecting really very respectable and good sort of people, materials, and digesting the order of their ar- but with little of poetry in them." rangement. The first chapter will contain a In this there is some reason as well as some summary history of the religious or irreligious humor; the report, however, was without foundadissensions in England, and their consequences, tion; and it was not from want of the offer of from the rise of the Lollards to the time when sufficient materials that the Life of George Fox George Fox went forth. This will be such an was never written. Other labors crowded closehistorical sketch as that view of our ecclesiastical ly one upon the other, and this was only one more history in the life of Wesley, which is the most to be added to the heap of unfulfilled intentions elaborate portion of the work. The last chapter and half-digested plans which form the melanwill probably contain a view of the state of the choly reliquima of my father's literary life, leaving society at this time, and the modification and im- us, however, to wonder, not at what he left unprovement which it has gradually, and almost done, but at what he did. insensibly received. This part, whenever it is written, and all those parts wherein I may be in To W. Westall, Esq. danger of forming erroneous inferences from an "Keswick, Dec. 8, 1820. imperfect knowledge of the subject, I shall take "MY DEAR WESTALL, care to show to some member of the society be- " Your letter arrived yesterday, by which post, fore it is printed. The general spirit and tend- you know (being Thursday), it could not be anency of the book will, I doubt not, be thought swered. By this night's I shall write to Murray, favorable by the Quakers as well as to them; saying that you will deliver the drawings to him, and the more so by the judicious, because com- and informing him of the price. That they have mendation comes with tenfold weight from one in them that which is common to poetry and who does not dissemble his own difference of painting I do not doubt, and I only wish it were opinion upon certain main points. Perhaps in the possible for you to engrave them yourself. The course of the work I may avail myself of your first edition of the book would then bear a high friendly offer, ask you some questions as they oc- value hereafter. In describing that scene on the cur, and transmit certain parts for your inspection. side of Walla Crag, I have introduced your name "Farewell, my dear sir, and believe me, in a manner gratifying to my own feelings, and " Yours, with much esteem, which I hope will not be otherwise to yours. "ROBERT SOUTHEY." " I am glad to hear you are employed upon your views of Winandermere. My topographical It would seem that a rumor had got abroad at knowledge in that quarter is but imperfect; but, this time that the Society of Friends were some- when you want your letter-press, if you can not what alarmed at the prospect of my father's be- persuade Wordsworth to write it (who would be coming the biographer of their founder; for, a in all respects the best person), I will do for you few weeks later, Bernard Barton writes to him, the best I can. telling him that he had seen it stated in one of "Allow me to say one thing before I conclude. the magazines that " Mr. Southey could not pro- When you were last at Keswick there was an cure the needful materials, owing to a reluctance uncomfortable feeling in your mind toward Nash: on the part of the Quakers to intrust them to him." I hope it has passed away. There is not a kind 392 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF XETAT. 47. er-hearted creature in the world than he is; and own opinion, with success-the bold experiment I knowz that he has the truest regard for you, and of constructing a meter upon the principle of the the highest possible respect for your genius. Any ancient hexameter. It will provoke some abuse offense that he may have given was entirely un- for what is said of the factious spirit by which intentional. Forget it, I entreat you: call upon the country has been disturbed during the last him again as you were wont to do it will re- fifty years; and it will have some interest for joice him, and you will not feel the worse for you, not merely because it comes from me, but having overcome the feeling of resentment. I because you will find Henry's name not impropneed not apologize for saying this; for, indeed. erly introduced in it. My laureateship has not I could not longer forbear saying it, consistent been a sinecure: without reckoning the annual with my regard both for him and for you. odes, which have regularly been supplied, though "All here desire their kind remembrances. I have hitherto succeeded in withholding them We can not send them to Mrs. Westall, because from publication, I have written, as laureate, you did not give us an opportunity of becoming more upon public occasions (on none of which I known to her; but, I pray you, present our best should otherwise have ever composed a line) than wishes, and believe me, has been written by any person who ever held the "Yours affectionately, office before, with the single exception of Ben " ROBERT SOUTHEY.~" Jonson, if his Masques are taken into the account. The prints referred to in the commencement The prevailing madness has reached Kesof the foregoing letter were for the Colloquies wick,* as well as other places; and the people with Sir Thomas More. The concluding para- here, who believe, half of them, that the king congraph of it had a special interest in Mr. West- cealed his father's death ten years for the sake of all's eyes, as, with a rare willingness to receive receiving his allowance, and that he poisoned the such advice, he had immediately acted upon it, Princess Charlotte (of which, they say, there can and renewed his friendly intercourse with Mr. be no doubt; for did not the doctor kill himself? Nash. And he reflected upon it with the more and why should he have done that if it had not satisfaction, as a few weeks only elapsed before been for remorse of conscience?), believe, with Nash was suddenly cut off. the same monstrous credulity, that the queen is a Nash was a mild, unassuming, and most ami- second Susannah. The Queenomania will probable person, bearing meekly and patiently a se- ably die away ere long, but it will be succeeded vere bodily infirmity, which, in its consequences, by some new excitement; and so we shall go on caused his death. My father first became ac- as long as our government suffers itself to be inquainted with him in Belgium in 1815: he spent suited and menaced with impunity, and as long several summers at Greta Hall, a guest dear both as our ministers are either unwilling or afraid to to young and old; and to his and to Mr. W. exert the laws in defense of the institutions of the Westall's pencil the walls of our home owed country. many of their most beloved ornaments. "I have a book in progress upon the state of Since the commencement of the publication of the country, its existing evils, and its prospects. this volume, Mr. Westall has also " departed to It is in a series of dialogues, and I hope it will his rest;" and I will take this opportunity of not be read without leading some persons both noticing the sincere regard my father entertain- to think and to feel as they ought. In more than ed for him as a friend, and the estimation in which one instance I have had the satisfaction of being he held him as an artist, considering him as by told that my papers in the Quarterly Review have far the most faithful delineator of the scenery of confirmed some who were wavering in their opinthe Lakes. ions, and reclaimed others who were wrong. X His death has taken away one more from the'God bless you, my dear Neville! R. S." small surviving number of those who were familiar "household guests:' at Greta Hall, and to To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. whom every minute particular of the friend they "Keswick, Jan. 5, 1821. so truly loved and honored had its own especial MY DEAR G., interest. " As for altering the movement of the six stanzas,t you may as well ask me for both my ears, To the Rev. Neville White. "K ewick Dec. 14, 1820. * Some riots had been expected on the occasion of the.Mvesick, Dec. 14N, v. queen's trial. My father writes at the time, " King Mob,: MY DE-AR NEVILLE. contrary to his majesty's custom, has borne his faculties 51,.':i- * 5 1' meekly in this place, and my windows were not assailed I shall have a poem to send you in the course f on the night of the illumination. I was prepared to suffer I shall have a poem to send you the course like a Quaker; and my wife was much more' game' than a few weeks, planned upon occasion of the king's I expected. Perhaps we owed our security to the half death (which you may think no veiry paromisino dozen persons in town who also chose to light no candles. They had declared their intention of making a fight for it subject), laid aside eight months ago, when half if they were attacked, and they happened to be persons written, as not suited for publication while the of consideration and influence. So all went off peaceably., 1anno tke up.*~ a|ff andThe tallozo chandler told our servant that it was expected event was recent, and now taken up again and there would be great distorbances; this was a hint to lme; almost brought to a conclusion. The title is, but was too much a Trojan to be taken in by the man of'h T'ision of D djiment.' ~~., _,,,,,, grease." —To G. C. B., NVov. 17, 1820. A Vision of Judgment. It is likely to attract t Of the Ode for St. George's Day, published with tho somle notice, because I have made —and, in my Vision of Judgment. ETAT. 47. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 393 or advise me to boil the next haunch of venison for you, and even if you were ten years younI may have, which, next to poaching a Simorg's* ger than you are, they would not be within your egg, would, I conceive, be the most inexpiable reach. This you yourself feel; you had better, of ofenses. I cast them purposely in that move- therefore, make up your mind to be contented ment, and with forethought. without them, and desist from a study which it " Why should the rest of the world think mean- is quite impossible for you to pursue with any ly of me for offering a deserved compliment to advantage to yourself. Haydon?t or for what possible reason consider "My dear Neville, it is a common infirmity it as a piece of flattery to a man who might fancy with us to overvalue what we do not happen to it his interest to flatter me, but whom I can have possess. In your education you have learned no imaginable motive for flattering? That point, much which is not acquired in schools and colhowever, you will press no further when I tell leges, but which is of great practical utilityyou that the very day after the passage was writ- more, probably, than you would now find it if ten Haydon himself unexpectedly appeared-that you had taken a wrangler's degree or ranked as I read him the poem as far as it had then proceed- a medallist. You have mingled among men of ed-and that he, who, from the nature of his pro- buiness. You know their good and their evil, fession, desires cotemporary praise more than any the characters which are formed by trade, and thing in the world except abiding fame, values the temptations which are incident to it. You it quite as much as it is worth. You have shown have acquired a knowledge of the existing conme that I was mistaken about Handel, yet I stitution of society, and situated as you will be, think the lines may stand, because the king's in or near a great city, and in a trading counpatronage of his music is an honorable fact. try, this will be of much more use to you pro"I have to insert Sir P. Sidney among the fessionally than any university accomplishments. elder worthies, and Hogarth among the later; Knowing the probable failings of your flock, you perhaps Johnson also, if I can so do it as to sat- will know what warnings will be most applicaisfy myself with the expression, and not seem to ble, and what exhortations will be most likely give him a higher praise than he deserves. Of- to do them good. tense I know will be taken that the name of Pitt "The time which classical studies would take does not appear there. The king would find may be much more profitably employed upon him among the eminent men of his reign, but history and books of travels. The better you are not among those whose rank will be confirmed read in both, the more you will prize the peby posterity. The Whigs, too; will observe that culiar blessings which this country enjoys in its none of their idols are brought forward: neither constitution of Church and State, and more esHampden, nor their Sidney, nor Russell. I think pecially in the former branch. I could write of the first as ill as Lord Clarendon did; and largely upon this theme. The greater part of concerning Algernon Sidney, it is certain that the evil in the world-that is, all the evil in it he suffered wrongfully, but that does not make which is reinediable (and which I take to be at h.im a great man. If I had brought forward any least nine tenths of the whole)-arises either mian of that breed, it should have been old Oli- from the want of institutions, as among savages; Ver himself; and I had half a mind to do it. from imperfect ones, as among barbarians; or' I have finished the explanatory part of the f om bad ones, as in point of government among preface, touching the meter-briefly, fully, clear- the Oriental nations; and in point of religion lv, and fairly. It has led me (wahich you will among them also, and in the intolerant Catholic think odd till you see the connection) to pay off countries. In your own language you will find a part of my obligations to Lord Byron and all you need-scriptural illustrations, and stores -- by some observations upon the tendency of knowledge of every kind. of their poems (especially Don Juan), which "What you say concerning my correspondthey will appropriate to themselves in what pro- encec, and the latitude which you allow me, is porlton they please. If -- knew how much both kind and considerate, as is always to be exhis character has suffered by that transaction pected from Neville White. I do not, however, about Don Juan, I think he would hang himself. so easily forgive myself when a long interval of And if Gifford knew what is said and thought silence has been suffered to elapse. A letter is of the Q. R. for its silence concerning that infa- like a fresh billet of wood upon the fire, which, mous poem, I verily believe it would make him if it be not needed for immediate warmth, is alill. Upon that subject I say nothing. God bless ways agreeable for its exhilarating effects. I, vou! R. S." who spend so many hours alone, love to pass a portion of them in conversing thus with those To the Rev. Neville /White. whom I love.' Keswick, Jan. 12, 1821. " You will be grieved to hear that I have lost "MY DEAR NEVILLE, my poor friend Nash, whom you saw with us in the "It appears to me that whatever time you autumn. IHe left us at the beginning of Novembestow upon the classics is little better than time ber, and is now in his grave! This has been a lost. Classical attainments are not necessary severe shock to me. I had a most sincere regard for him, and very many pleasant recollecSee Thalaba, book xi., verse 10. * See Thalaba, book Xi., Verse 1Q. ftions nre now so c>hangred by his deathl, that theya t This refers to an allusion to Haydon in the Vision of tins are now so changed by his death, that they Judgment. will never recur without pain. He was so thorCc 394 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 47. oughly amiable, so sensible of any little kindness I and from them, and what I had heard from my that was shown him, so kind in all his thoughts, dear departed friend, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, words, and deeds, and, withal, bore his cross so we drew up the memoir.' patiently and meekly, that every body who knew "Grosvenor, whoever writes my life when the him respected him and loved him. Very few subject has an end as well as a beginning, and circumstances could have affected me more deep- does not insert this biographical anecdote in it, ly than his loss. may certainly expect that I will pull his ears in "Remember me most kindly to your excel- a true dream, and call him a jackass. lent mother and to your sisters. You are happy " The Notice sur M. Southey, which has been in having had your parents spared to you so long. thus compounded, has scarcely one single point The moral influences of a good old age upon the accurately stated, as you may suppose, and not hearts of youth and manhood can not be appre- a few which are ridiculously false. N'importe, ciated too highly. We are all well at present, as M. Le Bel says, I have laughed heartily at thank God. God bless you, my dear Neville! the whole translation, and bear the translation " Yours affectionately, with a magnanimity which would excite the as" ROBERT SOUTIIEY.: tonishment and envy of Wordsworth, if he were here to witness it. I have even gone beyond To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the Quaker principle of bearing injuries meekly: " Keswick, Jan. 26, 1821. I have written to thank the inflicter. Happily "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, it is in prose, and the chevalier has intended to "Yesterday evening I received' Roderic, Der- be faithful, and has, I believe, actually abstained nier Roi des Goths, Poeme tradui de l'Anglais i from any interpolations. But did you ever hear de Robert Southey, Esq., Poete Laureat, par M. me mention a fact worthy of notice, which I oble Chevalier P -* *.' Printed at Versailles, and served myself-that wherever a breed of peapublished at Paris by Galignani. It was ac- cocks is spoiled by mixture with a white one, companied by a modest and handsome letter from birds that escape the degeneracy in every other the translator, AM. Chevalier de Sagrie, and by part of their plumage show it in the eye of the another fiom Madame St. Anne Holmes, the lady feather? The fact is very curious; where the to whom it is dedicated. This lady has former- | perfection of nature's work is required, there it ly favored me with some letters and with a trag- fails. This affords an excellent illustration for edy of hers, printed at Angers. She is a very the version now before me; every where the clever woman, and writes almost as beautiful a eye of the feather is defective. It would be imhand as Miss Ponsonby of Llangollen. She is possible more fully to exemplify how completely rich, and has lived in high life, and writes a a man may understand the general meaning of a great deal about Sheridan, as having been very passage, and totally miss its peculiar force and intimate with him in his latter years. Me, Mr. character. The name of M. Bedford appears in Bedford. unworthy as I am, this lady has chosen the Notice, with the error that he was one of my for her poete favori, and by her persuasions the College fiiends, and the fact that Joan of Arc chevalier has translated Roderic into French. was written at his house. The dedication to him This is not all: there is a part of the business is omitted. which is so truly booksellerish in general, and'" God bless you! R. S. French in particular, that it would be a sin to withhold it from you, and you shall have it in the " What a grand bespattering of abuse I shall very words of my correspondent St. Anne. have when the Vision appears! Your walk at "' There is one part of the business I can not the Proclamation was but a type of it-only that pass over in silence: it has shocked me much, I am booted and coated, and of more convenient and calls for an apology; which is-The Life stature for the service. Pelt away, my boys, of Robert Southey, Esq., P.L. It never could pelt away! if you were not busy at that work, have entered my mind to be guilty of, or even you would be about something more mischievto sanction, such an impertinence. But the fact ous. Abusing me is like flogging a whippingis this: the printer and publisher, Mr. Le Bel, post. Harry says I have had so much of it that of the Royal Printing-office Press in Versailles he really thinks I begin to like it. This is cer(printers, by-the-by, are men of much greater tain, that nothing vexes me except injudicious importance here than they are in England), in- and exaggerated praise. c. g., when my French sisted upon having the life. He said the French friends affirm that Roderic is acknowledged to know nothing of M. Southey, and in order to make be a better poem than the Paradise Lost!!" the work sell, it must be managed to interest them for the author. To get rid of his importu- To John May, Esq. nities, we said we were not acquainted with the "Keswick, March 4, 1821. life of Mr. Southey. Would you believe it? this " MY DEAR FRIEND, was verbatim his answer:': N'importe! ecrivez " Yesterday I received a letter from my uncle toujours, brodez! brodez-la un peu, que ce soit with the news of Miss Tyler's death, an event vrai ou non ce ne fait rien; qui prendra la peine which you will probably have learned before this de s'informer?" Terrified lest this ridiculous reaches you. My uncle is thus relieved from a man should succeed in his point, I at last yield- c onsiderable charge, and from the apprehension ed, and sent to London to procure all the lives; which he must have felt of her surviving him. /ETAT. 47. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 395 She was in the eighty-second year of her age. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. She will be interred (to-morrow, I suppose) in "Keswick, April 15, 1821. the burial-place of the Hills, where her mother "'MR. BEDFORD-SIR, and two of the Tylers are laid, and my father " * * * * * * * with five of my brothers and sisters. I have received invitations to dine with the Lit" Her death was, even for herself, to be desir- erary Fund * * * and with the ed as well as expected. My affection for her Artists' Benevolent Institution. These complihad been long and justly canceled. I feel no ments were never before paid me. Cobbett, grief, therefore; but such an event of necessity also, has paid me a compliment equally wellpresses for a while like a weight upon the mind. deserved and of undoubted sincerity. He marks Had it not been for the whim which took her to me by name as one of those persons who, when Lisbon in the year of my birth, you and I should the Radicals shall have effected a reformation, never have known each other; my uncle would are, as one of the first measures of the new govnever have seen Portugal, and in how different ernment, to be executed. As a curious contrast a course would his life and mine, in consequence, to this, the committee of journeymen who prohave run! I have known many strange charac- pose to adopt what is practicable and useful in ters in my time, but never so extraordinary a Owen's plan, quote in their Report the eleventh one as hers, which, of course, I know intimately. stanza of my ode,* written in Dec., 1814, as deI shall come to it in due course, and sooner than serving'to be written in diamonds.' This is the you may expect, from the long intervals between first indication of a sort of popularity which, in my letters. process of time, I shall obtain and keep, for the " Yesterday's post brought me also an intima- constant tendency of whatever I have written. tion from my musical colleague, Mr. Shield, that * * * Wordsworth was with me last'our most gracious and royal master intends to week. Oddly enough, while I have been emcommand the performance of an Ode at St. ployed upon the Book of the Church, he has been James's on the day fixed for the celebration of writing a series of historical sonnets upon the his birth-day.' Of course, therefore, my imme- same subjects, of the very highest species of exdiate business is to get into harness and work in cellence. My book will serve as a running cornthe mill. Two or three precious days will be mentary to his series, and the one will very maspent in producing what will be good for noth- terially help the other; and thus, without any ing:; for as for making any thing good of a birth- concerted purpose, we shall go down to posterity day ode, I might as well attempt to manufacture in company. x* * * * * silk purses from sows' ears. Like Warton, I "God bless you! R. S." shall give the poem an historical character; but I shall not do this as well as Warton, who has done it very well. He was a happy, easy-minded, idle man, to whom literature in its turn was CHAPTER XXVI. as much an amusement as rat-huntingf and who * 1. i ~ii THE VISION OF JUDGMENT —LORD BYRON —MR. never aimed at any thing above such odes. JEFF S OPINION OF HIS WRITINGSWORDS-' March 20.T I llOW send you the furth let- JEFFREY'S OPINION OF HIS WRITINGS —WORDS" March 20.-I now send you the fourth let-'.,,. -,. i., i ii VORTH:S ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS — STATE ter of the promised series, dated at the begin-. OF SPAIN —SCARCITY OF GREAT STATESMEN ning nearly four months before it was brought to 0 n'TT T, I,, i.' — THE etKI(V 1 a15 ttKT] —HOBBES S BEHEMOTH an end. Were I to proceed always at this rate Ii T nT — FAILURE OF AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER SOME with it, I should die of old agre before I ot FAIY ESTATESLONELY FEELINGS T FAMILY ESTATES —LONELY FEELINGS AT OXbreeched in the narrative; but with all my un1 1..r JP - * T FORD —THE VISION OF JUDGMENT APPROVED dertakincs, I proceed faster in proportion as I, I- -. BY THE KING-AMERICAN VISITORS-DISAPadvance in them. Just now I am in the humor ~p. l ~ *.~ p.- ~ ~PROVAL OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE QUARTERfor going on; and you will hear from me again tn to' J p -L n tLY REVIEW TOWARD AMERICA —AMERICAN sooner than you expect, for I shall begin the next,.. t. T i i T * DIVINITY —ACCOUNT OF NETHERHALL —BOHEletter as soon as this packet is dispatched. It is * *. T 1i 1 IP T MIAN LOTTERY —HAMPDEN —A NEW CANDIa long while since I have heard from you, and I DATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE GAME am somewhat anxious to hear how your affair v*~ n TLAWVS —STATE OF IRELAND —SIR EDW)ARD DEgoes on in Brazil. If 0 Grande Marquez could have been raised from the dead, he would have have been raised from the dead, he would hve * The following is the stanza here referred to: had courage and capacity to have modeled both "Train up thy children, England, in the ways countries according to the circumstances of the Of righteousness, and feed them with the bread age. But I am more anxious about the manner Of wholesome doctrine. Where hast thou thy mines in which these events may affect you, than con- hy But in their indut bre Thy bulwarks where, but in their breasts? cerning their general course; that is in the will Thy might, but in their arms? of Providence; and with regoard to the state of Shall not their numbers, therefore, be thy wealth, t P d of I, I ral s s Thy strength, thy power, thy safety, and thy pride? the Peninsula and of Italy, I really see so much Oh grief, then, grief and shame, evil on both sides, and so m-.:r l good intent act- If in this flourishing land iev,Cn so d7 ie nt n * There should be dwellings where the new-born babe ing erroneously on both, +flat it I could turn the oth bring unto its parent's soul no joy; scale with a wish, I should not dare to do it. Where squalid poverty' God bless you, my dear friend Receives it at its birth, And on her withered knees " Yours affectionately, R. S." Gives it the scanty food of discontent." 396 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT.47. RING-DECREE OF THIE LONG PARLIAMENT- their estimation: and set in motion the array of SPANISH AMERICA-HUMBOLDT'S TRAVELS- opposition and invective to which I have just alSTATE OF ITALY, OF SPAIN, AND OF ENGLAND. luded. Before, however, noticing more particu-1821. larly the remarks themselves, and the rejoinder and counter-rejoinder they called forth, we will THEr Vision of Judgment was now, at last, look a little at the relative position of the parties published, and my father had not overrated the with respect to their writings. measure of opposition and abuse with which its Lord Byron, as is well known, in his English appearance would be hailed. Nor was this at Bards and Scotch Reviewers, had satirized my all to be wondered at; for, besides the unfriend- father in common with many others, but not in ly criticisms of his avowed enemies and oppo- any peculiarly objectionable manner; and when, nents, the poem, both in its plan and execution, as has been noticed, they met once or twice in could not fail to give offense to many of those London society in the year 1813, it was with all persons most disposed to receive favorably the outward courtesy. From that time Lord Byron productions of his pen. The editor hopes he became year after year more notorious, and his will not be thought chargeable with any want of writings more objectionable in their tendency. filial respect if he thinks it right here to express But while my father could not but greatly dishis own regret that such a subject should have approve of many portions of them, he had been been chosen, as, however solemnly treated, it far too busily employed to trouble himself much can hardly be said to be clear from the charge of about Lord Byron. He rarely alludes to him in being an injudicious attempt to fathom mysteries his letters; for every allusion that I have found, too deep for human comprehension; and it must I have printed. For some years he had made be allowed, that to speculate upon the condition it a rule never to review poetry; and while ho of the departed, especially when under the influ- regarded him as a man of the highest talents, ence of strong political feelings, is a bold, if not using them in a manner greatly to be lamented. a presumptuous undertaking. and notoriously profligate as to his private life, My father adopted, as we have seen, his lead- he had never said this in print, and rarely seems ing thoughts from Dante's great poem; not re- i to have spoken of him at all. flecting that Dante himself, if it were not for the Lord Byron, on the other hand, appears to have halo thrown around him by his antiquity and the regarded my father with the most intense dislike. established fame of his transcendant genius corn- which he veiled under an affectation of scorn and bined, would in these days be very offensive to contempt which it is impossible to believe he many sincerely religious minds. could really feel. He had pronounced* his talBut while undoubtedly the Vision of Judgment ents to be "of the first order," his prose to be had the effect of shocking the feelings of many "perfect,:' his Roderic "the first poem of the excellent persons, the storm of abuse which greet- time," and therefore he could not think meanly ed its author did not come from them, nor did of his abilities; and widely as he differed firno it arise from any regret that spiritual matters him on political subjects, that could be no reashould be thus handled. It was the preface and son for the bitter personal animosity he displayed not the poem which called them forth. toward him. This is sufficiently shown in maly Now, swhatever may be the opinion which any passages of his published letters, and more parperson may form of my father's writings, one ticularly in his Don Juan; which, in addition to thing has always been conceded-that in none the allusions in the poem itself, came over for of them did he appeal to the darker passions of publication with a Dedication to him prefixed to human nature, or seek to administer pernicious it, couched in coarse and insulting terms. This stimulants to a depraved taste; that in none did was suppressed at the time (the editor state? lie paint vice in alluring colors, calling evil good with Lord Byron's reluctant consent); but its and good evil; and that in all of them there is existence was well known, and it is now prefixed a constant recognition of the duties, the privi- to the poem in the collected edition of his works. ieges, and the hopes derived from revealed re- But the feelings with which Lord Byron religion. garded my father were still more plainly shown There was, therefore, a perfect contrast be- in some observations upon an article in Blackl tween his writings and those of some of the most wood's Magazine, published for the first time in popular authors of that day; and in the Quarter- his Life and Works, but written, be it observed, ly Review he often used unsparing language con- before the remarks on the Satanic School in the qerning those writers who were in the habit of preface to the Vision of Judgment. spreading among the people Free-thinking opin- The writer in Blackwood, it appears, had alions in religion, and base doctrines in morals. luded to Lord Byron having " vented his spleen" These things would naturally create a bitter against certain "lofty-minded and virtuous men, enmity against him in the minds of all who, ei- which he interprets to mean " the notorious trither by their own acts or by sympathy, were im- umvirate known by the name of the Lake Poets;' plicated in such proceedings; and the more def- and he then goes on to make various charges nite and pointed remarks which he took occa- against my father, which it is impossible to charsion to make in his preface to the Vision of Judg- acterize by any other epithet than false and ment upon the principles and tendencies of these i w * See Byron's Life and Works, vol. ii., p. 268, and vol. writers wound up his offenses to a climax in vii., p. 239. )ETAT. 47. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 397 calumnious. These were based upon the assum- many of Lord Byron's writings has never, by the ed fact that, on his return from the Continent in public, been considered apart from his rank, his 1817, my father had circulated slanderous re- genius, and his redeeming qualities: admiration ports respecting Lord Byron's mode of life; j and adulation operated on the one hand, fear on and upon this supposition, which was wholly with- the other; for while he himself and his advocates out foundation, he proceeds in a strain of abuse attributed the condemnation of his writings to which I will not sully these pages by quoting " cowardice," with far greater truth might that suffice it to say, that when, at a later period, be alleged as a reason for the praise of many Lord Byron, in a letter to Sir Walter Scott, de- and the silence of more. - dares his intention of " working the laureate as It was natural, then, that my father should soon as he could muster Billingsgate enough,"t l meet with a large share both of abuse and blame he had a plentiful supply of it in those then un- for daring thus to attack the enemy in his strongpublished pages. It is painful to have to recur hold; and while some marveled at his impruto these deeds of the dead; but it is necessary, dence, there was one great writer who said more because these facts prove that Lord Byron's at- than that with strange inconsistency. Mr. Jeftacks upon my father preceded my father's comn- frey, in the Edinburgh Review, suppressing the ments upon him, and were altogether unprovok- remarks themselves, attributed them wholly to ed; and also because his authority is still occa- envy; and it is not a little curious to observe, sionally employed by others for the purpose of I coupled with this, his own estimate of Lord bringing my father's name and character into Byron's writings, some portions of which I car contempt. not resist quoting here. Now I have made these observations solely to After various remarks, leveled apparently at show upon which of the two (if upon either) the my father, concerning " the base and the bigotblame of a malicious or contentious temper must ed venting their puny malice in silly nicknames," rest, not because I assume these calumnies to he goes on to say, have been the reason why my father censured "He has no priest-like cant or priest-like reLord Byron's writings.i The worst of these in- viling to apprehend from us; we do not charge salts he certainly never saw; the other he was him with being either a disciple or an apostle of acquainted with; but while the effect of it must Satan, nor do we describe his poetry to be a mere undoubtedly have been to remove any delicacy compound of blasphemy and obscenity. On the with regard to hurting Lord Byron's feelings, I contrary, we believe he wishes well to the hapam perfectly justified in asserting that, if there piness of mankind."' had not existed a great public cause-a question After speaking of the immoral passages and of the most vital principles-my father would profligate representations in his writings, which, never, upon that provocation, have gone out of he says, are not worse than Dryden, or Prior, or his way to lift his hand against him.~ He con- Fielding, justly adding, however, that "it is a ecived it to be his duty, as one who had some in- wretched apology for the indecencies of a man fluence over the opinions of others, to condemn, of genius that equal indecencies have been foras strongly as possible, works, the perusal of given to his predecessors," he proceeds: which he conscientiously believed was calcula- "It might not have been so easy to get over ted to weaken the principles, corrupt the morals, his dogmatic skepticism, his hard-hearted maxand harden the heart. i ims of misanthropy, his cold-blooded and eager With respect to the remarks in the preface to expositions of the non-existence of virtue and the Vision of Judgment, while it must be admit- honor. Even this, however, might have been ted they are stern and severe, they are surely comparatively harmless, if it had not been acnot more so than the occasion justified. They companied with that which may look at first are no personal invective, but simply a moral sight like a palliation-the frequent presentment condemnation of a class of publications, and to of the most touching pictures of tenderness, genbe judged by a consideration of the whole ques- erosity, and faith. tion whether they were deserved or not. The'; The charge we bring against Lord Byron, question itself as to the spirit and tendency of in short, is, that his writings have a tendency to With reference to this accusation, which was mde destroy all belief in the reality of virtue, and to * With reference to this accusation, which was made v i 7 through some other medium during Lord Byron's life, make all enthusiasm and constancy of affection my father says, in a letter to the editor of the Courier, ridiculous; and this is effected, not merely by -.I reply to it with a direct and positive denial;" and he direct maxims and examples of an imposing or continues. "If I had been told in that country that Lord n Byron had turned Turk or monk of La Trappe-that he seducing kind, but by the constant exhibition of had furnished a harem or endowed a hospital, I might the most profligate heartlessness in the persons have thought the account, whichever it had been, possi-. ble, and repeated it accordingly, passing it, as it had been * Mr. Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh Review, says, " Lord taken, in the small chaunge of conversation, for no more Byron complains bitterly of the detraction by which he than it was worth. But making no inquiry concerning has been assailed, and intimates that his works have been him when I was abroad, because I felt no curiosity, I received by the public with far less cordiality and favor heard nothing, and had nothing to repeat."-See Appen- than he was entitled to expect. We are constrained to dix. I may add that there is no allusion to Lord Byron say that this appears to us a very extraordinary mistake. either in my father's letters written during that tour or in In the whole course of our experience we can not recolhis journal. lect a single author who has so little reason to complain t See Life and Works of Byron, vol. v., p. 300. of his reception; to whose genius the public has been so + See Appendix. early and constantly just; to whose faults they have been ~ Had he seen the other attack, he could not have re- so long and so signally indulgent."-Edinburgh Revieu, mained silent under it. No 72. 398 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JTAT. 47. of those who have been transiently represented tages of his rural flock, who knows that they are as actuated by the purest and most exalted emo- sold by every hawker of books throughout the tions, and the lessons of that very teacher who country, and that they are handed about fiom had been but a moment before so beautifully pa- one to the other by school-boys and artisans to thetic in the expression of the loftiest concep- supply shafts for the quiver of ribald wit and tions. scoffing blasphemy, can hardly be thought out "This is the charge which we bring against of season if, when this subject is forced upon Lord Byron. We say that, under some strange him, he allows his own feeling concerning such misapprehension of the truth and the duty of works to appear; and it is not unimportant, proclaiming it, he has exerted all the powers of while doing so, to have pointed out th.e strong his powerful mind to convince his readers, di- coincidence, upon this question in real opinion, rectly and indirectly, that all ennobling pursuits which existed between two writers, in general and disinterested virtues are mere deceits and so opposed to each other as my father and the illusions, hollow and despicable mockeries for the editor of the Edinburgh Review. most part, and at best but laborious follies. Love, As may well be imagined, the passage alluded patriotism, valor, devotion, constancy, ambition to concerning the Satanic School roused Lord -all are to be laughed at, disbelieved in, and Byron's anger to the uttermost. and he replied despised! and nothing is really good, as far as to it in a strain which compelled a rejoinder we can gather, but a succession of dangers to from my father, in a letter addressed to the Edstir the blood, and of banquets and intrigues to itor of the Courier, the effect of which was to soothe it again. If the doctrine stood alone, make his lordship immediately sit down and inwith its examples, we believe it would revolt dite a cartel, challenging my father to mortal more than it would seduce; but the author has combat, for which purpose both parties were to the unlucky gift of personating all those sweet repair to the Continent. This challenge, howand lofty illusions, and that with such grace, and ever, never reached its destination, Lord Bypower, and truth to nature, that it is impossible ron's " friend,"' Mr. Douglas Kinnaird, wisely not to suppose for the time that he is among the suppressing it. most devoted of their votaries, till he casts off The passage itself, Lord Byron's reply, and the character with a jerk; and the moment after the rejoinder, together with a letter written in he has moved and exalted us to the very height 1824 on the appearance of Captain Medwin's of our conceptions, resumes his mockery of all 1 work, the reader will find in the Appendix to things sacred and sublime, and lets us down at this volume. once on some coarse joke, hard-hearted sarcasm, or relentless personality, as if to show To the Rev. Neville lWhite.'Whoe'er was edified, himself was not.'""* "Keswick, April 25, 1821. It is difficult to imagine how any thing more MY DEARl NEVILLE, severe, and at the same time more just, than " I heartily give you joy of your dear wife's these remarks could have been penned; but I safe deliverance, and of the birth of your first may fairly ask, with what consistency could the child-an event which, of all others in the course writer of them reckon my father as among the of human life, produces the deepest and most base and the bigoted for his remarks on the " Sa- permanent impression. tanic School?" He does not, he says, charge "Who hath not proved it, ill can estimate Lord Byron with being either a disciple or an The feeling of that stirring hour-the weight apostle of u hd he srivn to pi Of that new sense; the thoughtful, pensive bliss. apostle of Satan; but had he striven to picture In all the changes of our changeful state, forth the office of such a character, could he have Even from the cradle to the grave, I wis done it better? What method more subtle or The heart doth undergo no change so great as this. more certain could the Enemy of Mankind use " So I have written in that poem which will to enlarge the limits of his empire than " to de- be the next that I hope to send you; but I transtroy all belief in the reality of virtue —to con- i scribe the lines here because you will feel their vince men that all that is good, noble, virtuous, truth at this time. Parental love, however, is or sacred is " to be lauzghed at, disbelieved in. and of slower growth in a father's than in a mothdespised?" Consciously or unconsciously, the er's heart: the child, at its birth, continues, as reviewer in these passages has embodied the it were, to be a part of its mother's life; but very system which those whose philosophy is upon the father's heart it is a graft, and some based upon Holy Scripture believe that the Evil little time elapses before he feels that it has unitSpirit is continually pursuing against the souls ed and is become inseparable. God bless the of men. He has said, virtually, only at greater babe and its parents, and spare it and them, length and more persuasively, exactly the same each for the other's sake, amen! thing my father had said in those very passages "Tilbrook wrote to tell me his disapprobation he sneers at and condemns. of my hexameters. His reasons were founded These remarks, including the quotation, have upon some musical theory, which I did not unextended further than I could have wished; but derstand further than to perceive that it was not the clergyman who finds cheap editions of Don applicable. His opinion is the only unfavorable Juan and Shelley's Queen Mab lying in the cot- one that has reached me; that of my friend Wynn, from whom I expected the most decided * Edinburgh Review, No. 72. displeasure, was, that he'disliked them less than ETAT.47. ROBERT SOUTHFEY. 399 he expected.' Women, as far as I can learn,! brothers,- now at the bar. and likely to rise very feel and like the meter universally, without at- high in his profession. I know no man of whose tempting to understand its construction. My judgment and principles I have a higher opinion. brethren of the art approve it, and those whom They are a remarkably gifted family, and may I acknowledge for my peers are decidedly in its be expected to distinguish themselves in many favor. Many persons have thanked me for that I ways. part of the preface in which Lord Byron and his " The Wordsworths spoke of you with great infamous works are alluded to.' a: pleasure upon their return from Cambridge. He "I am going on steadily with many things, was with me lately. His thoughts and mine the foremost of which is the History of the War. i have for some time been unconsciously traveling The first volume will be printed in the course of in the same direction; for while I have been September next. Whether it will be published sketching a brief history of the English Church, before the other two, depends upon the book- and the systems which it has subdued or strugsellers, and is a matter in which I have no con- gled with, he has been pursuing precisely the cern. I am proceeding also with my Dialogues; same subject in a series of sonnets, to which my and with the Book of the Church-two works volume will serve for a commentary, as comby which I shall deserve well of posterity, what- pletely as if it had been written with that intent. ever treatment they may provoke now from the I have reason to hope that this work will be perbigoted, the irreligious, and the factious. But manently useful; and I have the same hope of you know how perfectly regardless I am of ob- the series of Dialogues with which I am proceedloquy and insult. Your brother Henry gave me ing. Two of the scenes in which these are laid that kind of praise which is thoroughly gratify- are noticed in your sonnets-the Tarn of Blening, because I know that I deserve it, when he cathra and the Ruined Village. Wm. Westall described me as fearlessly pursuing that course has made a very fine drawing of the former, which my own sense of propriety points out, which will be engraved for the volume, together without reference to the humor of the public. with five others, most of which you will recog"In the last Quarterly Review you would rec- nize. One of them represents this house, with ognize me in the account of Huntington. I am the river and the lake, and Newlands in the dispreparing a life of Oliver Cromwell for the next. tance. * *X * *- "Are you going abroad? or do you wait till " Believe me, my dear Neville, the political atmosphere seems to promise settled " Yours most affectionately, weather? God knows when that will be! For "ROBERT SOUTHEY.") myself, I know not what to wish for, when, on the one side, the old governments will not atTo C. H. Townshend, Esq. tempt to amend any thing, and, on the other, the "Keswick, May 6, 1821. Revolutionists are for destroying every thing. " MY DEAR CHAvUNCEY. Spain is in a deplorable state, which must lead "I received your little parcel this afternoon, to utter anarchy. If other powers do not interand thank you for the book, for the dedication, fere (which I rather hope than think they will and for the sonnet. As yet I have only had time not), the natural course of such a revolution will to recognize several pieces which pleased me serve as an example in terrorem to other naformerly, and to read a few others which please tions. True statesmen are wanted there, and me now. I not there alone, but every where else; why it is " The stages of your life have passed regular- that there has not been a single man in Europe ly and happily, so that you have had leisure to worthy of the name for the last century, is a mark them with precision, and to feel them, and question which it might be of some use to conreflect upon them. With me these transitions sider. Burke would have been one, had he not were of a very different character; they came been always led away by passion and party, and abruptly, and, when I left the University, it was an Irish imagination. It is something in the to cast myself upon the world with a heart full very constitution of our politics which dwarfs of romance and a head full of enthusiasm. No the breed, for we have had statesmen in India. young man could have gone more widely astray, * * * * * * * according to all human judgment, and yet the " God bless you! soundest judgment could not have led me into "Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." any other way of life in which I should have had such full cause to be contented and thankful. To John Rickman, Esq. " The world is now before you; but you have Keswick, May 13, 1821. neither difficulties to struggle with, nor dangers'" MY DEAR RICKMAN, to apprehend. All that the heart of a wise man "The present Oliver Cromwell, whose book can desire is within your reach. And you are serves me for a heading in the Quarterly Reblessed with a disposition which will keep you view, has led me into an interesting course of out of public life, in which my advice to those reading, and I am surrounded with memoirs of whom I loved would be-never to engage. that age. Among other books, I have been read"Your Cambridge wit is excellent of its kind. ing the EtcEov BaoaluL7, which never fell in my I am not acquainted with Coleridge of King's, but somewhat intimately so with one of his * Now Mr. Justice Coleridge. 400 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF /ETAT. 47. way before. The evidence concerning its au- never heavier than during the only whole day thenticity is more curiously balanced than in any which I passed in that city. There was not a other case, except, perhaps, that of the two Al- single cotemporary whom I knew; the only perexander Cunninghams; but the internal evidence son with whom I spoke, whose face was familiar is strongly in its favor, and I very much doubt to me, was Dr. Tatham! except poor Adams and whether any man could have written it in a fic- his wife, now both old and infirm. I went in the titious character-the character is so perfectly morning to look at Baliol, and as I was coming observed. If it be genuine (which I believe it out he knew me, and then I recognized him, to be as much as a man can believe the authen- which otherwise I could not have done. I dined ticity of any thing which has been boldly im- there in the hall at ten o'clock at night, and the pugned), it is one of the most interesting books poor old woman would sit up till midnight that connected with English history. I have been she might speak to me when I went out. After reading, also, Hobbes's Behemoth; it is worth the business of the theater was over I walked for reading, but has less of his characteristic strength some hours alone about the walks and gardens, and felicity of thought and expression than the where you and I have so often walked together, Leviathan. There is one great point on which thinking of the days that are gone, the friends he dwells with unanswerable wisdom-the ne- that are departed (Seward, and C. Collins, and cessity that public opinion should be directed by Allen, and poor Burnet), time, and change, and government, by means of education and public mortality. Very few things would have gratified instruction. me so much as to have met you there. I had " The course of the revolution in Portugal and applause enough in the theater to be somewhat Brazil will be to separate the two countries, and overpowering, and my feelings would have been then, I fear, to break up Brazil into as many sep- very different if you had been there, for then arate states as there are great captaincies; there would have been one person present who these, again, to be subdivided among as many knew me and loved me. chieftains as can raise ruffians enough to be call- " fy lodging was at Oriel, in the rooms of an ed an army. There is, however, some check to under-graduate, whose aunt is married to my these in the fear of the negroes, which may rea- uncle. Coplestone introduced himself to me and sonably exist in great part of the country. This asked me to dinner the next day, but I was enmischief has been brought about by Portuguese gaged to return to London and dine with Bedjournals printed in London since the year 1808, ford. There is no one of our remembrance left and directed always to this end. at Baliol except Powell, and him I did not see. " God bless you! R. S. The master and the fellows there showed me every possible attention; I had not been two hours To the Rev. Nicholas Lightffoot. in Oxford before their invitation found me out. "Keswick, June 2,1821.: The king sent me word that he had read the "MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, Vision of Judgment twice, and was well pleased "Your letter brings to my mind how it hap- with it; and he afterward told my brother (Dr. pened that the last which I received from you S.) at the drawing-room that I had sent him a remained unanswered. I began a reply imme- very beautiful poem, which he had read with diately, but having expressed a hope that busi- great pleasure. ness might probably soon lead me into the west " You will be pleased to hear that the Bishop country, and intimated a little too confidently the of London, the Bishop of Durham, and Lord Livlikelihood of my succeeding to some good family erpool told me, when I was in town last year, estates there in consequence of Lord Somerville's that the Life of Wesley was a book which in death, the letter was laid aside till I could be their judgment could not fail of doing a great more certain. Shortly afterward I went to Lon- deal of good. don, and the result of my legal inquiries there " Always and affectionately yours, was, that, owing to the clumsy manner in which "ROBERT SOUTIHEY." a will was drawn up, estates to the value of a thousand a year in Somersetshire, which, accord- Among the great variety of strangers who ing to the clear intention of the testator, ought found their way to Greta Hall with letters of innow to have devolved upon me, had been ad- troduction, there were a considerable proportion judged to Lord Somerville, to be at his full dis- from America-travelers from thence, as my posal, and were by him either sold or bequeath- father humorously observes in one of his previous.ed to his half-brothers, so that the whole is gone letters, inquiring as naturally for a real live poet to a different family. You know me well enough in England as he would do for any of the wild to believe that this never deprived me of an animals of their country. Since that time, howhour's sleep nor a moment's peace of mind. ever, America has made rapid strides in literaThe only ill effect was, that I fancied your letter ture, and native authors are not such rarities had been answered, and wondered I did not hear now as they were then. In this way he had from you again, which wonder nothing but nev- made many agreeable and valuable acquainter-ending business has prevented me from ex- ances, and with several of them the intercourse pressing to you long ere this. thus begun was continued across the Atlantic; "God knows how truly it would have rejoiced and he was the more rejoiced at the opportunity me to have seen you at Oxford. My heart was of showing them any attention in his power, be NETAT. 48. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 401 cause he had been most unjustly accused of hold- home, after a fortnight's absence. Its contents ing and expressing opinions very unfavorable to will be of the greatest use to me. I have alAmerica. Several papers had appeared in the ready looked through Callender and the ArchaQuarterly Review manifesting an unfriendly feel- ology, and find in the former applicable inforing toward that country, and these were ascribed mation not in my other authorities, and in the to him,+ while he was protesting against them latter many curious facts. Our old divine, Dr. privately, and strongly condemning the spirit in Hammond, used to say, that whatever his course which they were written. This, however, was of study might be in the first part of the week, only one out of many instances in which the of- something always occurred in it which was confenses of the Quarterly Review were laid to his vertible to use in his next sermon. My expecharge. rience is of the same kind, and you will perceive The gentleman (Mr. Ticknor, of Boston) to that these books will assist me in many ways. whom the two following letters are addressed'My little girls have not forgotten you. The was one of the most literary of his American infant whom you saw sleeping in a basket here visitors, and a feeling of mutual respect and good in this library, where he was born three weeks will quickly sprang up between them, kept up before, is now, God be thanked, a thriving and by an occasional correspondence. hopeful child. Kenyon will be here in the course In the course of one of the evenings he passed of the week, and we shall talk of you, and drink at Greta Hall, my father had read to him the to our friends in New England. This is less commencement of his poem of Oliver Newman, picturesque than the votive sacrifices of ancient to which reference has occasionally been made, times, but there is as much feeling connected with which Mr. Ticknor had been much pleased; with it. and, in consequence of the scene being laid in' Mr. Everett sent me the two first numbers his native country, the MS. of the poem, when of his quarterly journal, telling me that I should finished, was promised to him: to this the com- not need an apology for the sentiments which it mencement of the following letter refers. Alas expresses toward England. I am sorry that for the uncertainty of our intentions! No fur- those opinions appear to have his sanction, esther progress of any moment was ever made in teeming him highly as I do, and desirous as I it; constant occupations of a different kind im- am that the only two nations in the world who peratively called for all his time and thoughts; really are free, and have grown up in freedom, many cares and more sorrows thickened upon should be united by mutual respect and kindly him in these later years of his life; and the ef- feelings, as well as by kindred, common faith, fort to resume the subject, though often contem- and the indissoluble bond of language. Rememplated, was never made. ber me most kindly to him, and to Mr. Cogswell also. To George Ticknor, Esq. " I am collecting materials for a Life of George "Keswick, Aug. 19,1821. Fox, and the Rise and Progress of Quakerism. M: nMY DEAR SIR, Perhaps some documents of American growth "That I intended to thank you for the books may fall in your way. We are never likely to you sent me from London in 1819, the unfin- meet again in this world; let us keep up this ished letter which I have now fished up from the kind of intercourse till we meet in a better. bottom of my desk will show; and it is better to'God bless you! say peccavi than to apologize for the old and be- I" Yours affectionately, setting sin of procrastination. That I had re- ROBERT SOUTHEY." ceived them, you would probably infer from the mention of Fisher Ames in the Quarterly Review. The following is the letter referred to as inThis omission has been attended with frequent closed in the preceding one. I place it here as self-reproaches, for I am sure you will not sup- containing some interesting remarks upon Amerpose that you were forgotten; but I looked for- ican literature. ward to an honorable amends in sending you the manuscript of my New England poem as soon To George Ticknor, Esq. as it should be completed. When that will be "Keswick, Aug. 13, 1819. I dare not promise; but the desire of sending "MY DEAR SIR, you that first fair copy, part of which was put "I did not receive your friendly letter, and into your hands when you were here, is not one the books which you sent to Murray's, till the of the least inducements for taking it up speed- last week in May, at which time I supposed you ily as a serious and regular occupation. would be on your voyage homeward. Long ere "I found your parcel last night, on my return this I trust you will have reached your native *'-I- returned_ — toshores, and enjoyed the delight of returning to ~' I returned to the post-office the other day three halfour friends after a lo absence. Life has few your friends after a long absence. Life has few crowns worth of abuse sent from New Orleans in the shape of extracts from Yankee newspapers. Every dis- greater pleasures. respectful thing said of America in the Q. R. is imputed "You have sent me a good specimen of to me in t'nat country, while I heartily disapprove of the. temper in which America is treated. Such things, how-American divinity. Ivery much doubt whether ever, are not worth notice; and lies of this kind for many we have any cotemporary sermons so good; for, years past have been far too numerous to be noticed, un- though our pulpits are better filled than they less I gave up half my time to the task."-To G. C. B., Jan. 5, 1820. were in the last generation, w e do not hear from Cc 402 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF XETAT. 48. them such sound reasoning, such clear logic, anxieties and losses have you been exposed, and such manly and vigorous composition as in without any fault, or even any thing which can the days of South and Barrow. What is said in justly be called incautious on your part! This, the memoir of Mr. Buckminster of the unimpas- however, is both consolatory and certain, that sioned character of our printed sermons is cer- no good man is ever the worse for the trials with tainly true; the cause of it is to be found in the which Providence may visit him, and the way in general character of the congregations for which which you regard these afflictions exemplifies they were composed, always regular church-go- this. ing people, persons of wealth and rank, the really " Since I received your letter I made my progood part of the coniiunity, and the Formalists posed visit to the sea-coast with the two Ediths and the Pharisees, none of whom would like to and Cuthbert. We were at Netherhall, the solar be addressed by their parish priest as miserable of my friend and fellow-traveler Senhouse, where sinners standing in need of repentance. Sermons his ancestors have uninterruptedly resided since of country growth seldom find their way to the the days of Edward II. (when part of the present press in towns the ruder classes seldom attend building is known to have been standing), and the Church service, in large towns because there how long before that no one knows. Some of is no room for them; and indeed, in country as his deeds are of Edward I.'s reign, some of well as town, the subjects who are in the worst Henry III.'s, and one is as far back as King John. state of mind and morals never enter the church We slept in the tower, the walls of which are doors. Wesley and Whitefield got at them by nine feet thick. In the time of the great Rebellpreaching in the open air, and they administered ion the second of the two sons of this house went drastics with prodigious effect. Since their days to serve the king, the elder brother (whom illa more impassioned style has been used in the ness had probably detained at home) died, and pulpit, and with considerable success. But the the parents then wished their only surviving pith and the sound philosophy of the elder divines child to return, lest their ancient line should bo are wanting. Your Buckminster was taking the extinct. A man who held an estate under the right course. The early death of such a man family was sent to persuade him to this, his unwould have been a great loss to any country. willingness to leave the service in such disastrous " You have sent me, also, a good specimen of times being anticipated; but the result of this American politics in the works of Fisher Ames. endeavor was, that Senhouse, instead of returnI perused them with great pleasure, and have ing. persuaded the messenger to remain land folseldom met with a more sagacious writer. A low the king's fortunes. They were at Marston great proportion of the words in the American Moor together, and at Naseby. In the last of vocabulary are as common in England as in those unhappy fields Senhouse was dreadfully America. But, provided a word be good, it is no wounded, his skull was fractured, and he was matter from what mint it comes. Neologisms left for dead. After the battle his faithful friend must always be arising in every living language; searched for the body, and found him still breathand the business of criticism should be, not to ing. By this providential aid he was saved; his reprobate them because they are new, but to skull was pieced with a plate of metal, and he censure such as are not formed according to lived to continue the race. His preserver was analogy, or which are merely superfluous. The rewarded by having his estate enfranchised; and authority of an English reviewer passes on your both properties continue at this day in their reside of the Atlantic for more than it is worth; spective descendants. This is an interesting with us the Review of the last month or the last story, and the more so when related as it was quarter is as little thought of as the last week's to me, on the spot. The sword which did good newspaper. You must have learned enough of service in those wars is still preserved. It was ihe constitution of such works to know that upon made for a two-fold use, the back being cut so questions of philology they are quite unworthy as to form a double-toothed saw. of being noticed. The manner in which they' Netherhall stands upon the little river Ellen, are referred to in the vocabulary led me to this, about half a mile frnom the sea, but completely and this leads me to the criticisms upon Bristed sheltered from the sea wind by a long high hill, and Fearon's books in the Quarterly Review. I under cover of which some fine old trees have know not from whom they came, but they are grown up. The Ellen rises on Skiddaw, forms not in a good spirit. R. S.' the little and unpicturesque lake or rather pool which is called Overwater, near the foot of that To John iflay, Esq. mountain, and, though a very small streanm, "Keswick, Aug. 26, 1821. makes a port, where a town containing 4000 " IY DEPAR FRIEND, inhabitants has grown up within the memory " How little are our lots in life to be foreseen! of man on the Senhouse estate. It was called It might reasonably have been thought that, if M aryport, after Senhouse's grandmother, a very any man could have been secured against ill for- beautiful w-oman, whose portrait is in his diningtune in his mercantile concerns by prudence, room. His father remembered when a single punctuality, method, and the virtues and habits snummer-house standing in a garden was the only which the mercantile profession requires, you, building upon the whole of that ground, which above all men, would have been uniformly and is now covered with streets. The first sash steadily prosperous; and yet to what a series of windows in Cumberland were placed in tie tow. IETAT. 48. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 403 er in which we slept by the founder of this town; both barons, and my aunt a Bohemian baronand when his son (who died about six years ago, ess. R. S." at the age of eighty-four or five) first went to Cambridge, there was no stage-coach north of To the Rev. Neville White. York. Keswick, Oct. 20, 1821. " Old as Netherhall is, the stones of which it " MY DEAR NEVILLE, is built were hewn from the quarry more than a " * * * * thousand years before it was begun. They were You form a just opinion of the character and tendtaken from a Roman station on the hill between ency of William Taylor's conversation. A most it and the sea, where a great number of Roman unfortunate perversion of mind has made him alaltars, &c., have been found. Some of them are ways desirous of supporting strange and paradescribed by Camden, who praises the Mr. Sen- doxical opinions by ingenious arguments, and house of his time for the hospitality with which showing what may be said on the wrong side of he received him, and the care with which he pre- a question. He likes to be in a state of doubt served these remains of antiquity. I I upon all subjects where doubt is possible, and has It was a bishop of this family who preached often said, I begin to be too sure of that, and Charles I.'s coronation sermon, and the text must see what reasons I cal find ag'ainst it.' which he took was afterward noted as ominous: But when this is applied to great and moment-' I will give him a crown of glory.' The gold ous truths, the consequences are of the most fatal signet which he wore as a ring is now at Nether- kind. I believe no man ever carried Pyrrhohall. God bless you! nism further. But it has never led him into im" Yours most affectionately, moralities of any kind, nor prevented him from " ROBERT SOUTHEY." discharging the duties of private life in the most exemplary manner. There never lived a more To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. dutiful son. I have seen his blind mother weep "Keswick, Sept. 9,1821. when she spoke of his goodness; and his kind" MY DEAR GROSVENOR, ness and generosity have only been limited by " I wish to possess a castle in Bohemia. My his means. good aunt Mary has the like desire; and as there " What is more remarkable is, that this habitare two castles to be had there, together with ual and excessive skepticism has weakened none twelve villages (enough to qualify me, in all con- of the sectarian prejudices in which he was science, for a baron of the holy Roman empire), brought up. He sympathizes as cordially with I beseech you, with as little loss of time as may the Unitarians in their animosity to the Church be, to transmit, in such manner as Herries may and State as if he agreed with them in belief, best direct, the sum of two pounds to W. H and finds as strong a bond of union in party spirit Reinganum, Banquier, No. 13 Rue Zeil, Frank- as he could do in principle. fort sur Maine, to purchase one ticket in my " With regard to his talents, they are very name, and one in my aunt Mary's, in the lottery great. No man can exceed him in ingenuity, for the seven estates in Bohemia which are to be nor in the readiness with which he adorns a subplayed for at Vienna on the 1st of next month; ject by apt and lively illustrations. His knowland I invite you, Grosvenor, to purchase a ticket edge is extensive, but not deep. When first I also, and let us go shares in the adventure; and saw him, three-and-twenty years ago, I thought if we get the prize, we will make a merry and him the best-informed man with whom I had memorable journey to Prague. and you shall take ever conversed. When I visited him last, after your choice of seven titles for your baronship, a lapse of eight years, I discovered the limits of to wit, Zieken, Wolschow, Koyschitz, Shunkau, his information, and that upon all subjects it was Libietitz, Prytanitz, and Oberstankau. very incomplete. " Just suppose, Grosvenor, that Fortune, in "Of his heart and disposition I can not speak one of her freaks, was to give us this prize, and more highly than I think. It is my belief that we were to set out for the purpose of taking pos- no man ever brought a kindlier nature into this session of twelve villages, two chateaux, seven world. His great talents have been sadly wastfarms, and several mills and manufactures, and ed; and, what is worse, they have sometimes valued judicially at 894,755 florins of Vienna. been sadly misemployed. He has unsettled the I suppose the inhabitants are included. The no- faith of many, and he has prepared for his own tion, I think, will amuse you as much as it does old age a pillow of thorns. To all reasoning, the us. So buy the tickets, Grosvenor. The castles pride of reason has made him inaccessible; and in question are certainly two of the King of Bo- when I think of him, as I often do, with affection hernia's castles, because they make the great and sorrowful forebodings, the only foundation of prize in an imperial lottery; but whether they hope is, that God is merciful beyond our expecare two of the seven castles the history of which tations, as well as beyond our deserts. Corporal Trim began to Uncle Toby, I pretend " Thank you for the copy of Cromwell's Letnot to determine. By all means, however, let ters. The transcriber has tasked his own eyes, us have a chance for them. I should like a good and mine also, by copying them in the very form fortune well, and much the better if it were a of the writing. I can not attempt to read them queer one, and came in a comical way. by candle-light. You will by this time have seen "So God bless you, Grosvenor! and make us my sketch of Cromwell's Life. It is the only 404 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 48. article of mine which was ever printed in the and hitherto you have not opined upon the subQuarterly Review without mutilation. Gifford | ject in reply. It has this moment, while I am has made only one alteration; that, however, is writing, occurred to me, that I could, with sina very improper one. I had said that Hampden cere satisfaction inJ so doing, inscribe it to Lord might have left behind him a name scarcely in- Sidmouth. I have always felt thankful to him ferior to Washilgton's; and he has chosen to for the peace of Amiens, and should like to tell alter this to a memorable name, not calling to him so in public, as I once did viva voce. And mind that his name is memorable. The sen- I should do it the more willingly if he is going tence is thus made nonsensical. Pray restore out of office, which I rather think he is. the proper reading in your copy of the Review. Gifford will have a paper upon Dobrizhoffer Murray wishes me to fill up the sketch for sepa- from me for this next number. Will you tell rate publication. I am fond of biography, and him that in a volume of tracts at Lowther, of shall probably one day publish a series of English Charles I.'s time, I found a Life of Sejanus by lives. I spent a week lately at Lowther Castle, P. M., by which initials some hand, apparently ald employed all my mornings in reading and as old as the book, had written Philip Massinextracting from a most extensive collection of ger. I did not read the tract, being too keenly pamphlets of Cromwell's age. in pursuit of other game; but I believe it had a: -! >~ P ~ ~; covert aim at Buckingham. I have not his Mas" God bless you, my dear friend! singer, and therefore do not know whether he is " Yours very affectionately, aware that this was ever ascribed to that author;'ROBERT SOUTHIEY.' if he is not, he will be interested in the circumstance, and may think it worthy of further inTo Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. quiry. "Keswick, Nov. 11, 1821. "My History is in good progress. I am fin-' MY DEAR GROSVENOR, ishing the longest chapter in the volume, and " Lakers and visitors have now disappeared one of the most interesting. It contains the for the season, like the swallows and other birds events in Portugal from the commencement of who are lucky enough to have better winter the insurrection in Spain till the arrival of our quarters allotted to them than this island affords expedition. them. The woodcocks and snipes have arrived, God bless you! R. S." by this token, that my bookbinder here sent me a brace of the latter last week; and this reminds To the Rev. Neville White. lme to tell you, that if you ever have an owl "Keswick, Nov. 29, 1821. dressed for dinner, you had better have it boiled, " MY DEAR NEVILLE, and smothered with onions, for it is not good * * x * * * * roasted. Experto crede Roberto. " What you relate of William Taylor is quite "Two or three weeks ago, calling at Calvert's, characteristic of the manner in which he abuses I learned that Raisley C. had committed the great his own powers, playing the mere sophist, and sin of shooting an owl. The criminality of the disregarding the opinions and feelings of others; act was qualified by an ingenuous confession, careless how he offends and hurts them, though that he did not know what it was when he fired as incapable as man can be of giving intentional at it; the bird was brought in to show us, and pain, or doing intentional wrong. He was not then given me that I might show it to your god- - serious, for he knows very well that to call for son, owls and monkeys being of all created things proof of a negative is an absurdity, and that reathose for which he has acquired the greatest lik- son and discourse of reason are very different ing from his graphic studies. Home I came things. If he misleads some, his example operwith the owl in my hand, and in the morning ates as a warning upon others. They see how you would have been well pleased had you seen he has squandered his abilities, and that the Cuthbert's joy at recognizing, for the first time, hereditary blindness which he has some cause to the reality of what he sees daily in Bewick or in apprehend, and of which he lives in fear, is not some other of his books. Wordsworth and his the darkest evil in his prospect. There is no wife were here, and as there was no sin in eat- rest but in religious faith, and none know this ing the owl, I ordered it to be dressed and brought more feelingly than they who are without it. in, in the place of game, that day at dinner. It' It wxould not surprise me if an expert Rowas served up without the head, and a squat- man Catholic priest (where he to come in his looking fellow it was, about the size of a large way) should ensnare him in a spider's web of wild pigeon, but broader in proportion to its sophistry, more skillfully constructed than his length. The meat was more like bad mutton own, and of a stronger thread. The pleasure of than any thing else. Wordsworth was not val- defending transubstantiation would go a long way iant enough to taste it. Mrs. W. did, and we toward making him believe in it. agreed that there could be no pretext for mak- " What a state is Ireland in at this time! ing owls game and killing them as delicacies. The horrors of the Irish massacres may be credBut if ever you eat one, by all means try it boil- ited in their whole extent, because we see that ed, with onion sauce. the same temper is exhibited at this time, and "I asked your opinion, a good while since, the same atrocities perpetrated in retail, opporconcerning a dedication for the Peninsular War, tunity being all that is wanted for committing EETAT.48. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 405 them upon the great scale. The state of things that you now know the extent of the evil, and in that country is a reproach to human nature, that, when this storm is weathered, there may and our government has much to answer for. i be prosperity and comfort in store for one who They must know that such a people ought to be so eminently deserves them. kept under military law till they are fit for any "God bless you, my dear friend! thing better; that they stand in need of Roman Yours most affectionately, civilization, and that no weaker remedy can pos- "ROBERT SOUTHEY." sibly suffice. Cromwell's government, if it had lasted twenty years longer, would have civilized To the Rev. Neville White. that island. His tyranny was as useful there "Keswick, Dec. 11,1821. and in Scotland as it was injurious in England, " MY DEAR NEVILLE, because they were barbarous countries, and he "When the Life is reprinted, I can modify introduced order and despotic justice into both. the passage which expresses an essential differBut in England we had order and justice before ence of opinion upon religious subjects with his time. The rebellion dislocated both, and it Henry. That difference is certainly not now was not possible for him to repair the evil in what it was then, but it is still a wide one; which he had been so great an agent.: * though, had Henry lived till this time, I believe "God bless you, my dear Neville! there would scarcely have been a shade of dif" Yours affectionately, ference between us. I am perfectly sure that, " ROBERT SOUTIIEY." with a heart and intellect like his, he would have outgrown all tendency toward Calvinism, and The reader will have observed in his later let- have approached nearer in opinion to Jeremy ters to Mr. May frequent allusion to Brazilian Taylor than to the Synod of Dort. affairs as affecting his fortunes, and in the fol- " You wrong the government with regard to lowing one my father speaks of his having trans- Ireland. They neither now have, nor ever have ferred tohim for his present use what little mon- had, a wish to keep the savages in that country ey he had at command, and expressing a regret in their state of ignorance and barbarity; and at not being able more effectually to assist him it would surprise you to know what funds have in his difficulties. These passages, though re- been established for their education. I know lating to matters of a private nature, I am glad Dr. Bell was surprised at finding how large the to have the opportunity of publishing, with Mr. r endowments were, and felt that on that score it May's approval, as illustrative of the kindness was not means that were wanting, but the just of my father's heart, the warmth and stability of direction of them. How to set about enlightenhis friendships, and his grateful remembrance of ing such a people as the wild Irish is one of the many similar services rendered to him by his most difficult duties any government was ever fiiend in past years. I called upon to perform, obstructed as it is by such a body of priests, who can effectually preTo John Nay, Esq. vent any better instruction than they themselves "Keswick, Dec.10, 1821. bestow. I want more information concerning'" MY DEAR FRIEND, certain parts of Irish history than I possess at "It is not often that I allow myself to wish the present; but in one or more of the works which accidents of fortune had been more in my favor, I have in hand I shall trace the evils of Ireland and that I were in possession of that property to their source. Meantime, this I may safely which, in the just ordinary course of things, assert, as a general deduction from all that I ought to have devolved upon me; but I can not have learned in the course of history, that the help feeling that wish now. more we know of preceding and coexisting cir"By this post I write to Bedford, desiring cumstances and difficulties, the more excuse we that he will transfer to you J625 in the three shall find for those men and measures which, per cents. I wish it was more, and that I had with little knowledge of those circumstances, more at command in any way. I shall in the we should condemn absolutely. This feeling spring, if I am paid for the first volume of my leads not to any thing like indifference concernhistory as soon as it is finished. One hundred I ing right and wrong, nor to any lukewarmness should, at all events, have sent you then. It or indecision in opinion, but certainly to a more shall be as much more as I may receive. indulgent and charitable tone of mind than com" One word more. I entreat you break away monly prevails. from business, if it be possible, as early iql the "God bless you, my dear Neville! spring as you can, and put yourself in the mail "And believe me yours affectionately, for this place. Though you can not leave your "ROBERT SOUTHEY." anxieties behind you, yet you may, by means of change of air and scene, be assisted in bearing To Walter Savage Landor, Esq. them, and lay in here a store of pleasant recol- "Keswick, Dec. 19, 1821. lections, which in all moods of mind are whole- "At last I have received the books*-a rich some. cargo, in which I shall find much to amuse, and "I can not write to you about indifferent not a little to profit by. As yet, I have only had things, troubled as you needs must be, and sympathizing as I must do with you. Yet I trust * A present of various foreign books from Mr. Landor. 406 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 48. time to catalogue them, and look into them as which the country needed might have been steadthis was done. In so doing, I saw that you had ily but gradually effected. I entirely agree with given a Jesuit the lie for what he said of the you that old monarchical states can not be made cause of the first rebellion. A lying Jesuit he republican, nor new colonial ones be made mois; but in this instance the falsehood is merely narchical. chronological. The Long Parliament passed a " Since the disappearance of the queen's fever decree forbidding all persons to bow at the name this country has been unusually calm: little is of Jesus; Sir Edward Dering made a very elo- heard of distress, and less of disaffection. Of quent speech upon the occasion, which I shall the latter we shall hear plentifully when the bills send you ere long in the little sketch of our of restriction are expired, and of the former also Church history which I am preparing. This de- when it shall be found (as it will be) that the recree was subsequent to the Irish massacre. The newed activity of our manufacturers will have fact which the Jesuit might have dwelt upon again glutted the South American markets. with advantage is, that the intolerance of the j God bless you! R. S." Parliament seeking to enforce the penalty of death against recusant priests, when Charles, like his father, was inclined to toleration, gave a pretext for the rebellion, and furnished those who CHAPTER XXVII. instigated it with means for alarming and enraging the populace. RELIGIOUS FEELINGS- THE BOOK OF THE "I shall send your letter to Wordsworth, who CHURCH-HISTORY OF THE PENINSULAR WAR will, I am sure, be much gratified at seeing what -LORD BYRON-SPANISH AFFAIRS-MR. LANyou say of him. His merits are every day more DOR S NEW WORK-IMPROVEMENTS IN LONDON widely acknowledged, in spite of the duncery, in -EFFECTS OF GENERAL EDUCATION-VISIT spite of the personal malignity with which he is FROrM MIR. LIGHTFOOT-DR. CHANNING AND assailed, and in spite of his injudicious imitators, THE REV. CHRISTOPHER BENSON-GENERAL who are the worst of all enemies. PEACHEY-DWIGHT S TRAVELS-EDITORSHIP "Nothing can be more mournful than the OF THE QUARTERLY REVIEW-THE LAUREcourse of events abroad. All that the Spanish- ATESHIP-WAYS AND MEANS-THE PENINSUAmericans wanted they would have obtained LAR WAR-COURSE OF HIS READING-CATHOnov, in the course of events, without a struggle, LIC EMANCIPATION-ILLUSTRATIONS OF RODif they had waited quietly. A free trade could ERIC-POSTHU1MOUS FAME-THE QUARTERnot, fromn the first, have been refused them, nor LY REVIEW-AMERICAN VISITORS —WORDSany internal regulations which they thought WORTH'S POETRY-MR. MIORRISON-OWEN OF good; and now the separation would have taken LANARK-DANGER OF THE COUNTRY —BLANCO place unavoidably. As it is, it has cost twelve WVITE-THE FRENCII IN SPAIN-JOURNEY TO years of crime and misery. It is a most inter- LONDON-ROwLAND HILL-THE DAILY STUDY esting part of the world for its natural features, OF THE SCRIPTURES RECOMMENDED.-1822for wvlhat we know of its history, and for what 1823. we do not-how some parts should have attained to so high and curious a state of civilization, THE careful reader can hardly have failed to and how the greater part of its inhabitants should observe the gradual progress of my father's mind have sunk so completely into savages. I will upon religious subjects, and to have marked how send you, in the next package, Humboldt's Trav- l his feelings on those points had deepened and els, as far as they are published. He is among strengthened fiom the frequent references he travelers what Wordsworth is among poets. Of makes to them as the only sure foundation for Italian nobility I would take your opinion with- rational happiness. Few men, indeed, had ever out hesitation, knowing nothing of them myself; the thoughts of the life to come more constantly but in Spain and Portugal I would have had a present to them; and his anticipations of a haphouse of peers, were it only in respect to great pv futurity are so frequent as to have met with names, and those heroic remembrances which the charge of an overweening confidence apare the strength and glory of a nation. The proaching to irreverence. But, although his nobles were, for the most part, deplorably de- manner of speaking may have been such as to generate; but as a bad spirit had degraded, a seem irreverent to other minds constituted difbetter one would improve the next generation, forently from his own, his nature was not realll and I would demolish nothing but what is inju- so; and the truth would seem to be, that from rious. 5My fear is, that they will demolish every a fervid imagination combined with strong posithing, and this fear I have felt from the begin- tive faith, and a habit of mind the opposite to the ning. Deeply, therefore, as I detested the old Pyrrhonism he lamented in his friend William misrule, I did not rejoice in the Spanish and Port- Taylor, he realized the idea of another life so uguese revolutions. In Portugal I wished for vividly as to make him express himself on that a great minister, such as Pombal would have subject with an unusual familiarity. The point been in these times; in Spain, for a court revo- which he most frequently alludes to, and which lution, which should have sent Ferdinand to a he appears to dwell upon with the greate:t pleasmonastery, and established a vigorous ministry ure, is that of the meeting of' the spirits ot just under Iis brother's name, by whom the reforms men made perfect;" and the natural buoyancy 1ETAT.48. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 407 of his temperament. united with the wide char- any reasonable hopes of doing good, to impress itableness of his creed, saved him from the mis- upon such persons the perfect adaptation of givings which would have checked more timid Christianity to the wants and nature of man, and religionists, both in contemplating the fiture especially the deep and never-failing sources of state itself, and in peopling the blessed mansions comfort it affords in all times of sorrow and with those whom he honored and loved, trouble. The very course of his studies and the habits To one of these friends who had passed of his life forced upon him such continual thoughts through the stages of doubt and settled into a of the "mighty dead" that they seem to have firm conviction of the truth of Christianity, and been almost like living and breathing compan- whom he had the happiness of knowing he had ions, and his wishes to meet and commune with been partly instrumental, through Providence, in them face to face became like the intense desire leading to this better mind, the following letter we sometimes feel to meet a living person known I was addressed. intimately yet not personally. I can not resist quoting here his own lines on To - the subject, written a few years before this pe- " Keswick, Feb. 8, 182. riod of his life: MY DEAR'; I heard with sorrow of your ill health. PerMyI. day mn th dea haps you are at this time a happier man than if " My days among the dead are past; f Around me I behold, you were in the enjoyment of vigorous health, Where'er these casual eyes are cast, and had never known sickness or sorrow. Any The mighty minds of old; MThe mighty mnds f of old; price is cheap for religious hope. The evidence My never-failing friends are they, With whom I converse day by day. for Christianity is as demonstrative as the subject admits: the more it is investigated, the "With them I take delight in weal, stronger it appears. But the root of belief is in And seek relief in woe; the heart rather than in the understanding; and And while I understand and feel when it is rooted there, it derives from the unHow much to them I owe, My cheeks have often been bedewed derstanding nutriment and support. Against With tears of thoughtful gratitude. Atheism, Materialism, and the mortality of the rim soul, there is the reductio ad abss'dum in full "My thoughts are with the dead, with them'My thoughts are with the dead, with them force; and for revealed religion there is the 1 live in long past years; historical evidence, strong beyond the concepTheir virtues love, their faults condemn, tion of those who have not examined it and Partake their hopes and fears; And from their lessons seek and find there is that perfect adaptation to the nature and Instruction with an humble mind. wants of man, which, if such a revelation had IV. Inot already been made, would induce a wise and "My hopes are with the dead! Anon pious man to expect it, as fully as a Jew expects My place with them will be, ithe Messiah. For many years my belief has And I with them shall travel on ThroAnd wh athem sssl travel on not been clouded with the shadow of a doubt. Through all futurity; Yet leaving here a name, I trust, i When we observe what things men will beThat wvill not pelish in the dust."* lieve who will not believe Christianity, it is imI have before spoken of the prevalence of skep- possible not to acknowledge how much belief tical opinions (p. 200) among young men of the depends upon the will. higher classes at the commencement of this cen-'I shall have a large share of abuse in the tury, and I have mentioned that many of my course of this year. In the first place, my Book father's acquaintances and some of his friends of the Church, which I am writing con amore were at one period or another troubled with and with great diligence, will strike both the doubts upon religion. Accordingly, as opportu- Catholics and the Puritans harder blows than nity occurred, he often endeavored, when he had they have been of late years accustomed to re_-__________________________________ ceive. The Emancipationists, therefore, and the * I have an additional pleasure in quoting these lines Dissenters will not be pleased; and you know here, because Mr. Wordsworth (now, alas! himself num- the temper of the latter. My History of the bered among those "mighty dead") once remarked that smite the hi and ill upon me, they possessed a peculiar interest as a most true a ar te the W and dr upon e, touching representation of my father's character. He. sans doubt, as much hatred from the Bonapartilso wished three alterations to be made in them, in order ists in France as I have the satisfaction of ento reduce the language to correctness and simplicity. In the third line, because the phrase "casual eyes" is too un- joying from their friends in England. This usual, he proposed j volume is in great forwardness; more than five'*Where'er I chance these eyes to cast." I hundred pages are printed. As for Lord Byron In the sixth line, instead of "converse," "commune;" and his coadjutors in the Times, Chronicle &c. because as it stands, the accent is wrong. In the second stanza, he thought &c:, I shall, of course, not notice the latter, and "While I understand and feel, deal with his lordship as he may desere and as My cheeks have often been bedewed," I may fel inclined. I have tno better causo was a vicious ccnstructlon grammatically, and proposed and the stronger hand. itd"* My plssive cheeks are oft bedewed," " God bless you! These suggestions were made too late for my father to " Yours affectionately, profit by them. " R. SOUTHEY." 408 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF. TAT. 48. To the Rev. Hterbert Hill. have discovered the author, if it had come into "Keswick, Feb. 24, 1822. my hands as an anonymous publication. Notice " MY DEAR UNCLE, it must needs attract; but I suspect that it will i ~i,, 4 4 * R' be praised the most by those with whom you With regard to Lord Byron, I have suffered him have the least sympathy, and that the English to attack me with impunity for several years. and Scottish Liberals may perhaps forgive you My remarks upon the Satanic School were gen- even for being my friend. oral remarks upon a set of public offenders; and "I have not been from home since the sumit was only in reply to the foulest personalities mer of 1820. Even since that time, London that I attacked him personally in return. The has been so altered as to have almost the appearsort of insane and rabid hatred which he has ance of a new city. Nothing that I have seen long entertained toward me can not be increas- elsewhere can bear comparison with the line of ed; and it is sometimes necessary to show that houses from Regent's Park to Carleton House. forbearance proceeds neither from weakness nor A stranger might imagine that our shop-keepers from fear. were like the merchants of Tyre, and lived in "Your copy of Landor's book was franked up palaces. I wish the buildings were as substanthrough the Admiralty to Gifford. His Latin, I tial as they are splendid; but every thing is done believe, is of the best kind; but it is, like his En- in the spirit of trade. Durability never enters glish, remarkably difficult: the prose, however, into the builder's speculations, and the unsubmuch less so than the verse. The cause of this stantial brick walls are covered with a composiobscurity it is very difficult to discover. tion which seems to have the bad property of': My correspondence with Frere has been attracting moisture in a remarkable degree. In very brisk. Something, also, I have had from Regent's Park, before the houses are finished, the TWhittingham, and am every day expecting an- cornices are perfectly green with slimy vegeta-;wvers to further questions which I have sent; tion. The most impressive sight to me was St. biut the most valuable papers which I have yet Paul's by gas-light. I do not think any thing had are ifom Sir Hew Dalrymple, relating to his could be more sublime than the effect of that first communications with the Spaniards, and the stronc light upon the marble statues; and the whole proceedings in the south of Spain, while da ess of the dome, which the illumination the junta of Seville ruled the roast. They will from below served only to render visible. They cause me to cancel a few pages, and replace have attempted to warm this enormous building them with fuller details. Luckily, the greater by introducing heated air; but, after expending part comes in time to be introduced in its place. 800 in stoves and flues, the effect was to renwithout any inconvenience of this kind. These der the quire unendurably cold, for the whole papers have given ne a clear insigsht into many body of cold air from the dome came rushing points wxith which I -as imperfectly acquainted down, so that the attempt has been given up as before. They contain also proof of scandalous hopeless. Inelect on the part of ministers, or something " In London I scarcely went out of the circle worse than neglect-a practice of leaving their of my own immediate friends. But as I went anents without instructions for the sake of shift- east and west upon a round of flying visits to old ingo the responsibility from themselves. At the friends and familiar acquaintances, some of whom commencement of the troubles in Spain, out of I had not seen for more than twenty years, I had thirty-four dispatches-certainly the most im- opportunity enough of perceiving a more genportant that any governor of Gibraltar ever had eral disposition to be satisfied with things as occasion to send home-Lord Castlereagh never they are, than ever existed within my memory acknowledged more than two. I have heard at any former time. There happened to be no.our government complained of for this sort of question afloat with which any party feeling conduct, which, in fact, is practiced in every de- could be connected, and the people were sensipartment of state; but this is the most glaring ble of their general prosperity. Few, indeed, proof of it that has ever fallen in my way. are they who apprehend the momentous conse" God bless you! R. S.:' quences of the changes which are taking place. One effect of general education (such as that edTo Walter Savage Landdor, Esq. ucation is) is beginning to manifest itself The "Feb. 29, 1822. two-penny journals of sedition and blasphemy "In looking over your volumes,* you will, I lost their attraction when they no longer, found think. wherever you perceive that a passage has hunger and discontent to work upon. But they been struck out, perceive at the same time for had produced an appetite for reading. Some what reason it was omitted. The reason for journeymen printers who were out of work tried every omission was such that, I am persuaded, what a weekly two-penny-worth of miscellaneous you would, without hesitation, have assented to extracts would do; it answered so well, that it, had you been upon the spot. A most pow- there were presently between twenty and thirty erful and original book it is, in any one page of of these weekly publications, the sale of which which-almost in any single sentence-I should is from 1000 to 15,000 each. How I should -.-_ —------------- Qlike to talk with you concerning the prospects * The proof-sheets of a work of Mr. Landor's, on the of the d orld and of the New. Writinls of Charles Fox, had passed through my father'sof the ld orld and of the New hands. " God bless you! R. S." IETAT. 48. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 409 To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. To the Rev. Christopher Benson. " Keswick, July 12, 1822. "Keswick, July 17,1822. " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, "DEAR SIR, "My old friend Lightfoot is with me, whom " Dr. Channing, of Boston, in New England, you remember at Oxford, and whom I had not is equally distinguished in his own country by seen since we parted upon leaving Oxford eight- the fervor and eloquence of his preaching, and and-twenty years ago. The communication be- the primitive virtues of his life. I take the libtween us had never been broken. I had a great erty of introducing him to you, because you will regard for him, and talked of him often, and feel yourself in accord with him upon many of oftener thought of him; and, as you may sup- the most important points, and because I am very pose, the more I became known and talked of in desirous that he should see and converse with the world, the larger part I occupied in his one who holds as high a rank in Old England as thoughts. So at length he mustered up resolu- he does in America. I have learned from him tion to make a journey hither from Crediton dur- with some surprise that, under the name of Uniing his Midsummer holidays, being master of the tarianism, Arianism is the prevailing doctrine in grammar school there. the Massachusetts' states, and that he himself is " He declares me to be less altered in appear- of that persuasion. But I have told him that he ance and manners than any man whom he ever will find himself much more in sympathy with saw. I should not have known him; and yet he our clergy than with the Dissenters, and this he has worn better than I have; but he is thinner, already apprehends. He is in opulent circumand altogether less than when he was a young stances, and has devoted, and almost spent, himman, and his face has lengthened, partly because self in the ministerial duties. he has lost some of his hair. His life has been "I need say no more of him; his conversalaborious, uniform, successful, and singularly tion and the truly Christian temper of his mind, happy. notwithstanding the doctrinal errors which he "He trembled like an aspen leaf at meeting holds, will sufficiently recommend him. But I me.* A journey to Cumberland is to him as feel the necessity of apologizing for the liberty formidable a thing as it would be for me to set which I am taking with you. You will, I trust, off for Jerusalem, so little has he been used to impute it to the true cause, and not be offended locomotion. And he has shocked Edith May by if, in excuse for it, I say to you that, having had wishing that the mountains would descend to fill the good fortune once to hear you in the pulpit, up the lakes and vales, because then I should re- and having since perused with the greatest satisturn to the south and be within reach of him. faction the series of your discourses, I earnestly' The only thing short of this which would be wish that this excellent American should receive likely to remove me from this country, would be, the most favorable impressions of the English if upon Gifford's giving up the management of Church. When I spoke of you to him last night, the Quarterly Review, it were to be offered me and put your volume into his hands, I did not know and made worth my acceptance. In that case I whether you were in this or in a better world. should probably, from prudential reasons, think To-day, by mere accident, I learn that you have it proper to accept the offer, and fix myself with- happily resumed your labors, and, yielding to the in ten or twelve miles of town. But this is not first impulse, I offered this introduction to Dr. likely, and I am not sure that it would be de- Channing with as much pleasure as he manifested sirable. at receiving it. " What a pleasure it is in declining life to see " When you visit this your native county, you the friends of our youth such as we should wish would gratify me greatly by giving me an opthem to be; and how infinitely greater will be portunity of personally repeating an apology for the pleasure of meeting them in another world, this intrusion, and offering you such hospitality where progression in beatitude will be the only as my means afford. change! " Believe me, dear sir, yours, with the high" God bless you! my dear Grosvenor. est esteem and respect, " R. S.'" ROBERT SOUTHEY." In the course of the summer Dr. Channing The following letter refers to an amusing ad — made a brief visit to Keswick, bearing a letter venture which had just happened to General of introduction to my father, from whom it seems Peachey, whose name has before occurred, and he had requested one to the Rev. Christopher Ben- who was one of my father's most friendly and son, the late master of the Temple. This is in- hospitable neighbors. His seat was on one of teresting as relating to two distinguished indi- the islands in Derwentwater, and a more lovely viduals. I may add that my father used to speak spot fancy could not picture. It was not, howof Mr. Benson as the most impressive and pleas- ever, a convenient residence, especially for a ing preacher he had ever heard, "so as to admit dinner-party in unfavorable weather; for, alof no comparison with any other." though the passage was short, still silks and satins suffered woefully when the waves rose * In another letter he says, "I shall never forget the high, and occasionally covered the fair wearers manner in which he met me, nor the tone in which he ith their spray, and great was the reluctance said,'that, having now seen me, he should return home w spray and great was the reluctance and die in peace.' "-Sept. 1822. to leave blazing fires and lighted rooms for D D 410 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF SETAT. 49. pitchy darkness, and a voyage not only unpleas- John May left me this day fortnight, and Dr. ant, but sometimes formidable. Bell departed some days after him. The exerMany adventures, generally, however, of a cise which I took with him completed the good more ludicrous than perilous kind, occurred in work which was begun with you, and has left consequence of this watery barrier. Large par- me in a better state than I had been in for the ties have been compelled to remain all night, the two last years. By way of keeping it np while gentlemen bivouacking round the drawing-room the season permits (nothing being so salutary to fire; sometimes a dense fog came on, so that the me as vigorous exercise), I went up Skiddaw rowers lost their way, and either wandered up Dod this morning-one of the expeditions which and down the lake for several hours, or landed is reserved for your next visit; on my return I their hapless boat loads on some distant fenny or found a letter fiom my brother Henry, saying he stony shore, to act, unwillingly, to the life "the shall be here on Wednesday. This will give me Children of the Mist." On one occasion the ten days more of laking and mountaineering, if general himself, returning home unexpectedly, the weather permit. found it impossible to cross, and after waiting': The temptation which the country holds out upon the inhospitable shore till he was wet and to that exercise which is peculiarly necessary weary, made his way up to Greta Hall in sad for me must be weighed among the many reaplight. sons for remaining in it; for, with my sedentary The general was a great lover of aquatics, habits and inactive inclinations, I require every and his favorite amusement was a sailing boat, inducement to draw me out. But whether I rewhich, in spite of all warnings (for the sudden main or remove I shall see you, my dear Iightgusts which rush down the mountain gorges foot, often again (God willing) both in Devonrender the smaller lakes extremely unsafe for shire and wherever I may be. I shall certainly sailing on), he persevered in navigating with come down to you when next I visit London, more boldness than skill. More than once his which will probably be in February or March. only place of refuge was the keel of his vessel,'During the little time I had for business I on which he hung till help arrived, and some- have written about half a paper for the Quartertimes he was driven hopelessly aground on the ly, upon a history of the Religious Sects of the mid-shallows of the lake. All these accidents, last century, by the ex-Bishop Gregoire. The however, served as good stories to circulate book is curious for its strange mixture of revoluaround his cheerful board, and many was the tionary feelings with Catholic bigotry, and for hearty laugh he raised and joined in at his own the account which it gives of irreligion in France. misadventures. The reader will find scattered It gives me matter for an interesting paper, to up and down this volume occasional allusions to be wound up with some seasonable observations pleasant days passed in his company, nor did any upon the progress of infidelity at home. God one entertain a truer respect and a more friendly bless you, my dear Lightfoot! regard for my father. With him departed the open "Yours affectionately, hand and kind heart of a true English gentleman. " ROBERT SOUTeIEY." To the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. To Dr. Southey. " Keswick, Sept. 16, 1822. "Keswick, Oct. 30, 1822 MY DEAR LIGHITFOOT, " MY DEAR HARRY, " The general has lately had a narrow, though As soon as you departed I settled regularly ludicrous escape. He upset himself with an um- to my habitual course of life, which has been so brella in a little skiff which Sir Frederic Mores- much to my benefit broken up through the sumhead had given him. It was within hearing of lmer. At the same time I very dutifully began his own island. The skiff was corked so that it to observe your directions, and have walked every could not sink, but being half full of water after day with the exception of one stormy one. This he had righted it, it was not possible for him to is against the grain, but I feel the benefit of it, get in, and he being well buttoned up against a and therefore do not grumble. stormy day in a thick great-coat, was in no plight " The American books have arrived, and I am for swimming; so he held on, and hallooed stout- reading with much interest Dwight's Travels in ly for assistance. His two men hastened off in his own country-a posthumous work. The his little boat. the large one happening to be on author (whose unhappy name is Timothy) wrote the opposite shore. The general had presence in his youth, some forty years ago, an heroic of mind enough to consider that if he attempted poem upon the Conquest of Canaan, which was to get into the little boat he should in all likeli- puffed and reprinted in London. Its stilted verhood pull her under water, and that neither of sification was admired in those days, but it had the men could swim; he therefore very coolly little or no real merit. Dwight, however, though directed them to take the rope of the skiff and a bad poet-because of a bad school-was a tow it to the island with him at the end, and in sensible man, and he kept a journal of his travels, this way he came in like a Triton, waving his hat and prepared it for publication, from a convicround his head, and huzzaing as he approached tion that a faithful description of New England his own shores. I ought to have told you that in all its parts, such as it then was, would in a there came an invitation from him for you to few generations become exceedingly interesting, dinner the day after your departure. however unimportant it might appear if pub XITAT. 49. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 411 lished as soon as it was written. A great deal, of income which I should have obtained, and of course, is only interesting locally; but, on the therefore the time consumed in the mere manwhole, the picture of what the country is, his fair agement of the journal would have been a dead views of the state of society then, with its advant- loss. This time would be unpleasantly as well ages and disadvantages, and the number of curi- as unprofitably spent in corresponding upon the ous facts which are brought together, make it mere business of the Review, examining convery well worth reading. I would give a good munications, and either correcting them myself deal to see as trustworthy and minute an account where there was any thing erroneous, imprudent, of the Southern States. This is just the sort of or inconsistent with those coherent opinions which book which ought to be digested into a review. the journal should have maintained under my " The Quarterly Review will not do itself any care, or in persuading the respective writers to good by the mealy-mouthed manner in which it amend and alter according to that standard. has dealt with Lord Byron. The excuse for its Lastly, it seemed that there was nothing which previous silence is wretched; and to preach a could recompense me for the sacrifice which it sermon in refutation of so silly a piece of sophis- needs would be to quit a country in which I take try as Cain is pitiful indeed. To crown all, so much delight, and of which all my family are while they are treating his lordship with so much as fond as myself; and there was this weightier respect, and congratulating themselves on the consideration-that if I gave up the quantity of improved morality of his productions-out comes time which the management of such a journal'the Liberal.' I have only seen some newspaper requires, it would take away all reasonable hope extracts from this journal, among them the de- of my completing the various great works for scription of myself. He may go on with such which I have been so long making preparations. satire till his heart aches, before he can excite in'I talked this matter over with John May, me one uncomfortable emotion. In warring with who entered entirely into my feelings. The him, I have as much advantage in my temper as next point, having fully made up my mind conOrlando had in his invulnerable hide. But there cerning myself, was to secure the succession (as is no necessity for striking a blow at one who far as my influence extended) for some person has so completely condemned himself. I wish with whom I could freely and heartily co-operthe Liberals joy of their journal.* ate. John Coleridge is just such a person; and "Love from all. God bless you! having ascertained that he would like the situa" ROBERT SOUTHEY.' tion, I mentioned him to Gifford and to Murray. Gifford's illness has occurred since. He is betTo the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. ter at present, and I have good reason to believe " Keswick, Nov. 8, 1822. it is all but settled that John Coleridge is to "MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, become the editor of the Quarterly Review. " By my brother Henry's means, I have found Without taking him from his profession, it will how the impediment between me and your cider render him independent of it, and place him at may be removed. If you will direct it for me to once in a high and important situation. the care of George Sealy, Esq., Liverpool, and': -$ X This is a long exship it for that place, letting me know by what planation, and yet I think you will like to know vessel it is sent, he will look after it there and the how and the why of my proceedings. In forward it to Keswick, and then we will all drink consequence, I may possibly take more part in your health in the juice of the apple. It will the Review, and certainly more interest in it; need a case to protect it from the gimlet. because, knowing the tenor, of his opinions, and " There is little chance of any circumstance his way of thinking, I am sure he will admit drawing me from this country to reside in the nothing that either in matter or manner could vicinity of London-at least I can foresee none. offend a well-regulated mind. He will hold a The question whether or not the Quarterly Re- manly and straightforward course, and censure view should do so has been fairly considered and will always come with weight and effect, hedecided, in consequence of Gifford's dangerous cause it will never be unduly or insolently apillness. He had written to me soon after you plied. *2 2 * x left us, saying he could not long continue to con- " Believe me, my dear Lightfoot, duct the Review, and he knew not where to look" Yours affectionately, for a successor. He was not ill at the time, and R. SOUTHEY." therefore my consideration of the matter was not hastily, but deliberately made. If I had chosen To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. to propose myself, the office must have been "Keswick, Dec. 20, 1822. mine, of course. The objections to it were, that MY DEAR G., the increased expenditure which I must incir "I have no written form of admission to the near London would fully consume any increase office of laureate, and very well remember being surprised at the thoroughly unceremonious man* "Lord Byron has rendered it quite unnecessary for ner of my induction. At the day and hour apme to resent his attacks any further. This last publication is so thoroughly infamous that it needs no exposure.pointed (a very memorable one, the Prince ReIt may reach a second number if it escape prosecution, gent going to Parliament just after the news of but hardly a third. He and.Leigh Hunt, no doubt, will the battle of eipsic had ^ ^^ ep~t~b u^ ^c^^^ the battle of Leipsic had been made public), I quarrel, and their separation break up the concern."-To the Rev. iNeville White, Nov. 16, 1822. went to a little low, dlark room in the purlieus of 412 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 49. St. James's, where a fat old gentleman usher, in row than that of endeavoring always to be able full buckle, administered an oath to me, in pres- to say, sufficient for the day has been the work ence of a solitary clerk; and that was all, pay- thereof. ment of fees excepted, which was not made at "I have made a valiant resolution that the the time. Walter Scott, I recollect, was amused produce of this History shall not be touched for at the description which I sent him of this cere- current expenses, looking to it always as the work mony, and said it was a judgment upon me for in- wherewith I was to' begin to make myself indeserting among the Notes to the Cid a reflection pendent. The Book of the Church I must eat, of Sir John Finett's upon the' superstition of a but I will not eat these Peninsular quartos. The gentleman usher.' Whether any entry was Whigs may nibble at them if they please. made, and whether I signed my name, I can not "I have just received an official communicacall to mind, it being nine years ago. Gazetted, tion from Sir William Knighton, which, though however, I was, and P. L. I have been from that it be marked private, there can be no unfitness time. But how can this concern you? in my communicating to you. It is in these "You know the proverb, that he who is not words:'I am commanded by the king toconhandsome at twenty, wise atforty, and rich at vey to you the estimation in which his majesty fifty, will never be rich, wise, or handsome. holds your distinguished talents, and the usefulQuoad my handsomeness-lhandsome is as hand- ness and importance of your literary labors. I some does, and whatever I may have been, they am further commanded to add, that his majesty have made a pretty figure of me'in magazines. receives with great satisfaction the first volume There is a portrait in a German edition of my of your valuable work on the late Peninsular smaller poems, which it will-be a treat for you War.' This'is the letter, and at the head of it to see. You will never again complain of your is written,'Entirely approved. G. R.' Is not ugly likeness below stairs. Concerning the sec- this very gracious? and how many persons there ond part of the adage, certain it is that about the are whom such a communication would make age of forty, my views upon all important sub- quite happy. For myself, I am sorry there are jects were matured and settled, so that I am not so few persons connected with me who can be conscious of their having undergone any change gratified by it, and wish my good Aunt Mary since, except in slight modifications upon inferior had been here to have enjoyed it. I may depoints. But for the last part of the story-rich posit it with, my letters affiliatory from the at'fifty-I certainly shall not be, nor in the way Cymmrodorion, &c., and I might write upon the to be so. packet that contains them vanitas vanitatum, " When I deliberated, if deliberating it can be omnia vanitas. Not that I would be understood called, about the Quarterly Review, the single as affecting, in the slightest degree, to undermotive on one side was the desire of having an value what I am continually laboring to deserve. adequate and sure income, which I have never " God bless you! R. S.' had since I discontinued the Edinburgh Annual Register, because, it. ceased to pay me for my To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. work. My establishment requires -600 a year, < Keswick, Jan. 27, 1823. exclusive of other calls. The average produce IMY DEAR GROSVENOR, of my account with Longman is about e200;- I am very glad to see Herries's appointment. what I derive from the Exchequer you know; By- all that I have heard for many years past, a the rest must come from the gray goose quill; more unfit person than - could not possibly and the proceeds of a new book have hitherto have been in that situation; to get him out, and pretty generally been anticipated. They may to have so efficient a man in his stead, is indeed float me for a second year, perhaps. Roderic a great point. It is the very place in which I did for three years, with the help of the Pilgrim- have wished to see Herries. I hope and trust, age; then the tide ebbs, and so I go on. At now, that such means as the existing laws afford present it is neap tide in the Row. My tale of will be steadily employed for checking the liParaguay, when I can finish it, will about make cense of the press. The radical country papers it high water. continually lay themselves open to prosecution; " This is all very well while I am well; but and I am certain that repeated prosecutions if any of the countless ills which flesh is heir to would go far toward stopping the mischief'which should affect my health, eyesight, or faculties, I they are doing at present, and have so long been should instantly be thrown into a state in which doing with impunity. A strict watch over these, my income would only amount to about half my and over Cobbett, would soon'suppress them. expenditure.' Concerning death I have no anx- "I know nothing of the sale of my book; ieties.' On that score I am easy, Murray has not written to me since it appearand not uneasy upon any other. But I have said ed. Only two opinions of it have reached me, all this to explain why it was that I could even except those of my friends-one in a compliask myself the question whether it would become mentary letter from Mr. Littleton, the member me to take the Quarterly Review into my own for Staffordshire; the other in a letter of the cihands. I am quite satisfied that it would not; devant Grand Parleur, which Rickman sent me; but that it behooves me to go on, as I have al- and certainly nothing could be more flattering ways hitherto done, hopefully, contentedly, and than what he said of it-that it was'a Thucydthankfully, taking no further care for the mor- idean history, which would last as long as our IETAT. 49. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 413 country and our language.' I must confess, must be set down to my besetting sin-a sort however, that I am not aware of any other re- of miser-like love of accumulation. Like those semblance than what the title suggests; though persons who frequent sales, and fill their own I have always flattered myself that my other his- houses with useless purchases, because they may torical work might, in more points than one, be want them some time or other; so am I forever compared with Herodotus, and will hereafter making collections, and storing up materials stand in the same relation to the history of that which may not come into use till the Greek Calarge portion of the new world, as his work does lends. And this I have been doing for five-andto that of the old. twenty years! It is true that I draw daily upon " We had an adventure this morning, which, my hoards, and should be poor without them; if poor Snivel* had been living, would have set but in prudence I ought now to be working up up her bristles in great style. A foumart was these materials rather than adding to so much caught in the back kitchen: you may, perhaps, dead stock. know it better by the name of polecat. It is the " This volume, when it appears, will provoke first I ever saw or smelled, and certainly it was a great branch of the Satanic confederacy-the in high odor. Poor Snivel! I still have the hairs Bonapartists. It is the most damning record of cut from her tail thirty years ago; and if it were their wickedness that has yet appeared in this the fashion for men to wear lockets, in a locket country, and in a form to command both attenthey should be worn, for I never had a greater tion and belief. Only yesterday I learned from respect for any creature upon four legs than for General Whittingham, who was in the battle of poor Sni. See how naturally men fall into relic Medellin, that the French had orders to give no worship, when I have preserved the memorials quarter. A wounded Spanish officer was brought of that momentary whim so many years, and into the room where Victor was at supper, and through so many removals! Victor said to him,'If my orders had been obeyTo give you some notion of my heterogene- ed, sir, you would not have been here.' Those ous reading, I am at this time regularly going orders were obeyed so well, that the French through Shakspeare, Mosheim's Ecc. Hist., Rabe- dragoons that night rubbed their right arms with lais, Barrow, and Aitzema, a Dutch historian of soap and spirits, to recover the muscles from the seventeenth century, in eleven huge full fo- the fatigue they had undergone in cutting the fulios. The Dutchman I take after supper, with gitives down. God bless you! my punch. You are not to suppose that I read "Yours affectionately, his work verbatim: I look at every page, and "ROBERT SOUTHEY." peruse those parts which relate to my own subjects, or which excite curiosity; and a great To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. deal I have found there. "Keswick, Feb. 23, 1823. " We have not seen the face of the earth here "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, for fifteen days-a longer time than it has ever "Your letter comes in aid of a purpose which been covered with snow since I came into the I had entertained, of putting together what I have country. I growl at it every day. It seems a said upon the Catholic question in the Edinburgh long while since I have heard from you. God Annual Register, recasting it, and publishing it, bless you! R. S." with some needful additions, in the form of a pamphlet. About a week ago I put down in To Humphrey Senhouse, Esq. my note-book the first sketch of an arrangement, "Keswick, July 11, 1822. and actually began to compose what I have to " MY DEAR SENIHOTSE, say as a letter to some M.P.; not that it was I am sorry to say that the prospect before meant to be addressed to any individual one; me is not such as to allow much hope of my see- but having argued with Wilberforce and Sir ing Hollandt this year. Time, the printers, and Thomas Acland upon the subject, I knew in the constable are leagued together to oppose my what light they considered it. The course which wishes: I shall overcome the alliance, but not affairs have taken in Ireland will probably have till the season will be too far advanced. Per- the good effect of quashing the question for this haps I could be ready by the vintage, which year, and in that hope I am willing to postpone would be no unpleasant sight; but then the days i my own purpose till a season which may be more are shortening, and daylight is the thing which convenient to myself, and when aid of this kind travelers can least spare. may be more needed. " My winter has not been idly spent, but it "The arguments lie in a nut-shell. The rehas not carried me so far forward as I had an- straints which exclude the Catholics from politticipated, chiefly because writing a book is like ical power are not the cause of the perpetual building a house-a work of more time and cost disorder in Ireland; their removal, therefore, than the estimate has been taken at. This is can not be the cure. Suppose the question carthe chief reason. But something, I confess, ried, two others grow from it, like two heads from the hydra's neck when one is amputated: * A dog belonging to Mr. Bedford in early days. f th hydras1nec f h i am puae t My father had for some time wished to visit the Low a Catholic establishment for Ireland, at which Countries, and had planned a tour there with Mr. Sen- Irish Catholics must aim, and which those who house, who had been his companion n a former ouey. desire rebellion and separation will promote This was not accomplished until 1825, when Mr. S. waseee o i not able to accompany him. rebellion must be the sure consequence of agi 414 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 49. tating this. The people of Ireland care nothing a short one. The next is one of the most imfor emancipation-why should they? but make portant in the book, but easily and soon written, it a question for restoring the Catholic Church, because the materials are ready. Another chapand they will enter into it as zealously as ever ter comes down to the Revolution, and one more our ancestors did into a crusade. will conclude. Then I shall set out for town,' The other question arises at home, and and eat ice there instead of oysters. 8 brings with it worse consequences than any " God bless you! R. S." thing which can happen among the potatoes. The repeal of the Test Act will be demanded, To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. and must be granted. Immediately the Dissent- "Keswick, June 15,1823. ers will get into the corporations every where. "MY DEAR, G., Their members will be returned; men as hos- " The worst symptom of advancing age which tile to the Church and to the monarchy as ever I am sensible of in myself is a certain anxiety were the Puritans of Charles's age. The Church concerning ways and means; to that cause I property will be attacked in Parliament, as it is impute it, for I am sure it does not belong to my now at mob meetings and in radical newspa- disposition. pers; reform in Parliament will be carried; and "You tell me it is not politic to work entirely then farewell: a long farewell, to all our great- for posthumous fame. Alas! Grosvenor, had ness. you forgotten when you wrote that sentence that " Our Constitution consists of Church and by far the greater portion of my life has been State, and it is an absurdity in politics to give consumed in providing for my household exthose persons power in the State whose duty it penses? As for reputation, of that, God knows, is to subvert the Church. This argument is un- I have as much as either I deserve or desire. answerable. I am in good hopes that my Book If I have not profited by it, as some of my coof the Church will do yeoman's service upon the temporaries have by theirs, the fault is not owquestion. God bless you! R. S." ing to my living out of sight. What advantage could it possibly be to me to meet great men at To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. dinner twice or thrice in the season, and present "Keswick, May 25, 1823. myself as often at court? There is, I dare say, "MiY DEAR GROSVEwnOR, good will enough among some of the men in " Westall has sent me four of the six prints for power to serve me, if they knew how; but if Roderic; the others are not yet finished. I am they asked me how, I should not be able to point very much pleased with these. If I were per- out a way. suaded, according to the custom of these times, - * * X * * that it is absolutely necessary to find some fault "Is it impossible for you to break away from with every thing, I might perhaps say that the London, and lay in a stock of fresh health and engraver has aimed at throwing too much ex- spirits by help of fresh air and exhilarating expression into the eyes in some of the plates. ercise? I wish you would come here and stay Those which are come are Roderic at the Foot with me till I could return to town with you. of the Cross, Adosinda showing him the Dead You would do me good as well as yourself. God Bodies, Florinda at her Confession, and the Death bless you! R. S." of Count Julian. The first strikes me as the best, and for this reason, that the subject is alto- To George Ticknor, Esq. gether picturesque-it explains itself sufficient- " Keswick, July 16, 1823. ly; whereas, to know what the others mean, the "MY DEAR SIR, poetical situation must be understood. I am " If, as I trust, you have received my first volmuch more desirous that this speculation should ume of the Peninsular War, and the lithographic succeed on Westall's account than on my own. views which my friend, William Westall, has enHe had set his heart upon it, in the belief that it graved to accompany it, you will perceive that, would be of service to me to have my poems thus negligent as I have been in delaying so long to illustrated (as the phrase is), and in the feeling thank you for the books, and to reply to your welthat the publishers were acting unhandsomely in come letter, I had not been wholly unmindful of having such things done for every writer of any you. Without attempting to excuse a delay for note except myself. The success would have which I have long reproached myself, I may say been certain had it been done some years ago. that it has been chiefly, if not wholly occasioned At present it is very doubtful. by an expectation that I might have comlmunica" How is Chantrey? Something like a mes- ted to you Gifford's retirement from the managesage from him has been brought me by Mr. Gee, ment of the Quarterly Review, and the assumpexpressing a wish that I would sit to him when tion of that management by a friend of mine, I come to London. When will that be, you ask? who would have given it a consistent tone upon And many, I dare say, ask the same question, all subjects. Poor Gifford was for several months who know not what pains, as well as thought, I in such a state that his death was continually must take for the morrow before I can afford two i looked for. His illness has thrown the journ;al months of traveling and expenditure. To-night two numbers in arrear; he feels and a,.cknov;lI shall finish with Queen Mary's reign; Eliza- edges his inability to conduct it, and yet his unbeth's will require not a long chapter; James's willingness to part with a power \which le can ETAT. 49. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 415 not exercise has hitherto stood in the way of any and the folly of supposing that the institutions other arrangement. which suit the one must necessarily be equally "I have more than once remonstrated both suitable to the other. with him and Murray upon the folly and mis- " Farewell, my dear sir. Remember me to chief of their articles respecting America; and Alston and my other New England friends; and should the journal pass into the hands of any be assured that to them and to their country I person whom I can influence, its temper will shall always dojustice in thought, word, and deed. most assuredly be changed. Such papers, the " God bless you! silence of the journal upon certain topics on "Yours with sincere esteem, which it ought manfully to have spoken out, and ROBERT SOUTHEY." the abominable style of its criticism upon some notorious subjects, have made me more than once To the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. think seriously of withdrawing from it; and I " Keswick, Sept. 23, 1823. have only been withheld by the hope of its MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, amendment, and the certainty that through this "The summer, or what might have been the channel I could act with more immediate effect' summer, has slipped away, and the autumn, or than through any other. Inclosed you have a what ought to be the autumn, is passing after it, list of all my papers in it. I mean shortly to and I have not yet been further from my fireside see whether Murray is willing to reprint such than a morning's walk could carry me. of them as are worth preserving, restoring where I can tell you, however, now, that I shall I can the passages which Gifford (to the sore start from home with my daughter Edith as early mutilation of the part always, and sometimes to as possible in November, or, if possible, before the destruction of the sense and argument) chose the beginning of that month; and that after haltto omit, and beginning with the Moral and Po- ing a week or ten days in London, I shall pursue litical Essays. my course to Crediton. "Your friends and countrymen who come to "The summer has brought with it its usual Keswick make a far shorter tarriance than I flock of strangers, some of them sufficiently amuscould wish. They'come like shadows, so de- ing. My civilities to them are regulated somepart.' Dr. Channing could give me only part thing by the recommendations with which they of a short evening. Randolph of Roanoake no present themselves, and a little more, perhaps, more: he left me with a promise that if he re- by their likeability, which depends something turned from Scotland by the western side of the upon the cut of their jib. You know how imisland, he would become my guest: if he could possible it is not to read faces, and be in some have been persuaded to this, it would have done degree influenced by what we see in them. We him good, for he stood in need of society, and of have had two travelers from New Englandthose comforts which are not to be obtained at young men both, and well qualified to keep up an inn. Mr. Eliot passed through about five the good impression which their countrymen weeks ago, and on Monday last we had a youn- have left here. Last week we had an Englishger traveler here-Mr. Gardner. No country man, who, having traveled in the Levant, and can send out better specimens of its sons. been made prisoner by the Bedouins, near Mount "Coleridge talks of bringing out his work Sinai, chooses to relate his adventures instead of upon Logic, of collecting his poems, and of adapt- publishing them. and tells Arabian stories after ing his translation of Wallenstein for the stage, the manner of the professed story-tellers in the Kean having taken a fancy to exhibit himself in East. I wish you had seen him the other evenit. Wordsworth is just returned from a trip to ing gravely delivering a tale of a magic ring (it the Netherlands: he loves rambling, and has no was a full hour long) to a circle of some sixteen pursuits which require him to be stationary. I persons in this room, the vicar being one of the shall probably see him in a few days. Every number. But the most interesting stranger who year shows more and more how strongly his has found his way here is a Somersetshire manpoetry has leavened the rising generation. Your Morrison by name, who, at the age of two or mocking-bird is said to improve the strain which three and thirty, and beginning with little or he imitates; this is not the case with ours. nothing, has realized some X150,000 in trade, and was then bound to New Lanark, with the " Nov. 2, 1823. intention of vesting c5000 in Owen's experi" I conclude this too-long-delayed letter on the ment, if he should find his expectations confirmeve of my departure for London. From thence, ed by what he sees there. This person is well in the course of the next month, I shall send you acquainted with the principal men among the the Book of the Church. Gifford is so far recov- free-thinking Christians; he likes the men, but ered that he hopes to conduct the Review to the sees reason to doubt their doctrine. He seems 60th number. I have sent him the commence- to be searching for truth in such a temper of ment of a paper upon Dwight's book, which I mind that there is good reason for thinking he shall finish in town. The first part is a review will find it. of its miscellaneous information; the second will i My household are in tolerable order. It has examine the points of difference between an old been increased this year by the acquisition of a country and a new one, the advantages and dis- most worthy Tom-cat, who, when the tenants of advantages which each has to hope and to fear,!the next house departed, was invited to this,. 416 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 50. where he received the name of Rumpelstilzchen, of evil, that I know not from which the worst and has become a great favorite. I can not say consequences are to be apprehended, the estabof him as Bedford does of a similar animal, that lishment of old governments or the triumph of he is the best-for-nothing cat in the world, be- new ones. You would be pleased, I am sure, cause he has done good service upon the rats, with the paper concerning Spain in the last Quarand been successively promoted to the rank of terly. It is by my friend Blanco White (Leucabaron, viscount, and earl. In most other things dio Doblado), a Spanish priest, who came over we are as you left us, except that just now the to this country in 1810, a thorough Jacobin and waters are not in their place, having overflowed a thorough unbeliever, and is at this time as sintheir banks. cere a Protestant and as devout a minister as " God bless you, my dear Lightfoot! any whom the Church of England has in her "Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHIEY." service. There are few men whom I respect so highly. To the Lord Bishop of Limerick. " Before this letter reaches your lordship I "Keswick, Oct. 22,1823. shall be on the way to London, and as I shall "MY LORD, not finally leave it before the beginning of Feb" I ought to have thanked you for your Visit- ruary, it is possible that I may have the pleasure ation Sermon and for your Charge, both worthy of meeting you there. It will indeed gratify me of the hand from which they come. I have to accept of your obliging invitation, if I can one thought, also, more than once, of expressing to day find opportunity and leisure: there is much yourself, as I have done to others, the sincere in your country which I should like to see, and pleasure which your promotion gave me, from a many points upon which I should gladly seek for public not less than a personal feeling, in these information. My Annual Ode two years ago times, when it is of such especial importance that was upon the king's visit to Ireland, and the consuch stations should be so filled. dition of that country. It would naturally have * * * * * * * concluded with some complimentary and hope" My anticipations would be of the darkest ful mention of Marquis Wellesley, but my spirit kind if it were not for a calm, unhesitating reli- failed. I felt that the difficulties of his situation ance upon Providence. Our institutions had were more than he could overcome, and the poem need be strong when they are so feebly defend- remained in this respect imperfect. ed, and so formidably and incessantly assailed. " That poem of Langhorn's has certainly a Uncompromising courage was almost the only Hebrew cast; but it must be rather a proof that quality of a statesman which Mr. Pitt possessed, this form of composition is the natural figure of and that quality has not been inherited by his passion than of imitation. The principle, as a successors. At present they seem to think that principle, he could not have understood; nor was all is well because the manufacturers are in em- he, being a lawyer, likely to have had any learnploy, and there is no seditious movement going ing of that kind; nor, indeed, being a Catholic, on; and they would hardly look upon that writer even to have been conversant with the scriptural as their friend who should tell them that this style. The part given in the Quarterly Review quiet is only upon the surface; that the leaven is about a third of the poem, but the whole is in is at work; and that there is less danger from the same high and sustained strain of feeling. the negroes in Demerara or Jamaica than from "I am putting the last hand to my long-proma manufacturing population such as ours, with ised Book of the Church. It will give great ofsuch a party of determined radicals and besotted fense to the Catholics, and to all those Dissenters reformers in Parliament to excite them. Would who inherit the opinions of the Puritans. But I that I could perceive the remedy as clearly as I hope and trust that it will confirm in many, and do the evil! I have, however, for some time excite in more, a deep, well-founded reverence been deliberately putting together my thoughts for the Establishment. upon this subject in a series of Colloquies upon Believe me, my lord, with great respect and the Progress and Prospects of Society, taking for regard, your lordship's obliged and obedient my motto three pregnant words from St. Ber- servant, ROBERT SOUTHEY." nard, Respice, aspice, prospice. I am neither so vain nor so inexperienced as to imagine that any The reader may possibly have remarked it as thing which I may offer will change any man's an omission, that among the many persons adopinions; but I may fix them when they are un- dressed and alluded to in my father's letters, the confirmed, make the scale turn when it is waver- name of Charles Lamb should have so rarely ocing, and give a right bias to those who are be- curred, especially as they were well known to ginning their career. entertain mutual feelings of close friendship, and "There is hope for us at home, because our admiration of each other's talents. The cause institutions are so good that it is quite certain, of this has been, on the one hand, that Lamb if they were subverted, the miserable people never preserved the letters he received, and, on would soon desire nothing so much as their re- the other, that such of those written by him to establishment; and moreover, with the common- my father as were of peculiar interest are well est prudence, they are strong enough to resist a known in Mr. Justice Talfourd's interesting revolutionary attack. But if we look abroad, sketch of his life. the contending parties are both in such extremes The correspondence, indeed, between them, AETAT. 50. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 417 though not frequent, was yet of a most familiar next number have explained or qualified it to and interesting character; and to visit his early his entire satisfaction; this, of course, it was imfriend, $ for they had been intimate for nearly possible for me to do after his letter but I would twenty years, was one of the choicest pleasures never make sport for the Philistines by entering my father always looked forward to in going to into a controversy with him. The rest was an London. expression of unchanged affection, and a proposal At the time of his present visit to the metrop- to call upon him." And in another letter he olis, a momentary interruption to their friendship says, " On my part there was not even a mooccurred, which requires to be noticed here. mentary feeling of anger; I was very much surIn a recent number of the Quarterly (for July, prised and grieved, because I knew how much 1823), in a paper upon the Progress of Infideli- he would condemn himself. And yet no resentty, my father had taken occasion to remark upon ful letter was ever written less offensively; his the Essays of Elia, that it was a book which gentle nature may be seen in it throughout." wanted only a sounder religious feeling to be as Lamb's answer to my father's letter, fully condelightful as it was original. At this expres- firming this expectation, may fitly be placed here. sion, with which my father himself had not been satisfied, but had intended to alter in the proof- C. Lamb, Esq., to R. Southey, Esq. sheet, which, unfortunately, was not sent him, E. I. H., Nov. 21, 1823. Lamb was greatly annoyed; and having previ- " DEAR SOUTHEY, ously taken umbrage at some incidental refer- "The kindness of your note has melted away ence to him in former articles, which in his hasty the mist that was upon me. I have been fightanger he attributed erroneously to my father's ing against a shadow. That accursed Quarterpen, he now addressed a very long letter of re- ly Review had vexed me by a gratuitous speakmonstrance to him by name, in the London Mag- ing of its own knowledge* that the Confessions azine for October (1823). In this, which was of a Drunkard was a genuine description of the republished after his death in his collected works, state of the writer. Little things that are not he dwells particularly upon a point which I have ill meant may produce much ill. That might before touched upon, as much, I think, as is nec- have injured me alive and dead. I am in a pubessary at my hands, that some person might af- lie office, and my life is insured. I was prepared fix a charge of a want of a sufficiently reveren- for anger, and I thought I saw, in a few obnoxtial habit of speaking on religious topics upon ious words, a hard case of repetition directed my father himself, and also upon the circum- against me. I wish both magazine and review stance of his having taken so large a license in -- --- -------- jesting upon subjects of Diablerie, and in face- cuse Lamb as a maniac."l On seeing the passage, which jesting upon subjects an the circumstances of Lamb's life rendered so peculiarly tious commentaries upon the Legends of Rome; obnoxious, my father had written to Murray to express acquittino him, at the samne time, of all inten- his sorrow at its having been permitted to appear, and reZ non. ~reee - ^ *. |n fimn h i l i ceived from Gifford, who, it seems, was himself the writer tional irreverence, and affirming that he himself of it, an explanation so honorable to him, that I am exhad learned from him something of the habit. tremely glad to be able to insert it here, especially as my This letter, which contained, besides, muc father greatly regretted that he had not sent it to Mr. Jus-'his letter, which contained, besides, much tice Talfourd. more that was written in a resentful spirit, was James Street, Buckingham Gate, Feb. 13 1812. put into my father's hands soon after his arrival "MY DEAR SR, * ** * in London, and he was greatly astonished at its "I break off here to say that I have this moment received your last letter to Murray. It has grieved and contents. He says, speaking of it in a letter to shocked me beyond expression; but, my dear friend, I Mr. Moxon (July 15, 1837), " When he publish- am innocent as far as the intent goes. I call God to witletter to me in the Londo7 n agazine, so irness that in the whole course of my life I never heard one ed that letter to me in the London Magazine, so syllable of Mr. Lamb or his family. I knew not that he little was I conscious of having done any thing ever had a sister, or that he had parents living, or that he to offend lhim, that upon seeing it announced in or any person connected with him had ever manifested the slightest tendency to insanity. In a word, I declare the contents of that number, I expected a letter to you, in the most solemn manner, that all I ever knew or of friendly pleasantry. My reply was to this ever heard of Mr. Lamb was merely his name. Had I been aware of one of the circumstances which you merieffect, that if he had intimated to me that he tion, I would have lost my right arm sooner than have was hurt by any thing which had been said by written what I have. The plain truth is, that I was shock. me in the Quarterly Reviewt I would in the ed at seeing him compare the sufferings and death of a u w d in te person who just continues to dance after the death of her ~ —*~ —------------------ |~ ~lover is announced (for this is all her merit) to the pangs * In referring back to the account of my father's short of Mount Calvary; and not choosing to attribute it to folresidence at Burton in the year 1797, I find I have omitted ly, because I reserved that charge for Veber, I unhappi. to notice a visit which Charles Lamb there paid him, and ly, in the present case, ascribed it to madness, for wich which must have been the commencement of their inti- I pa Godto forgve me, smce the blow has fallen heavmacy. Mr. Justice Talfourd states that their first intro- ily were I really thought it would not be felt. I consd. duction to each other took place through Mr. Coleridge ered Lamb as a thoughtless scribbler, who, in circumin 1799, but of this I did not find any traces in my father's stances of ease, amused himself by writing upon any sub letters, doubtless because his mind was then fully occu- eect Why I thought so I can not tell, but it was the opin pied with his own difficulties and distresses. Their most lon I formed to myself, for I now regret to say I never frequent intercourse was in 1802, when Lamb was living made any inquiry upon the subject, nor by any accident at the Temple, and London for the last time was my fa- i the whole course of my life did I hear him mentioned tfer's place of abode. beyond the name. * * * t Charles Lamb's bitter feelings against the Quarterly I1 remain, my dear sir, yours most sincerely, and its editor originated in an allusion to him in one of "W. GaFFOKD." the earlier numbers, where, in speaking of a criticism of * This was one of the passages before referred to, as his on the great scene in Ford's play of The Broken Heart, wrongfully ascribed to my father. where " Calantha dances on after hearing at every pause of some terrible calamity, the writer had affected to ex- 1 See Final Memorials of C. Lamb, vol. i., p. 215. D D 418 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 50. were at the bottom of the sea. I shall be asham- I was so much the case here, that people were coned to see you, and my sister (though innocent) tinually coming in during all the previous part will be still more so, for this folly was done with- of the service, to which very little attention was out her knowledge, and has made her uneasy paid, the people sitting or standing as they ever since. My guardian angel was absent at pleased, and coughing almost incessantly. that time. "I suppose what is properly called the morn" I will make up courage to see you, how- ing service had been performed at an early hour, ever, any day next week (Wednesday excepted). for we had only the communion service. RowWe shall hope that you will bring Edith with land Hill's pulpit is raised very high, and before you. That will be a second mortification; she it; at about half the height, is the reader's desk will hate to see us; but come and heap embers; on his right, and the clerk's on his left, the clerk we deserve it, I for what I have done, and she being a very grand personage with a sonorous for being my sister. voice. The singing was so general and so good Do come early in the day, by sunlight, that that I joined in it, and, doubtless, made it betyou may see my Milton. I am at Colebrook ter by the addition of my voice. During the Cottage, Colebrook Row, Islington. A detach- singing, after Rowland had made his prayer beed whitish house, close to the New River, end fore the sermon, we, as respectable strangers, of Colebrook Terrace, left hand from Sadler's were beckoned from our humble places by a genWells. tleman in one of the pews. Mrs. R — and "Will you let us know the day before? her daughter were stationed in one pew between "Your penitent, C. LAMB." two gentlemen of Rowland's flock, and E. MTay and I in another, between a lady and a person In a letter to Bernard Barton of the same day, corresponding very much in countenance to the he thus alludes to the expected meeting: "I character of a tight boy in the old Methodistichave a very kind letter from the laureate, with al magazines. He was very civil, and by finda self-invitation to come and shake hands with ing out the hymns for me, and presenting me me. This is truly handsome and noble.'Tis with the book, enabled me to sing, which I did worthy my old ideas of Southey. Shall I not, to admiration. think you, be covered with a red suffusion?" Rowland, a fine, tall old man, with strong The proposed visit was paid, and " the affec- features, very like his portrait, began by readtionate intimacy, which had lasted for almost ing three verses for his text, stooping to the book twenty years, was renewed only to be interrupt- in a very peculiar manner. Having done this, ed by death." he stood up erect and said,'Why the text is a sermon, and a very weighty one too.' I could To Mrs. Southey. not always follow his delivery, the loss of his " London, Dec. 30, 1823. teeth rendering his words sometimes indistinct, " MY DEAR EDITH, and the more so because his pronunciation is pe"We have been this morning to hear Row- culiar, generally giving e the sound of ai, like the land Hill. Mrs. Hughes called at his house last French. His manner was animated and striking, week to know when he would preach, and was sometimes impressive and dignified, always reanswered by a demure-looking woman that (the markable; and so powerful a voice I have rareLord willing) her master would preach on Sun- ly or never heard. Sometimes he took off his day morning at half past ten, and in the evening spectacles, frequently stooped down to read a at six. So this morning I set off with E. Mayv text, and on these occasions he seemed to double Mrs. and Anne Rickman. We were in good his body, so high did he stand. He told one or time, and got into the free seats, where there two familiar stories, and used some odd expreswere a few poor people, one of whom told us to sions, such as'A murrain on those who preach that go round to another door, and we should be ad- when we are sanctified we do not grow in grace!' mitted. Another door we found, with orders and again,'I had almost said I had rather see the that the door-keepers should take no money for Devil in the pulpit than an Antinomian!' The admittance, and a request that no person would purport of his sermon was good; nothing fanatical, enter in pattens. Door-keeper there was none, nothing enthusiastic; and the Calvinism which and we therefore ventured in and took our seats it expressed was so qualified as to be harmless. upon a bench beside some decent old women. The manner that of a performer, as great in his One of these, with the help of another and line as Kean or Kemble, and the manner it is busier old piece of feminity, desired us to re- which has attracted so large a congregation about move to a bench behind us, close to the wall; him, all of the better order of persons in business. the seats we had taken, they said, belonged to E. SMay was very much amused, and I am very particular persons; but if we would sit where glad I have heard him at last. It is very well she directed till the service was over, we should that there should be such preachers for those then be invited into the pews, if there was room. who have no appetite for better-dressed food. I did not immediately understand this, nor what But when the whole service of such a place is we were to do in the pews when the service was compared with the genuine devotion and sober at an end, till I recollected that in most schism dignity of the Church service, properly performshops the sermon is looked upon as the main I ed, I almost wonder at the taste which prevails thing for which the congregation assemble. This for garbage. ]ETAT. 50. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 419 "One remark I must not omit. I never be- CHAPTER XXVIII. fore understood the unfitness of our language for PLAN FOR UNITING THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS music. Whenever there was an s in the word, W ITH TIIHE CHeURCH —AMUSING DOMESTIC SCENE the sound produced by so many voices made as — OPINIONS OF THE BOO OF THE CHURCHloud a hissing as could have been produced by a RODERIC TRANSLATED INTO DUTCH VERSEdrove of geese in concert, or by some hundred OXYD ENITY snakes in full chorus. sne* coMORE ACTIVE THAN FRIENDSHIP-ODD BOOKS IN READING —LORD BYRON S DEATH —CAUSE "Lane is making a picture which promises to OF THE DELAY IN THE PUBLICATION OF THE be as good as Phillips's print is bad, base, vile,, t,. ~, n1 1 1 * -L PENINSULAR WAR —ESTIMATE OF HUIAN NAvulgar, odious, hateful, detestable, abominable, 0n:~.~ p ~' ~ r ~ *~TTURE-THE BOOK OF TIlE STATE-WISHES TO execrable, and infamous. The rascally mezzo5, r -~n i *n.PROCURE THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE RECORD tinto scraper has made my face fat, fleshy, silly, ~ r v, " COMMITTEE —REASONS FOR DECLINING TO BE and sensual, and given the eyes an expression i *, T * i n. s.. NAMED ONE OF THIE ROYAL LITERARY ASSOCIwhich I conceive to be more like two oysters in ATES-PREVALENCE OF ATHEISM-HISTORY OF love than any thing else. But Lane goes on to,.p.n *.i~ THE MIONASTIC ORDERS —THIE DOCTOR, ETC.the satisfaction of every body, and will neither * t LOVE OF PLANNING NEW WORKS-HABIT OF make-me look like an assassin, a Methodist READING WHILE WALKING-WESLEYAN METHpreacher, a sensualist, nor a prig. preacher, a sensu t, nor a pg ODISTS-LONG LIFE NOT DESIRABLE-MR. TEL"-God bless you! R. S."' FORD-LORD BYRON-THE QUARTERLY RETo Edith y Sotey. VIEW —PLAN OF OLIVER NEWMAN —STATE OF To Edith M7ay Sotethey. IRELAND —HE IS ATTACKED IN THE MORNING "London, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1823. "London, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 183. CHRONICLE- BIBLE AND MISSIONARY SOCIE" MY DEAR DAUGHTER, TIES —EVILS OF SEVERE REVIEWALS —SMED-'I have sent you a Bible for aiNew Year's if i,, *',.,.,-r -EY'S POEMS —MR. BUTLER S REPLY TO THE Yift, in the hope that with the New Year you -n X.,., BOOK OF THE CHURCH — REASONS FOR NOT will begin the custom of reading, morning and.n~,,s~ T.~, n TYVISITING IRELAND — LITERARY OBLIGATIONS night, the Psalms and Lessons for the day. It' -VINDICI2E ECC. ANGLICAN'E IN PROGRESSis far from my wish that this should be imposed WISHES TO IMAKiE A TOUR IN HOLLAND —WANT as a necessary and burdensome observance, or OF READINESS IN SPEECH —HAYLEY.-1824that you should feel dissatisfied and uneasy at 1825. omitting it, when late hours or other accidental circumstances render it inconvenient. Only let AT the conclusion of the " Life of Wesley," it be your ordinary custom. You will one day after a brief summary of his character, my father understand feelingly how beneficially the time expresses a hope that the Society of Methodists has been employed. might cast off the extravagances which accom"The way which I recommend is, I verily! panied its growth, and that it would gradually believe, the surest way of profiting by the Scrip- purify itself from whatever was objectionable in tures. In the course of this easy and regular its institution; and he adds that "it is not beperusal, the system of religion appears more and yond the bounds of reasonable hope that, conmore clear and coherent, its truths are felt more forming itself to the original intention of its intimately, and its precepts and doctrines reach founders, it may again draw toward the Estabthe heart as slow showers penetrate the ground. lishment from which it has receded, and deserve In passages which have repeatedly been heard to be recognized as an auxiliary institution, its and read, some new force, some peculiar mean- ministers being analogous to the regulars, and ing, some home application which had before its members to the tertiaries and various confrabeen overlooked, will frequently come out, and ternities of the Romish Church." you will find, in thus recurring daily to the Bible, These remarks, it appears, and the work in as you have done among the lakes and mount- general, had met with the approbation of some ains which you love so well, in the Word of of the Wesleyans, notwithstanding the dislike* God, as in his works, beauties and effects, and with which, as a body, they regarded this Life influences as fresh as they are inexhaustible. I of their Founder; and, as might have been exsay this from experience. May God bless the pected, certain internal commotions and divisions book to the purpose for which it is intended! and began to arise among them, which at one time take you with it, my dear, dear child, the bless- seemed likely to lead to the results he here deing of siderates.' Your affectionate father, The first intimation he received of this was in "ROBERT SOUTHEY.' the following curious communication from Mark Robinson, of Beverley, which awaited his return After pursuing his intended course into the West of England, and visiting his aged aunt at * "The mystery of the faith kept in a pure conscience is Taunton, and his friend Mr. Lightfoot at Credi- indeed a mystery to Mr. Southey. * * The fte rece homee i te nxtday will come when the friend and pupil of Hume, and ton, my father reached home early in the next the bold historian of'The Decline and Fall of the Roman year, for the incidents and correspondence of Empire,' and the compiler of the'Life of Wesley,' may whichb we musllt open a new chapter. be considered as ha'ving been engaged in the same work as' kicking againest the pricks. "-Preface to the Pev. Heny B B Moore's Life of Wesley. 420 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 50. home, which may not unfitly be inserted here, as " This correspondence we have named to sevgiving an interesting view of the feelings, wishes, eral, both of the evangelical and orthodox clergy, and movements of a considerable portion of the none of whom raise any objection to it, and most Methodists at that time. of whom are its warm advocates. I lately received an invitation from the evangelical clergy From Mark Robinson to Robert Southey, Esq. in Hull to meet them in this business; and, in "Beverley, Jan. 13, 1824. company with M. T. Sadler, Esq., of Leeds, " SIR, who is one of our most able coadjutors, I at"I am encouraged by the representations I tended the meeting. The clergy were unanihave received of your affability and willingness mously of opinion that Church Methodism would to afford information to those who apply to you, meet with general support throughout the counto lay before you a matter which has given me try, and that the pious clergy would give it their no little concern; and in the hope that you will support. It has also been named in a private favor me with your views upon the subject, I way to many of our magistrates and other rewill proceed without further introduction. spectable gentlemen, who profess to think well " It has for several years appeared to me, and of it. We feel confident that there is an intenseveral respectable friends of mine, who, as well tion in the minds of some of the leading Conferas myself, are all members of the Wesleyan ence preachers to get up, not so much a plan of Methodist Society, in which we have for many regular dissent as a rival Church. This we years filled official situations, that the rapid dis- think strongly indicated by the introduction of sent which we believe the traveling preachers baptism, of the Lord's Supper, burial of the dead, have been chiefly instrumental in effecting in the the reading the Church service, vergers with society from the Established Church is much to their uniform and wands, and especially the be lamented, and that in the same proportion in preachers having in the two last Conferences atwhich the society have departed from the orig- tempted to introduce episcopal ordination: the inal plan of Methodism, in the same proportion leading preachers to be bishops, and the remainthey have missed their way. We think that a der regular clergymen. We are also of opinion secession from the Church has engendered a see- that the preachers holding a regular Conference tarian spirit, and given to the preachers a kind or Convocation, from which they exclude all the of influence over the people which, we fear, in people, may in the end not only endanger the many of its consequences, will be injurious both liberties of their own people, but of the country to their piety and liberty, leading them to ex- at large. Pray, sir, is there any good precechange the former for party zeal, and the latter dent for such a meeting? Did not the proctors for a too ready acquiescence in all the measures make part of the Conference or Convocation of of the preachers. We lately opened a corre- the English clergy, and are not all the ecclesispondence with the Church Methodists in Ireland, astical laws subject to the control of his majesty from which we learn-what you, sir, are prob- in Chancery, and of the civil courts? We have ably already acquainted with-that. in 1817, the it in contemplation to petition the next ConferMetlodist Conference in Ireland, after exciting ence to admit a fair representation of the people, the societies throughout the country to petition and to beg that they will deliberate measures them for the sacraments, determined upon giving for the gradual return of the societies to Church them to all who should desire it. In consequence, Methodism. 7000 among them, among whom were many of Mr. Sadler is perhaps known to you as the the most respectable members in Dublin and author of an excellent pamphlet addressed to Walother principal places, withdrew from the Con- ter Fawkes, Esq., late member for the county of ference connection and established a separate York, in which he has refuted that gentleman's itineracy, and that they have now about 14,000 arguments in favor of a reform in Parliament. I in close connection with them. We learn, also, had forgotten to say that if the Conference will that the Bishop of Waterford called together the not listen to our request at all, we purpose apclergy of his diocese, and sent for one of the plying to our Irish friends to send over some effiitinerant preachers of the connection, who so cient preachers, which we believe they will do. fully satisfied his lordship and the clergy that "I may add, that your excellent conclusion they all, without one dissenting voice, promised of the Life of Wesley has also contributed to into give the Church Methodists countenance and duce me to take the liberty of troubling you on support. What particularly satisfied this meet- this subject, conceiving that our plan is not very ing was the declaration of the preachers that the dissimilar to what you refer to.'' * society had settled their chapels on trustees con- We shall highly value your opinion and advice, ditionally, that if they should ever leave the and shall feel much obliged by as early a reply Church, these chapels should go to the crown. as you can conveniently favor us with. They hold no meetings in canonical hours, and'I am, for myself and friends, sir, receive the sacrament at the hands of the clergy. "Your most obedient servant, The bishop and many of his clergy have con- "MARIa ROBINSON." tributed to the erection of the Waterford Chapel, and not only numbers of the Church people at- My father immediately transmitted a copy of tend the chapel on the Sunday evenings, but also this letter to Dr. Howley, at that time Bishop the clergy themselves, of London, who in his reply gives a valuable ]ETAT. 50. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 421 testimony to the importance and utility of the the exertions of Robinson and his friends; but " Book of the Church." no results of any consequence followed. The subject will be found again alluded to at a later The Bishop of London to R. Southey, Esq. period. "London, Feb. 25,1824. I have placed these two letters together, as "MY DEAR SIR, leading the one to the other. We next find my " At the time of receiving your communica- father communicating the news of his return to tion of Feb. 20, it had been my intention for Mr. Bedford, and amusing him with a promised some days to trouble you with a line to express account of a scene which the two friends in some the high satisfaction which I have derived from Butlerish" mood had planned beforehand. your Book of the Church. The horn here referred to was a long straight " It contains a most interesting sketch of a tin instrument, such as, in the olden times, mailsubject which, to the generality of readers, is al- coach guards were wont to rouse slumbering most unknown; and as it can not fail to be pop- turnpike keepers and drowsy ostlers with, beular from the beauty of its execution, will, I I fore the march of music introduced them to key trust, have the effect of turning the attention of'bugles and cornopeans, and long before railmany persons, who have hitherto been indiffer- roads went steeple-chasing it across the counent to such matters, through ignorance, to the try, and shrill steam whistles superseded these nature of the dangers which this country has es- more dulcet sounds. It had been procured chiefcaped, and the blessings of various kinds which ly for the sake of the amusement the unpacking have been secured to it through the National it would afford (though there might also be some Church Establishment. I could have wished for latent intention of awakening the mountain echreferences to the original writers, more especial- oes with it). Mrs. Coleridge professed an exagly as Lingard has made such a display of his au- gerated horror of all uncouth noises, and " half thorities. But perhaps you had reasons for with- in earnest, half in jest," played, not unwillingholding them at present. A wish has been ex- ly, her good-humored part in these pantomimic pressed by many judicious persons that the work scenes, which my father enjoyed with true boymight be published in a reduced form for the ben- ish delight. efit of the lower classes, whose minds would be elevated by the zeal and virtue of the first Re- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. formers. "Keswick, Feb. 23, 1824. " Your communication is very interesting and " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, important; great difficulties, I fear, lie in the "Here then I am, nothing the worse for havway of an open and formal reunion with the body ing been wheeled over fifteen hundred miles in of the Church, and 1 am apprehensive the move- the course of fifteen weeks. I no longer feel the ment, if it has any effect, will terminate in swell- effect of motion in my head, nor of jolting in my ing the numbers, and perhaps the reputation of tail. I have taken again to my old coat and old a party, which count among its members many shoes; dine at the reasonable hour of four, enexemplary clergymen, not sufficiently alive ei- joy as I used to do the wholesome indulgence ther to the benefits of order, or to the prejudice of a nap after dinner, drink tea at six, sup at resulting to religion from the aspersions; thrown half past nine, spend an hour over a sober folio on the character of their brethren who differ with and a glass of black currant rum with warm wathem in opinion on particular points. I am, how- ter and sugar, and then to bed. Days seemed ever, not without hopes that in certain situa- like weeks while I was away, so many and so tions, more especially in parts of the colonies, a various were my engagements; and now that I union of purpose and action at least may silently am settling to my wonted round of occupations, take place, which, under discreet management, the week passes like a day. If my life is not would be productive of much advantage to the like that of the prisca gens mortalium, it is quite one great cause; but this must be effected by as happy; and when you hear Qui fit Meccenas prudent use of opportunities, and not, I think, by quoted, you may reply that you know one man, formal treaty. at least, who is perfectly contented with his lot. " With repeated thanks for your valuable com- I was charged by Edith particularly to demunication, and with sincere respect, I remain, scribe to her how Mrs. Coleridge looked when " My dear sir, your faithful servant, the fatal horn should first be exhibited to her " W. LONDON." astonished eyes. The task which my daughter imposed upon me my powers of language are not Here, for the present, the matter rested. Mark sufficient to discharge. The horn, I must tell Robinson continued, however, to correspond at you, was made useful as a case for Westall's intervals with my father, who took considerable lithographic print of Warwick Castle. The docinterest in the subject, and brought it forward in tor packed it carefully up with my umbrella in his " Colloquies with Sir T. More," expressing brown paper, so that no person could possibly a strong opinion as to the practicability and de- discover what the mysterious package contained; sirableness of " embodying as Church Methodists and great curiosity was excited when it was first those who would otherwise be drawn in to join observed at home. Mrs. C. stood by (I sent for one or other of the numerous squadrons of dis- her) while the unpacking was deliberately persent." This gave, again, some little impetus to formed. The string was untied, not cut; I un 422 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF jETAT.50. bound it round after round, and then method- they are passed in regular employment and uniically took off the paper. The first emotion was form contentment. My old course of life has an expression of contemptuous disappointment at become as habitual as if it had never been intersight of the umbrella, which I was careful should rupted. The clock is not more punctual than I be first discovered. But when the horn appeared, am in the division of the day. Little by little I the fatal horn, then, oh, then- get on with many things. The Peninsular War " Grosvenor, it was an expression of dolorous is my employment in the forenoon. The Tale dismay which Richter or Wilkie could hardly of Paraguay after tea. Before breakfast, and at represent unless they had witnessed it-it was chance times, as inclination leads, I turn to othat once so piteous and so comical. Up went the er subjects, and so make progress in all. The brows, down went the chin, and yet the face ap- only thing at present wanting to my enjoyment peared to widen as much as it was elongated by is to have something in the press, that I might an indefinable drawing of the lips which seemed have proof-sheets to look for-and I shall not be to flatten all the features. I know not whether long without this. sorrow or resentment predominated in the eyes; " Sunday 7th. —To-day I have received a sorrow as in the Dutch manner, she pitied her- letter from Locker, who delivers me a message self; or anger when she thought of me, and of from the Bishop of Durham, thanking me for your brother from whom I received the precious what I have done in the Book of the Church. gift, and whose benevolence I loudly lauded. The Bishop of London wrote to express his She wished him at Mo-ko (where that is, I know' high satisfaction.' Both regret that I have not not), and me she wished to a worse place, if any referred to my authorities —an omission which worse there be. In the midst of her emotion. I appears to be generally thought injudicious. The called upon Sarah to observe her well, saying truth is, that when I began the book it was with that I was strictly charged by my daughter to an expectation that it would not exceed a single make a faithful and full report. The comical duodecimo volume; and that even when enlargwrath which this excited added in no slight de- ed it is still a mere epitome for the most part, gree to the rich effect. Here I blew a blast, to which I should feel that a display of authoriwhich, though not worthy of King Ramiro, was ties was out of place. After the proofs of renevertheless a good blast. Out she ran; and search and accuracy which I have given, I have yet finally, which I hold to be the greatest tri- a right to expect credit; and, in fact, the more umph of my art, I reconciled her to the horn; my credit is examined, the higher it will stand. yes, reconciled her to it, by reminding her that Whoever may examine my collections for this rats might be driven away by it, according as it and for my other historical works (and doubtless is written in the story of Jeffry.-"' they will one day be inspected), will find that " God bless you, Grosvenor! I should prob- I have always prepared many more materials ably have prattled through the remainder of the than I have used. Y * A sheet, but a parcel from the Row has arrived,: Believe me, my dear fiiend, and that always occasions an evening of cissipa- " Yours most aftectionatel, tion. Yours affectionately, R. S." " RoBErlT SO);TIE~Y." To John Mlay, Esq. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. "Keswick, March 7, 1824. " March 27, ]824. "MY D1AR FRIEND, " MIY DIEAR GROSVENOR, "What success this proposalt of my broth- -* * * * A - er's may meet with remains to be seen. If he "To-day I received the first volume of Rodcan obtain 200 subscribers, Longman will take eric in Dutch verse, translated by the wife of the risk of printing 750 copies. The book will Bilderdijk, who is one of the most distinguished be respectable and useful, comprising a regular men of letters in that country. The translation view of all that has occurred in those islands appears to be very well done, as far as I am from their discovery to the present time. Take able to judge; that is, I can see in the trying it for all in all, it is perhaps as disgraceful a por- passages she has fully understood the original; tion of history as the whole course of time can and her command of her own language is warafford; for I know not that there is any thing ranted by her husband's approbation, who is a generous, any thing ennobling, any thing hon- severe critic as well as a skillful poet himself. orable or consolatory to human nature to relieve He must be near eighty years of age, for he tells it, except what may relate to the missionaries. me he has been now threescore years known as Still it is a useful task to show what those isl- an author. His letter to me is in Latin. The ands have been and what they are; and the book book comes in a red morocco livery; it is dediwill do this much more fully, clearly, and satis- cated to me in an ode, and a very beautiful one, factorily than has ever yet been done. describing the delight she had taken in the poem, " Three weeks have now nearly elapsed since and the consolation she had derived from it, my return, and they seem like so many days, so when parts of it came home to her own feelings swiftly and imperceptibly the days pass by when in a time of severe affliction. " She calls me the Croent Poet. I mean to * See Life of Wesley, vol. i., p. 445. t For hle publication of a Chronological History of the West Inidies, by Capt. T. Southey. * This omission was supplied it a later edition. .ETAT. 50. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 423 send her a set of the Illustrations as soon as I Book of the Church to press for a second edition. know how to transmit them. The packet came I make no alterations, except to correct two slips to me through a merchant at Amsterdam, who of the pen and the press: where the Emperor inclosed it in a Dutch-English letter of his own, Charles V. is called Queen Catharine's brother and an essay upon the character of my Cid, instead of her nephew, and Henry IV. printed which he had read in some literary society, and for III., and to omit an anecdote about Gardiprinted afterward. They give me praise enough ner's death, which Wynn tells me has been disin Holland: I would gladly commute some of it proved by Lingard. I do not know what numfor herrings and Rhenish wine. ber iurray printed. But if there should appear -x- *4 - X a probability of its obtaining a regular sale, in " Do let me hear from you. that case I shall be disposed to think seriously " God bless you! R. S." of composing a similar view of our civil history, and calling it the Book of the State, with the To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. view of showing how the course of political ((Keswick, April 27,1824. events has influenced the condition of society, "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, and tracing the growth and effect of our institu"Your letter was as welcome as this day's tions; the gradual disappearance of some evils, rain, when the thirsty ground was gaping for it. and the rise of others. Meantime, however, I Indeed, I should have been uneasy at your si- have enough upon my hands, and still more in lence, and apprehended that some untoward my head. cause must have occasioned it, if I had not heard "Hudson Gurney said to me he wished the from Edith that you had supplied her exchequer. king would lay his commands on me to write the "I should, indeed, have enjoyed the sight of history of his father's reign. I wish he would, Duppa in the condition which you describe, and provided he would make my pension a clear the subsequent process oftransformation.* How E500 a year, to support me while I was writwell I can call to mind his appearance on his re- inc it, and then I think I could treat the subject turn from the theater one-and-twenty years ago! with some credit to myself. Little did I think that day that the next time I " God bless you! R. S." was to enter that theater would be in a red gown to be bedoctored, and called every thing that To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ends in issimus. And yet of the two days, the "Keswick, May 6, 1824. former was one of the most cheerful in my life, "' Y DEAR GROSVENOR, and the latter, if not the most melancholy, I think In the evil habit of answering familiar letthe very loneliest. ters without having them before me, I forgot to' Murray writes to me that he has put the notice your question* respecting the nitrous ox-d, which, however, I should not have done, had * Mr. Bedford's humorously exaggerated description the thing been as hopeful as you supposed it to be. may amuse the reader: "A circumstance occurred here What I said was simply this, that the exciteient a little while ago which I wish you could have witnessed.ent Henry had set off to dine at Mrs. Wall's at the next door. produced by the inhalation was not followed by Miss Page and I had finished our meal, when there sound- any consequent debility or exhaustion- on the ed a hard knock; when the door opened, a figure presented itself in the dim after-dinner light of the season, whose contrary, that it appeared to quicken all the senses features were not easily discernible, when Look at me! uring the remainder of the day. One case ocwhat shall I do?' broke out in accents of despair, and be- i * i trayed poor Duppa. On one of the dirtiest days of this crred in which the gas seemed to produe a dirty and yet unexhausted winter, he had left Lincoln's good effect upon a palsied patient. A fellow Inn on tfot to meet the gay party at Mirs. WVall's. A ~i!- In Inn on fet to cceet the gay party at Mrs. l's' vwho had lost the use of his hands (a tailor by lain of a coachman had d,-iven by him through a lakle of mud in the Strand, and Duppa was overwhelmed with trade) was so far cured that he was turned out alluvial soil. A finer fossil specimen of an odd fish was of the house for picking pockets. never seen. He looked like one of the statues of Pro- r metheus in process toward animation-one half life, the' The difficulty in finding two hundred subother clay. I sent immediately for Henry to a consulta- scriberst arises from this, my dear Grosvenor, tion in a case of such emergency. The hour then seven! tion in a case of s^ch eineincy'lice hour then sevec that our friends are never so ready to bestir themthe invitation for half past six; the guests growing cross and silent; the fish spoiling before the fire; the hostess selves in our affairs as our enemies. There are fidgety! W, hat could be done? Shirts and cravats it half a score persons in the world who would take was easy to find; and soap and water few regular fami- I lies in a decent station of life are without. But where some pains to serve rme, and there are half a were waistcoats of longitude enough? or coats of the lati- hundred who would take a great deal more to tude of his shoulders? But, impranso nihil difficile est: we stuffed him into a special selection from our joint injure me. The former would gladly do any wardrobes. Henry rolled round his neck a cravat, in size thing for me which lay in, their way; the latter and stiffness like a Holland sheet starched, and raised a would go out of theirs to do any thing aainst wall of collar about his ears that projected like the blink.. ers of a coach-horse, and kept his vision in an angle of me. I do not say this complainingly, for no man nothing at all with his nose; would he look to the right or was ever less disposed to be querulous and, the left, he must have turned upon the perpetual pivot of his own derriere. * * * * * Thus igged, perhaps, no one ever had more friends upon we launched him, and fairly he sped, keeping his arms whose friendship he might justly pride himself. prudently crossed over the hiatus beteween wavistcoat and breeches, and continually avoiding too erect a posture, lest he should increase the interstitial space; hle was a M* r. Bedford was a sufferer from almost complete fair parallel to what he was upon another awful occasion, deafness, and he had imagined that my ifther, in s:,;Ile when we both saw him revolving himself into a dew after former letter, had spoken of the nitrous oxyd as eilciathe crowd of the Oxford Theater."-G. C. B. to R. S., April cions in that infirmity. 16, 1824. t To his brother Thomas's Ilistory of the West Indies. 424 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF,ETAT. 50. But it is the way of the world; and the simple self has written in something more durable than reason is, that enmity is a stronger feeling than brass. I am sorry for his death, therefore, begood will. cause it comes in aid of a pernicious reputation * * * * * * which was stinking in the snuff. " I am reviewing Hayley's Life for the desire "With regard to the thought that he has been of lucre; a motive which, according to a writ- cut off in his sins, mine is a charitable creed, and er in the Lady's Magazine, induced me to com- the more charitable it is the likelier it is to be pile the Book of the Church, and is, indeed, ac- true. God is merciful. Where there are the cording to this well-informed person, the lead- seeds of repentance in the heart, I doubt not but ing principle of my literary life. How thorough- that they quicken in time for the individual, ly should I be revenged upon such miserable though it be too late for the world to perceive wretches as this, if it were possible for them to their growth. And if they be not there, length know with what infinite contempt I regard them! of days can produce no reformation.' Shall I tell you what books I have in read- " In return for your news, I have nothing to ing at this time, that you may see how many in- communicate except what relates to the operagredients are required for garnishing a calf's tions of the desk. I am going to press with the head? A batch of volumes from Murray relat- second volume of the Peninsular War, after waiting to the events of the last ten years in Spain; ing till now in hope of obtaining some Spanish Bishop Parker, De Rebus sui Temporis; Cardi- accounts of the war in Catalonia, which it is now nal D'Ossat's Letters; the Memoir of the Third pretty well ascertained are not to be found in Duke de Bourbon; Whitaker's Pierce Plow- Spain, though how they should have disappeared man; the Mirror for Magistrates; the Collec- is altogether inexplicable, unless the whole action of State Poems; Tiraboschi, and the Nibe- count of the books and their author, Francesco lungen in its original old German, and its mod- di Olivares, given by a certain John Mitford some ern German version, the one helping me to un- four or five years ago, in Colburn's Magazine, is derstand the other. Some of them I read after fictitious. I am reviewing Hayley's Memoirs. supper, some while taking my daily walk; the Hayley has been worried as school-boys worry a rest in odds and ends of time; laying down the cat. I am treating him as a man deserves to be pen when it does not flow freely, and taking up treated who was in his time, by popular election, a book for five or ten minutes by way of breath- king of the English poets; who was, moreover, ing myself, a gentleman and a scholar, and a most kind4 4 4 4 * * * hearted and generous man, in whose life there " God bless you! R. S." is something to blame, more to admire, and most of all to commiserate. My first introduction to To Hlenry Taylor, Esq. Spanish literature I owe to his notes; I owe him, "Keswick, May 26, 1824. therefore, some gratitude. I have written some' MY DEAR SIR, verses too, and am going on with the Tale of " I thank you for your note. Its information Paraguay resolutely to its conclusion. is of a kind to make one thoughtful; but the sor- "Farewell, my dear sir; and believe me, row which I felt was not such as you were dis- yours with sincere regard, posed to give me credit for.* "ROBERT SOUTHEY." " I am sorry Lord Byron is dead, because some harm will arise from his death, and none To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. was to be apprehended while he was living; for Keswick, June 1, 1824. all the mischief which he was capable of doing MY DEAR GROSVENOR, he had done. Had he lived some years longer, You deserve to be rated for saying that nothhe would either have continued in the same ing is so cold as friendship, in saying which you course, pandering to the basest passions and pro- belie yourself, and in inferring it as my opinion claiming the most flagitious principles, or he from what I said,* you belie me. A friend will would have seen his errors and sung his palino- not take half the trouble to do vou a trifling servdia-perhaps have passed from the extreme of ice, or afford you a slight gratification, that an profligacy to some extreme of superstition. In enemy would to do you a petty mischief, annoy the one case, he would have been smothered in your comfort, or injure your reputation. But his own evil deeds; in the other, he might have this same enemy would not endanger himself for made some atonement for his offenses. the pleasure of doing you a serious injury, where" We shall now hear his praises from all quar- as the friend would go through fire and water to ters. I dare say he will be held up as a martyr render you an essential benefit, and, if need were, to the cause of liberty, as having sacrificed his risk his own life to save yours. Now and then, life by his exertions in behalf of the Greeks. indeed, there appears a devil-incarnate who Upon this score the Liberals will beatify him; seems to find his only gratification in the exerand even the better part of the public will for cise of malignity; but these are monsters, and some time think it becoming in them to write * "I could not but smile at the mode in which you speak those evil deeds of his in water, which he him- of the difficulties of getting 200 subscribers to your brother's book. Had I said any thing half as censoriously true, " You will, I do not doubt, consider his death as use- how you would have rated me! But true it is there is ful to the world; but do you not feel personal commiser- nothing so cold as friendship, nothing so animated as enation?"-II. T. to R. S., May 14, 1824. mity."-G. C. B. to R. S., May 13, 1824. JETAT. 50. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 425 are noted as such. If I formed an estimate of have accepted it as a matter of course and of human nature from what I observed at school, I courtesy. In my situation, any individual who should conclude that there was a great deal more pleases may throw dirt at me, and any associaevil in it than good; if from what I have observ- ted body which pleases may stick a feather in ed in after life, I should draw the contrary infer- my cap: the dirt does not stick, the feathers are ence. Follies disappear, weaknesses are out- no encumbrance if they are of no use, and I regrown, and the discipline of society corrects more gard the one as little as the other. But in this evils than it breeds. You and I, and Wynn, and case the feather was clogged with a condition Elnsley, and Strachey are very much at this time that I was to receive a ~100 a year, for which what each must always have expected the others it was to be my duty every year to write an esto be. But who would have expected so much say, to be printed, if the committee approved it. abilities from the two A.'s (mischievously as in their transactions. What should I gain by those abilities are directed)? Who would have doing that once a year for this committee which thought that B-, boorish and hoggish as he I may do once a quarter for the Quarterly Rewas, would have become a man of the kindest view? and which I could not do without leavmanners and gentlest disposition; and that ing a paper in that Review undone. With this C — would have figured as a hero at Water- difference, that what I write in the Review is loo? It is true that opposite examples might read every where, is received with deference, be called to mind; but the balance would be and carries with it weight; whereas their transfound on the right side. actions can not by possibility have a fiftieth part " I am much gratified by what you tell me of the circulation, and will either excite ridicule, from Mr. Roberts.* Such opinions tend greatly or drop still-born from the press. I would have to strengthen my inclination for setting about a accepted a mere honor in mere courtesy, and I Book of the State, which, though not capable of would thankfully have accepted profit; but when so deep and passionate an interest, might be they contrived so to mix up both as to leave neimade not less useful in its direct tendency. The ther the one nor the other, all I had to do was want of books would be an obstacle, for I am civilly to decline the offer. poorly provided with English history, and have " God bless you, my dear Lightfoot! very little help within reach. I should want'Yours affectionately, R. S." (and do want for other objects also) the publications of the Record Committee. They were To -, Esq. originally to be purchased, but they were beyond "Keswick, Aug. 7, 1824. my means. The sale of them is given up, I " MY DEAR SIR, think (at least there was a report recommending Your letter is not of a kind to remain unacthat it should be discontinued, as producing lit- knowledged, and my time is often less worthily tie), and the remaining copies must be lying in employed than it will be in making a few relumber; and yet, though there is a pleasant marks upon some parts of it. opinion abroad that I can have any thing from "You tell me of the prevalence of Atheism government which I please to ask for, I might as and Deism* among those persons with whose well whistle for a south wind against this blast opinions you are acquainted. Are those persons, from the east, as ask for a set of these books, think you, fair representatives of the higher orwell assured as I am that there is no man living ders, whom you suppose to be infected with such to whom they would be of more use, or who opinions in the same proportion? Or are they would make more use of them. My end is not not mostly young men, smatterers in literature. answered by borrowing books of this description, or literati by profession? and I will explain to you why; when a book is' Where the principles of reasonable religion my own, I read or look through it, and mark it have not been well inculcated in childhood, and as I proceed, and then by very brief references enforced by example at home, I believe that inam enabled to refer to and compose from it at fidelity is generally and perhaps necessarily one any future time. But if it is a borrowed book, step in the progress of an active mind. Very the time which it costs to provide myself with many undoubtedly stop there; but they whose extracts for future use may be worth more than hearts escape the corruption which, most certhe cost of the work, a lesson which I have learn- tainly, irreligion has a direct tendency to proed of late years at no little price. duce, are led into the right path, sooner or later, " God bless you! R. S." by reflection, inquiry, and the instinct of an immortal spirit, which can find no other restingTo the Rev. Nicholas Lightfoot. place in its weal, no other consolations in its "Keswick, June 16,1824. afflictions. This has been the case in the circle " MY DEAR LIGHTFOOT, of my experience, which has not been a contract"I told you my reasons for declining the pro- ed one. I have mixed with men of all descripposal of being named one of the Royal Literary Associates. Had it been a mere honor, I should * "In numbering those with whose opinions I am acquainted, I find one half of them to be Atheists and two * "Mr. Roberts is delighted with the Book of the Church, thirds of the remainder Deists: I should not be surprised and desires me to say that he never read any thing that if this were found to be about the general proportion in afforded him so much at once of entertainment, and in- the higher orders of society, and infidelity has been formation, and general instruction upon any subject."- brought among the lower orders by political disaffection." G, C. B. to R. S., May 13, 1824. - to R. S., Aug. 1, 1824. E E 426 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 51. tions-Atheists, Roman Catholics, and Dissent- have it for less, and I am in no haste to proceed ers of every kind, from the Unitarians, whose with the negotiation, being at present sufficiently faith stands below zero, to the disciples of Rich- employed, and to my heart's content. ard Brothers and Joanna Southcote, whose trash "The''medical practitioner' would not have would raise the thermometer to the point of fever puzzled you if Fortune had permitted us to have heat. I have seen them pass from one extreme been somewhat more together during the last to another, and had occasion to observe how ten years. Yet you have heard from me the nearly those extremes meet. And now, when I name of Doctor Daniel Dove, and something, I call to mind those persons who were unbelievers think, of the Tristramish, Butlerish plan of his some thirty years ago, I find that of the surviv- history, which, if the secret be but kept, must, I ors the greater and all the better part are settled think, inevitably excite curiosity as well as noin conformity with the belief of the national tice. I have lately taken a pleasant spell at it, Church, and this conformity in those with whom I and have something more than a volume ready am in habits of peculiar and unreserved friendship that is to say, something more than half of what I know to be sincere. A very few remain skep- I propose to publish, following it or not with as tical and are unhappy; and these, with the best much more according to its sale and my own feelings and kindest intentions, have fallen into inclination. One reason why I wished for you degrading and fatal habits, which gather strength here at this time was to have shown it to you, as they grow older and older, and find themselves and to have had your help, for you could have more and more unable to endure the prospect of excellently helped me, and I think would have a blank futurity. Some others, who were prof- been moved in spirit so to do. If I finish it ligates at the beginning, continue to be so. during the winter, of which there is good hope, " According to my estimate of public opinion, I will devise some pretext for going to town, there is much more infidelity in the lower ranks where I must be while it is printed, to avoid the than there ever was before, and less in the higher transmission of proofs, by which it would be classes than at any time since the Restoration. easy, from calculation of time, to ascertain how The indifferentists-those who used to conform far they had traveled, and so, of course, to diswithout a thought or feeling upon the subject- cover the author, to whom the printers are to are the persons who have diminished in numbers. have no clew. Considering the connection of infidelity with dis-' God bless you! R. S." affection in all its grades, and the alliance for political purposes between Catholics, Dissenters, To John Rickman, Esq. and unbelievers, I think -'ith you that a tremen- "Keswick, Oct. 10, 1824. dous convulsion is very likely to be brought "MY DEAR RICKMAN, about; but I am not without hope that it may "My literary employments have never, in the be averted; and even should it take place, I have slightest degree, injured my health; for, in truth, no fear for the result, fatal as it must needs be I neither am, nor ever have been, a close student. to the generations who should witness the shock. If I do not take sufficient exercise, it is not front " The progress of my own religious opinions any love of the desk, but for the want of a comhas been slow, but steady. You may probably panion or an object to draw me out when the live to read it; and, what is of more conse- season is uninviting; and yet I overcome the quence, may, without reading it, follow uncon- dislike of solitary walking, and every day, unless sciously the same course, and by God's blessing it be a settled rain, walk long enough, and far, rest at last in the same full and entire belief. and fast enough, to require the wholesome pro" Yours very truly, cess of rubbing down on my return. At no time "' ROBERT SOUTHEY." of my life have I applied half so closely to my employment as you always do to yours. They To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. impose upon me no restrictions. There is noth-' Keswick, Oct. 4, 1824. ing irksome in them; no anxiety connected with "MY DEAFR GROSVENOR, them; they leave me master of my time and of Murray states that, having conversed with myself; nor do I doubt but they would prove Heber and some other literary friends upon my conducive to longevity, if my constitution were proposed History of the Monastic Orders,'he disposed for it. now comprehends its probable interest and pop- " With regard to the prudence of working up ularity,' and shall be happy to come to' closer ready materials rather than laying in more, upon quarters upon the subject.' He says something whatever I employ myself, I must of necessity of future papers for the Quarterly Review, ask- be doing both. The work which I am most deing me to undertake the Pepys' Memoirs.and sirous of completing is the History of Portugal, Sir Thomas Brown's Works, and writes request- as being that for which most preparation has ing a brief sketch of my monastic plan. I have been made, and most time bestowed on it; and told him little more than that it may be included when the Peninsular War shall be completed, by in six octavo volumes, and comprises matter God's blessing, a week shall not elapse before it hardly less varied and extensive than Gibbon's goes to the press, for it has been long in much Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. If he greater forwardness than any work which I ever offers me ~500 per volume, I will, ere long, before began to print. make it my chief employment, but he shall not "I am, however, conscious now of a disposi IETAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 427 tion the reverse of Montaigne's, who loved, he the book when I was in town. Not long ago I said, rather to forge his mind than to furnish it. finished Isaac Casaubon's. Oh, what men were Avarice, you know, is the passion of declining these! and, thank God! men will never be wantyears, and avaricious I confess myself to be of ing like them in one respect at least-that they the only treasure I have ever coveted or ever will pursue the acquisition of knowledge with as shall possess. My temper or turn of mind in- much zeal as others follow the pursuit of wealth, dines also to form new projects. But it is one and derive a thousand-fold more pleasure in the thing to perceive what might be done, and an- acquirement. God bless you! R. S." other to dream of doing it. No doubt, wherever Mr. Telford is traveling, he can not help seeing To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. where a line of road ought to be carried, a har- "Keswick, Oct. 30, 1824. bor improved, or a pier carried out. In like "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, manner, I see possibilities, and capabilities, and " Your ill news had reached me some days desirabilities, and I think no more of them. God ago.' bless you! R. S." "There are many things worse than death. Indeed, I should think any reasonable person To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. would prefer it to old age, if he did not feel that "' Keswick, Oct. 12, 1824. the prolongation of his life was desirable for the "MY DEAR GROSVENOR) sake of others, whatever it might be for himself. " With regard to my labors in English his- If the event be dreaded, the sooner it is over the tory, the plan which I not long ago communi- better; if it desired, the sooner it comes; and cated to you, of sketching it in a Book of the desired or dreaded it must be. If there were a State down to the accession of the reigning balloon-diligence to the other world, I think it family, and following that by the Age of George would always be filled with passengers. You the Third, is all that I dream of accomplishing. will not suppose from this that I am weary of The works on which I ought to employ myself, life, blessed with enjoyments as I am, and full of Grosvenor, are those for which I have laid in employment. But if it were possible for me stores, on which a large portion of my previous ( which it is not) to regard myself alone, I would studies may be brought to bear, and for which rather begin my travels in eternity than abide no other person is at present, or is likely to be longer in a world in which I have much to do hereafter, so well qualified. Such a work was and little to hope. the History of Brazil, and such will be, if I live' "Something upon this topic you will see in to accomplish it, that of the Monastic Orders. my Colloquies. They will go to press as soon "I can not but smile at your grave admoni- as I hear from Westall in what forwardness the tions* concerning the Doctor, and would give engravings are. Murray has announced the something to have the satisfaction of reading to second volume of the War for November; it you the chapters which were written last week. would require the aid of some other devils than Such a variety of ingredients I think never be- those of the printing-office to finish it before the fore entered into any book which had a thread spring, and this he knows very well, both the of continuity running through it. I promise you MS. and the proof-sheets passing through his there is as much sense as nonsense there. It is hands. Just one quarter is printed, and I am very much like a trifle, where you have whipped about a hundred pages ahead of the printers. cream at the top, sweetmeats below, and a good Of late I have made good progress in forwardsolid foundation of cake well steeped in ratafia. ing various works, in the hope of clearing my You will find a liberal expenditure of long-hoard- hands and bettering my finances. I can not get ed stores, such as the reading of few men could on fast with the Tale of Paraguay because of supply; satire and speculation; truths, some of the stanza, but on with it I am getting, and am which might beseem the bench or the pulpit, half through the third canto; a fourth brings it and others that require the sanction of the cap to its close. A good deal has been done to the and bells for their introduction; and, withal, a Colloquies, which will gain me much abuse now, narrative interspersed with interludes of every and some credit hereafter; and a good deal to kind, yet still continuous upon a plan of its own, the Doctor, which I should very much like to varying from grave to gay, and taking as wild show you. You shall see me insult the public, and yet as natural a course as one of our mount- Mr. Bedford, and you will see that the public ain streams. wonders who it is that insults them, for I think' I am reading Scaliger's Epistles at this that I shall not be suspected. time, treading in my uncle's steps, who gave me i * * * *'_ God bless you! R. S." * Mr. Bedford seemed to be under the apprehension that the " Cap and Bells" would be in too great requisi- To John Rickman, Esq. tion during the composition of the Doctor. "I am too ignorant," he says, "of Dr. D. D.'s concerns to be able to "Keswick, Nov. 9, 1824. speak about him, but there is one thing which ought not " MY DEAR R., to be lost sight of, that a joke may be very well received I see by the papers that Mr. Telford recomacross a table nwhich would be considered the dullest in pae a elor eco the world in print. The success of Tristram Shandy at- mends paving roads where there is much heavy fords no argument in favor of a second attempt to induce the public to join in making fools of themselves."-Oct. * Of the dangerous illness of their mutual friend, the 7, 1824. -- - Rev. Peter Elnsley 428 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 51 carriage. In some of the Italian cities the streets is preparing a paper upon your literature; and are paved in stripes. The wheels run upon two Buckminster's sermons are reprinting at my suglines of smooth pavement, as over a bowling gestion. green, with little sound and no jolting, and the " Now, then, let me thank you for Philip's space between, on which the horses go, is corn- War, so long desired; for G. Fox, digged out mon pitching. This is the case at Milan and of his burrows, and their companions. These Como, and probably in most other places. Mac- Quaker books are very curious; it is out of such adamizing the streets of London is likely, I think, rubbish that I have to pick out the whole mateto prove Quackadamizing. But the failure will rials for my intended edifice, and good materials lead to something better. they are when they are found. Before this reach" Lord Byron is gibbeted by his friends and es you I shall have finished the Tale of Paraguay, admirers. Dr. Stoddart sent me those papers in which has hung like a millstone about my neck, which he had commented upon these precious owing to the difficulty which the stanza occaconversations. The extracts there and in the sioned. As soon as I am rid of it I shall take Morning Herald are all that I have seen, and up the New England poem as a regular emthey are quite enough. I see, too, that Murray ployment, and work on with it steadily to the has been obliged to come forward. x x end. A third part is done; I am not making a. I am vindictive enough to wish that he had hero of Philip, as it now seems the fashion to known how completely he failed of annoying me represent him. In my story the question beby any of his attacks. -- should be called tween the settlers and the natives is very fairly Lord B.'s blunderbuss. There is something represented, without any disposition either to faviler in regrating slander, as he has done, than vor the cause of savage life against civilization, in originally uttering it. or to dissemble the injuries which trading colo"If this finds you in town, and you can lay nists (as well as military ones) have always comyour hand on the Report on the Salmon Fishery, mitted upon people in an inferior grade of society I should like to have it, as a subject of some local to themselves. Better characters than the hisinterest. I am working away steadily, and with tory affords me, or, to speak more accurately, good will, making good progress with my see- characters more capable of serving the purposes ond volume and with the Colloquies. We are of poetry, I need not desire. The facts are not all well, and Cuthbert in the very honey-moon quite so manageable. I may say, as a friend of puerile happiness, being just breeched. God of mine heard Bertrand de Moleville say when. bless you! R. S." after relating a story, he was told that the facts were not as he had stated them, Ah, monsieur! To George Ticknor, Esq. tanit pis pour lesfaits. So I must deal with them "Keswick, Dec. 30, 1824. in fiction as a Frenchman deals with facts in hisMv: Y DEARa SIR, tory that is, take as little truth, and minole it'I have delayed thus long to acknowledge with as much invention as suits my object. To and thank you for your last consignment of books what an extent the French do this I should hardly in the hope of telling you, what I am now at last have thought credible, if I had not daily evidence enabled to do, that Gifford has finally given up in their memoirs upon the Peninsular War. conthe Quarterly Review, and that, after the forth- paring them with the undeniable documents in coming number, it willbe under John Coleridoe's my halnds. management. This is a matter which I have " Taly niece desires me to thank you for the had very much at heart, that there might be sweet story of Undine, which is surely the most an end of that mischievous language concerning graceful fiction of modern times. Some other your country. I opposed it always with all my pieces of the same author have been translated might, and forced in that paper upon Dwight's here, all bearing marks of the same originality Travels; yet in the very next number the old and genius. system was renewed. You may be assured that " I had made a half promise of goilng to Irethey have occasioned almost as much disgust land, to visit one of the best and ablest persons here as in America. So far is it from being the there, the Bishop of Limerick; but it is not likely language or the wish of the government, that that the intention can be fulfilled. An Irishman. one of the cabinet ministers complained of it to well informed of the state of things there, writes me as most mischievous, and most opposite to to me in these words:' Pray don't think of going the course which they were desirous of pursuing. to Ireland. I would not insure any man's life There is an end of it now, and henceforth that for three months in that unhappy country. The journal will do all in its power toward establish- populace are ready for a rebellion; and if their ing that feeling' which ought to exist between leaders should for their own purpose choose to the two nations. Let me be peace-maker; and have one, they may have to-morrow a second use what influence you have that the right hand edition of the Irish massacre.' of good will may be accepted as frankly as it is " Wordsworth was with me lately, in good offered. health, and talked of you. His brother, the Mas" I know not what the forthcoming number ter of Trinity, has just published a volume conmay contain, but I can answer for the Review cerning the EiK.)v BaauZtcn, a question of no afterward. A friend of mine (Hughes, who trifling importance both to our political and litwrote a pleasant book about the South of France) erary history. As far as minute and accumula iTAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 429 tive evidence can amount to proof, he has proved without hesitation, follow the advice; and it is it to be genuine. For myself, I have never, since well to bear in mind that there has more than I read the book, thought that any unprejudiced once been manifested a most reprehensible disperson could entertain a doubt concerning it. I position on the part of the judges to favor the am the more gratified that this full and satisfac- wrong side, lest they should be suspected of tory investigation has been made, because it grew leaning toward the right." out of a conversation between the two Words- The advice of these friends being that he worths and myself at Rydal a year or two ago. should not adopt legal proceedings, he patiently " Remember me to all my Boston friends; it acquiesced. A private remonstrance was, howis a pleasure to think I have so many there. The ever, carried to the editor by Allan Cunningham, only American whom I have seen this year is who was well acquainted with him, and who Bishop Hobart, of New York. God bless you! showed him an anonymous letter my father had "Yours affectionately, received from the writer of the published attack, " ROBERT SOUTHEY." which was couched in terms of the most horrible and disgusting kind. The editor affected to recA most atrocious attack having appeared about ognize "the hand of a young nobleman;" to this time upon my father in the Morning Chron- which Allan Cunningham replied, " that he icle, he took counsel with some legal friends as would sooner have cut his hand off than have to the expediency of prosecuting that paper for written such a letter;" and to the excuse that a libel. "You will see Turner," he writes at Mr. Southey had "insulted the Scotch and the the time to Mr. John Coleridge, " though he rec- Dissenters," he rejoined, " that, had this been the ommends a course which I shall not follow- case, he, who was a Scotchman and a Presbythat of proceeding by information, and involving terian, would never have been his friend." The myself in expense and trouble, for the purpose attack was also promptly replied to by his friend of giving a solemn denial to charges which most Mr. Henry Taylor, whom he thanks in the folcertainly are not believed by the miscreant him- lowing letter for his friendly interposition. self who made them. He wishes to avoid any appearance of an attack on my part upon the To Henry Taylor, Esq. press and the Morning Chronicle; whereas it RKeswick, Jan. 10, 1825. appears to me, that if I have an opportunity of "MY DEAR SIR, punishing that newspaper for its abuse of the "I thank you for both your letters - the one press, I ought just as much to do it in this case in writing, and the one in print. As laws, judges, as I would bring a fellow to justice for assault- and juries in these days always favor the wrong ing me on the highway. Allowing them as party, partly from principle, partly from fashion, large a latitude as they desire for political abuse, and a little in the middle, if not the latter case. I would rest solely upon the charge of'impious from fear, I am advised not to prosecute the and blasphemous obscenities.'* Morning Chronicle, and as I have no desire " Should it appear as clear in law as it is in ever to put myself in the way of anxiety, the adequity that it is a foul and infamous libel, which vice is deferred to without hesitation or reluctany judge and any jury must pronounce such, ance. A more atrocious libel was never admitthen certainly I would bring an action for dam- ted into a newspaper, bad as the newspapers ages against the Morning Chronicle, without have long been. You suspect something more caring who the author may be, that paper hav- than the malignity of party spirit in it; so did ing not only inserted it, but called attention to I; and that suspicion has been verified by an it in its leading paragraph. The rest may be anonymous letter from the author, which reachthrown overboard. Let them revile me as an ed me this day. The letter is as blackguard as author and a politician till their hearts ache. words can make it, and comes from a red-hot Their obloquy serves only to show that my opin- Irish Roman Catholic, who shows himself in ions have an influence in society which they every sentence to be ripe for rebellion and masknow and feel; and if it gives me any feeling, sacre. It is well they have no Prince Hohenit is that of satisfaction at seeing to what base lohe among them, who can kill at a distance as and unmanly practices they are obliged to de- well as cure; for if they had, I should certainly scend. But this goes beyond all bounds of po- be murdered by miracle. litical and even personal animosity; there can " But I thank you heartily for what you have be no villainy of which a man would not be ca- done. The letter is what it should be-manly, pable who is capable of bringing forward such scornful, and sincere. I am very glad to have charges upon such grounds. True it is that my such a friend, and not sorry to have such enecharacter needs no vindication, and I would not mies. They can only stab at my character, lift a finger to vindicate it; but if I have a villain which they may do till they are tired without by the throat, I would deliver him over to justice. inflicting a scratch. The only mournful thing is Nevertheless, if you and Turner agree in opin- to think that the newspapers should be in the ion that I had better let the matter alone, I shall, hands of men who not only admit such infamous slanders, but lend their active aid to support * He conceived this to have been founded " literally them. upon an extract from a Roman Catholic Book of Devo- The last Review not having reched me, I tions to the Virin Mary, in the first volume of the Om- not n g ea he e niana." have not seen your father's paper upon Banks. 430 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 51. In that upon Landor, I liked every thing that " The Quarterly Review has been overlaid had no reference to him, and nothing that had. with statistics, as it was once with Greek critiThe general tenor I should, no doubt, have liked cism. It is the disease of the age-the way in better if Gifford had not struck out the better which verbose dullness spends itself. The jourparts; but nothing could have reconciled me to nal wants more of the litere huzmaniores, and in any thing like an assumption of superiority to- a humaner tone than it has been wont to observe. ward such a man. Porson and I should not have I think a great deal of good may be done by conconversed as he has exhibited us, but we could ciliating young writers who are going wrong, by neither of us have conversed better. leading them with a friendly hand into the right "My letter to the Courier* was in all its path, giving them all the praise they deserve, parts fully justified by the occasion which called and advising or insinuating rather than repreit forth. I am never in the habit of diluting my hending. Keats might have been won in that ink. The sort of outcry against it is in the spirit manner, and perhaps have been saved. So I of these liberal times. These gentlemen of the have been assured. Severity will have ten times press assert and exercise the most unlimited more effect when it is employed only where it license in their attacks, and allow no liberty of is well deserved. defense. Do not over-work yourself, nor sit up too " I shall publish a vindication of the Book of late, and never continue at any one mental emthe Church, in reply to Mr. Butler, with proofs ployment after you are tired of it. Take this and illustrations. In this I shall treat him with advice from one who has attained to great selfthe respect and courtesy which he so well de- management in this respect. serves, but I will open a battery upon the walls " God bless you! R. SOUTHEY. of Babylon. Think of the Acta Sanctorum- "Smedley's poems are very clever, but he more than fifty ten-pounders brought to bear in seems quite insensible to the good which is conbreach. God bless you! nected with and resulting from this mixture of "Yours affectionately, weakness, enthusiasm, and sectarian zeal. It " ROBERT SOUTHEY." does nothing but good abroad, and that good would not be done without it. The Bible So. To John Taylor Coleridge, Esq. ciety has quadrupled the subscribers to the Bart"Keswick, Jan. 30, 1825. lett's Buildings' one, and given it a new impulse. " MY DEAR SIR, I hate cant and hypocrisy, and am apt to sus" There is certainly a most pernicious set of pect them wherever there is much profession of opinions mixed up both with the Bible and Mis- godliness; but, on the other hand, I do not like slonary Societies-so there is with the Abolition- men to be callous to the best interests of their ists-and yet we can not have the good without fellow-creatures." the evil, and it is no little advantage when the men who hold these opinions direct some of their To John May, Esq. restless zeal into a useful channel. In that point "Keswick, March 16, 1825. of view the Missionary Societies are so many "MY DEAR FRIEND, safety-valves. Even the best men whom they "It is a very old remark that one sin draws send abroad would be very likely to be mischiev- on another; and, as an illustration of it, I believe ous at home. one reason why you have not had a letter from "Bishop Law (the present bishop's father) ad- me for so long a time is that my Autobiography vances an opinion that the true nature of reveal- has been standing still. This is the first symped religion is gradually disclosed as men become tom of amendment, and, in pursuance of it, when capable of receiving it, generations as they ad- this letter is dispatched, I propose to begin the vance in knowledge and civilization outgrowing 17th of the Series. the errors of their forefathers, so that in fullness " Thus much has been left undone, and now of time there will remain neither doubt nor dif- for what I have been doing. You may have ficulties. He was a great speculator; wheth- learned from John Coleridge that I sat to work er, like one of his sons, he speculated too far, I for him as soon as he was installed into his new do not know, but in this opinion I think he is office,* and sent him a paper upon the Church borne out by history. Providence condescends Missionary Society, and a few pages upon Mrs. to the slowness of Christian understandings, as it Baillie's Letters from Lisbon. did to the hardness of Jewish hearts. All these " You must have heard of Mr. Butler's attack societies proceed upon a full belief in the dam- upon the Book of the Church. My uncle says nation of the heathen: what their future state of it-his contradicting you and saying that you may be is known as little as we do concerning had misstated facts may have the same answer our own, but this we know in both cases, that it as Warburton gave to one of his antagonists: must be consistent with the goodness of our'it may be so for all he knows of the matter.' Father who is in heaven. *' * Yet The Bishop of London wrote to ask if I intendyou could get no missionaries to go abroad un- ed to answer it, for if I did not they must look less they held this tenet. The Socinians, you about for some person who would,'as it had see, send none, neither do the Quakers. imposed upon some persons who ought to have * As successor to Gifford in the editorship of the Quar. * Concerning Lord Byron. terly Review. YETAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 431 known better, and he hoped I should demolish Itions upon Mr. Butler's book, but that you have what he called his flimsy structure of misstate- suppressed them upon hearing that I was enments and sophistry.' Upon my replying that gaged in answering it. I am sorry for this, beit was my intention so to do, he communicated to cause the more answers that are called forth the me an offer of any books that might be useful better. False and shallow as the book is (the from Lambeth. But it does not do to have bulky Bishop of London calls it, very justly,'a flimsy volumes sent 300 miles, when the object is to structure of misstatements and sophistry'), it imconsult them perhaps only for half an hour. poses upon shallow readers, and is gladly apHowever, I shall avail myself of this permission pealed to as an authority by the Liberals, who when next I may be at Streatham. My reply are at this time leagued against the Church. will bear this title,'Vindicia Ecclesioe Angli- Every answer that may appear would have a cercanae'-the Book of the Church Vindicated and tain circle, within which no other can act with Amplified. The first portion of the manuscript equal effect; and I am so persuaded of this, that would reach London this morning on its way to I desired Murray not to announce my intended the press. work, lest it should have the effect of preventing "Last week I spent at Rydal with Words- others from coming forward in the same good worth, going thither partly in the hope that cause. I hope, therefore, that you will resume change of air might rid me of a cough, which, the pen. The Church ought not to be without though apparently slight, has continued upon me defenders at this time. If the Catholic writers long enough to show that it is deep seated. It had been put down whenever they appeared durwas left behind some two months ago by an en- ing the last five-and-twenty years, as they might demic cold that attacked the throat in a peculiar and ought to have been, by an exposure of their manner. I am better for the change. But it gross and impudent misrepresentations, that party will be necessary for me to take a journey as would not have been so daring as it now is. soon as the summer begins, in the hope of es- "Dr. Phillpotts* is answering the theological caping that annual attack which now regularly part of Butler's.t My business, of course, must settles in the chest. I meant to have visited Ire- be, to attack him along the whole of his line, land, but this I must give up on Edith's account, which I am doing most effectually. For the sake for I was strongly advised not to go by a man in of relieving the tone of controversy, I take the power, who knew the country well, and said he opportunity of introducing biographical and hiswould not insure any man's life there for three torical matter, and call my work, therefore, Vinmonths: and this, with a sort of cut-throat anon- dicim Ecclesie Anglicanse-The Book of the ymous letter from an Irishman (the same that ChurchVindicatedand Amplified. Mytemperis made that infamous attack upon me in the Chron- not controversial. I had much rather be indusicle), abusing me as an Orange Boy in the foul- triously and thankfully reading old books, than est and most ferocious terms, has made her be- detecting the defects and vices of new ones; but lieve that I should be in danger there: and, of when I am provoked to it, I can wield a sledgecourse, I should not think it right to leave her hammer to as good purpose as my old friend with that impression upon her mind. My inten- Wat Tyler himself. God bless you, my dear sir! tion, therefore, is to make a hasty visit to Streat- Yours very truly, ham, and run down again to the west, unless Ir ROBERT SOUTHEY.)" should meet with a suitable companion who would go over with me to Holland for three or To Henry Taylor, Esq. four weeks. "Keswick, March 28, 1825. " God bless you, my dear friend! MY DEAR SIR, " Yours most affectionately,'Now then for my summer movements. Do "ROBERT SOUTHEY." not think me actuated by mere fickleness if I L Bowles. * Now Bishop of Exeter. To the Rev. William Lisle Bowles. f Dr. Phillpotts had thus courteously communicated " Keswick, March 19, 1825. his intention to my father: "MY DEAR SIRa, "MY DEAR SR "Stanhope, Durham, Feb. 28, 1825. (~ MY DEAR SIaR, "MIY DEAR SIR, "I am induced to write to you by a letter' I know not whether it may interest you to be informwhich I have this day received from G. Peachey. ed that (feeling as I do the absolute necessity of some detailed confutation of Mr. Butler's statement of the docIn answer to the request which he communi- trines of his Church, contained in the Letter X. of his cates, though I am little behind you in the vale book, especially when so many various misstatements of those doctrines are continually made by other writers of years, and likely, perhaps, to reach the end of and speakers) I have resolved speedily to undertake that our mortal journey by a shorter road, yet, should iwork; indeed. I am at present as busy with it as infirm I prove the survivor, any wish which you may way until tee tree Btlersook did not fll in my please to signify I will faithfully, and to the best "You will do me the justice of believing that I do not of my power, discharge. There are three co- presume to interfere in any way with your work. That of mry's. powerMdisha Thee are thee co-you are preparing a proper punishment for his offense temporaries, the influence of whose poetry on against you I can not doubt, nor would I weaken the efmy own I can distinctly trace. Sayers, your- feet of that punishment from the most powerful of modself, ad Walter Landor. I owe you somethin T ern writers by any interference of mine. I strictly consef, ad ater anor. I owe you sometng fine myself to the mere theological matters. therefore, on the score of gratitude. "Allow me to offer you my heartiest thanks for your "But to a pleasanter subject. Peachoy tells very admirable hook. "' Yours my dear sir; most sincerely, me that you had begun to print some observa- "H. PHILLPOTTS." 432 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 51. propose crossing the Channel instead of the Sev- " My Vindication is in the press. It contains ern, and drinking Rhenish wine instead of Welsh a fuller account of Bede than can be found elseale. I want to see Holland, which is a place of where; and I shall introduce in it lives of St. man's making, country as well as towns. I Francis and of good John Fox, whom the Papists want monastic books, which it is hopeless to hate worse than they do the Devil, and belie as look for in England, and which there is every virulently and as impudently as they do your probability of finding at Brussels, Antwerp, or friend, ROBERT SOUTHEY."7 Leyden. In the course of three or four weeks, going sometimes by trekschuits and sometimes To Henry Taylor, Esq. upon wheels, we might see the principal places" Keswick, May 2,1825. in the Dutch Netherlands, visit the spot where MY DEAR H. T., Sir Philip Sidney fell, talk of the Dousas and You do not expect enough from Holland. Scaliger at Leyden, and obtain such a general It is a marvelous country in itself, in its history, notion of the land as would enable us better to and in the men and works which it has produced. understand the history of the Low Country wars. The very existence of the country is at once a Neville White would perhaps join us; and al- natural and a moral phenomenon. Mountaineer ways, in traveling, three persons are better than as I am, I expect to feel more in Holland than two, especially as neither you nor I (I suspect) in Switzerland. Instead of climbing mountains, are such good men of business as not to be glad we shall have to ascend church towers. The if a better could be found to officiate as paymas- panorama from that at Harlaem is said to be one ter. Tell me if you like this scheme. If you of the most impressive in the world. Evening do, I will write to Neville without delay, and be is the time for seeing it to most advantage. ready to start from London by the 1st of June. "I have not yet forgotten the interest which "I had heard of * * ~ as an Amer- Watson's Histories of Philip II. and III. excited ican by birth, a man of great talents and unhap- in me when a school-boy. They are books py opinions, which, from him, had spread widely which I have never looked into since; but I have among his cotemporaries at Cambridge. Jere- read largely concerning the Dutch war against my Bentham is now to such young men what the Spaniards, on both sides, and there is no part Godwin was two or three-and-thirty years ago; of Europe which could be so interesting to me for those who pride themselves most upon think- as historical ground. Perhaps my pursuits may ing for themselves, are just as prone as others have made me more alive than most men to asjureare in verba magistri, only it must be a mag- sociations of this kind; but I would go far to see ister of their own choosing. the scene of any event which has made my heart "I never made a speech since I was a school- throb with a generous emotion, or the grave of boy, and am very certain that I never had any any one whom I desire to meet in another state talent for speaking. Had I gone to the bar, my of existence. intent was to have spoken always as briefly and My translatress, Katharina Wilhelmina Bilperspicuously as possible, and have endeavored derdijk, is old enough to be your mother. She to win a jury rather by appealing to their good dedicates her translation to me in a very affectsense than by mystifying their understanding. ing poem, touching upon the death of her son, Burike's speeches, which will always be read, whom she lost at sea, and in what manner, before were never listened to; many members used to she knew his death, she had applied certain paswalk out of the House when he stood up. I be- sages in Roderic to herself. * * * lieve that I derived great advantage from the " God bless you! R. S." practice sometimes of translating, sometimes of abridging, the historical books which are read incertain forms at Westminster; and, in like manner, I am inclined to think a habit of speakingCHAPTER XXIX upon business might be acquired by giving orally the substance of what one has just read. I have TOUR IN HOLLAND-HE IS LAID UP AT LEYDEN none of that readiness which is required for pub- AT MR. BILDERDIJK' S-REV. R. PHILLIPS -MR. tic life, or even which is looked for among diners BUTLER —IR. CANNING-MOTIVES FOR CHOOSout. When I am reading I have it; few things ING FRIENDS-VISITORS TO IESWIC —TENDthen escape me in any of their bearings. My ENCY OF HIS ECCLESIASTICAL WRITINGS-SISmind is never so prompt as it is then. In writ- TERS OF CHARITY-TIIE QUARTERLY REVIEW ing it is sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow. -METAPHYSICS-RULES FOR COMPOSITION" So you do not like Hayley. I was born dur- KNOWLEDGE OF HIS'ORY THE FIRST REQUIing his reign, and owe him something for hav- SITE FOR A STATESMAN-THE BULLION QUESing first made me acquainted by name with those TION-JACOB CATS-WISHES TO WRITE A CONSpanish writers of whom I afterward knew much TINUATION TO WARTON'S HISTORY OP POETRY more than he did. Compare him with ordinary -SIR. BILDERDIJK-DANGERS OF THE MANUcountry gentlemen, and see what he gains by his FACTURINsG SYSTEM-EFFECTS OF TIME UPON love of literary pursuits. Compare him with THE MIND-HIS OWN RELIGIOUS FEELINGSthe general run of literary men, and see to what SHORT TOUR IN HOLLAND-DEATH OF HIS advantage his unenvious and liberal spirit ap- YOUNGEST DAUGHTER-WISIIES AS TO POSTHUpears. MOUS PUBLICATIONS-LETTER TO HIS DAUGII 1ETAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 433 TERS ON THE DEATH OF THEIR SISTER.-1825- home. He has before mentioned (see letter to 1826. Mr. Bedford, March 27, 1824) receiving a copy of Roderic translated into Dutch by Mrs. BilderTHE reader has seen that my father had been dijk, and a letter from her husband, a man who for some time contemplating a tour in Holland; was highly distinguished in the literature of his and his arrangements being now completed, he country; it was, in a great measure, for the purleft home the end of May, and after passing a pose of seeing them that he had come to Leyweek in London, and joining there the other den, and no sooner were they aware of his situamembers of the party, consisting of Mr. H. Tay- tion than they insisted upon his being removed lor, Mr. Neville White, and Mr. Arthur Malet, to their residence, to which he at first reluctanta young officer, they crossed the Channel from ly consented.* This, of course, broke up the Dover to Boulogne, and made their way from party. Mr. Neville White and Mr. A. Malet thence first of all to Brussels. pursued their own course, while Mr. Taylor The revisiting this place and the field of Wa-" stayed by the wreck." There my father reterloo recalled, naturally, many sad thoughts to mained more than three weeks, most hospitably my father's mind. He says in his Journal, "I treated and most kindly nursed. " My time," hope I shall never see this place again. On my he says, " has passed most profitably and happifirst and second visit Henry Koster and Nash ly; and I have formed a friendship in this family were with me; and I pleased myself with bring- which time will not weaken nor death divide." ing away little memorials for Herbert. Nash His letters from thence will supply all other was with me again two years later-' where are needful particulars. they gone, the old familiar faces!' A visit to Verbeyst, however, the great book- To Mrs. Southey. seller of Brussels, from whom, in 1817, he had "Leyden, Thursday, June 30, 1825. purchased the Acta Sanctorum (fifty-two vols. MY DEAR EDITH, folio), and many other valuable works, brought "My foot is going on as well as possible, and back pleasanter remembrances. " Right glad," will, according to all appearances, be completehe says, "I was to find him in a larger house, ly healed in the course of three or four days. flourishing to his heart's content, and provided Having begun with this statement, pour votre with books to mine. He has more than 300,000 tranquzillite, as the aubergists at Besanfon said volumes, among which I passed the whole morn- at every word, I have next to tell you that I am ing, till it was time to go to the bankers' before quartered at Mr. Bilderdijk's, where every imthe hours of business had elapsed. On our re- aginable care is taken of me, and every possible turn (for Neville was with me) Verbeyst had kindness shown, and where I have all the conprovided claret, Burgundy, and a loaf of bread, forts which Leyden can afford. on which I regaled; and with the help of his "How I came here you are now to learn. wife, the handsome, good-natured woman whom Upon applying to Mr. B. to procure a lodging I saw eight years ago, we made out some cheer- for Henry Taylor and myself, he told me there ful conversation. Verbeyst tells me he is build- was a difficulty in doing it, gave a bad account ing a house on the Boulevards; the salle is as of Leyden lodgings, and proposed that we should large as the whole house which he now occu- both go to his house. Such an offer was not pies, the whole edifice big as the dwelling of an lightly to be accepted. Henry Taylor made inEnglish lord, and the garden as large as the quiries himself, and looked at lodgings which Grand Place. I am glad that the world goes would have contented us; but when he was so well with them." asked for how long they might be wanted, and This journey, however, was doomed to be an said a week or perhaps ten days, the people said unfortunate one, from an apparently trifling that for so short a time he might be lodged at cause. Before leaving England, my father had a hotel. The matter ended in my yielding to received a slight injury on the foot, owing to a solicitations which were so earnest that I could tight shoe, and traveling in hot weather had much not doubt their sincerity, and in his remaining at inflamed it; then at Bouchain the diseased spot the hotel. So on Tuesday morning Neville and was chosen by one of those little gentry, whose Arthur Malet departed for the Hague; they may name and presence are alike disagreeable, for fall in with us at Ghent or they may not, as it his attacks, and the wound soon assumed a some- may happen. And in the evening I and my what alarming appearance. At Antwerp, he lame leg, and my trunk and bag, were deposited says, " here I am a prisoner, with my foot poul- at Mr. Bilderdijk's. ticed, heartily wishing myself at home." After few days, however, the surge on permitted h * This reluctance quickly vanished before the kind a few days, however, the surgeon permitted him friendliness of the Bilderdijks.' I shall not easily forto proceed on his journey, which he did in great get," Mr. H. Taylor writes to him after their return, " the pain, suffering more from this trifling cause in easy confidence of good will and true welcome with pa, oreon t. causenwhich you threw yourself upon the sofa the first time one week than he ever remembered to have en- you entered the house, and the satisfaction to yourself (lured in his whole life; and when the party with which you rejoiced your host and hostess for three reached Leyden, he was again obliged to put weeks, by listening to all that the mind of the l'eer' reached Leyden, he was again obliged to put could unfold in his singular intertexture of tongues, and himself under a surgeon's hands. by accepting, and eating, and drinking all that the heart Here, however, he quickly and most fortu- of the'Vraue,'in her profusion of Dutch delicacies, could ~Herie, h~owevehqicladminve, equi nt. Such confidence as yours was certainly never nately met with kind friends and a temporary better bestowed." —H. T. to R. S., Oct. 20,1823, E E 434 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF zETAT. 51.' You may inmagine how curious I was to see wan in complexion as her cap: slender, and not the lady of the house,' and yet I did not see her ill made; and, were it not for this utter palewhen we first met, owino to the shade of the trees ness, she would be rather handsome. Another and the imperfectness of my sight. She was kind vrouw, who appears more rarely, is not in such and cordial, speaking English remarkably well, plain dress, but quite as odd in her way. Noth. and with very little hesitation, without any foreign ing can be more amusing than Mr. Bilderdijk's accent. The first night was not well managed: conversation. Dr. Bell is not more full of life. a supper had been prepared; which came so late, spirits, and enthusiasm I am reminded of him and lasted so long by the slowness which seems every minute, though the English is much more to characterize all operations in this country, that uncouth than Dr. Bell's.. He seems delighted to I did not get to bed till one o'clock. My bed- have a guest who can understandd and will listen room is on the ground floor, adjoining the sitting- to him; and is not a little pleased at discerning room in which we eat, and which is given up to how many points of resemblance there are beme. Every thing was perfectly comfortable and tween us; for he is as laborious as I have been: nice. I asked for mymilk at breakfast,t and when has written upon as many subjects; is just as Mr. Droesa, the surgeon, came in the morning, I much abused by the Iiberals in his country as I had the satisfaction of hearing that he should not am in mine, and does' contempt' them as heartdress the wound again in the evening, but leave ily and as merrily as I do. I am growing intiit four-and-twenty hours, because there was now mate with Mrs. Bilderdijk, about whom her husa disposition to heal. Mr. Bilderdijk brought band, in the overflowing of his spirits, tells me me some curious manuscripts of the eldest Dutch every thing. He is very fond of her and very poets; the morning passed pleasantly. Henry proud of her, as well he may; and, on her part: Taylor dined with us at half past two; dinner last- she is as proud of him. Her life seems almost ed, I hardly know how, till six or seven o'clock. a miracle after what she has gone through. I petitioned for such a supper as I am accustomed * * * i 4 to at home, got some cold meat accordingly, and " Friday morning.-My foot continues to was in bed before eleven. I slept well, and the mend, and proceeds as well as possible toward foot is proceeding regularly toward recovery. recovery. I can now, with the help of a stick, Mr. Droesa just left me before I begun to write. walk from room to room. My time passes very By Sunday I hope to be able to walk about the pleasantly. A more remarkable or interesting house, and then my imprisonment will soon be a person, indeed, than my host it was never my over. I am in no pain, and suffer no other in- fortune to meet with; and Mrs. Bilderdijk is not convenience than that of keeping the leg always less so. I shall have a great deal to talk about on a chair or settee. on my return. Early next week I hope to be at " You will now expect to hear something of liberty; and I may travel the better, because the establishment into which I have been thus, we move here by trekschuits, so that the leg unluckily shall I say, or luckily, introduced. The may be kept up. Now do not you vex yourself house is a good one, in a cheerful street, with a for an evil which is passed, and which has led to row of trees and a canal in front; large, and very pleasant consequences. Once more God with every thing good and comfortable about it. bless you! R. S." The only child, Lodowijk Willem, is at home, M. Bilderdijk being as little fond of schools as I I well remember my pleasure at receiving the am. The boy has a peculiar, and, to me, an in- following letter, being at that time seven years of teresting countenance. He is evidently of a age. It is, I think, so good a specimen of a letweak constitution; his dress neat, but formal, ter to a child, that the reader will not regret its and his behavior toward me amusing from his insertion. extreme politeness, and the evident pleasure with which he receives any attempt on my part To C. C. Southey. to address him, or any notice that I take of "Leyden, July 2, 1825. him at table. A young vrouw waits at table. I'MY DEAR CUTHBERT. wish you could see her, for she is a much odd- "I have a present for you from Lodowijk er figure than Maria Rosat appeared on her Willem Bilderdijk, a very nice, good boy, who first introduction, only not so cheerful a one. is of the age of your sister Isabel. It is a book Her chess is black and white, perfectly neat, of Dutch verses, which you and I will read toand not more graceful than a Beguine's. The gether when I come home. When he was a litcap, which is very little, and has a small front tie boy and was learning to write, his father, not projecting further than the green shade who is very much such a father as I am, made which I wear sometimes for my eyes, comes little verses for him to write in his copy-book; down to the roots of the hair, which is all combed and these verses pleased some good people so back on the forehead; and she is as white and much, that leave was asked to print them. They * She was not less curious to see him, and, on Mr. Bil- were printed from Lodowijk's writing, and have derdijk's return from the hotel, eagerly inquired " how hebeen thought so fit for th purpose, that a great looked;" to which the reply was given that " he looked as Mr. Southey ouzght to look:" a description which delighted many of them have been sold. Lodowijk will my father exceedingly. write his name and yours in the book. He is a t A basin of hot milk was for many years my father's r substitute for tea or coffee at breakfast. t A Portuguese servant. * Dr. Bell spoke with a strong Scotch accent. /ETAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 435 very gentle, good boy, and I hope that one of and good people *X where I learn these days somewhere or other he and you may more of the literature, present and past state, meet. and domestic manners of the country, than it "I must tell you about his stork. You should would have been possible for me to do in any know that there are a great many storks in this other manner. country, and that it is thought a very wicked "Yesterday Mr. Bilderdijk received a letter thing to hurt them. They make their nests, from Algernon Thelwall, who is at Amsterdam, which are as large as a great clothes basket, saying he had heard that I was here, and exupon the houses and churches, and frequently pressing a great desire to see me. Both Mr. when a house or church is built, a wooden frame and Mrs. Bilderdijk speak very highly of him. is made on the top for the storks to build in. This news is for your mamma. I shall have a Out of one of these nests a young stork had fall- great deal to tell her on my return. en, and somebody, wishing to keep him in a gar- " I hope you have been a good boy, and done den, cut one of his wings. The stork tried to every thing that you ought to do, while I am fly, but fell in Mr. Bilderdijk's garden, and was away. When I come home you shall begin to found there one morning almost dead; his legs read Jacob Cats with me. My love to your sisand his bill had lost their color, and were grown ters and to every body else. I hope Rumpelpale, and he would soon have died if Mrs. Bilder- stilzchen has recovered his health, and that Miss dijk, who is kind to every body and every thing, Cat is well, and I should like to know whether had not taken care of him, as we do of the dum- Miss Fitzrumpel has been given away, and if beldores when they have been in the house all there is another kitten. The Dutch cats do not night. She gave him food, and he recovered. speak exactly the same language as the English The first night they put him into a sort of sum- ones. I will tell you how they talk when I mer-house in the garden, which I can not de- come home. scribe to you, because I have not yet been there; " God bless you, my dear Cuthbert! the second night he walked to the door himself "Your dutiful father, that it might be opened for him. He was very" ROBERT SOUTHEY." fond of Lodowijk, and Lodowijk was as fond of his oyevaar, which is the name for stork in Dutch, To Mrs. Southey. though I am not sure that I have spelled it right- "Leyden, Thursday, July 7, 1825 ly, and they used to play together in such a man- MY DEAR EDITH, ner that his father says it was a pleasure to see " * * * This is our manner of them; for a stork is a large bird, tall and up- life. At eight in the morning Lodowijk knocks right, almost as tall as you are, or quite. The at my door. My movements in dressing are as oyevaar was a bad gardener; he ate snails, but regular as clock-work, and when I enter the adwith his great broad foot he did a great deal of joining room, breakfast is ready on a sofa-table, mischief, and destroyed all the strawberries and which is placed for my convenience close to the many of the smaller vegetables. But Mr. and sofa. There I take my place, seated on one Mrs. Bilderdijk did not mind this, because the cushion, and with my leg raised on another. oyevaar loved Lodowijk, and therefore they loved The sofa is covered with black plush. The the oyevaar, and sometimes they used to send a family take coffee, but I have a jug of boiled mile out of town to buy eels for him, when none milk. Two sorts of cheese are on the table, one could be had in Leyden. of which is very strong, and highly flavored with " The very day I came to their house the stork cummin and cloves: this is called Leyden cheese, flew away. His wings were grown, and most and is eaten at breakfast laid in thin slices on likely he thought it time to get a wife and settle bread and butter. The bread is soft, in rolls, in life. Lodowijk saw him rise up in the air which have rather skin than crust; the butter and fly away. Lodowijk was very sorry, not very rich, but so soft that it is brought in a pot only because he loved the oyevaar, but because to table, like potted meat. Before we begin Mr. he was afraid the oyevaar would not be able to B. takes off a little gray cap, and a silent grace get his own living, and therefore would be is said, not longer than it ought to be; when it starved. On the second evening, however, the is over he generally takes his wife's hand. They stork came again and pitched upon a wall near. sit side by side opposite me; Lodowijk at the It was in the twilight, and storks can not see at end of the table. About ten o'clock Mr. Droesa all when it is dusk; but whenever Lodowijk comes and dresses my foot, which is swathed in called Oye! oye! (which was the way he used one of my silk handkerchiefs. I bind a second to call him), the oyevaar turned his head toward round the bottom of the pantaloon, and if the the sound. He did not come into the garden. weather be cold I put on a third, so that the leg Some fish was placed there for him, but in the has not merely a decent, but rather a splendid morning he was gone, and had not eaten it; so appearance. After breakfast and tea Mrs. B. we suppose that he is married, and living very washes up the china herself at the table. Part happily with his mate, and that now and then he of the morning Mr. B. sits with me. During will come and visit the old friends who were so the rest I read Dutch, or, as at present, retire good to him. into my bed-room and write. Henry Taylor " It is very happy for me that I am in so con- calls in the morning, and is always pressed to fortable a house, and with such excellently kind dine, which he does twice or thrice in the week. 436 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF jETAT. 51. We dine at half past two or three, and the din- at Deventer.* Twice we have had the young ners, to my great pleasure, are altogether Dutch. Count Hoogmandorp, a fine young man, one of You know I am a valiant eater, and having re- the eight who for six weeks watched day and tained my appetite as well as my spirits during night by Mr. B. in his illness; and once a Dr. this confinement, I eat every thing which is put Burgman, a young man of singular appearance before me. Mutton and pork never appear, be- and much learning, drank tea here. My host's ing considered unfit for any person who has a conversation is amusing beyond any thing I ever wound, and pepper, for the same reason, is but heard. I can not hope to describe it so as to sparingly allowed. Spice enters largely into make you conceive it. The matter is always their cookery; the sauce for fish resembles cus- so interesting, that it would alone suffice to keep tard rather than melted butter, and is spiced. one's attention on the alert; his manner is bePerch, when small (in which state they are con- yond expression animated, and his language the sidered best), are brought up swimming in a most extraordinary that can be imagined. Even tureen. They look well, and are really very my French can not be half so odd. It is English good. With the roast meat (which is in small pronounced like Dutch, and with such a mixpieces), dripping is presented in a butter-boat. ture of other language, that it is an even chance The variety of vegetables is great. Peas, peas whether the next word that comes be French, of that kind in which the pod also is eaten, purs- Latin, or Dutch, or one of either tongues shaped lain, cauliflowers, abomainations, kidney beans, into an English form. Sometimes the oddest carrots, turnips, potatoes. But, besides these, imaginable expressions occur. When he would many very odd things are eaten with meat. I say'I was pleased,' he says'I was very pleashad stewed apples, exceedingly sweet and high- ant;' and instead of saying that a poor woman ly spiced, with roast fowl yesterday; and another was wounded, with whom he was overturned in day, having been helped to some stewed quinces, a stage-coach in England, he said she was severeto my utter surprise, some ragout of beef was to ly blessed. Withal, whatever he says is so full of be eaten with them. I never know, when I be- information, vivacity, and character, and there is gin a dish, whether it is sugared or will require such a thorough good nature, kindness, and franksalt; yet every thing is very good, and the pud- ness about him, that I never felt myself more dings excellent. The dinner lasts very long. interested in any man's company. Every moment Strawberries and cherries always follow. Twice he reminds me more and more of Dr. Bell. we had cream with the strawberries, very thick we had cream with the strawberries, very thick, Fette de Dieu, the king committed the gross offense to his and just in the first stage of sourness. We have own religion of having his palace decorated in honor of had melons also, and currants-the first Which the procession. This could not gratify his Romish subhave been prAoduced. fe cfe te la jects so much as it has disgusted all those who know how have been produced. After coffee they leave to appreciate the blessings of the Reformation; for the me to an hour's nap. Tea follows. Supper at great body of the Dutch people are attached to that rehalf past nine, when Mr. B. takes milk, and I a ligion, the enjoyment of which their ancestors purchased so dearly. little cold meat with pickles, or the gravy of the ", The government has followed that base policy which meat preserved in a form like jelly * olives are all restored kings seem to follow, as if to show, if persons alone were to be considered, how little they have deserved used as pickles, and at half past ten I go to bed. their restoration. The old enemies of the house of Orange Mr. B. sits up till three or four, living almost are favored and preferred; the old friends, true servants without sleep. and sufferers in their cause, are left with their sufferings for their reward. The system of Liberalisni prevails; " Twice we had a Frisian here, whom we the press is made an engine of mischief here as in Enmay probably see at Keswick, as he talkls of go- gland; and every thing that presumptuous ignorance and to Eng. li tephilosophism can do, is doing to undermine the religion ing to England on literary business. Halberts- and morals of the people. mat is his name, and he is a Mennonite pastor "During the triumph of the anti-stadtholder faction, popular feeling manifested itself in some odd ways. The body of the people have always been gratefully attached * Broad beans, which he always so denominated. to the house of Orange, as it became them to be. To pret "Mr. Halbertsma is a very good and learned man, vent all manifestation of that feeling, the ruling fstction who has particularly directed his attention to the early forbade the market-women to expose carrots for sale. languages of these countries, and is now planning a jour- They were enjoined, on pain of fine, to keep them coverney to England for the purpose of transcribing some MSS. ed under other greens. Carroty cats were hunted down of Junius's which are at Oxford. He speaks English, and to be extirpated, and marigolds rooted up by men sent for made his first essay at conversing with an Englishman the purpose. Of course, such measures provoked the with me. His pronunciation was surprisingly good, con- spirit which they were desired to suppress. The fishsidering that till that moment he had never heard English women cried orange-salmon through the streets, marigold spoken by an Englishman. But the Frisians have nothing seeds were scattered every where, and particularly in the in their own language which it is necessary for them to gardens of the factious, and pigeons were dyed orange forget: he read me some verses in their tongue that I color and let fly. The two latter tricks excited some sumight hear the pronunciation. To my ear they were perstitious feeling. much less harsh than the Dutch, being wholly free friom " The University here has sadly declined. There are gutturals. The language, however, is regarded as a bar- not thirty professors, and not more than 300 students. barous dialect." I subjoin a few other extracts from his The want of able men and the appointment of unfit ones Journal: has occasioned the decline. Freshmen are called 7grces, "Very few of the Mennonites retain the orthodox faith and a ceremony was (and perhaps is) used in ungreening of their fathers. In this generation they have generally them, and admitting them to their full academical privilapsed into Socinianism, which, with other kindred isms, leges. Bread, according to its degree of fi-neness, was prevails extensively in Holland, Pantheism being the stage called in military and academic towns, fiom the rank of to which the speculative Atheists in this country proceed. those who might be supposed to eat it, cadet's, captain's, Another people, like the unbelievers in England, all act or colonel's bread; and here, fiom n geens' up to profesin favor of Roomanism and in league with it. Their prin- sor's bread; the sort above which was called prophet's. ciple is. that superstition is necessary for the vulgar; so If a fisherman offered for sale a remlarkably fine and large, they would have a papal establishment, with infidel priests fish, a haddock, for example, he will say it is a professor and an indifferent government. The Romanists are pal- among haddocks."-From? his Jozurnal. pably favored, and visibly increase in numbers. At the * The Mennonites were Dutch Baptists. EITAT. 51. ROBERT SOUTH EY. 437 "I gather by one word which dropped from constitute the excellence and peculiarity of the him that Mrs. B. is his second wife. They are. Deventer cake. I shall have much to tell you, proud of each other, as well they may. She has for I know not where I have heard so much to written a great many poems, some of which are amuse, so much to affect, so much to interest published jointly with some of his, and others by and inform me as since I have been a prisoner themselves. Many of them are devotional, and here.'' - - many relate to her own feelings under the various "Love to the children. God bless you, my trials and sufferings which she has undergone. dear Edith! In some of them I have been reminded some- "Your affectionate husband, R. S." times of some of my own verses, in others of Miss Bowles's. One would think it almost im- To Miss Katherine Southey. possible that a person so meek, so quiet, so re- "Amsterdam, Saturday, July 16, 1825, tiring, so altogether without display, should be a " MY DEAR KATE successful authoress, or hold the first place in " -, Tuesday we had a pleasant her country as a poetess. The profits of litera- day on the water, and saw at the sluices of the ture here are miserably small. In that respect, Rhine enough to undeceive us concerning the I am, in relation to them, what Sir Walter Scott common statements about this country. That is in relation to me. Lodowijk (thus the name the sea is higher than the towers of Leyden is is spelled) is a nice, good boy, the only survivor altogether false: the truth is, that the general of seven children. He is full of sensibility, and level of Holland is above the low-water mark, I look at him with some apprehension, for he is and a little below that of high-water; and not strong, and I fear this climate, which suits though the lands are much below the rivers and his father better than any other, is injurious to canals, it is because the beds of the rivers have him. Tell Cuthbert that the oyevaar has paid been raised by what they bring down, or because him another visit, and that Lodowijk's other the lands were formerly large meres or deep playmate is a magnificent tabby cat, as old as morasses, which have been drained. Wedneshimself, who, however, is known by no other day I went with Henry Taylor to the Hague, name than puss, which is good Dutch as well as saw the museum of pictures, called on one of English. my Dutch curmudgeons, Mr. De Clere, who is " English books are so scarce here that they an improvisatore poet, and returned in the evenhave never seen any work of mine except Rod- ing. Thursday I settled my business as to eric. Of course I have ordered over a complete booksellers. Oh, joy when that chest of gloriset of my poems and the History of Brazil, and ous folios shall arrive at Keswick! the pleasure as E. May is in London, I have desired her to of unpacking, of arranging them on the new add, as a present from herself to Mrs. B., a copy shelves that must be provided, and the whole of Kirke White's Remains. I can never suffi- year's repast after supper which they will afford ciently show my sense of the kindness which I am After dinner we took what Mr. Bilderdijk calls experiencing here. Think what a difference it a walk in a carriage, and drank tea in a village, is to be confined in a hotel, with all the dis- where we had a very entertaining scene with comforts, or to be in such a family as this, who the hostess-a woman shaped very much like a show by every word and every action that they jumping Joan, supposing the said Joan to be tall, are truly pleased in having me under their roof. and lean in the upper half. Her birth-day had "I manage worst about my bed. I know occurred a few days before, and on that occasion not how many pillows there are, but there is one a poem had been addressed to her by the surlittle one which I used for my head till I found geon's man: this poem she brought to Mr. Bilthat it was intended for the small of my back. derdijk to read, and he read it just as Mr. WordsEvery thing else I can find instruction for, but worth would have read a piece of doggerel, if here is nobody to teach one how to get into a under like circumstances it had been brought to Dutch bed, or how to lie in one. A little bottle him in some such public house as John Stanley's. of brandy is placed on the dressing-table, to be The woman stood by in silent delight at hearing used in cleansing the teeth. Saffron is used in her own praises entoned by his powerful voice, some of the soups and sauces. The first dish and set off by his gestures and emphatic manner: yesterday was marrow in a tureen, which was Mrs. Bilderdijk kept her countenance to admiraeaten upon toast. I eat every thing, but live in tion. I sat by, not knowing whether the verses daily fear of something like suety pudding or were good or bad, but infinitely amused by the tripe. About an hour before dinner a handsome scene, and the girl of the public house coming mahogany case containing spirits is produced; a out at the unusual sound, stood among the shrubs glass waiter is taken out of it, and little tum- of the garden listening-like Eve in the Paradise blers with gilt edges, and we have then a glass Lost. of liqueur with a slice of cake. Deventer cake " Yesterday our kind friends accompanied us it is called; and an odd history belongs to it. a little way in the trekschuit on our departure. The composition is usually intrusted only to the and we parted with much regret on both sides. burgomaster of that city, and when the baker If Mr. Bilderdijk can muster spirits for the unhas made all the other ingredients ready, the dertaking, they will come and pass a summer chief magistrate is called upon, as part of his with me, which of all things in the world would duty, to add that portion of the materials which give me most pleasure, for never did I meet with 438 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 52. more true kindness than they have shown me, or to Mrs. Philips, and desires me to say she has with two persons who have in so many essential not forgotten the few but pleasant hours in which respects so entirely pleased me. Lodowijk, too, we enjoyed your conversation seven summers is a very engaging boy, and attached himself ago. greatly to me; he is the only survivor of eight " Yours with sincere esteem and regard, children whom Mr. Bilderdijk has had by his "ROBERT SOUTHEY." present wife, and of seven by the first! I can truly say, that, unpleasant as the circumstance To Henry Taylor, Esq. was which brought me under their roof, no part "Keswick, Oct. 22,1825. of my life ever seemed to pass away more rapid-: MvY DEAR H. T., ly or more pleasantly. We got to Harlaem by'* * 4" dinner-time, and to Amsterdam afterward. Canning came here from Lowther, and sat about " God bless you, my dear child! half an hour with me. My acquaintance with " Your aftectionate father, R. S." him is of some five years standing, and of course slight, as it is very rarely that circumstances To the Rev. Robert Philip. bring me in his way. Had we been thrown to"Keswick, Aug. 15,1825. gether in early life-that is, if I had been three "My DEAR SIR, years older, and had been sent to Eton instead "On returning home after an absence of sev- of Westminster-we might probably have beeral weeks. I found, and was pleased to find, come friends.'Very ordinary intelligence' has your friendly letter and the books which accom- never sufficed for me in the choice of my assopanied it. For the one relating to South Amer- ciates, unless there was extraordinary kindness ica, I must beg you to express my thanks where of disposition, or strength of moral character to they are due. Having inquired so diligently into compensate for what was wanting. When these the history and condition of that wide country are found, I can do very well without great talduring many years, I am glad to possess any ents; but without them, the greatest talents have documents which may enable me to correct or no attractions for me. If Canning were my neighotherwise improve the result of my researches. bor, we might easily become familiar, for we But it will not be my fortune to revise the work.! should find topics enough of common interest, Excepting Mrs. Baillie's little book concerning and familiarity grows naturally out of an easy Lisbon, I have not reviewed a book of travels for intercourse where that is the case. But I am many years. very sure that his good opinion of me would not "I thank you for your own volume. You be increased by any thing that he would see of have undertaken a labor of love where it was me in general society. greatly needed, and you will have your reward. With regard to my writings, I am well aware I can not doubt but that some of the seed which that some of them are addressed to a comparayou have sown will take root and bring forth tively small part of the public, out of which they fruit. will not be read. Probably not half a dozen even "No person can look with more eagerness of those persons who are most attached to me than 1 do for your Life and Times of Whitefield, ever read all that I have published. But if imnor will any one who peruses it be better dis- mediate reputation were my object, I know not posed to be pleased with the perusal. The points how it could more surely be attained than by on which I may expect you to differ from me are writing to such different classes as those amono not unimportant ones, but they are less import- I whom my different books find readers for the ant than those on which I am sure that we agree; sake of the subject matter. The truth, however, and my temper will always lead me to consider is, that this never enters into my consideration. a fair and generous opponent almost as a friend. I take up a subject because it interests me. I " I am busied at present in demolishing the treat it in the manner which seemeth best in my flimsy sophistries of Mr. Butler, treating him, own eyes, and when it has been sent forth to take however, with the courtesy which is due to a its chance, the only care which I have concernkind-hearted man and an old acquaintance. Mil- | ing it is to correct and improve it in case it should ner will receive a different treatment. What be reprinted. think you of his saying Whitefield believed that " The Bishop of Chester has been here, and the Angel Gabriel attended on his congregation, Mackintosh breakfasted with me and spent an and quoted a story which I have told to prove evening also. He has been in Holland, but knows it? He says also that I have avowed the Mo- Bilderdijk only by name and by reputation. ravian doctrine of instantaneous conversion, and 1 " My books arrived about a month ago, and I refers to a passage (vol. iv., p. 159) which ex- have been in a high state of enjoyment ever since. poses the fallacy of the reasoning by which Wes- But I have had another pleasure since their arley was led to believe it. And of such direct rival, wllich is to learn that the second edition and impudent falsehoods his strictures are full. of Wadding's Annales Minorum, for want of I have, however, rather to enlarge my state- which I was fain to purchase the first of Verments than to vindicate them, and the greater beyst, has been bought for me at Rome by Senpart of my book will be historical and biograph- house, this being seventeen volumes, the first ical. only eight. To me, who desire always the full"Mrs. Southey joins with me in rememnbrance;est materials for whatever I undertake, this is a AETAT.51. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 439 great acquisition. My after-supper book at pres- The subject comes home to every body, and that ent is Erasmus's Letters, from which I know not Yarmouth story is one of the most touching inwhether I derive most pleasure or profit. cidents I ever remember to have heard. As an "The tendency of my ecclesiastical writings, example to prove how much a principle of huwhether controversial or historical, is not to dis- manity is wanting, look by all means for an acturb established delusions, but to defend estab- count of the Foundling Hospital at Dublin, where lished truths. It is not to any difference of re- the most damnable inhumanity of its kind upon ligion that the better character of the lower or- record was practiced by the nurses for a course ders in France must be ascribed-the persons of years. The mortality was monstrous. I who are under forty years of age and above think it appeared that these wretches who dealt twenty having grown up without any-but to in infant suffering used sometimes to murder the the difference of national manners, amusements, children by sitting upon them in the carts where&c., the way in which our manufactures are oar- in they conveyed them from the hospital to the ried on, and the effect which, within the last country. thirty years, the poor-laws have produced. So " The change of ministry in the Quarterly far, however, as religion comes into the account, Review is the only change of such a kind which it is in favor of the French for these reasons, could have affected me for evil and for good. that the lowest class have a religion there, which " As for my importance to the Review, it is here very generally they have not (I speak of very little. Just at this juncture I might do large towns and manufacturing districts where harm by withdrawing from it; but at any other the neglected population have outgrown the time I should be as little missed as I shall be, churches); that a bad religion is better than except in my own family and in some half a none; and that the effects of the Roman Catho- dozen hearts besides, whenever death shakes lie system (as of Methodism) become more and hands with me. The world closes over one as more injurious as you trace them up from the easily as the waters. Not, however, that I shall lowest to the higher ranks. This I shall this sink to be forgotten. minute note as a subject to be pursued in my "But as for present effect, the reputation of Colloquies. > * * s the Review is made, and papers of less pith and " God bless you! R. S." moment than mine would serve the bookseller's purpose quite as well, and amuse the great body To Dr. Gooch. of readers, who read only for amusement or for " Keswick, Dec. 18,1825. fashion, more. God bless you! "MY DEAR GoocH, Yours affectionately, " I can not refer you to any other account of the "R. SOUTHEY." Sisters of Charity than is to be found in Helyot's Histoire des Ordres Monastiques, a very meager To Henry Taylor, Esq. but useful book; compared to what a history ought "Keswick, Dec. 31, 1825. to be, it is somewhat like what a skeleton is to " MY DEAR H. T., the body. When I was first in the Low Coun- " I have pursued so little method in my own tries, I endeavored to collect what information I studies at any time of my life, that I am, in truth, could concerning the Beguines, and got into their very little qualified to direct others. Having principal establishment at Ghent. Their history been fiom youth, and even childhood, an omnivis curiously uncertain, which I found not only orous reader, I found myself, when I commenced from themselves, but from pursuing the subject man, with a larger stock of general information in books; and as I have those books at hand, I than young men usually possess, and the desulcan at any time tell you what is not known about tory reading in which I have always indulged them, for to that the information which they con- (making it, indeed, my whole and sole recreation) tain amounts. The Beguines are as much es- has proved of the greatest use when I have been teemed in the Low Countries as the Sceurs de la pursuing a particular subject through all its ramCharite in France; but I have incidentally learned ifications. from books that scandal used to be busy with "With regard to metaphysics I know nothing, them. A profession of religion naturally affords and therefore can say nothing. Coleridge, I am cover for hypocrisy, and it is therefore to be ex- sure, knows all that can be known concerning pected that scandal should sometimes arise, and them; and if your friend can get at the kernel more frequently be imputed; but the general of his'Friend' and his'Aids to Reflection,' he utility of the institution is unquestionable; and I may crack peach-stones without any fear of do not know that there is any thing to be set breaking his teeth. For logic-that may be conagainst it, for they are bound by no vows, nor to sidered indispensable, but how far that natural any of those observances which are at once ab- logic which belongs to good sense is assisted or surd and onerous. I will have the notes which impeded by the technicalities of the schools, I made concerning them at Ghent transcribed for others are better able to determine than I am, you. As your adventures were in Flanders, not for I learned very little, and nothing which I ever in France, have you not mistaken the Beguines learned stuck by me unless I liked it. for the Sisters of Charity? " The rules for composition appear to me very "It is not surprising that your letters in Black- simple inasmuch as any style is peculiar, the wood should have produced so much impression. peculiarity is a fault, and the proof of this is the 440 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 52. easiness with which it is imitated, or, in other much greater profit. All travels are worth readwords, caught. You forgive it in the original ing, as subsidiary to reading, and, in fact; essenfor its originality, and because originality is usu- tial parts of it: old or new, it matters notally connected with power. Sallust and Tacitus something is to be learned from all. And the are examples among the Latins, Sir T. Brown, custom of making brief notes of reference to Gibbon, and Johnson among our own authors; every thing of interest or importance would be but look at the imitations of Gibbon and John- exceeding useful. son! My advice to a young writer is, that he " Enough of this. Do you know who wrote should weigh well what he says, and not be anx- that paper in Blackwood which you sent me? ious concerning how he says it; that his first for I should like to know. Whoever the author object should be to express his meaning as per- be, I very much agree with him. But when you spicuously, his second as briefly as he can, and say that conciliation and comprehension should in this every thing is included. be the policy of the Church, I agree only as to "One of our exercises at Westminster was to the latter. Comprehension is the principle upon abridge the book which we were reading. I which the Articles were framed, but for concilibelieve that this was singularly useful to me. ating enemies, Heaven bless those who attempt The difficulties in narration are to select and to it! There are two things which may endanger arrange. The first must depend upon your judg- the Church. The Catholic Question is one, scanment. For the second, my way is, when the dalous promotions are the other. Its safety just matter does not dispose itself to my liking, and now consists in public opinion acting upon the I can not readily see how to connect one part government in both cases, and in some degree with another naturally, or make an easy transi- controlling it. The bigotry which is in the tion, to lay it aside. What I should bungle at Church is hurtful enough, but not so hurtful as now may be hit off to-morrow; so, when I come the promotion of unworthy men who take the to a stop in one work, I lay it down and take up bigoted party just as they would take the stronanother. gest side in case of danger. "For a statesman, the first thing requisite is X * * * to be well read in history. Our politicians are "A humorous French criticism upon the Tale continually striking upon rocks and shallows of Paraguay has found its way into the Westwhich are all laid down in the chart. As this moreland Gazette, that I have shown off my prois the most important and most interesting branch fessional knowledge too much in dwelling upon of knowledge, so also is it one to which there is vaccination and the cow-pox. This I get by my no end. The more you read the more you de- doctorship. sire to read, and the more you find there is to be " God bless you! R. S." read; and yet I would say this to encourage the student, not to dismay him, for there is no pleas- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ure like this perpetual acquisition and perpetual " Keswick, Feb. 18, 1826. pursuit. For an Englishman there is no single MY DEAR GROSVENOR, historical work with which it can be so necessary * * * * * for him to be well and thoroughly acquainted as " You can not hold the Bullion Question in with Clarendon. I feel at this time perfectly greater abhorrence than I do. It is the worst assured, that if that book had been put into my I plague that ever came out of Pandora's Scotch hands in youth, it would have preserved me from ] mull. I can not but think that government is all the political errors which I have outgrown. altogether wrong in abolishing small notes; they It may be taken for granted that - knows this should allow of none which have not the stamp book well. The more he reads concerning the of national credit, but without small bills there history of those times, the more highly he will ap- will be a want of sufficient currency. And as preciate the wisdom and the integrity of Claren- for forgery, Heaven help the wits of those who don. For general histories of England, Hume's do not perceive that for one who can forge there is not ranked higher than it deserves for its man- will be twenty who can coin. Peel has never ner, and the perpetual presence of a clear intel- recovered the credit with me which he lost by lect. Henry may be classed with Rapin as la- becoming a bullionist, and Ricardo's opinion I borious and heavy. I have never had an oppor- hold in so little respect that I am glad he has tunity of reading Carte, in whom I believe there not an English name. is much good matter. For matter and research, " Do you remember me buying a Dutch gramTurner's is very much the best, as far as it goes. mar in the' cool May' of 1799, and how we But were your friend, as an exercise in composi- were amused at Brixton with the Dutch gramtion, to undertake the history of a single reign, marian who pitied himself, and loved his good it would surprise him to find into how wide a and rich brother? That grammar is in use field of reading he would be led, and how much now; and Cuthbert and I have begun upon Jahe would discover that has been overlooked. cob Cats, who, in spite of his name, and of the "The advice I would give any one who is ill-looking and not-much-better-sounding landisposed really to read for the sake of knowledge, guage in which he wrote, I verily believe to is. that he should have two or three books in have been the most useful poet that any country course of reading at the same time. He will ever produced. In Bilderdijk's youth, Jacob read a great deal more in that time and with Cats was to be found in every respectable house ETAT. 52. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 441 throughout Holland, lying beside the hall Bible. tune began at Douay, whither I went on my outOne of his longer poems, which describes the ward journey, partly for the sake of taking a line course of female life, and female duties from which 1 had not traveled before; chiefly because childhood to the grave, was in such estimation, I had an ancestor buried there, the first Sir Herthat an ornamental edition of it was printed sole- bert Croft, who turned Romanist in the reign of ly for bridal presents. He is, in the best sense James I., and died there among the Benedictines. of the word, a domestic poet; intelligible to the Happily for me, his son returned to the faith in humblest of his readers, while the dexterity and which he had been borne. I wished to see his felicity of his diction make him. the admiration grave; but when I came to the Benedictine of those who are best able to appreciate the church, I was in the same case as Yorick, when merits of his style. And for useful practical he looked for the tombs of Amandus and Amanda. morals, maxims for every-day life, lessons that The church had been gutted, the monuments find their way through the understanding to the destroyed, in the Revolution; and the crypt, heart, and fix themselves there, I know of no wherein he was buried, was filled with rubbish. poet who can be compared to him. Mi Cats However, I saw the shell of the building; and I inter omnes. Cedite Romani Scriptores, cedite saw, also, the outside of that college where so Graii! many treasons had been plotted, and so much "I believe you know (which is not yet to be mischief for these kingdoms hatched. But at made known) that I have engaged to continue Douay or at Bouchain I was bitten on the foot Warton's History of English Poetry, and bring by the vilest of all insects; an accidental hurt, it down to the close of the last century; that is, which was but just healed, had disposed the part I mean to conclude with Hayley, Cowper, and for inflammation. The weather was intensely Darwin, and stop just where my own time be- hot; by the time I reached Antwerp, I was ungins. It is to be in three or four octavo volumes, able to put that foot to the ground; and having as the subject may require, for which I am to proceeded to Leyden, whither, happily, I had a have E500 each, paid as each is finished. What strong motive for proceeding, I was told that, leads me to speak of this is, that you may un- had the inflammation continued to proceed for derstand how I am led from history and polemics another day, the limb would have been in danto the humaner study of Jacob Cats. My plan, ger. So there I lay nearly three weeks under a like Warton's, includes and requires excursive surgeon's hands. Such, however, was my good views of the literature of other countries. How fortune, that I never passed three weeks more far these commercial storms may extend, there happily. Bilderdijk, whose wife translated Rodis no foreseeing; but as I am not to begin print- eric into Dutch verse, and who is himself, take ing before the beginning of next year, it is likely him for all in all, the most extraordinary and adthat things will go on smoothly again by that mirable person whom I have ever known, took time. me into his house. Here I was nursed as if I:* * X X * * had been their brother; and thither, as they can " God bless you! R. S." not come and visit me, I am going to see them once more; were Leyden ten times as distant as To the Lord Bishop of Limerick (Dr. Iebb). it is, I would take the journey, for the pleasure "Keswick, April 17,1826. which I shall give and receive. I knew him " MY LORD, only by letter till I was cast upon their compas-'"I will be at your door at ten o'clock on sion. But Bilderdijk is one of those men whose Saturday, the 20th of May, unless any mishap openness of heart you perceive at first sight; should prevent me. and when I came to know them both, if I had " It was not without some degree of shame sought the world over, it would not have been that I received your kind letter-the shame possible for me to have found two persons with which arises from a consciousness of having whom I should have felt myself more entirely in omitted what ought to have been done; for I unison, except, indeed, that my host stands up, have often thought of writing to you, and intend- like a true Hollander of the old stamp, for the ed to write, and as often some avocation has Synod of Dort. made me postpone it till that more convenient He is above seventy years of age, and conseason, which never arrives for one who is al- sidering what he has gone through in mind and ways employed, and but too frequently inter- body, it is marvelous that he is alive. From rupted. infancy he has been an invalid; and in childhood My last year's journey proved an eventful was saved, after his case was pronounced hopeone, both for evil and good. I traveled in the less, by a desperate experiment of his own fahope of cutting short an annual catarrh, which ther's-to change the whole mass of his blood by is of such a nature that, unless the habit of its frequent bleeding. But, in consequence, his sysrecurrence can be overcome, its work must, in tem acquired such a habit of making blood, that a very few visits more, be completed. The ex- periodical bleeding has been necessary from that periment succeeded perfectly, and so far all was time; and now, in his old age, after every enwell. I sent home, also, a goodly consignment deavor to prolong the intervals, he is bled every of folios and of smaller fry from Brussels and six weeks. His pulse is always that of a feverfrom Leyden; heavy artillery, to be mounted in ish man. He has never slept more than four ny batteries against Babylon. But my ill for- hours in the four-and-twenty, and wakes always F 2 442 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 52. unrefreshed, and in a state of discomfort, as if port, was founded in good common sense and sleep exhausted him more than the perpetual in- as a corollary, that if some more effectual step tellectual labor in which he is engaged. None is not put to the erection of new cotton mills, of his countrymen have written so much, or so &c., than individual prudence is ever likely to variously, or so well; this is admitted by his ene- afford, at some time or other the steam-eng'ine mies; and he has for his enemies the whole body will blow up this whole fabric of society. Three of Liberals and time-servers. His fortune was years ago, I was assured that, at the rate of incompletely wrecked in the Revolution; and hav- crease then going on in Manchester, that place ing been the most confidential and truest friend would, in ten years, double its manufacturing of the Stadtholder, he has received the usual re- population. When we hear of the prosperity of ward of fidelity after a Restoration. The house those districts, it means that they are manufacof Orange, like other restored families, has turing more goods than the world can afford a thought it politic to show favor to their enemies market for, and the ebb is then as certain as the and neglect their friends. A small pension of flow; and in some neap tide, Radicalism, Reabout c140 is all that he has; and a professor- bellion, and Ruin will rush in through the breach ship, which the king had promised, is withheld, which hunger has made. lest the Liberals should be offended. You have had more than your share of this " His life has been attempted in popular com- world's business. I doubt whether any other motions; he has almost wanted bread for his man who has worked so hardly has worked so family in exile, having had eight children by a continuously and so long. Our occupations withfirst wife, seven by the present! one boy of draw us all too much from nearer and more lasttwelve years old is the only one left, whose dis- ing concerns. Time and nature, especially when position is every thing that can be desired, but aided by any sorrows, prepare us for better inhis constitution so feeble that it is impossible to fluences; and when we feel what is wanting, we look at him without fear. The mother is four- seek and find it. The clouds then disperse, and and-twenty years younger than her husband, and the evening is calm and clear, even till night in every respect worthy of him; I have never closes. seen a woman who was more to be admired and " Long and intimate conversance with Romish esteemed for every thing womanly; no stran- and sectarian history, with all the varieties of gers would suppose that so unassuming a person hypocritical villainy and religious madness, has was in high repute as a poetess. Bilderdijk's given me the fullest conviction of the certainty intellectual rank is at once indicated by his coun- and importance of these truths, from the pervertenance; but he is equally high-minded and sion and distortion of which these evils and humble, in the best sense of those epithets; and abuses have grown. There is not a spark of both are so suited to each other, so resigned to fanaticism left in my composition: whatever their fortunes, so deeply and quietly religious, there was of it in youth, spent itself harmlessly and, therefore, so contented, so thankful, and so in political romance. I am more in danger, happy, that it must be my own fault if I am not therefore, of having too little of theopathy than the better for having known them. too much-of having my religious faith more in " This theme has made me loquacious. You the understanding than in the heart. In the see that, if I suffered for visiting Holland in- understanding I am sure it is I hope it is in stead of Ireland, the evil was amply overpaid. both. This good in myself my ecclesiastical For your renewed invitation I can not thank you pursuits have certainly effected. And if I live as I ought, nor say more at present than that in to finish the whole of my plans, I shall do better all likelihood I shall be most happy to accept service to the Church of England than I could it. We shall see what twelve months will bring ever have done as one of its ministers, had I forth. kept to the course which it was intended that I " Farewell, my lord, till May 20. I beg my should pursue. There is some satisfaction in kind regards to Mr. Forster, and remain, thinking thus. God bless you! R. S.' With sincere respect and esteem, your lordship's obliged and faithful servant, In the following month of June, my father, in' ROBERT SOUTHEY.s ) | company with Mr. H. Taylor and Mr. Rickman, made a short tour in Holland, and again visited To Johl Rickmans, Esq. the Bilderdijks in Leyden. This was a rapid "Keswick, April 26, 1826. journey, and his letters during the course of it "My DEAR R., do not possess sufficient novelty to interest the' *X * * * I can have reader. His return home was a mournful one: no opinion about the Corn Laws, having no con- he found his youngest daughter, Isabel, laid on cern in them, which might make me overcome a bed of sickness, from which she never rose. an habitual or natural inaptitude for such corn- Well do I, though but a child, remember that plicated questions. But with regard to the gen- return, as we hastened to meet him, and changeral question of Free Trade, I incline to think ed. by our sorrowful tidings, his cheerful smile that the old principle, upon which companies of and glad welcome to tears and sadness. It was the various trades were formed for the purpose the first time I had seen sorrow enter that happy of not allowing more craftsmen or traders of one home: and those days of alternate hope and fear, calling in one place than the business would sup- and how he paced the garden in uncontrollable STAT. 52. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 443 anguish, and gathered us around him to prayer with me have made him well acquainted with when all was over, are vividly impressed on my my temper and every-day state of mind. He mind. has shown himself very much attached to me, This, too, was the " beginning of troubles;" and would neither want will nor ability for what and from this shock my mother's spirits, weak- will not be a difficult task, inasmuch as that ened by former trials, and always harassed by which is of most importance, and would require the necessary anxieties of an uncertain income, most care, will (if my life be spared but for a never wholly recovered. year or two) be executed by my own hand. You do not know, I believe, that I have made To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. some progress in writing my own life and recoi"Sunday night, July 16, 1826. lections upon a large scale. This will be of " M DEAR GROSVENOR, such certain value as a post obit, that I shall " I have lost my sweet Isabel. There was make it a part of may regular business (being, hope of her recovery till yesterday evening, when indeed, a main duty) to complete it. What is my misgivings were dreadfully confirmed by written is one of the things which I am desirous symptoms which I knew too well. This even- of showing you. If you ever look over my leting she departed in a swoon, without a struggle, ters, I wish you would mark such passages as as if falling asleep. might not be improper for publication at the time " Under this heavy affliction we have the sup- which I am looking forward to. You, and you port of religion-the sure and only source of alone, have a regular series which has never been comfort. I am perfectly tranquil and master of intermitted. From occasional correspondents, myself, suffering most for what my wife suffers, plenty of others, which, being less confidential, who yet exerts herself with Christian fortitude. are less careless, will turn up. I will leave a But the body can not be controlled like the mind, list of those persons from whom such letters may and I fear I shall long feel the effects of an be obtained, as may probably be of avail. anxiety which has shaken every fiber. Were it "I am not weary of the world, nor is the not for the sake of my family, how gladly would world weary of me but it is fitting that I should I also depart and be at rest. prepare, in temporal matters, for the separation " God bless you, my dear Grosvenor. which must take place between us, in the course " R. S." of years, at no very distant time, and which may occur at any hour. To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. " Our love to Miss Page. She will feel for us "July 19, 1826. the more, because she knows what we have lost. " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, " God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! " TereeaTrat. I have seen the mortal remains R. S." of my sweet Isabel committed earth to earth. And what I must now do is, to find occupation I can not better conclude this chapter than in the business of this world, and comfort in the with the following beautiful letter: thought of the next. The loss which I suffered ten years ago was greater; the privation, per- To Edith alay, Bertha, and Katherine South ey. haps, not so great; and there were not so many "July 19, 1826. to partake and augment the sorrow. "MY DEAR DAUGIHTERS, "It would be acting a fiiend's part, Grosve- "I write rather than speak to you on this ocnor, if you would come to me a few weeks casion, because I can better bear to do it, and hence. My mind will soon regain its w onted because what is written will remain, and may composure, and keep to itself all thoughts which I serve hereafter for consolation and admonishwould awaken the grief of others. But I should ment, of which the happiest and best of us stand be truly glad to have you here, and the house but too often in need. would be the better for the presence of an old': If any thing could at this time increase my friend. My poor wife would recover the sooner sorrow for the death of one who was the pride if some such turn were given to her thoughts, of my eyes and the joy of my heart, it would be and we might enjoy each other's company; for that there are so many who have their full share I should enjoy it at leisure, which it is impossi- in it. When your dear mother and I were last ble that we should ever do in London. Indeed, visited with a like affliction, you were too young I know not when I shall have heart enough to to comprehend its nature. You feel and underleave home again for a long absence. stand it now; but you are also capable of profit"I wish to show you some things, and to talk ing by it, and laying to your hearts the parental with you about others; one business in partieu- exhortations which I address to you while they iar, which is the disposal of my papers whenever are wounded and open. [ shall be gathered to my fathers and to my' This is but the first trial of many such which children. That good office would naturally be are in store for you. Who may be summoned yours, should you be the survivor, if the business next is known only to the All-wise Disposer of of the Exchequer did not press upon you, like all things. Some of you must have to mourn for the world upon poor Atlas's shoulders. I know others: some one for all the rest. It may be not now upon whom to turn my eyes for it, un- the will of God that I should followx more of my less it be Henry Taylor. Two long journeys children to the grave or iir the ordinary course 444 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 52. of nature and happiest issue, they may see their as well as enable you the better to support those parents depart. Did we consider these things afflictions which are inseparable from humanity. wisely, we should perceive how little it imports "Your sister is departed in her innocence: who may go first, who last; of how little con-' of such is the kingdom of Heaven.' For you, sequence sooner or later is, in what must be. if your lives are prolonged, there will be duties We must all depart when our time comes-all and trials in store, for which you must prepare to be reunited in a better state of existence, where by self-government, and for which God will prewe shall part no -nore. pare you if you steadfastly trust in his promises, " Our business here is to fit ourselves for that and pray for that grace which is never withheld state-not by depreciating or renouncing those from humble and assiduous prayer. pleasures which may innocently and properly be "" My children, God alone knows how long I enjoyed, but by correcting the faults to which may be spared to you. I am more solicitous to we are prone, cultivating our better dispositions, provide for your peace of mind and for your everdoing the will of God by doing all we can for the lasting interest than for your worldly fortunes. good of others, and fixing our dearest hopes on As I have acted for myself in that respect, so do Heaven, which is our resting-place and our ever- I feel for you. The longer I may live, the more, lasting home. in all likelihood, will be the provision which may " My children, you have all brought into the be made for you; large it can never be, though, world good dispositions: I bless God for it, more whenever the hour comes, there will be enough, than for all the other blessings which he has with prudence and good conduct, for respectavouchsafed me. But the best dispositions re- bility and comfort. But were it less, my heart quire self-watchfulness, as there is no garden but would be at rest concerning you while I felt and what produces weeds. Blessed be God, I have believed that you were imbued with those prinnever seen in either of you any one symptom of ciples, and had carefully cultivated in yourselves an evil nature. Against great sins there is no those dispositions which will make you heritors occasion to warn you; but it is by guarding of eternal life. against little ones that we acquire a holy habit "I copy this letter for each of you with my of mind, which is the sure foundation of happi- own hand. It will be read with grief now. But ness here and hereafter. there will come a time when you may think of " You know how I loved your dear sister, my it with a solemn rather than melancholy pleassweet Isabel, who is now gathered to that part ure, and feel grateful for this proof of love. Take of my family and household (a large one now 1) it, then, with the blessing of which is in Heaven. I can truly say that my " Your afflicted and affectionate father, desire has ever been to make your childhood' ROBERT SOUTHEY.' happy, as I would fain make your youth, and Lpray that God would make the remainder of your days. And for the dear child who is departed, God knows that I never heard her name CHAPTER XXX. mentioned, nor spoke, nor thought of her, with-, rY * i i. nT HE IS RETURNED TO PARLIAMIENT FOR TI-IE BORout affection and delight. Yet this day, when I 8n o. ". OUGH OF DOVWNTON —DECLIN\ES TO TAKE HIS am about to see her mortal remains committed, * p p > 1 ~11 SEAT —GROwTTHI OF HIIS OPINIONS —HIS AUTOearth to earth, it is a grief for me to think that BIOGRAPHY —EMIIGRtATION —THE EDINBURGIH I should ever, by a harsh or hasty word, have ANNUAL REGISTER A USEFUL OCCUPATION TO given her even a momentary sorrow which might "<:,~~~~~ i, J HIM —SHARON TURNER S HISTORY OF ENGLAND have been spared. ave been spared. — AMBITION —FRUITLESS EFFORTS TO INDUCE Check in yourselves, then, I beseech you,IT IN R ME ESS ODE the first impulses of impatience, peevishness, ill- I O IT IN PALB TE FODE, x T 1s~~~' CLINING TO DO SO —FORTUNATE COURSE OF humor, anger, and resentment. I do not charge.' _.',. r f * LIFE-DIFFERENT MODES OF PREACIIING NECyou with being prone to these sins; far from it;.n,, ^ 1 1 -1 ESSARY TO DIFFERENT CONGREGATIONS —HE but there is proneness enough to them in human r 1 * * IS WISHED TO UNDERTAKE TIE EDITORSHIP OF nature. They are easily subdued in their begin-,, T THE GARRICK PAPERS-ILLNESS OF MIR. BILillngs; if they are yielded to, they gather strength n *.,., I n a n, * DERDIJK-DEATH OF BARD WILLIAMIS-A QUAand virulence, and lead to certain unhappiness DEDJ- H OF B ILI -A A n7.. ~ i. p.. i~IKER ALBUSI —DOMIESTIC AFFLICTIONS —STATE hi all the relations of life. A meek, submissive,. I..., -- OF HIOLLAND —DEATI-I OF LORD LIVERPOOL — obligincg disposition is worth all other qualities. r i " " i i p,1 ip 1 DISLIIIE OF POLITICAL ECONO3IY — FOREIGN I beseech you, therefore, to bear and forbear, r.:, 2.'^.. pp, QUARTER~LY REVIEWV-STATE OF THE SCOTCH carefully to guard against giving offense, and f n" 1~?. - i, n. ICIIRK —POLITICS. HOMIE AND FOREIGN-RELAmore carefully (for this is the more needful ad- * * v w * * * ~ A r. TIVE HAPPINESS OF NATIONS — DECREASING monition) to guard against taking it. A soft ann' In ^,,.r~i * l-l SALE OF HIS WORKS —NATIONAL EDUCATION.swer turneth away wrath. There is no shield 1826-1827 against wrongs so effectual as an'unresisting temper. You will soon find the reward of any DURING my father's absence in Holland, one conquest which you shall thus obtain over your- of the most curious of the many odd circumselves: the satisfaction is immediate; and the stances of his life occurred to him, and one which:habit of equanimity which is thus easily ac- proved that, notwithstanding the amount of obquired, will heighten all your enjoyments here, loquy, misrepresentation, and enmity his writ JETAT. 52. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 445 ings had stirred up against him, there were not seat in Parliament is neither consistent with my wanting striking instances of their producing the circumstances, inclinations, habits, nor pursuits in effect he so earnestly desired. life. The return is null, because I hold a penWhile passing through Brussels, to his great sion of 2200 a year during pleasure. And if astonishment, a report reached him that he was there were not this obstacle, there would be the elected a member of Parliament, no intimation want of a qualification. That pension is my only of the likelihood of such an honor being thrust certain income; and the words of the oath upon him having previously reached him. (which I have looked at) are too unequivocal On his arriving in London, he found the fol- for me to take them upon such grounds as are lowing letter awaiting his return: sometimes supplied for such occasions. " July 10,1826. " For these reasons, which are and must be "A zealous admirer of the British Constitu- conclusive, the course is plain. When Parliation in Church and State, being generally pleas- ment meets, a new writ must be moved for, the ed with Mr. Southey's'Book of the Church,' election as relating to myself being null. I and professing himself quite delighted with the must otherwise have applied for the Chiltern summary- on the last page of that work, and Hundreds. entertaining no doubt that the writer of that "It is, however, no inconsiderable honor to page really felt what he wrote, and, consequent- have been so distinguished. This I shall always ly, would be ready, if he had an opportunity, to feel; and if I do not express immediately to your support the sentiments there set forth, has there- friend my sense of the obligation he has conferfore been anxious that Mr. Southey should have red upon me, it is not from any want of thanka seat in the ensuing Parliament; and having a fulness, but from a doubt how far it might be little interest, has so managed that he is at this proper to reply to an unsigned communication. moment in possession of that seat under this sin- May I therefore request that you will express gle injunction: this thankfulness for me, and say at the same " Ut sustineat firmiter, strenue et continuo time that I trust, in my own station, and in the quae ipse bene docuit esse sustinenda." quiet pursuance of my own scheme of life, by God's blessing, to render better service to those This was without signature, but the hand- institutions, the welfare of which I have at my writing was recognized as that of Lord Radnor, heart, than it would be possible for me to do in to whom my father was personally an entire a public assembly. stranger. "I remain, dear sir, His answer, addressed to a mutual friend, was " Yours with sincere regard, in the following terms: " ROBERT SOUTHEY." To Richard White, Esq. To Dr. Southey. 1 Harley Street, July 1, 1826. "Keswick, July 20, 1826. " MY DEAR SIR, " MY DEAR HARRY, "I heard accidentally at Brussels that I had " I am now endeavoring to turn to my embeen returned for the borough of Downton, and ployment, as the rest of my sad household must on my arrival here on Wednesday last, I found do. The girls, as well as their mother, are a letter, announcing, in the most gratifying and sorely shaken, and sometimes I think ominously honorable manner, that this distinction had been of the old proverb, which says, welcome evil if conferred upon me through the influence of the thou comest alone! writer, whose name had not been affixed; had "With regard to the mode of getting out of that, however, been doubtful, the writing was Parliamenti I am very willing that others should recognized by my old and intimate friend Mr. decide for me; in the total indifference with which John May. I regard the question. Being aware of the nul"Our first impulses in matters which involve lity of the return, I abstain from franking,* and any question of moral importance are, I believe, this is all that it concerns me to do. As for the usually right. Three days allowed for mature impediment arising from the pension, nothing consideration have confirmed me in mine. A could have been easier than to have removed it, * The following is the concluding passage in the Book by having the pension made for life instead of of the Church here referred to: "From the time of the during pleasure, or transferred to my wife. HerRevolution the Church of England has partaken of the ries could have done this or you could have had stability and security of the State. Here, therefore, I term- inate this compendious, but faithful view of its rise, prog- it done, for it was, in fact, asking nothing but the ress, and political struggles. It has rescued us, first, fiom alteration of a few words; with regard to the heathenism, then from papal idolatry and superstition; itme if has saved us from temporal as well as spiritual despotism. qualification, no one could have censured me if We owe to it our moraland intellectual character as a na- I had gone into Parliament, and as so many tion; much of our private happiness, much of our public others do with onprepared fr the nonce. I strength. Whatever should weaken it, would, in the same degree, injure the common weal; whatever should over. am so sure that my life will be seen in itsproper throw it, would, in sure and immediate consequence, bring light when it is at an end. that misrepresentadown the goodly fabric of that Constitution, whereof it is a constituent and necessary part. If the fiiends of the Constitution understand this as clearly as its enemies, and' This resolution he steadily persevered in, notwithact upon it as consistently and as actively, then will the standing the entreaties of his family for " one frank" in Church and State be safe, and with them the liberty and memory of his temporary M.P.-ship, and the persecution prosperity of our country." of autograph collector,. 446 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF, TAT. 52. tions, however malicious, serve only to make me or in part, as may not unfitly be published, less smile; and I am amused at thinking that many for the sake of gratifying public curiosity than persons will be as much surprised at discovering of bringing money to my family. what manner of man Southey really was, as all " One thing more will remain, which is to the world was when M[adame d'Eon was found edit my poems from the corrected copies which to be of the masculine gender are in my possession. Some pieces there will " This odd affair, however, will be of some be to add, and some fragments, if I do not finish use; it keeps my name fresh before the public, what is begun. The rise and growth of all my and in a way, too, which raises it in vulgar es- long poems may be shown (if it be thought worth timation. Had I arrived here in a chaise instead while) from the memoranda made during their of coming in the mail, the people would have progress. To those who take an interest in such drawn me home in triumph; and there was a things, these will be curious, as showing how consultation about chairing me, which ended in the stories developed themselves, what incidents the true conclusion that perhaps I should not like were conceived and rejected, and how the plans it. The General" had these honors (except the were altered as the composition advanced. But chairing) yesterday afternoon. They drew him for this how much, or how little, or if any, will from the turnpike to his own landing-place, and be matter of discretion, to be decided as time and he made a speech from the boat. How he must circumstances may serve. have enjoyed this, and lhow we should have en-' I spoke to Lockhart about the Georgics, and joyed it, if that very hour had not been one of he was very glad to hear of your father for the the bitterest of our lives. God bless you! subject, and of the subject for your father. God " Your affectionate brother, bless you! " R.. SOUTHEY." "Yours affectionately, R. S." To Henry Taylor, Esq. To Henry Taylor, Esq. "Keswick, Aug. 31, 1826. Keswick, Oct. 11, 1826. "MY DEAR HENRY TAYLOR, MY DEAR H. T., "I have read your long letter with much in- "Thank you for the New Zealander's portrait. terest. The question of political economy may It may lead one to speculate whether a well tatstand over till I find a proper place for touching tooed face remains capable of any other indiupon it. Concerning the Irish question you vidual expression than what the eye gives. In quote the Edinburgh Register the question is a portrait it appears that eyes, nose, and mouth pursued in the fourth volume of that work. go for nothing. There is just now a much more urgent question " You seem right in thinking that Upper Canarelating to Ireland. I know not how man and da is the country to which government should beast are to be saved from perishing there by direct such emigrants as may be at its disposal. famine without parliamentary assistance, prompt- But when the full necessity of widely colonizino' ly and efficiently administered. The pasturage shall be generally perceived and felt, I hope is wholly destroyed by drought, the potatoes something like a spirit of enterprise may be exnearly so. As late as last week they had had cited in adventurers of the middle and higher no rain. ranks; and that men may be found who will be " Political questions will never excite any ambitious of founding a settlement and a family difference of feeling between us in the slightest in a new world. New Holland is the country degree. I have lived all my life in the nearest for them. I doubt whether all history can sup. and dearest intimacy with persons who were ply such another instance of stupid misoovern. most opposed to me in such things: whether ment as has been exhibited in stocking that counyou or I be right is of no consequence to our try with male convicts, without any reference to happiness, present or future, and of very little as the proportion of the sexes. You ought with all to our usefulness in society. The other point speed to ship off' in good condition' as many fewhereon you touch is of more importance. male volunteers as the Magdalen, the hospitals, "The growth and progress of my own opin- and the streets can supply. ions I can distinctly trace, for I have been watch- But I want to hear of colonists of a better fully a self-observer. What was hastily taken stamp than those who are sent abroad by law up in youth was gradually and slowly modified, or driven thither by necessity; and such, I think, and I have a clear remembrance of the how, and may be found. It is a matter of necessity to why, and when of any material change. This provide an outlet for our overgrown population, you will find (I trust) in the Autobiography who will otherwise soon become the wild beasts which I shall leave, and in which some consider- of society; but it is a matter of perspective polable progress is made, though it has not reached icy, not less important in its consequences, to this point. It will be left, whether complete or provide also for the overflow of the educated not (for there is the chance of mortality for this) classes. in a state for the press, so that you will have no "I was at Lowther for three days last week, trouble with it. There will be some in collect- and met Lord Beresford there. The priests in ing my stray letters, and selecting such, in whole Ireland, he says, are loaded and primed, and have their fingers upon the trigger. * General Peachey, then newly elected Al.P. for Taunton. God bless you! R, S " 2ETAT. 53. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 447 To Henry Taylor, Esq. and great advantage. It places Wolsey in a "Keswick, Nov. 13,1826. worse light than that in which Cavendish had " My DEAR H. T., led me to view him; but Cavendish saw only " You are right in supposing that I should the better parts of his character, and was neceshave made a bad statesman,* and you may add sarily ignorant of the crooked policy which you to it that for no one line of life should I have have exposed. I am pleased to see how nearly been well qualified except for the clerical pro- your estimate of Harry's character accords with fession. But had I been placed in political life, mine; and not less pleased to think that my inI might very probably have erred more from quiries should have in some degree stimulated want of decision than from deciding too rapidly. you to undertake and accomplish so great an un" The Benedictine Order was established long dertaking as this volume. I could wish that the'before the twelfth century-early in the sixth- style had in some places been less ambitious. and swallows up all other rules in the Western " On Wednesday next I shall write to the world. It was in the twelfth that the two great speaker, and lay down my M.P.-ship. No Mendicant orders (the Franciscan and Domini- temptation that could have been offered would can) were established. By help of those or- have induced me to sacrifice the leisure and ders, and of that said Wadding whereon you tranquillity of a studious and private life. Free pun, I shall make a ramp among the Roman from ambition I can not pretend to be, but what Catholics. Do but imagine how Butler and ambition I have is not of an ordinary kind: rank, Bishop Bramston (who is an old acquaintance of and power, and office I would decline without a mine) will look when I set Sister Providence moment's hesitation, were they proffered for my upon her head before them! acceptance; and for riches, if I ever perceive " The Register was perhaps the most success- the shadow of a wish for them, it is not for their ful occupation for myself in which I was ever en- own sake, but as they would facilitate my pursuits, gaged. It led me to look into the grounds of my and render locomotion less inconvenient. The own opinions-to modify some, to change others, world, thank God! has little hold on me. I and to confirm other some. If you remember it, would fain persuade myself that even the desire when you are reading the Peninsular War, you of posthumous fame is now only the hope of inwill perceive that imperfect information had led stilling sound opinions into others, and scatterme sometimes wrong, and that sometimes I had ing the seeds of good. All else I have outlived. erred in forming my own opinion. But, on the I have suffered severely since we parted. Litwhole, it is very satisfactory to find how much tle, indeed, when I breakfasted with you last, more frequently I was right in combining facts did I apprehend the affliction which was impendand forming conclusions. Do you know that the ing over me, and which had even then begun its Whigs held a Council of War, and resolved to course. But the will of God be done! My have me brought as a culprit before the House bodily health has not recovered the shock, nor of Commons for certain remarks in that Regis- will it speedily, I fear. I am, however, now in ter upon some of their worshipful body; but full activity of mind, and feel the perfect leisure their decision was reversed upon an appeal, I which winter brings with it in this place as a resuppose, from Whig drunk to Whig sober. It lief and comfort. was a great pity, for I should have had good ad- * * * * * * visers and good friends, have made my own "I hope and trust you will find courage and cause good, and have punished them to my health to go on till the end of Elizabeth's reign heart's content. God bless you! R. S." -in which I am sure you will make great discoveries. Remember me most kindly to your To Sharon Turner, Esq. family, and believe me always, "Keswick, Nov. 12, 1826. " Yours affectionately, "' MY DEAR TURNER, ROBERT SOUTHEY.") "Thank you for your new History, which I have read with great attention, great pleasure, The two following letters contain the sequel * " have thought, as I read the Edinburgh Annual of my father's strange adventure respecting the Register, how apt you were to state a strong reason as a representation of the borough of Downton: the conclusive one. To every extensive measure weighty second was apparently not written till some time objections exist, whatever reasons there may be to overrule them. Had you been a statesman instead of an au- after the circumstances to which it relates, but thor, the habits of your mind would have been moreit will most appropriately be inserted here. scrutinizing as to the merits, more inquisitive as to the defects of what, upon the whole, you should see cause to approve. If not, you would have been very far from what To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. is called, in official phrase,'a safe man.' "-H. T. to R. S., e, F,. 8 ivey. 10, 1826. lov. 10, 826.' "Keswick, Friday, Dec. 8, 1826. I may quote here, as applicable to these remarks, a "MY DEAR GROSVENOR, passage from a letter of my father's written some years "Hear the second part of the history of my later: "What --- complains of in Sadler's speeches and in his book, is exactly what you have complained of parliamentary affairs in certain of my compositions; that confidence which a " On Wednesday I received a note from Harry, man feels whose opinions are established upon his religious belief, and who looks to the moral consequences in saying that a plan had been ormed for purchasevery thing, and will no more admit of any measures ing a qualification for me; that Sir Robert Inwhich oppose that belief, or lead to consequences injurious to it. than a mathematician will listen to any thing soning which starts from a false postulate."-R. S. to H. that contradicts an axiom, or a logician to a train of rea- T., April 8, 1829. 448 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 53. glis had just communicated this to him, and was with my circumstances, it would not be so with then gone to Lord R. to ask him to keep the my inclinations, habits, and pursuits, and thereborough open: that he (Harryv doubted whether fore I must remain Robert Lackland. a sufficient subscription could be raised, but sup-''You will not suppose that I despise c`300 a posed that under these circumstances I should year, or should lightly refuse it. But I think not refuse the seat, and desired my answer by you will feel, upon reflection, that I have decidreturn of post, that he might be authorized to ed properly in refusing to sit in Parliament under say I would sit in Parliament if they gave me an any circumstances. R. S.' estate of cC300 a year! " I rubbed my eyes to ascertain that I was " To-day (Friday) Harry has received this awake, and that this was no dream. I heard letter from me, and I have received the followCuthbert his Greek lesson, and read his Dutch ing one from him: one with him. I corrected a proof-sheet. And then, the matter having had time to digest, I' MY DEAR ROBERT, wrote in reply as follows:' Lord R.'s answer to Sir Robert Inglis is nearly in the following words: " Mr. -- was'' MY DEAR H., returned upon public grounds solely, without pre-' An estate of 8C300 a year would be a very vious communication, or even acquaintance. It agreeable thing for me, Robert Lackland, and I has since been seen under his handwriting that would willingly change that name for it: the the situation was not to his taste, and did not convenience, however, of having an estate is not accord with his habits of life." the question which I am called upon to determ- "' I believe these are the very words of Lord ine. It is (supposing the arrangement possible R.'s answer to an excellent letter from Inglis. -which I greatly doubt), whether I will enter Thus ends your very singular adventure. If you into public life at an age when a wise man could have got an estate by it, the story would would begin to think of retiring from it; wheth- have told better. As it is, the estimation in er I will place myself in a situation for which which you are held by many great and good neither my habits, nor talents, nor disposition are men has been proved in the most satisfactory suited, and in which I feel and know it to be im- manner. Sir Robert did not tell me the names possible that I should fulfill the expectations of of those who had expressed their willingness to those who would raise the subscription. Others subscribe, nor with whom the scheme had origought to believe me, and you will, when I de- inated (not with himself), but he seemed sanclare that in any public assembly I should have guine of success. H.H. S.' no confidence in myself, no promptitude, none of that presence of mind, without which no man God bless you! R. S." can produce any effect there. This ought to be believed, because I have them all when acting To Sir R. H. Izglis, Bart. in my proper station and in my own way, and (Without date.) therefore can not be supposed to speak from MY DEAR SIR ROBERT) timidity, nor with any affectation of humility. For some time I have been intending to Sir Robert Inglis and his friends have the Prot- thank you for your very kind intentions and exestant cause at heart, and imagine that I could ertions in my behalf, and to explain, more clearly serve it in Parliament. I have it at heart also than could be done in a hasty reply to my broth-deeply at heart-and will serve it to the ut- er's letter, the motives upon which my decision most of my power, " so help me God!' But it in that matter was formed. The event has is not by speaking in public that I can serve it. proved that it was fortunate, but I wish you to It is by bringing forth the knowledge which so be satisfied that it was rightly made —I might large a part of my life has been passed in ac- say deliberately also; for, though little expectquiring; by exposing the real character and ing to be invited in such a manner, I have often history of the Romish Church, systematically said, and always felt, that no prospects of ambiand irrefragably (which I can and will do) in tion or advantage should induce me to enter into books which will be read now and hereafter; public life. which must make a part, hereafter, of every his- " In replying to my brother, I spoke only of torical library; and which will live and act when unfitness for Parliament, and disinclination for it, I am gone. If I felt that I could make an impres- which were in themselves sufficient reasons. I sion in Parliament, even then I would not give did not speak of the separation from my family up future utility for present effect. I have too for four or five months in the year, which would little ambition of one kind, and too much of an- have been necessary, nor of the probable effect other, to make the sacrifice. But I could make no upon my health, nor of the interruption of purimpression there. I should only disappoint those suits which, from other causes, have been and who had contributed to place me there; and in are already too much interrupted. this point of view it is a matter of prudence, as " If I had taken a seat in Parliament when it well as in all others, of duty, to hold my first res- was at my option, the express condition was olution, and remain contentedly in that station that of doing my duty there; and of this a pretof life to which it has pleased God to call me. ty regular attendance must have been an indisIf a seat in Parliament were made compatible pensable part. But early and regular ho-ers are JETAT. 53. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 449 necessary for my constitution, which is not strong, names of Mr. Dealtry and Mr. H. S. Thornton. has always been accustomed to this, and has been Will you say to them that I should be greatly shaken; and though I have neither the habits obliged by their votes on this occasion, and that nor the feelings of a valetudinarian, some man- they could not be bestowed upon a man better agement is required to keep me as well as I am, qualified in all respects for the admission which and the loss of sleep is what I could not bear. he is seeking?" Separate from my family I must have been dur-' ing the session: this would have interfered with To the Rev. James White. the education of my little boy, would have been "Keswick, Dec. 14, 1826. some loss to my daughters, and would have still " MY DEAR JAIES, more depressed the spirits of my wife, which are "You need not be assured that I am very constitutionally low, and have received shocks glad accident should have enabled me to put you from which I fear there is little hope of their re- in the way of being usefully, though arduously covering. The motives, therefore, must be very employed, * and in a station where I hope you strong which could overpower these considera- may make your own way to something better. tions: in these times I know of no public duties To be sure nothing can be less agreeable than which could be strong enough; nor is there any the description which you give both of your fold thing on the score of private advantage which and your flock; the only set-off against this is should lead me to change the whole system of the reflection that, the worse the people are, the my life. It is very possible that, being in Par- more good you may do them. When once it is liament, I might have made my way into some known that you perform the service impressiveminor office, which would have given me a good ly, like a man whose heart is in his work, you income: this is even likely, because I have friends will not preach to empty benches. who would have helped me when they saw me " If I preached to a wealthy congregation, my in a situation where I could help myself, and general aim would be to awaken them from that because my capability and fitness for such busi- state of religious torpor which prosperity inness might have been acknowledged. But in duces. I should, therefore, dwell upon the rethat case no leisure would have been left for my sponsibility which is attached to the good things own pursuits, and all hope must have been given of this world; upon sins of omission, and the up of completing those projects, upon which and straitness of the gate. But to a congregation in preparing for which the greater part of my like yours, my general strain would be consolalife has been employed. Thus I should have tory; forgiveness and mercy would be my favordone worse than buried my talent; I should have ite theme. In the former case it is necessary to thrown it away. rouse, if not to alarm; in the latter, to encour"That my way of life has been directed by age and invite. In the former, to dwell upon the a merciful Providence, I feel and verily believe. difficulty of attaining to salvation; in the latter, I have been saved from all ill consequences of upon its easy terms, and the relief which it oferror and temerity, and by a perilous course fers to those who are heavy laden. have been led into paths of pleasantness and " Concerning schools, no person can be more peace-a sufficient indication that I ought to unfitted for advising you on that business (or, inremain in them. Throughout this whole busi- deed, on any other) than I am. But of this I am ness I have never felt any temptation to depart sure, that, in such a parish as yours, an infant from this conviction. I may be wrong in many school is the most useful and necessary estabthings, but not in the quiet confidence with which lishment that could be formed. The people of I know that I am in my proper place. Inveni this country are not yet aware of the conseportunm; spes et fortuna valete; the only change quence of youthful depravity; how widely it exto which I look forward is a possible migration tends, and how early it begins. In any attempts to the south when my lease expires, if I should of this kind, you will have the mothers with you; live so long. But there are so many obstacles and, indeed, at all attempts at moral reformain the way of this, that I may probably be spar- tion, the women are so immediately interested, ed from what to me would be a very painful and that their good will is sure to attend upon any unwilling removal. endeavors at bettering the condition of their chil" This is an egotistic letter. I felt, however, dren, or preserving their sons, brothers, husbands, that some such exposition was due to you, lest I and fathers from vice. Do not, however, aim at should seem either to have acted unreasonably or too much, and thereby exhaust yourself, even if to feel unthankfully. But be assured, in this whole you do not otherwise defeat your own purpose. odd episode of my life, there is nothing which I Fill your church, and establish, as soon as you shall remember with more pleasure than the very can, an infant school; and as you feel what more kind and friendly part which you have taken in it. is wanted, you will discover by what means to "Believe me, dear Sir Robert, bring it about. "Yours very truly, R. S. " In your case, I would never touch upon con" I must not forget that I have a favor to ask. troversial subjects, especially those which relate An old friend, for whom I have a very high and to Popery. The character of being a charitawell-founded regard, is to be balloted for at the Athenaeum on the 9th of February. Kenyon is * Mr. James White had been appointed to the incumbency of St. George's, Manchester, through my father's his name. Upon the list of members I see the recommendation. F F 450 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 53. ble, earnest, and pious preacher will make its propriate for the task which he wishes me to unway among some of the Irish Romanists, and dertake. Here is a volume of Jackson's Works lead them further than they are aware of toward (folio)-in my judgment the most valuable of all a perception of the difference between the relig- our English divines; there is a Portuguese poem, ion of the Gospel and the superstitions by which in twenty books, upon the Virgin Mary. Here they are enthralled. But were you to touch is the English translation of Father Paul's Hisupon the points of difference, it would serve only tory of the Council of Trent. Here is a Latin to put their priests upon the alert, and make folio upon the Divi Tutelares of Popish Christenthem watch over their flock more strictly. I dom, by the Jesuit Macedo, who had so much to would pursue a different course at Dublin, be- do with Queen Christina's conversion. Here is cause the two parties are in hostile array there, a volume of Venema's Hist. Eccl. Institutiones. and the weapons of controversy must be used. Here is the Report upon Emigration, and there'But your task seems to mne, in this respect, is a thick, dumpy, and almost cubical small a pleasanter one. If I judge rightly of the cir- quarto, containing some 1400 closely-printed cumstances in which you are placed, your call pages in Latin-De Miraculis Mortuorum, by is to proclaim good tidings, and preach the an old German physician, who was moriturus promises of the Gospel. Those who are in mis- himself when he composed the work. Miracula ery-I had almost said, in the vices to which here are to be understood in the sense of phemisery too often leads-have little need of its nomena. The book is exceedingly curious, and threats. would furnish the Master of the Rolls with much "But enough of this. I have no acquaint- matter both of amusement and cogitation, if it ance in Manchester to whom I can introduce should ever fall in his way. I will therefore add you; but, going there in what may be called a that the author's name is Garmannus, and the public character, yot will soon find acquaint- date of the book 1709. Here is a volume of the ance, and I have no doubt friends. There is this Acta Sanctorum on another table, and one of advantage in large cities (and a great one it is), Baronius on the floor. that you are sure of finding some persons there " From this apparatus you will conclude that with whom it is both pleasant and profitable to I have a second volume of Vindicie in hand. associate." God bless you! R. S."' Believe me, my dear James, " Always yours, with sincere regard, To Henry Taylor, Esq. "ROBERT SOUTHEY." "Keswick, Jan. 24, 1827. " MY DEAR H. T., To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. " f * You do not tell me that "Keswick, Dec. 24, 1826. you are better, which is what I most wish to " MvY DEAR GRosvENOR, hear. If a wish could bring you and your father " I will undertake the arrangement of the Gar- here, you should see these mountains as they are rick Papers very willingly for the lucre of gain, now, in the full glory of snow, and clouds, and and not for the love of the subject; for the sake sunshine. of being well paid, and not for the sake of being "I have a melancholy letter from Leyden. well talked of. But I will do it for lucre, for Mrs. Bilderdijk has been for fifteen weeks congoodly remuneration, and'most sweet guerdon,' fined to her chamber, and mostly to her bed, and which you know is better. it is not intimated that she is recovering. B. " It will take me more time to do this than it himself speaks of his own health and faculties as would any other person, for this simple reason sensibly impairing day by day. The only hope-that I should take more pains about it; not in ful sign is the warmth and animation with which the composition, but in making myself thorough- he writes. I wish I could go to see him this lyacquainted with all the literary points on which year; but that is not possible, and therefore I it would be necessary to touch. On the other can hardly hope to meet him again in this world hand, my general acquaintance with English lit- I am now reading his fragment of the Deluge, erature is such, that there is no point upon which and shall go through the rest of his works, in full I have not some stock of knowledge at command. intention of making them known, sooner or later, Less than a thousand guineas the booksellers and, with your help, to the English readers. ought not to think of offering, nor I of taking; "My old acquaintance (those, I mean, who and if there be a chance of getting more, let it were elders when I was a young man) are dropbe intimated that I rate my name and services ping on all sides. One very remarkable one is as they ought to be rated. There's a magnan- just gone to his rest after a pilgrimage of fourimous sentence! And with that sentence I leave score years. Edward Williams, the Welsh bard, the subject to work in the proper quarter, and whom, under his Welsh name of Iolo,- some to sleep with me till I hear of it again. Observe lines in Madoc were intended to describe and that I suppose the Life to be included in the two volumes, not to form one by itself. * There went with me 48 X 4b 4 i " God bless you! R. S." "I can not give full credit to your story* about the Life of Nelson. It is not likely that To John May, Esq. the American government, which is as parsimo- "Keswick, Dec. 11, 1828. nious as Mr. Hume would wish ours to be, should " MY DEAR FRIEND, incur the expense; and if they had, it is very: If my long summer absence, and the continunlikely that I should not have heard of it from ual interruptions which followed it to the middle the Americans who find their way to me, or of October, had not brought most heavy arrears those American acquaintance who give them let- of business upon my hands, you would have ters of introduction. If the fact were so, it heard from me ere this. It seems my fate, like should be put in the newspapers. But I dare yours, to have more business as I advance in say that, if Henry will cross-question his inform- life, and less leisure for what I should take more ant, he will find that it has been asserted upon delight in; however, God be praised who gives very insufficient grounds. As for our govern- me strength and ability to go on, and enables me lent doing any thing of this kind, they must, to support what, even with the best and most careful economy, is necessarily an expensive * "I met a Mr. Brandreth at my brother's a few days household. ago, who has lately returned from the West Indies. He "Dec. 15. says the American government has printed an edition of I have been prevented from finishing this your Life of Nelson, sufficiently numerous for a distribu — pet tion on fine paper to every officer. and on coarse paper to letter by the unexpected appearance of Lieut. every man in their fleet. This is what should have been Mawe, who has come from Peru down the Oreldone here long ago, and would have been done if our lana being the first Enlishman who has ever statesmen had been any thing better than politicians, or considered the people of the country as any thing but descended that river. He has brought his manmere machines, unendowed with feelings or motives of uscript to e before it goes to the press. I had action. It ought to be in the chest of every seaman, from the admiral to the cabin-boy. But our rulers have long seen him at Chantrey's just on his arrival, and been in the habit of caltulating the people only by arith- he is wishino now that my History of Brazil had metical figures, and look upoln thel only in the mass, * without taking hunan characlter into the account.'W ftle in his way before he began his expeditn. poiiticians. you k'owr,' snid the late Lordl Lolononderry You may suppose how interesting I find his cononce to a fr ietnd of mine.'A-e no -:lin-..' So, ilndeed versation and his journal. The account which shaould hve hiee tCe ti.sv er;. nor (10do v reckon tuon any in othcrs."- -. C. s?. to 1,'., Dec., i828. he gives of Para is not favorable; trade is'e 464 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 7ETATT. 55. clining for want of specie; the English and have I heard flrom its editor. He has' o'crAmerican merchants are obliged to take prod- stepped the modesty of pufling' in his advertiseue in payment, and on that account price their ments, and mlay very likely discover that he has goods, it is said. 30 per cent. above what they paid young men of rank and fashion somewhat otherwise would do. and this makes them too dearly for the sake of their names. You know elear for the market. Steam-boats, whenever upon what ternms I stand with that concern. they are introduced, will alter the condition of " You wish for prose from me. I write prose that country, and produce apparently a most more willingly than verse from habit, and bebeneficial effect. cause the hand of Time is on me but, then, I' God bless you, my dear fiiend! and bring can not move without elbow room. Grave subyou through all those difficulties which you had jects which could be treated within your limits so little reason to expect, and had done nothing do not occur to me; light ones I am sure will to bring upon yourself. The inflictions of in- not; playfulness comes from me more naturally justice are, I suppose, the most difficult of all in verse. I have one or two stories which may evils to bear with equanimity: evils which arise be versified for you, either as ballads or in some from our own faults we receive as their chastise- other form, and which will not be too long. ment and our own deserts those which Heaven Want of room, I am afraid, would apply equally is pleased to inflict are borne as being its will. to a life of John Fox, which would better suit I hope and trust that tlere are better days in the Quarterly Review, if Dibdin should bring store for vou. Alas! how ill do times and sea- out his projected edition. Sometimes I think the sons sometimes suit with our views and wishes. bust may afford me a subject; but whether it HIad you been removed to Bristol four-and-twen- would turn out song or sermon, I hardly know, ty years sooner, I should never have been re- perhaps both in one. moved from it. " Your book is very beautiful. The vignettes' Once more, with kind remembrances from are especially clever. Of the prints Sir Walter all here, interests me most for its subject, Pic-a-Back per-' Yours most affectionately, r. S.) haps for its execution. It is the best design I ever saw of Richard Westall's. To make your To lllan Clunnsiiinghan Esq. j book complete as exhibiting the art of the age, "Keswick, Dec. 21, 188. I should like something fiom IMartin and somev: Ir DExaR, LLAa. thing fiom Cruikshank, otherwise I do not seo; Having no less than seven females in falily, hoxr it could be improved. vou wx ill not wonder that as yet I have seen lit-' God bless vou! tie more than the prints in your boolo,- and its Y' Yours very truly,, table of contents. It is, I do not doubt, quite as Ro;ERT SOUTIIEi'." rgood in typo graphical contents as any of its rivails. The truth is, that in this respect there can To Grosvecnor C. Bedford, Esq. be little to choose between they are one and all "Keswick, Dec. 29, 1828. of the samle kind the same con'ributors are: 3M Drnt G-osVEXoiR, mostly to be found in all of them, andl this must "I have two things to tell you, each good ill of necessity bring the merits of all pretty mulch its kind-the first relating to the moon, the seeto an average. I am not sure that it would be ond to mniself. Ior your interest to monopolize three or four writ- "It is not likely that you should recollect a ers, whose names happen to be high on the poor, harmless, honest old man, who used to dewheel of Fortune, if by so doing you should ex- liver the letters when you were at Keswick; Joclude some of those that are at present on the seph Littledale is his name, and, if you remeimlower spokes. To me it seems the best policy ber him, it will be by a chronic, husky cough, that you should have many contributors, because which generally announced his approach. Poor every one would, fiom self-love, wish to promote Littledale has this day explained the cause of the sale of the volume; and, moreover, every our late rains, which have prevailed for the last writer is the center of some little circle, withinI five weeks, by a theory which will probably be which what he may write is read and admired. as new to you as it is to me.' I have observed,' But the literary department, make slwhat exer- he says' that when the moon is turned upward, tions you will, must be as inferior in its efiect j we have fine weather after it; but if it is turned upon the sale to the pictorial one as it is in its down, then we have a wet season; and the reacost. At the best. Allan, these Annuals are pic- son I think is, that when it is turned down, it ture-books for grown children. They are good holds no water, like a basin, you know, and then things for the artists and engravers, and, there- down it all comes.' There, Grosvenor, it will fire, I am glad of their success. I shall be more be a long while before the march of intellect -lad if one of theml can be made a good thing for shall produce a theory as original as this, which you; and I am very sure that you will make it I find, upon inquiry, to be the popular opinion as good as a thing of its kind can be made; but, here. at the best, this is what it must be. "Next concerning mnyself. A relation of imv' I have not seen the Keepsake yet, neither friend Miss Bowles heard at a dinner-party lately that Mr. Southey had become a decided MetlhThe Anni-versary odist, and was about to make a full avowal of ITAT. 55. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 465 his sentiments in a poem called the Sinner well OF MEN IN LATER LIFE TAKING HOLY ORDERS Saved.*'The title,' said the speaker,'shows — TIE COLLOQUIES-CHURCIH METIODISMplainly what it is. But I have seen it; I have MRS. OPIE-MR. HORNIBY —INSTITUTION FOR had a peep at it at the publisher's, and such a TRANING NURSES OPENED- CAUSES OF ITS rant!'! S X FAILURE-MARRIAGE OF MIISS COLERIDGE"I am about to begin a paper upon Surtees's LITERARY EMPLOYMENTS-MR. LANDOR-MR. History of the County of Durham for the next WOR.DSWOtORTH-RECOMMIENDATION OF BERKEQuarterly Review, a subject which requires no LEY S MINUTE PIIILOSOPHER-VISIT TO MRS. more labor than that of looking through the HODSON AND COL. HOWARD.-1829. three folios, and arranging what matter of general interest they contain in an amusing form; IAVING now arrived at that portion of my faand this is comparatively easy work. Moreover, ther's life which comes within the immediate I am about a Life of Ignatius Loyola for the For- sphere of my own recollections, I may be pereign Review. [My books having nearly come to mitted to speak somewhat more familiarly than a dead stand-still in their sale, it becomes neces- I have yet been enabled to do, both of himself sary for me to raise my supplies by present la- personally and of the habits of his daily life. Bebor, which, thank God! I am at present very ing the youngest of all his children, I had not the well able to do. I shall work hard to make pro- privilege of knowing him in his best and most vision for a six weeks' holiday, commencing ear- joyous years, nor of remembering Greta Hall ly in May, when I mean (if we all live and do when the happiness of its circle was unbroken. well, and alas! Grosvenor, how little is this to Much labor and anxiety, and many sorrows, had be depended upon!) to remove my women-kind passed over him; and although his natural buoyto the Isle of Man for sea air and bathing if they ancy of spirit had not departed, it was greatly like it. The island is worth seeing, and there subdued, and I chiefly remember its gradualis no place where we could get at so little ex- diminution from year to year. pense, or live so cheaply when there. We are In appearance he was certainly a very strikbut two stages from Whitehaven, and from thence ing looking person, and in early days he had by there is a steam-packet. There I shall go over many been considered as almost the beau ideal the whole island, and write verses when it rains. of a poet. Mr. Cottle describes him at the age W" ednesday, 31.- * * I did not of twenty-two as "tall, dignified, possessing know that there was a folio edition of South. great suavity of manners, an eye piercing, a Six octavo volumes of his sermons were publish- countenance full of genius, kindliness, and ined during his life, five more after his death, from telligence;'' and he continues, "I had read so his manuscripts which had not been corrected muh of poetry, and sympathized so much with for the press. The Oxford edition comprises the poets in all their eccentricities and vicissitudes, whole in seven octavos. One sermon among the that to see before me the realization of a charposthumous ones is remarkable, because it was acter which in the abstract so much absorbed evidently written (probably in his younger days) my regards, gave me a degree of satisfaction as a trial of skill, in imitation of Sir Thomas which it would be difficult to express." EightBrown. 0 een years later Lord Byron calls him a prepos" God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! sessing looking person, and, with his usual ad"R. S." mixture of satire, says, "To have his head and shoulders I would alnost have written his Sap_V-' - "phics;" and elsewhere he speaks of his appearCHAPTER XXXTI. ance as " Epic," an expression which may be either a sneer or a compliment. iERSONAL APPEARANCE-IIABITS OF DAILY LIFE His forehead was very broad; his height was -EXCURSIONS —IIS HOUSE AND LIBRARY- five feet eleven inches; his complexion rather ELEEMON-GROw'TH OF HIS OPINIONS-THE dark, the eyebrows large and arched, the eye CATHOLIC QUESTION- CONTROVERSY WITH well shaped and dark brown, the mouth some — IMR. SI-ANNON —BALLADS FROM ROMISH LE- what prominent, muscular, and very variously GENDS- RENEWED HEALTH AND POWERS- expressive, the chin small in proportion to the MRa. WORDSWORTH —VERBEYST, TI-E BRUSSELS upper features of his face. He always, while BOOKSELLER-POLITICS-HIS HEALTH-VISIT in Keswick, wore a cap in his walks, and partly TO NETHERHALL-LITERARY EMPLOYMENTS- from habit, partly from the make of his head THE CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION-DR. PIIILL- and shoulders, we never thought he looked well POTTS-SOME RESULTS OF HIS COLLOQUIES or like himself in a hat. He was of a very -ALLAN CUNNINGHAM S LIVES OF THE PAINT- spare frame, but of great activity, and not showERS-ARTICLE IN THE QUARTERLY REVIEW ing any appearance of a weak constitution. UPON PORTUGAL-PFROSPECTS OF SOCIETY AT My father's countenance, like his character, HOMIE-MICHAEL T. SADLER-IGNATIUS LOY- seems to have softened down fiom a certain OLA-CARLISLE —HERACUD-DESIRABLENESS wildness of expression to a more sober and thoughtful cast; and many thought him a handA Roman Catholic legend, taken from the "Acta Sanc- soier man in age than in youth; his eye retorum," versified, and published in the collected edition taining always brilliancp and his counteof his poems, under the title of "All for Love, or a Sinner w well Saved." nuace its play of expression. G G 466 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.E, T TAT. 55. The reader will remember his Republican in- with those whom he met in society: but, though dependency when an under-graduate at Oxford, invariably kind and careful of their feelings, he in rebelling against the supremacy of the col- was indiffbrent to the manner in which they relege barber. Though he did not continue to garded him, or (as the phrase is) to his effect in let his hair hang down on his shoulders accord- society; and they might, perhaps, be conscious ing to the whim of his youthful days, yet he that the kindness they received was what flowed always wore a greater quantity than is usual; naturally and inevitably to all, that they had' and once, on his arrival in town, Chantrey's first nothing to give in return which was of value to greetings to him were accompanied with an in- him, and that no individual relations were esjunction to go and get his hair cut. When I tablished. first remember it, it was turning from a rich: In conversation with intimate friends he brown to the steel shade, whence it rapidly be- woudld sometimes express, half humorously, ua camne almost snowy white, losing none of its re- cordial commendation of some production of himarkable thickness, and clustering in abundant own, knowing that with them he could affiord curls over hiis massive brow. it, and that to those who knew him well it was,' For the following remarks on his general well known that there was no vanity in him. bearing and habits of conversation I am indebt- But such commendations, though light and hued to a friend: morous, were perfectly sincere; for he both pos" The characteristics of his manner, as of his sessed and cherished the power of finding enjoyappearance, were lightness and strength, an easy meent and satisfaction wherever it was to be and happy composure as the accustomed mood, found —in his own Looks, in the books of his e.ith much mobility at the saime time, so that friends, and in all books whatsoever that vwere;le eolJd be readily excited into any degree of not morally tainted or absolutely barren." -.aninmad'n in discourse, speaking, if the subject His course of life was the most regular and nomoved him much, with extraordinary fire and simple possible, and, indeed; in his routine lie va. ore, thouogh always in light ltaconic scntences. tied butt little from the sketch h.e gave of it in When so moved, the fingers of his right hand 1806 (see antc, p. 199). When it is said that often rested against this mouth and quivered breakfast was at nine, after a little reading, din-, ihrough nervous susceptibility. But, excitable nor at four, tea at six, supper at half past nine; as he was in conversattioi, m e was never angry and the inte-val-s filled up with reading or writor irritable' nor can there be any greater mi- ing, except that he regularly 7salked betweenr take concerning' him than that into which some two and four, and took a short sleep before tea. persons have fallen when they have inferred. the outidne of his day during those long seasons. fi.ron the fiery vihemnence xwith xn which h e wae s in full work will have been given..Xive utterance to moral anger in verse or pYbse, After supper, when the business of th e sis f ay that he was personally ill-tempered or irascible. seemed to be over, though he generally took,'He x was, in truth, a man whom it was hardly book, he remained with his family, and was open -possible to quarrel with or oflfend personally and to enter into convcrsation; to amnuse and to be face to fice; and in his writings, even o0n pub- amused. It was on such times that the most''lic subjects in which his feelings xwere strongly pleasant fireside chattins and the most interenao'-ed, he will be observed to have alxwavx c. estin! stories came forth; and, indeed it wxa dealt tenderly wiih those whom he hld once at suclh a time (though long before my day) that seen and spoken to, unless, indeed, personally The Doctor was originatecd, as may be seen by and grossly assailed by them. He said of him- the beginning of that work and the Preface to self that he was tolerant of persons, thoutgh in-the new edition. Notwithstaniling that the tolerant o op oiniocs. But in oral intercourse the very mention of "owmy glass of punch," the one, -toleration of persons was so much the stronger, temperate, never exceeded glass of punch, may that the intolerance of opinions was not to be be a stumbling-block to some of my readers, I perceived; and, indeicd it was only in regard to am constrained, by the very love of the perfect opinions of a pernicious moral tendency that it picture which the first lines of The Doctor conxwas ever felt. vey of the conclusion of his evening, to tranI-He was averse from argumentation. and!'scribe them in this place. It was written but would commonly quit a subject when it was fior a few, otherwise, The Doctor would have passingi into that shape, with a quiet and oood- been no secret at all; but those few wxho knew shumo red indication of the view in which he him in his home will see his very look whiile srested. He talked most and with most interest they reperuse it; and will recall the well-known, shtbout boo'ks and albout public affairs; less, in- sound: deed hardly at all, about the characters oand " I was in the fourth night of the story of the qualities of men in private life. In the society Doctor and his horse, and had broken it off; not.,of strano'ers or of acquaintances, he seemed to take moe osoe interesx in tihe subjects spoken of than * During the several years that he was partially eri-:in the persops present, his manner beings that of ployed upon the Liie of Dr. Bell, h devoted txo houis besore brea kifast to it in the summer. and s,uch tise naturasi courtesy and general iboievolenevolence wit- here w t yas daylight for during the winter months. out distinction of individuals. Had there been t hat it misht not interfere with the usual occupations of son cactar' of'esi isit.y in buss3, ps 3i the day. In all this time, however, he mnade but little progress in it, partly from te naturei of the isaterials,!e vo.,oMd la./,c boca be rought into closer relations paotly f o the want cofl flicunt intcsct in the subjecte ETATT. 55. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 467 like Scheherazade, because it was time to get posed to give and receive pleasure, or more aup, but because it was time to go to bed. It ready to pour forth his vast stores of information was at thirty-five minutes after ten o'clock on upon almost every subject. the 20th of July, in the year of our Lord 1813. I might go on here, and enter more at length I finished my glass of punch, tinkled the spoon into details of his personal character, but the against its side, as if nking music to my own task is too difficult a one, and is perhaps, after meditations, and having fixed my eyes upon the all, better left unattempted. A most intimate Bhow Begum, who was sitting opposite to me and highly-valued fiiend of my father's, whom I at the head of her own table, I said,'It ought wished to have supplied me with some passages to be written in a book.' on these points, remarks very justly, that " any This scene took place at the table of the portraiture of him, by the pen as by the pencil, Bhow Begum,* but it may easily be transferred will fall so far short both of the truth and the to his ordinary room, where he sat after supper ideal which the readers of his poetry and his letin one corner, with the fire on his left hand and ters will have formed for themselves, that they a small table on his right, looking on at his would be worse than superfluous." And, infamily circle in front of him. deed, perhaps I have already said too much. I I have said before, as indeed his own letters can not, however, resist quoting here some lines have abundantly shown, that he was a most by the friend above alluded to, which describe thoroughly domestic man, in that his whole admirably in brief my father's whole character: pleasure and happiness was centered in his "Twoi friends home: but yet, from the course of his pursuits, Ient me a further light, whose equal hate his family necessarily saw but little of him. He On all unwholesome sentiment attends, Nor whorm may genius chuarm where heart infirm attends. could not, however he might wish it, join the l n, h e igt w, j. t': "In all things else contrarious were these two: summer evening walk, or make one of the circle The one a man upon whose laureled brow round the winter hearth, or even spare time for Gray hairs were growing! glory ever new conversation after the family meals (except dur- Shall circle him in after years as now; For spent detraction may not disavow ing the brief space I have just been speaking The world of know-ledge with the wit combined, of). Every day, every hour had its allotted The elastic force no burden e'er could bow, 7~~~~~' " J * ~The various talents and the single mind, employment; always were there engagements Which give him moral power and mastery o'er mankind. to publishers imperatively requiring punctual His sistvsumers-what are they in truth? fulfillment; always the current expenses of a By Providence peculiarly blest, large household to take anxious thoughts for With him the strong hilarity of youth Abides, despite gray hairs, a constant guest, he had no crops growing while he was idle. sll sun has veered a point toward the west, My ways," he used to say, " are as broad as But light as dawn his heart is glowing yetthe Icing's high read, and my meus lie in an.-* That heart the simplest, gentlest, kindliest, bless'd, the kinrg's high road, and my means lie in an t y -end r^e a r Where truth and manly tenderness are met ink-stand."' With faith and heavenward hope, the suns that never Yet, notwithstanding the value which every set." moment of his time thus necessarily bore, unlike What further I will venture to say relates most literary men, he was never ruffled in the chiefly to the external circumstances of his life slightest degree by the interruptions of his fam- at Kesw-ick. ily, even on the most trivial occasions; the book His greatest relaxation was in a mountain or the pen was ever laid down with a smile, and excursion or a pie-nic by the side of one of the he was ready to answer any question, or to en- lakes, tarns, or streams; and these parties, of ter with youthful readiness into any temporary I hich he -was the life and soul, will long live in topic of amusement or interest. the recollections of those who shared them. An In earlier years he spoke of himself as ill cal- excellent pedestrian (thinking little of a nwalk of eulated for general society, from a habit of ut- twenty-five miles when upward of sixty), he tering single significant sentences, which, from usually headed the " infantry:' on these occabeing delivered without any qualifying clauses; sions, looking on those gentlemen as idle morbore more meaning upon their surface than he tals who indulged in the luxury of a mountain intended, and through which his real opinions pony; feeling very differently in the bracing air and feelings were often misunderstood. This of Cumberland to what he did in Spain in 1800, habit, as far as my own observation went, though I hen le delighted in being " gloriously lazy," it was sometimes apparent, he had materially in "sitting sideways upon an ass," and having checked in later life, and in large parties he was even a boy to " propel" the burro. (See antt, usually inclined to be silent, rarely joining in p. 135.) general conversation. But he was very differ- Upon first coming down to the Lakes he ent when with only one or two companions; rather undervalued the pleasures of an al-fresco and to those strangers who came to him with repast, preferring chairs and tables to the greenletters of introduction, he was both extremely sward of the mountains, or the moss-groxwn courteous in manner, and frank and pleasant in masses of rock by the lake shore; but these conversation, and to his intimates no one could were probably the impressions of a cold, wet have been more wholly unreserved, more dis- summer, and having soon learned thoroughly tv Miss Barker, e Seha ofvaappreciate these pleasures, he had his variou.l, * iliss Barkler, the Senhora, of earlier days, who was living at that time in a house close to Greta Hall. (See ate, p. 318.) * Notes - Plhilip van Artovelde, by Itcny':r, 468 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 55. chosen places, whicih he thought it a sort of duty choly aspect. So many friends were dead wh'. annually to revisit. Of these I will name a few, had formerly shared them, and his own domestic as giving them; perhaps, an added interest to losses were but too vividly called to mind with some future tourists. The summit of Skiddawr tho remembrance of former days of enjoyment, he regularly visited, often three or four times in the very grandeur of the scenery around many a summer, but the view thence was not one he of the chosen places, and the unchanging featgreatly admired. Sea-Fell and Helvellyn he ures of the " everlasting hills," brought back ranked much higher, but on account of their forcibly sad nmemories, and these parties became distance did not often reach. Saddleback and in time so painful that it was with difficulty he Causey Pike, two mountains rarely ascended by could be prevailed upon to join in them. tourists, were great favorites with him, and IHe concealed, indeed, as the reader has seen, were the summits most frequently chosen for a beneath a reserved manner, a most acutely sensgrand expedition; and the two tarns upon Sad- itive mind, and a warmth and kindliness of dleback, Threlkeld and Bowscale tarns, were felingr which was only understood by few, inamong the spots he thought most remnarlable deed, perhaps, not thorcughly by any. He said, for grand and lonely beauty. This, too, was; speaking of the death of his uncle, Mr. Hill, ground rendered more than commonly interest- that one of the sources of consolation to him ing, by having been the scenes of the childhood was the thought that perhaps the departed and early life of Clifford the Shepherd Lord. i might then be conscious how truly he had loved The rocky streams of Borrowdale, hig-h up be- and honored him; and I believe the depth of his yond Stonethwaite and Seathwaite, were also affection and the warmth of his friendship was places often visited, especially one beautiful spot, k now-n to none but himself. On one particular where the river makes a sharp bend at the foot point I remember his often regretting his conof Eagle Crag. The pass of Honistar Crag, stitutional bashfulness and reserve; and that leading fiom Buttermere to Borrowdale, fur- was, because, added to his retired life and the nished a longer excursion, which was occasion- nature of his pursuits, it prevented him front ally taken with a sort of rustic pomp in the knowing any thing of the persons among whom rough market carts of the country, before the he lived. Long as he had resided at Keswick, cars which are now so generally used had be- I do not think there were twenty persons in the come common, or been permitted by their own- lower class whom he knew by sight; and though ers to travel that worst of all roads. Occa- this was in some measure owing to a slight desionally there were grand meetings with Mr. gree of short-sightednees, w-hich, contrary to Wordsworth, and his family and friends, at what is usual, came on in later life, yet I have Leatheswater (or Thirlmere), a point about heard him often lament it as not being what he half way between Keswick and Rydal; and thought right; and after slightly returning the here as many as fifty persons have sometimes salutation of some passer-by, he would again met together from both sides of the country. mechanically lift his cap as he heard some wellThese were days of great enjoyment, not to be known name in reply to his inquiries, and look forgotten. back with regret that the greeting had not been There was also an infinite variety of long more cordial. With those persons who were walks, of which he could take advantage when occasionally employed about the house he was opportunity served, without the preparation and most familiarly friendly, and these regarded him trouble of a preconcerted expedition: several of with a degree of affectionate reverence that these are alluded to in his Colloquies. The could not be surpassed. circuit formed by passing behind Barrow and It may perhaps be expected by some readers Lodore to the vale of Watenlath, placed up high that a more accurate account of my father's inamong the hills, with its own little lake and come should be given than has yet appeared; village, and the rugged path leading thence but this is not an easy matter, from its extreme doxwn to Borrowdale, was one of the walks he variableness, and this it was that constituted a most admired. The beautiful vale of St. John's, continual source of uneasiness both to others with its " Castle Rock" and picturesquely placed and to himself, rarely as he acknowledged it. little church, was another favorite walk; and A common error has been to speak of him as there were a number of springs of unusual one to whom literature has been a mine of copiousness situated near what had been appar- wealth. That his political opponents should do ently a deserted, and now ruined village, where this is not so strange; but even Charles Lamb, he used to take luncheon. The rocky bed of who, if he had thought a little, would hardly have the little stream at the foot of Causey Pike was written so rashly, says, in a letter to Bernard a spot he loved to rest at; and the deep pools Barton, recently published, that " Southey has of the stream that flows down the adjoining made a fortune bybook drudgery." What sortof valley of New Lands, a " fortune" that was which never once permitted "Whose pure and chrysolite waters him to have one year's income beforehand, and Flow o'er a schistose bed," compelled him almost always to forestall the profit formed one of his favorite resorts for bathing. of his new works, the reader may imagine. Yet these excursions, although for a few His only certain source of inconme' was his years he still continued to enjoy them, began ino a p d pr to h -lat r, JJ. * I speakr to him of a period prior to his receiving his last later life to wear to him something of a melan- pension, which was granted in 1835. ETAT.55. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 469 pension, from which he received X 145, and the account. It comprised a considerable number laureateship, which was c990: the larger por- of manuscripts, some of them copied by Mr. Hill tion of these two sums, however, went to the from rare MSS. in private and convent librapayment of his life insurance, so that not more ries. than c~100 could be calculated upon as avail- Many of these old books being in vellum or able, and the Quarterly Review was therefore parchment bindings, he had taken much pains for many years his chief means of support. He to render them ornamental portions of the furreceived latterly X100 for an article, and com- niture of his shelves. His brother Thomas was monly furnished one for each number. What skillful in calligraphy; and by his assistance more was needful had to be made up by his their backs were painted with some bright color, other works, which, as they were always pub- and upon it the title placed lengthwise in large lished upon the terms of the publisher taking gold letters of the old English type. Any one the risk and sharing the profits, produced him who had visited his library will remember the but little, considering the length of time they tastefully-arranged pyramids of these curiolswere often in preparation, and as he was con- looking books. stantly adding new purchases to his library, but Another fancy of his was to have all those little was to be reckoned upon this account. For books of lesser value, which had become ragged the Peninsular War he received c 1000, but the and dirty, covered, or rather bound, in colored copy-right remained the property of the pub- cotton prints, for the sake of making them clean lisher. and respectable in their appearance, it being With regard to his mode of life, although it impossible to afford the cost of having so many was as simple and inexpensive as possible, his put into better bindings. expenditure was with difficulty kept within his Of this task his daughters, aided by any feincome, though he had indeed a most faithful male friends who might be staying with them, helpmate, who combined with a wise and care- were the performers; and not fewer than from. ful economy a liberality equal to his own in any 1200 to 1400 volumes were so bound by them case of distress. One reason for this difficulty at different times, filling completely one room, was, that considerable sums were, not now and which he designated as the Cottonian library. then, but regularly, drawn from him by his less With this work he was much interested and successful relatives. amused, as the ladies would often suit the patThe house which for so many years was his tern to the contents, clothing a Quaker work or residence at Keswick, though well situated both a book of sermons in sober drab, poetry in some for convenience and for beauty of prospect, was flowery design, and sometimes contriving a sly unattractive in external appearance, and to most piece of satire at the contents of some wellfamilies would have been an undesirable resi- known author by their choice of its covering. dence. Having originally been two houses, One considerable convenience attended this ecafterward thrown together, it consisted of a good centric mode of binding-the book became as many small rooms, connected by long passages, well known by its dress as by its contents, and all of which, with great ingenuity, he made avail- much more easily found. able for holding books, with which, indeed, the With respect to his mode of acquiring and house was lined from top to bottom. His own arranging the contents of a book, it was somesitting-room, which was the largest in the house, what peculiar. He was as rapid a reader as was filled with the handsomest of them, arranged could be conceived, having the power of perwith much taste, according to his own fashion, ceiving by a glance down the page whether it with due regard to size, color, and condition; contained any thing which he was likely to make and he used to contemplate these, his carefully- use of-a slip of paper lay on his desk, and was accumulated and much-prized treasures, with used as a marker, and with a slight penciled S even more pleasure and pride than the greatest he would note the passage, put a reference on connoisseur his finest specimens of the old mas- the paper, with some brief note of the subject, ters; and justly, for they were both the neces- which he could transfer to his note-book, and in saries and the luxuries of life to him; both the the course of a few hours he had classified and very instruments whereby he won, hardly enough, arranged every thing in the work which it was his daily bread, and the source of all his pleas- likely he would ever want. It was thus, with ures and recreations-the pride of his eyes and a remarkable memory (not so much for the facts the joy of his heart. or passages themselves, but for their existence His Spanish and Portuguese collection, which and the authors that contained them), and with at one time was one of the best, if not itself the this kind of index both to it and them, that he best to be found in the possession of any private had at hand a command of materials for whatindividual, was the most highly-prized portion ever subject he was employed upon, which has of his library. It had been commenced by his been truly said to be " unequaled." uncle, Mr. Hill, long prior to my father's first Many of the choicest passages he would transvisit to Lisbon; and having originated in the cribe himself at odds and ends of times, or emlove Mr. Hill himself had for the literature of ploy one of his family to transcribe for him; those countries, it was carried forward with and these are the extracts which form his more ardor when he found that his nephew's" Common-place Book,> recently published i but taste and abilities were likely to turn it to good those of less impor:ic;.e he had thus within 470 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 55. reach in case he wished to avail himself of " Dear H. T., however fast my thoughts may them. The quickness with which this was done germinate and flower, my opinions have been of was very remarkable. I have often known him slow growth since I came to years of discretion, receive a parcel of books one afternoon, and the and since the age of forty they have undergone next have found his mark throughout perhaps very little change; but increase of knowledge two or three different volumes; yet, if a work has tended to confirm them. My friends-those took his attention particularly, he was not rapid whom I call so-have never been the persons in its perusal; and on some authors, such as who have flattered me; if they had, they would the old divines, he' fed," as he expressed it, not have held that place which they possess in slowly and carefully, dwelling on the page, and my esteem. taking in its contents deeply and deliberately, The experiment of pauper colonies has been like an epicure with his "wine searching the long enough in progress to satisfy such a man as subtle flavor." Jacob of its success. Remember what a matHis library at his death consisted of about ter-of-fact man he is: all the travels which have 14,000 volumes; probably the largest number fallen in my way agree with him. of books ever collected by a person of such lia-' I require a first outlay, from the money exited means. Among these he found most of the pended in work-house and poor-rates. Feed the materials for all he did, and almost all he wished pauper while he builds his cottage, fences his alto do; and though sometimes he lamented that lotment, and digs his garden, as you feed him his collection was not a larger one, it is prob- while he breaks stones or lives in idleness. You able that it was more to his advantage that it think of the plow, I of the spade; you of fields, was in some degree limited. As it was, he col- I of gardens; you of corn land, I of grass land; lected an infinitely greater quantity of materials and I treat these measures, not as substitutes for for every subject he was employed upon than emigration, but as co-operatives with it; I want ever he made use of, and his published Notes to increase potatoes and pigs as well as peasantgive some idea, though an inadequate one, of ry, who will increase whether pigs and potatoes the vast stores he thus accumulated. do or do not. The land on which this is going On this subject he writes to his cousin, Her- on in Germany and Holland is worse than the bert Hill. at that time one of the librarians of worst of our wastes. The spade works wonders. the " Bodleian:" " When I was at the British God bless you! R. SOUTIrEY."' Museum the other day, walking through the rooms with Carey, I felt that to have lived in To the Rev. Neville White. that library, or in such a one, would have ren- "Keswick, Jan. 20, 1829. dered me perfectly useless, even if it had not " IM Y DEA. NEVILLE, made me mad. The sight of such countless i Among the other causes which have from volumes made me feel how impossible it would day to days, and from days to weeks, and from be to pursue any subject through all the investi- weeks to months, put off the intention of writing gations into which it would lead me, and that to you, one has been the hope and expectation therefore I should either lose myself in the vain of hearing from you. Of you I heard an ugl pursuit, or give up in despair, and read for the story-that my head had fallen on yours; in future with no other object than that of immedi- which accident I, as well as you, had a merciate gratification. This was an additional reason ful escape, for if that bust had been your death, for being thalanful for my own lot, aware as I it would have left a life-long impression upon my am that I am always tempted to pursue a train spirits. of inquiry too far.'; " e. i: I am very much taken up with reviewsing, To Hemry Taylor, Esq. -without which, indeed, I should be in no con"Keswick, Jai. 19, 1829. fortable situation; for the sale of my books in' BlY DEAr. H. T., Longman's hands, where the old standers used'" You are right in your opinion of the last scene to bring in about c200 a year, has fallen almost in Eleemon,;. but it can not be altered now, and to nothing: at their present movement, indeed, I am not sure that it ever can, for the bond is they would not set my account with him even there. When you read the original story, you before seven years' end. The Book of the will see how much it owes to the management Church, too, is at a dead stand-still; and for the of it; vhat was offensive I could remove, but Vindicie, that book never produced me so much there remained an essential part lwhich I could as a single paper in the Quarterly Review. The neither dignify nor get rid of. All I could do Foreign Review enables me to keep pace witl was to prepare for treating it in part satirically, my expenditure; but the necessity of so doing b)y concluding the interest in the penultimate allows far too little time for works on which I canto, and making the reader aware that what mioht more worthily be employed. remained was to be between the bishop and the' Thouglh I am not sanguine, like my brotlh arch lord chancellor. And after all, the poem cr Tom, aid have no dreams of good fortune is only a sportive exercise of art, an extravagan- coming to me on one of the four winds, I have, za or capriccio to amuse myself and others. ____ ___-___-.__ _ _ _ -- _____ — * A bust of my fatler, which Mr. Neville White pos* This poem is entitled "All for Love, or a Sinner well cessed, had fall ien ulpon h.l, but, fortunately, without do~ Saved." i i cg serious injury. 470 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 55. reach in case he wished to avail himself of " Dear H. T., however fast my thoughts may them. The quickness with which this was done germinate and flower, my opinions have been of was very remarkable. I have often known him slow growth since I came to years of discretion, receive a parcel of books one afternoon, and the and since the age of forty they have undergone next have found his mark throughout perhaps very little change; but increase of knowledge two or three different volumes; yet, if a work has tended to confirm them. My friends-those took his attention particularly, he was not rapid whom I call so-have never been the persons in its perusal; and on some authors, such as who have flattered me; if they had, they would the old divines, he' fed," as he expressed it, not have held that place which they possess in slowly and carefully, dwelling on the page, and my esteem. taking in its contents deeply and deliberately, The experiment of pauper colonies has been like an epicure with his "wine searching the long enough in progress to satisfy such a man as subtle flavor." Jacob of its success. Remember what a matHis library at his death consisted of about ter-of-fact man he is: all the travels which have 14,000 volumes; probably the largest number fallen in my way agree with him. of books ever collected by a person of such lia-' I require a first outlay, from the money exited means. Among these he found most of the pended in work-house and poor-rates. Feed the materials for all he did, and almost all he wished pauper while he builds his cottage, fences his alto do; and though sometimes he lamented that lotment, and digs his garden, as you feed him his collection was not a larger one, it is prob- while he breaks stones or lives in idleness. You able that it was more to his advantage that it think of the plow, I of the spade; you of fields, was in some degree limited. As it was, he col- I of gardens; you of corn land, I of grass land; lected an infinitely greater quantity of materials and I treat these measures, not as substitutes for for every subject he was employed upon than emigration, but as co-operatives with it; I want ever he made use of, and his published Notes to increase potatoes and pigs as well as peasantgive some idea, though an inadequate one, of ry, who will increase whether pigs and potatoes the vast stores he thus accumulated. do or do not. The land on which this is going On this subject he writes to his cousin, Her- on in Germany and Holland is worse than the bert Hill. at that time one of the librarians of worst of our wastes. The spade works wonders. the " Bodleian:" " When I was at the British God bless you! R. SOUTIrEY."' Museum the other day, walking through the rooms with Carey, I felt that to have lived in To the Rev. Neville White. that library, or in such a one, would have ren- "Keswick, Jan. 20, 1829. dered me perfectly useless, even if it had not " IM Y DEA. NEVILLE, made me mad. The sight of such countless i Among the other causes which have from volumes made me feel how impossible it would day to days, and from days to weeks, and from be to pursue any subject through all the investi- weeks to months, put off the intention of writing gations into which it would lead me, and that to you, one has been the hope and expectation therefore I should either lose myself in the vain of hearing from you. Of you I heard an ugl pursuit, or give up in despair, and read for the story-that my head had fallen on yours; in future with no other object than that of immedi- which accident I, as well as you, had a merciate gratification. This was an additional reason ful escape, for if that bust had been your death, for being thalanful for my own lot, aware as I it would have left a life-long impression upon my am that I am always tempted to pursue a train spirits. of inquiry too far.'; " e. i: I am very much taken up with reviewsing, To Hemry Taylor, Esq. -without which, indeed, I should be in no con"Keswick, Jai. 19, 1829. fortable situation; for the sale of my books in' BlY DEAr. H. T., Longman's hands, where the old standers used'" You are right in your opinion of the last scene to bring in about c200 a year, has fallen almost in Eleemon,;. but it can not be altered now, and to nothing: at their present movement, indeed, I am not sure that it ever can, for the bond is they would not set my account with him even there. When you read the original story, you before seven years' end. The Book of the will see how much it owes to the management Church, too, is at a dead stand-still; and for the of it; vhat was offensive I could remove, but Vindicie, that book never produced me so much there remained an essential part lwhich I could as a single paper in the Quarterly Review. The neither dignify nor get rid of. All I could do Foreign Review enables me to keep pace witl was to prepare for treating it in part satirically, my expenditure; but the necessity of so doing b)y concluding the interest in the penultimate allows far too little time for works on which I canto, and making the reader aware that what mioht more worthily be employed. remained was to be between the bishop and the' Thouglh I am not sanguine, like my brotlh arch lord chancellor. And after all, the poem cr Tom, aid have no dreams of good fortune is only a sportive exercise of art, an extravagan- coming to me on one of the four winds, I have, za or capriccio to amuse myself and others. ____ ___-___-.__ _ _ _ -- _____ — * A bust of my fatler, which Mr. Neville White pos* This poem is entitled "All for Love, or a Sinner well cessed, had fall ien ulpon h.l, but, fortunately, without do~ Saved." i i cg serious injury. 472 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 55. and this it is that constitutes the gravamcen of the strength of Ireland was enough to counterpoise charge against ministers. They took none of it. But if the duke was affected by this danger, those measures which might have prevoeted this he will take means for lessening it before the crialternative; they suffered the danger to grow up, sis comes on. knowingly, -willfully, and I can not but add, trcach- "These are my speculations, partaking pererously; and now they make the extent of that haps of the sunshine of a hopeful and cheerful disdanger their excuse for yielding to it. They position. Had I been intrusted with political have deceived their friends, and betrayed the power at this time, I would, upon the principle Constitution. that we are to trust in Providence, but act accord" Now any war is so dreadful a thing, that even ing to the clear perception of duty, have resisted when it becomes (as it may) a duty to choose it this concession even to blood. In this I differ as the least of tawo evils, a cood man, in making from Blanco White. I am sorry to see the part such a choice, must bid farewell forever to all 1 hich he is taking; but I am quite sure he has lightness of heart. There will be hours of mis- a single eye, and casts no sinister looks with it. giving for him, let his mind be ever so strong; " God speed you, my dear friend, not in this and sleepless nights and miserable dreams, when contest alone, but in every thing. I wish you the thorns in his pillow prevent him not from sleep- success the more, because it will be creditable to ing. This we shall be spared from. It is not the University-to the national character. The our resistance to this pusillanimous surrender that mass of mankind, while we are what our instituwill bring on the last appeal. It must be made tions make us, must be time-servers. (The old at length, but under circumstances in which our Adam in our nature is less active than the old consciousness will be that the course which we Serpent in our system of society.) When they should have pursued from the beginning would shift wvith the wind, they only change professions, have prevented it. not principles. upon questions which they under-' This is our position. Let us now look at stand imperfectly. But if I see a good majority that in which Mr. Peel and his colleagues have of persons who have preferment to look for, eiplaced themselves. They have pledged them- ther in the Church or the Law, voting according selves to impose securities; the more violent to their former convictions, when tergiversation Catholics have declared that they will submit to is the order of the day, it will be a hopeful sympnone: and the Bishop of London (who said he tomn, and serve in a small degree as a set-off should be satisfied with the ilininiaum of security) against the mortification which individual cases; has said in Parliament that he can devise none. of defection can not but occasion at this time. And here Phillpotts, who, I dare say, was hon- " Yours affectionately, estly the estyuoth st, is at fault. The difficulties " ROBEnT SOUTHEY." here may again break off the treaty, and in such a manner that those Emancipators who think se- fy father's paper on the Catholic Question curities necessary must come round, in whichh in the Quarterly Review appears to have met case as much may be gained by an accession of with royal approbation, for the king expressed a strength as has been lost by this pitiful confessioln wish that it should be printed in a separate forn of weakness. I am inclined to think that these for more general circulation. This, however, preliminary difficulties will not be got over. 3Mr. Murray, apparently having more regard to " But if the measure be passed, and the Prot- profit than loyalty, would not consent to, saying estant flag should be struck, and the enemy march that those who wished to read the article might in with flying colors, there may possibly be a sort purchase the number which contained it. But of honey-mloon session after the surrender. Then as it found favor with many persons, as might be comes the second demand for despoiling the Irish expected, it was extremely unpalatable to those Church, and the Catholic Association is renewed who held views of an opposite nature; and in a in greater strength, and upon much more formi- pamphlet upon the Roman Catholic claims by the dable grounds. Meantime the Irish Protestants Rev. c Mr. Shannon, it swas alluded to in very will lose heart, and great numbers will emigrate, strong terms, and the writer further expressed flying while they can from the wrath to come. his confident hopes that my father was not the Grief enongh, and cause enough of fear, there author, because there was a spirit in it so: utwill be for us in all this; but as to peace of mind, terly inhuman" toward Ireland and its Catholic we should be in a Goshen of our own. And there population, and because, when in his company is hope in the prospect; for all pretext of civil several times more than twenty years previously, rights is then at an end. It becomes a religious hle " remembered -well the enthusiasm of his feelclaim leading at once to a religious war. The ings in speaking of the wrongs and sufferings of i:fidel party may still adhere to the papists; their Ireland, and the energy of language in which he -ther partisans can no longer do so. And I think, expressed his ardent wishes for the restoration also, that France is not so likely to take part in of Catholic rights;'5" and he went on to say, a war upon papal grounds, as in onse which would * This passage was extracted in the Times newspaper be represented as a liberal cause. with this remark: "The article against the Irish Roman' I,know but one, danlger ii tCe pesent stat atho lics toand their claims, which appeared in the last num.': I know but one duan0'e in the preoent state dher of the Quarterly Review, has generally been ascribed of thinos which might have shaken a constant to the pen of Dr. Southey; swe are not in the secret on mindl thast arisig from the great proportion of such matters, nor do we thilk it of any consequence to mind; that arising from the great proportionr of 1 -i-fpfu0p14^11S - Iis. in. th Totea tsettle the auithorship of such a piece of acrinoanous declas Irish Catholics Js tlhe army. Tfe Protefstat mation; but vea llude to it for the purpose -if introdlucito E'rTAT. 55. 0 OBE T SOUTHEY. 473 Ithat "the gencrous wari'th of indignant feeling temperament of an advancing age; but it is immay easily be supposed to abate in the cooler possible that the moral sense should undergo so complete a transformation, except from causes a note relative to the doctor from a convincing and able'hick are liable to suspicion" Address to the Clergy ol behalf of the Roman Catholic Claims, just published by the Rev. Mr. Shannon, of Edin- This misrepresentation of a private conversaburgh. As we take it for granted that the reverend gen- tio which had taken place so long ag-o, naturally tieman is stating a fact, we must conclude, that if Dr. Southey be the author of the article in question, he has to surprised and annoyed exceedingly my father, add another inconsistency to that long list of tergiversa- and he wrote to Mr. Shannon on the first instant tions and conflicting professions which have occurred in very courteously, saying that he had no dubt he his transition from the Jacobin leveler of altars and hstransition froisstheJacobn ^leveler ol altaiaand very courteously, saying that he had no doubt he thrones to the loyal and high-church poet laureate, of had persuaded himself that the statement was which he ought to be reminded every year by receivingeter inaccurate in a copy of Wat Tyler along with the annual butt of sack." In consequence of this, a long letter was addressed to every thing which would appear to him material; the editor of the Times by Mr. Henry Taylor, some por- and he concluded by saying that Mr. Shannon tions of which I subjoin here, as answerisng well both Mir. Shannon's charges and those of the Times' editor. owed him a public acknowledgment for a publi "Mr. Shannon has found in the article'an inhuman wrong. spirit toward the Irish.' I have searched the article This hoever, Mr. Sh on as not inclined through, and I know not where in it Mr. Shannon couldr, Mr. Shannon was not inclined find a trace of such a spirit, or a pretext for his charge. to make; and as he persisted in maintaining that At page 573, the writer speaks of the readiness with which his impression of what my father's opinions had the Irish would rebel for the sake of their religion.'In t, and that he had not committhat faith,' he says, they would be ready to inict or to been was corremmit endure any thing, to deserve the heaviest punishment that ted any offense against the established usages of outraged humanity might demand and offended justice in thus society in thus bringing forward his recollections exact, and to undergo it with a fortitude which, arising from deluded conscience, excites compassion even more of a private conversation, the correspondence asthan it commands respect.' If these are the feelings with sumed a somewhat angry tone. The following which the writer would regard the Irish in rebellion, what are the measures by which he would keep them out of it? letter, which concluded it, I insert here, as giv-' The Emperor Acbar bore upon his sigiet this saying: ing pretty clearly a summary both of these cir-' never saw any one lost upon a straight road." This is cmstnces an of y father's opinios respecta straight road-to restrain treason, to punish sedition, ior disregard clamor, and by every possible means to better ing Ireland. the condition of the Irish peasantry, who are not more miserably ignorant than they are miserably oppressed. Give them employment in public works, bring the bogs To the Rev. Richard Shannon. into cultivation, facilitate for those who desire it the means "Keswick, March 2,1829. of emigration. Extend the poor laws to Ireland; experi- K -I than you for yonr pamphlet 2 but ence may teach us to guard against their abuse-they areou benevolent, they are necessary, they are just. * * * I find that the extract from it in The Times is Better their condition thus-educate the people, execute faitsfully given, and I repeat that you have ofjustice, and maintain peace. * * * Let every thing be done that can relieve the poor-every thing that fered me a personal wrong, as unprovoked as it can improve their condition, physically, morally, intellect- is unwarrantable. You have egregiously nmisally, and religiously.' isu nw"a'As far as human feelings and not political opinions are taken what my opinions were when we met. in question, I know not by what spirit Mr. Shannon would You have uncharitably misrepresented what they desire this writer to have been actuated, nor do I know are now an you he inputed to e suspicious by what spirit any writer could have been actuated who could find'an inhuman spirit' in this. motives for a change which has no other exist"Surely Mr. Shannon might find it in his power to differ from IMr. Southey (as I do) on the Catholic Question, Southey whom his political writings have raised up without imputing to him malevolent feelings, corrupt io- i against him. The only fact which can be assumed as a tives, and an advocacy of gross oppressions. The differ- foundation for such charges is, that Mr. Southey held reence is on a controvertible political question, to the advo- publican opinions in his very early youth, and that he cates of which, on either side, injurious language is obvi- changed them soon after he had arrived at man's estate. ously misapplied; and at the same time that I am willing That he profited by the change is wholly false. And to to give due credit to Mr. Shannon for his exertions in a suppose that any worldly considerations could have afcause to which I wish all success, I regret that he has been fected his opinions, or touched for a moment the sincerity betrayed, in this instance, into a niode of proceeding which of his imind, would seem to any one who knew him as abis no evidence of the abilities attributed to him, and which surd as to suppose that Nelson wanted courage or that is, moreover, in more than one respect, rather inconsist- Sheridan wanted wit. When, with the growth of his ent with the feelings of propriety which belong to his pro- knowledge and understanding, his Utopian systems gave fession, and, I have no doubt (political zeal apart), to him- way, he attached himself to the Constitution of his counself also. try-and here' the long list of his tergiversations' comes "Mr. Southey has been, at all times, an enemy to op- to an end. pression of all sorts. Mr. Shannon found him so in his "Mr. Southey is a public man, and you have a right to conversations twenty-five years ago, and whether in his animadvert on the opinions of his which are or have been writings or in his discourse, to those who understand his before the public, whether they come out in a way which views, he will never appear otherwise. True it is that at is usual, or by the means of gentlemen who shall conceive the present time Mr. Southey considers the nearest dan- themselves to have mastered them in two or three private gers of society to arise from a too rapid accession of power conversations at Mr. Southey's table, and to be enabled to to the ill instructed. A man acting under this conviction expound them now. You must allow me, however, to will naturally apply himself with more solicitude to ex- express regret that an editor, whose paper owes, I think, hibit to the people the benefits which they derive from a part of its weight to the use of some little discriminaexisting institutions, than to detect for them their griev- tion in the language of invective, should have suffered ances. But, as in this article (if it be his), so in all his himself to join in a vulgar cry of inferior party writers, other writings, he never stints the language of reprobation and to cast a reflection for what he can scarcely think to when there is real oppression to be written of. Men may be matter of reproach. For the distinguished individual differ from him as to the measures which may be applica- in question, men of ability ought to have at least one sort ble to our system of society; but if they see him aright, of respect, and all who know him must have every possi. they will see him, in spirit and in purpose, as sincere a ble respect. I can not help thinking, therefore, that you lover of liberty, and as indignantly opposed to injustice, would have better prefaced your extract from Mr. Shan. as ever he was in his boyhood, when he thought that he non's publication if you had admonished him (with all due.saw a short way out of the evils of society. acknowledgment of his merits and exertions) that he "You, or the writer of your paragraph, have spoken of would do well, in making toward a just end, to be just on -the long list of his tergiversations? In so speaking you the way, and to pursue liberality with a liberal feeling.,have joined the common cry of those enemies of Mr. "I am, sir, your obedient servant, Ii.?." 474 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCEOF IETAT. 55, ence than in your own erroneous recollections " I could say more, sir, were it not v c;in to;.dand intemperate judnment. dress one whose sense of the usages of society is " If what you called the Catholic rights were so perverse that he deenms it no breach of honor touched upon in our table-talk. it is likely that a and hospitality to bring old table-talk befCore the subject which was not at that time prominent public for the purpose of depreciating me; whoso would be lightly dismissed, willhng as we both prepossessions are so obstinate that rather than were to dwell rather upon points of agreement think it possible his own recollections, after mori than of difieeronc. I remember distinctly our than twenty years, may have deceived him, he difllernce concernini' the union with England, will believe me guilty of deliberate falsehood, and no other. Nor do I sluppose that we differ whose Christian charity is so little, that because iiow upon any thing else relating to Ireland, ex- I think the Protestant Church establishments in copt upon the uestion whether concesion to i Englnd and and eland will be endangcered by adthe Romnan`ists is likely to remedy the evils of mitting Roman Catholics into the Leogislature. Iihat poor country or to aggravate them.. On he imputes suspicious motives to me. and aceusthat question it is well knoin to all my friends es me of seeking to render the Irish people obthat my view-vs h:ave never undergone any altera- jccts of horror and execration; and, finally: tion; and they werec formed and declared as ear- whose notions of moral feeling are so curiously ly as the year 1801, wihen the question first came compounded, that because these heinous chargbefore me. For what possible motive could I es are accompanied with some complimentary have dissembled them to you? I have never phrases to the injured person on the score of his expressed an opinion which I did not hold, nor talents, he is actually surprised that an indignant held one which I fe.ared to xpress-to nmaintain remonstrance should be expressed in a tone wihen I was persuaded that it was right, or to which he calls uncourteous! Finding it, thereabandon if convinced that it was wrong. fore, in vai n to expect from you a reparation ol " With regard to the Quarterly Review. I nev- the wrong which you have ofibred, I shall take er will allow that any one has a right to call a near and fitting opportunity for publicly conupon me individually respecting' any coimposition tradictingsoc your statement, and repelling your (not of t personal character) which has not my [ injurious charges and calumniatory insinuations. name affixed to it. But I maintain every arogu- j (ROBERT SOUIHEY." ment which is urged in that paperi I assent to every assertion which it contains; I hold every My y father's convictions -upon the subject of opinion lwhich is advanced there. Elsewhere I the admission of Roman Catholics into the Leghave published argumnents, assertions. and opin- islature were most strongly rooted in his miendions of the same kind, bearingt upon the same lie had indeed. always held that all rights should conclusion. And whosoever charges me with be conceded to them, and all restrictions removinhumanity for this, or affirms that it is designed ed in matters which had not a close relation to to render the Iri:-h objects of horror and execra- political poweri but to invest them with that tion, calumniates me. I have been used to mis- power he considered as the most perilous experrepresentation anid caluny, but I did not expect iment that could by possibility be tried in a Protthem, sir, from you. estant country. Deeply read in Rooman Catho"It is - ifair course of argcument to assert that lie history, and probably more fuilly acqunainted the miseries of ireland were not caused by the with the principles and practices of that Church. laws which ex0clude the Rotman Catholics fiom as set forth by her own writers, than most of his legislative power, and to infer that they can not cotemporaries, he could not divest himself of the be remedied by the repeal of those laws; and idea that her sincere memibers must neecssarily the question is, whether those premnises can be be actuated by the same spirit as of old. Hproved by historical facts, and that inference es- felt that if he were of that faith his whole heart tablished by just reasoningo. You can not con- and soul would be bent upon the overthrow of demn the British government more severely than the Protestant Church- that he would have I do for havin g suffired the great body of the striven to be a second Loyola; and believing Irish people to remain to this (lay in as barbar-i one of the moving principles of the Roman Cathous a state as the Scotch and the Welsh were - olie reli-ion to be that the end justified the till they swere civilized, the first by their Kirk, means, he did not see how any securities that the second by the laws. That the Irish have might be taken from members of that persuasion been thus barbarous from the earliest times may could be strong enough to overcome what he be learned by their own annals; that they are so considered oug/ht to be a paramount duty on their still is proved at every assizes in that unhappy part. country, and almost in every newspaper. That Some of his friends, indeed, endeavored to perthey should be in this condition is the fault of suade him that Romanism would accommodate their aristocracy, their landlords, and their priests, itself to the times if it were permitted to do so; and the reproach of their rulers. But in what but he could not be convinced of this, and he constate of mind must that person be who accuses sequently viewed the passing of the Roman Cathanuother of inhumanity, and holds him up as the olic Bill with very dark forebodings. enemy of the Irish nation, because he has assert- - Tis donebya fewbrif remas in the Pref ed these truths! to the Colloquies with Sir Thomas More. ETAT. 55. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 475 To George Ticknor, Esq. in all the fine arts, especially in fine literature; "Keswick, March 17, 1829. and if it is not already the case with you, it will " MY DEAR SI;. very soon be so. I can see some good in this: " Mere shame has for some time withheld me in one or two generations, imitative talent will from writing, till I could tell you that my Collo- become so common that it will not be mistaken, quies, which have so long been in the press, were when it first manifests itself, for genius; and it on the way to you. They will be so by the time will then be cultivated rather as an embellishthis letter is half seas over. I am expecting by ment for private life than with aspiring views of every post the concluding proofs; and you will ambition. Much of that leveling is going on receive with them a little volume consisting of with us which no one can more heartily desire two poems,' from the subjects of which (both to promote than I do-that which is produced are Romish legends), and perhaps a little from by raising the lower classes. Booksellers and the manner also, you might suppose the writer printsellers find it worth while now to publish was rejuvenescent. Both were, indeed, intend- for a grade of customers which they deemed ten ed for some of our Annuals, which are now the years ago beneath their consideration. Good mushrooms of literature; but the first in its prog- must result from this in many ways; and could ress far outgrew all reasonable limits for such a we but hope or dream of any thing like long collection, and the latter was objected to because peace, we might dream of seeing England in a it might prevent the annual from selling in Ro- state of intellectual culture and internal prosperinan Catholic circles-an anecdote, this, which ity such as no country has ever before attained. is but too characteristic of the times. But all the elements of discord are at work; and " Rejuvenescent, however, in a more important though I am one of the last men to despair, yet sense of the word, thank God, I am. When your I have no hope of living to see the end of the consignment arrived at Keswick last summer, I troubles which must ere long break out-the was in London, under Copeland the surgeon's fruits of this accursed Catholic Question, let it hands. By an operation which some years ago now take what course it may. was one of the most serious in surgery, but which Wordsworth has had a most dangerous fall, lie (more than any other person) has rendered as headlong, from his own mount, but providentialsafe as any operation can be, I have been effect- ly received no serious injury. He is looking old, nally relieved from an infirmity which had af- but vigorous as ever both in mind and body. flicted me about twelve years, and which often Remember me to all my Boston friends, and prerendered me incapable of walking half a mile. sent my thanks to Mr. Norton for his edition of Now I am able to climb the mountains; and as Mrs. Hemans's poems, which reached me safely. then I was never without a sense of infirmity I was very sorry that he found me here in a crowd, when I moved, I never walk now without a con- in consequence of which I saw much less of him sciousness of the blessing that it is to have been and his very agreeable companions than we all thus rendered sound. This sort of second spring wished to have done. prevents me from feeling the approach of age as " God bless you, my dear sir! I otherwise might do. Indeed, Time lays his "Yours, with sincere regard, hand on me gently: I require a glass only for dis- "ROBERT SOUTHEY." tant objects; for work, my eyes serve me as well as ever they did; and this is no slight bless- My father had given commission for a coning when most of my cotemporaries have taken siderable number of books to the great " biblioto spectacles. pole" of Brussels, which were so long in mak"Nevertheless, I have mementoes enlough in ing their appearance that Mr. Taylor had exmyself and in those around me. The infant pressed some opinions derogatory to his qual\whom you saw in his basket has now entered ities as a good and punctual bookseller, which upon his eleventh year, and is making progress called forth the following amusing letter in his in Dutch and German as well as Greek and Lat- defense. in. The youngest of my remaining daughters has ceased to be a girl. She who was the flow- To Henry Taylor, Esq. er of them (and never was there a fairer flower) "April 13, 1829. -you will remember her-is in heaven; and'MY DEAR HI. T., were it not for the sure hope we have in look- "I must not let you think ill of Verbeyst. He ing forward, I could not bear to look back. had sundry books to provide for me, some of "This year, I trust, will see good progress which are not easily found; for example, the made in Oliver Newman, the poem being so far continuators of Baronius, a set of Surius, and advanced that it becomes an object to take it earn- Colgar's very rare Lives of the Irish Saints, estly in hand and complete it. With us no poet- without which I could not review O'Connor's ry now obtains circulation except what is in the collection of the Res Hibernicarum Script. Last Annuals; these are the only books which are year, when he had collected these, his wife fell purchased for presents, and the chief sale which ill and died. Bien des nalheurs, he says, he has poetry used to have was of this kind. Here, had since he saw me, and that they had left him however, we are overrun with imitative talent in a lethargic state, from which he is only beThe titles of these were. " All for Love, or a Sninner g to recover. a well Saved," and " The Pilgrim to Compostella." You must not think ill of Verbeyst: he has 476 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 55. the best stock of books I ever met with, and at had been a water-drinker, or ever put swipes to the lowest prices. 4 No, H. T., if you his lips? God bless you! R. S." had bought as many books of Verbeyst as I have, and had them in your eye (as they are now in To Valter Savage Landor, Esq. mine), and had tallked with him as much as I' April 14, 1829. have done (and in as good French), and had " The bookseller sent me the first volume of drunk his Rhenish wine and his beer, which is your unpublished series. Some things in it I not the best in the world, because there is, or wished away; with very many more you know was, as good at West Kennet, but than which how truly I must be delighted. Lucullus and there is not, never was, and never can be better Caesar especially pleased me, as one of the most -no, H. T., if you remembered the beer, the delightful of these conversations throughout. wine, and the man himself, as I do, you would " You will not suppose that I am one of the sndnot and could not entertain even the shadow of den converts to Catholic Emancipation. Those an ill or an angry thought toward Verbeyst. conversions have the ill effect of shaking all conThink ill of our fathers which are in the Row, fidence in public men, and making more conthink ill of John Murray, think ill of Colburn, verts to parliamentary reform than ever could think ill of the whole race of bibliopoles except have been made by any other means. For myVerbeyst, who is always to be thought of with self, I look on almost as quietly at these things liking and respect. from Keswick as you do from Florence, having " A joyful day it will be when the books come, done my duty in opposing what I believe to be and he promises them by the first ship-perhaps a most dangerous measure, and comforting myit may be the second. But come they will at self with the belief that things will end better last, if wind and waters permit; and, if all be than if it had been in my power to have directed well, when they arrive I shall not envy any their course. I suppose the next movement of man's happiness (were I given to envy) on that the Irish Catholics, when the next movement of day. the drama begins, will be put down by the Duke "I have told you of the Spaniard who always of Wellington with a high hand; but the ghost put on his spectacles when he was about to eat of the Catholic Question will be far more difficherries, that they might look the bigger and cult to lay than the Question itself would have more tempting. In like manner, I make the been: there will be a great emigration of Protmost of my enjoyments, and, though I do not estants from Ireland; the struggle will be for cast my cares away, I pack them in as little Catholic domination there, and we shall have the compass as I can, carry them as conveniently as war upon a religious ground, not upon a civil I can for myself, and never let them annoy oth- pretext. ers. God bless you! R. S.' " We are likely to have Historians of the American War on both sides of the water. JaThe next letter is out of place as to date, but, red Sparks, who is to publish Washington's CorI think, so peculiarly in it as to subject, that I respondence, came over to examine our state may be excused the anachronism. papers. In his search, and in that which took place in consequence of it, so much matter has To Henry Taylor, Esq. been ferreted out that the government wishes to " Oct. 8, 1829. tell its own story, and my pulse was felt; but I " M DEAR H. T., declined, upon the ground that others could per" I have been jumping for joy: Verbeyst has form the task as well, and that I have other obkept his word; the bill of lading is in Long- jects which it was not likely that any other perman's hands, and by the time this reaches you I son would take up with the same good will, and hope the vessel, with the books on board, may equal stock in hand to begin with. be in the river, and by this day month they will'" My health, thank God, is good, and the opprobably be here. Then shall I be happier than eration I underwent last June has restored me if his majesty King George the Fourth were to to the free use of my strength in walking, a matgive orders that I should be clothed in purple, ter of no trifling importance for one who was and sleep upon gold, and have a chain about my born to go afoot all the days of his life. I can neck, and sit next him because of my wisdom, now once more climb the mountains, and have and be called his cousin. a pleasant companion in my little boy, now in "Long live Verbeyst! the best, though not his eleventh year. Whatever may be his after the most expeditious of booksellers; and may I, fortunes, he will have had a happy childhood, who am the most patient of customers, live long and, thus far, a happy boyhood. The change to deal with him. And may you and I live to which my death would make in his happiness, go to the Low Countries again, that I may make and in that of others, is the only thing which Brussels in the way, and buy more of his books, casts a cloud over my prospect toward eternity. and drink again of his Rhenish wine and of his I wish I could see you and your children; and strong beer, better than which Jacob von Arte- I have a hope that this may yet be, though 1 velde never had at his own table, of his own know not when. brewing-not even when he entertained King God bless you R S! Edward and Queen Philippa at the christening. Would he have had such a son as Philip if he On page 465 my father speaks of an intended .ETAT. 55. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 477 visit to the Isle of Man in the following May, for which my authorities are as good as his, and and all preparations were now made for this ex- pointed out scarcely any mistake except that of cursion, which was, however, destined to be cut paper money, for stamps, in a case where the short by what seemed an untoward circum- people burned those of the intrusive government. stance, though it did not prove so in its results. I am not a little pleased to see that he has not On arriving at Whitehaven, we found some ac- discovered a single error of the slightest importcident had occurred to the machinery of the ance; but I am justly displeased that, professedsteam-vessel in which we were to have crossed, ly writing to vindicate his countrymen against and, in consequence, it was determined that we the injurious and calumniating representation of should fix ourselves for a time at some water- the English writers, he has not specially excepting-place on the coast. Chancing, however, on ed me from such an imputation, as he ought in our road to call at Netherhall, the seat of my honesty to have done. father's old friend and fellow-traveler, Mr. Sen- " I am also in the last part of a queer poem house, he found him just recovering from an ill- for Allan Cunningham. The hay-asthma keeps ness, and glad of the cheerful change my fa- off and on with me, sometimes better, sometimes ther's company afforded him; and our morning worse, sometimes wholly suspended, and never call was prolonged, by his hospitable pressure, much to be complained of. As soon as my disto a five weeks' visit. patches are made up, I shall set off with it, in This led further to Mr. Senhouse being in- the intention of bathing in the Greta, unless a duced to remove with his family to Keswick for shower should prevent me. the latter part of the summer and the autumn, "God bless you! R. S.'7 which he did for several successive years, and a great addition was thus made to the pleasant To Henry Taylor, Esq. summer society there. Many were the morn-' July 8,1829. ing excursions and evening dances held in con- MY DEARH H. T., sequence; and although my father was at no "r * * -X * * * time a partaker of the latter, and occasionally I have no wish to see the Examiner.* What looked grave at late hours, yet no one rejoiced there is there proceeds either from the Elegant more to see others enjoy themselves. Pragmatic himself, or from Hazlitt, both of whom These were the best days of Keswick in my hate me, but have a sort of intellectual conscience recollection: there were always parties of Ox- which makes them respect me in spite of themford and Cambridge students passing the long selves. But it is evident that the constant hosvacation there, and with the resident society and tility of newspapers and journals must act upon the frequent presence of visitors, for some years an author's reputation like continued rain upon our season was a very gay and joyous one. My grass which is intended to be cut for hay; it beats father's occupations, however, though suffering it to the ground and ruins the harvest, though some necessary interruptions, slackened little the root may remain unhurt. Booksellers, if they because of the idleness around him. understood their own interest, ought to counteract this. To Henry Taylor, Esq. * i * * * " June 20,1829. As for my readiness to admit any exculpa"MY DEAR H. T., tion of the Spaniards, I shall not acknowledge " Here is a tit-bit of information to you re- any such bias till I see that any writer has more specting publishers and public taste. One of distinctly perceived their manifold errors, or more --'s best novelists writes to me thus:'You plainly stated them. are not aware, perhaps, that my publisher em- Lockhart has sent me Doddridge's Correploys supervisors, who strike out any thing like spondence to review: a pleasant and easy subdissertation, crying out ever for bustle and inci- ject, though the first half volume, which is all I dent, the more thickly clustered the better. Nov- have read, is a most curious specimen of elaboel readers, say these gentry, are impatient of any rate insipidity. From his youth Doddridge kept thing else; and they who have created this de- short-hand copies of all the letters which he praved appetite must continue to minister to it.' wrote! and the series begins in his nineteenth " I have been amused by reading in the Atlas year, and any thing so vapid, so totally devoid that I resemble Leigh Hunt very much both in of easy and natural playfulness, I could hardly my handwriting and character, both being'ele- have conceived. Withal, he was an excellently gant pragmratics.' A most queer fish, whose good man, and when I have read his works (to book and epistle will make you laugh when you which I am an entire stranger at present, but I come here next, calls me, in verse,'a man of have sent to Lockhart for them), I may then perHelicon.''Elegant Pragmatic' I think pleases ceive that he has deserved his reputation as a me better. writer. At any rate, insipid materials may be "I am now working at the Peninsular War. made into a good dish by the help of suitable Canga Arguelles has published a volume of re- seasoning and sauces, and I like to deal with no marks upon the English histories of that war: subjects so well as those which I can play with. it is, in the main, a jealous but just vindication of his countrymen against Napier. In my case * A review of the Colloquies had appeared in that paper, and Mr. Taylor had offered to send him the number that he has denied one or two unimportant statements, contained it. 478 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT, 55. " Blackwood I have not seen. I should call him to mind as distinctly by his pr.o-: I have the raw materials of more ballads file as he does me by my name, though I do not ready to be worked out, and am about a prelude, suppose that a single word was ever exchanged which I think you will like, to the next. Allan between us. offers X235 per sheet, which is good pay for light " Whether the seed which I have scattered in and pleasant work, and I retain the right of re- my Colloquies will produce fruit in due season, printing hereafter. I perhaps may not live to see; but some of it "God bless you! R. S."' appears to have taken root. Among the letters, pertinent and impertinent, which have reached To John Rickman, Esq. me relating to it, there are two from strangers "Ieswick, July 9, 1829. which show this. The one is from Sir Oswald " AY DEAR R., Mosely, about the Church Methodists, entering': Do you know any thing of an association into the views which I have expressed, and prowhich began at Brigohton about two years ago, posing to form an association for furthering their and which Gooch writes me word from thence progress. Upon this subject I have declined giv-'is prospering splendidly considering the paucity ing him any opinion till I shall have seen Sadler, of its means.' It is a slip of Owenism grafted the member for Newark, whom I have engaged to upon a sound common sense stock.' The whole see at Lowther in the autumn, and who, I know, principle is (Gooch loquitur) for a number to join takes much interest in this attempt. The other to form a common property by small weekly sub- relates to the scheme for directing the personal scriptions, which, instead of being vested in sav- charity of females to hospitals rather than prisings' banks or benefit societies, is vested in busi- ons; to the sick rather than to the profligate. ness. They have already got a shop, a mack- This is from Mr. Hornby, the Rector of Winerel boat, and a garden of twenty-eight acres, wick, who had before hinted at such a thing in a all of which are prospering - so that the corn- sermon preached upon the opening of the Livermon property in capital accumulates in two ways, pool Infirmary, and who now oflbrs his purse and by the weekly subscriptions and by the profits his personal exertions to promote it. You will of trade. In conducting these trades they em- readily suppose that I am gratified by this. But ploy their own members, and as they increase I have neither time, nor inclination, nor talents their trade they will employ more, till the whole to take upon myself any part in forming such sonumber will be employed in the service: then cieties. If the voice of one crying in the mountthe community will be compelete, although scat- ains is heard, all that I am capable of doing is. tered; but they hope, ultimately, to live togetherI done. on their own land in a kind of village, like the o' -' * ~ a ~ Beguines of Ghent. The practice is spreading ": One way in which I feel the effect of times among the workinc classes in various parts of is that I neither walk so fast as formerly nor willthe island, and seventy similar institutions have ingly so far, and that I have sometimes a sense already beenl formed. The knowledge of it has of weakness, which is, no doubt, as a memento been diffused by a weekly paper called the Co- that I shall presently be an old man. And yet operator, consisting of four pages, price one pen- I hope to have some pleasant days with you upon ny: it sells upward of 12,000. I have drawn thelakes and the mountains yet. God bless you, up (Gooch loquitr) an account of it for the Quar- my dear old friend! terly but will the editor put it in?' Brighten | Yours most affcctionastely, is near enough to one of your haunts for you to I'R. SOl rHY. inquire further into this, if it strikes you as it does me at this distance and G-ooch upon the spot. To Allan Clunoinghaim. _, ~' 5 - -< A-', "Keswick, July 23, 1829. "God bless you! R. S.': MY DEAR ALLA:,' I have read your first volume, and with very To the Rev. TNicholas Lightfoot. great pleasure. You need not ask any one howv " xeswvick, July 12, 1829. biography ought to be written. A man with a M; Y DEAR LIGHTFOOT, clear head a good heart, and an honest under-':The very wirsh vhich you have expressed to standing will always write well; it is owinpr me, that your sons should become acquainted either to a muddy head, an evil heart, or a sowith my kiinsmen (who, though my first cousins, phisticated intellect that men write badly, and are of their generation; not of yours or mine), sin either against reason, or goodness, or sinI had formed, and was thinking of expressing to ccrity. you. I dearly love inherited attachments, and " There may be secrets in painting, but there am never better pleased than when I see a like- are none in style. Whlen I have been asked the lihood of their striking root. foolish question vwhat a young mane should do "Your bishop (Dr. Philliotts) was at the head x-who wishes to acquire a good style, my answer of the school wllen I entered it in its midway has been that he should never think about it, but form, so there should be four or five years' dif- say what he has to say as perspicuously as he ference in our age. Of course I well remember can, and as briefly as he can, ar.e then the style him, because of his station; but had he been in wxill take care of itself. any other part of the school amiong the ol TemO/u o,' Were you to leave nothing but these Lives. ,TAT. 55. R 1OBERT SOUTHEY. 479 you need not doubt of obtaining the remembrance such a work upon a fitting scale, and in a manwhich you court and desire. ner correspondent to the subject; and, lastly, "I wish I could tell you any thing which might because I will clean my hands of all existing enbe found useful in your succeeding volumes. I gagements and projects before I admit even a knew Barry, and have been admitted into his den thought of any thing new, except in the way of in his worst (that is to say, his maddest) days, mere recreation. when he was employed upon his Pandora. He "Lockhart tells me my paper upon Portugal wore at that time an old coat of green baize, but has had the rare fortune of pleasing all parties: from which time had taken all the green that in- I looked at it, therefore, to find out what there crustations of paint and dirt had not covered. was awrong in it, but I could not discover. He His wig was one which you might suppose he asks for a similar paperupon Spain, but can not had borrowed from a scare-crow; all round it have it, because much that is true of the one there projected a fringe of his own gray hair. country is true of the other, and because I am He lived alone, in a house which was never not so thoroughly acquainted with tlle subject. cleaned; and he slept on a bedstead with no Concerning Portugal no other foreigner can kniow other furniture than a blanket nailed on the one so much; concerning Spain, many rnay know side. I wanted him to visit me.' No;' he said, more.'he would not go out by day; because he could "It is well for me that I like reviewing well not spare time from his great picture: and if enough to feel nothing irksome in the employhe went out in the evening, the Academicians ment; but as life shortens on me, I can not help would waylay him and murder him.' In this sometimes regretting that so large a share of the solitary, sullen life he continued till he fell ill, little which is left must continue so to be emvery probably for want of food sufficiently nour- ployed till the last. ishing; and after lying two or three days under " When are you coming? we talk of you and his blanket, he had just strength enough left to wish for you every day. crawl to his own door, open it, and lay himself x x' 5 down with a paper in his hand, on which he had "You think me easily pleased with people. written his wish to be carried to the house of Mr. Perhaps no one tolerates them more easily; but Carlisle (Sir Anthony) in Soho Square. There I am not often contented, in the full sense of that he was taken care of; and the danger from which term, any more with men than with books. In he had thus escaped seems to have cured his both I am thankful for the good that is mixed mental hallucinations. He cast his slough after- with ill; but there are few of either which I like ward; appeared decently dressed and in his own well enough to take my heart, and incorporate gray hair, and mixed in such society as he liked. them, as it were, with it. "I should have told you that, a little before'"But I must go on with the Life of Loyola, his illness, he had with much persuasion been so God bless you!. S." induced to pass a night at some person's house in the country. When he came down to break- To Dr. Gooch. fast the next morning, and was asked how he t"Keswiek, Aug. 8, 1829. had rested, he said remarkably well; he had not " MY DEAR GoocII, slept in sheets for many years, and really he' If your letter had contained a pleasanter acthought it was a very comfortable thing. count of your own convalescence, it would have' He interlarded his conversation with oaths as been one of the most agreeable that I ever reexpletives, hut it was pleasant to converse with ceived. There is zeal enough in the world and him; there was a frankness and animation about good will enough to do all the work which is him which won good will as much as his vigor- wanted, if they can but be rightly directed. It )us intellect commanded respect. is neither a natural nor a fit state of things that'There is a story of his having refused to there should be more zeal and activity on the paint portraits, and saying, in answer to applica- Iwrong side than the right. tions, that there was a man in Leicester Square "I believe, as you do, that great and permawho did. But this he said was false, for that he nent good may be effected by colonization, by would at any time have painted portraits. and cultivating waste lands, and by co-operative sohave been glad to paint them. God bless vou! cietics. There will be difficulties in these latter, " Yours very truly, R. S.' wxhen the question arises where the limits of private property are to be fixed. In every Utopian To Henry Taylor, Esq. romance which has fallen in my way, a despoti Keswick, Aug. 6, 1829. ism of laws, as strict as any military discipline,: MY DEAl H. T., is always part of the scheme. " I have declined a proposal from Fraser to " Such a man as is wanted in Parliament I write a popular history of English literature, a- think w-e shall find in Sadler, whom I am to meet la-mode Murray's Family Library, in four vol- in the course of next month at Lowther. I have umes, because, in the first place, it can not be to talk about Church Mlethodism writh him; the prudent to engage in schemes where, besides first time I ever heard his name w as in connecauthor and bookseller, there is a certain middle tion with that subject, as being the person on. man, or undertaker, to have his portion of the whose countenance and support the prime mover profits; secondly, because I hope to execute (Mark Robinson, of Beverley) most counted. Sir 480 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF fETAT. 5G, Oswald Mosely has been moved by my Collo- ing written it, and believe that in due time it quies to consult me about the fitness of forming will bring forth fruit after its kind; setting many a lay association for promoting this scheme; in persons to think, some, I should expect, to feel, my reply I deferred answering that question till and some few, I should hope, to act. I should have conversed with Sadler. I will talk "This has been hastily written amid much to him also about the co-operation and the poor. interruption; and I must now conclude, with ouI We have ground on which to fix our levers, and best remembrances to your fireside (for I con. strong arms with w.hich to work them. elude you have a fire), and my more especial " As for the political economists, no words can ones to your good mother, who, if we looked at express the thorough contempt which I feel for things as we ought, should be considered now as them. They discard all moral considerations one of the happiest of human beings, sure as she from their philosophy, and in their practice they is of her reward, and near it. I thank God for have no compassion for flesh and blood. many things, and for nothing more than that he "I am writingr a life of Ignatius Loyola for has enabled me to look onward to death with dethe Christmas number of the Foreign Review. sire rather than with dread. The last number has not reached me, and of its " God bless you, my dear Neville! contributors I only know that an Edinburgh per-: Yours most affectionately, R. S. son: by name Carlisle, has written the most striking ones upon German literature, and that the In consequence of the subject of Female Hos.. paper upon Klopstock is by a young man whom pital Nurses and Church M3ethodism having been I introduced to it, whose name is Heraud-a man touched upon in the " Colloquies,' my father had of extraordinary powers, and not less extraordi- been led into a correspondence with the Rev. J. nary industry and ardor he seems capable of I-Iornby of Winwick, who took a lively and active learning any thing, except how to check his own interest in both these subjects. The following exuberance in verse, is the only letter of my father to Mr. Hornby " God bless you, my dear Gooch! With which has been preserved. hands fuller than I could wish them, and with a head fuller than my hands, and perhaps a heart To the Rev. J. J. Hornby. fuller than my head, I must leave books and pa- "Keswick, Aug. 27,1829. pers to go pic-nic-ing upon the hills, where I " DEAR SIR, wish you could be wzith us. " It is long since any thing has given me so " Yours affectionately, R. S." much pleasure as your letter. You have looked at the subject in all its hopeful bearings with the To the Rev. Neville White. true spirit of Christian philosophy. "Keswick, Aug. 21, 1829. "When I received the first communication' MY DEAR NEVILLE, concerning Church Methodism from 3Mlark Rob^C*,S *:~ 55i 55 * 5 inson (in February, 1824), I thought it of suffii I am very glad that you have got through cient importance to send a copy to the present your degrees, and in a way to satisfy yourself as primate, with whom I had personal acquaintance well as others, which in your case (contrary to enough to authorize me in so doing. I did not most other cases) was the more difficult thing. let Robinson know this, because it would have Set your heart now at rest with the certain knowl- been giving myself a false appearance of conseedge that you have taken more pains to qualify quence in his eyes-would have been taking upon yourself for your profession than most members myself more than I had any right or reason to of it who have entered it in the ordinary course do; and might also have raised vain expectations of education for that purpose. One great evil in him. In my letters to him, then and afterof our Church is, that men are ordained at too ward, I could do nothing more than express early an age. How it could be otherwise I do hearty wishes for the success of what appeared not know in our state of society, but of this I am to me a most desirable attempt. very sure, that at such an age it must be by rare " The answer which I received from Fulham circumstances that either the heart or under- was in these words. [See letter from the Bishop standing are ripe for such a charge. of London, ante,, p. 421.] 4" You will have perceived that in those Cello- " It seemed to me at the time that the Bishop quies I have been careful not to offend those of London supposed these seceding Methodists whom I endeavored to impress, and that I have to ask for more than they actually did; that they sometimes rather pointed at a wound than probed required nothing like a formal treaty, but merely it. Prudence required this. Some effect the to have their offered services accepted and counbook is producing, for it has drawn on some cor- tenanced. I thought, also, that there could be respondence respecting Sisters of Charity and little danger in this case, from the description of Church Methodists, and will, in all likelihood, clergy to which he alluded; because, such among cost me in this way more time than I can well them as hold Calvinistic doctrines (and these are afford. the only dangerous ones) would not be likely to " As for the sale of the book I know nothing, co-operate with Wesleyan Methodists. which no knowledge is proof sufficient that it has "Robinson told me that Archdeacon Wrangnot as yet been great. Nor, indeed, is it likely ham favored his views; and he counted also, to be. But I am satisfied with myself for hav- through his means, upon the good wishes of the iETAT. 56. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 481 Archbishop of York. He tried to effect a union ference have something to lose by such co-operwith the Irish Church Methodists, and some of ation, and nothing to gain by it. The Confertheir preachers came over in consequence; but ence would not give up its system of confession, this attempt failed. And I know nothing more even if it were to concede matters less demonof the connection which he was endeavoring to strably mischievous. It would not allow you to form. I read, indeed, sundry pamphlets, which be rector in your own parish, nor the bishop to related mainly to personal disputes, the sort of be bishop in his own diocese. Its ministers matter into which such things easily degenerate iwould stand upon their privileges, preach duand I made inquiries concerning Robinson's ring the hours of Church service, and adminischaracter, which were satisfactorily answered. ter the sacrament. Instead of assisting you to When I see Mr. Sadler I shall no doubt be able feed your flock, their aim would be to collect as to obtain full information. many of your sheep as they could into their own "You and I are perfectly agreed in this, that fold. without some such assistance from without, as' But the Church Methodists, if they are true well as strenuous exertions within, the Church to their own professions, would be just such auxEstablishment of this kingdom can not hold its iliaries as are wanted. The scheme, as relating place. The Dissenting minister has his subor- to any single parish, should seem not to be diffidinate helpers every where, the clergyman acts cult with their help; they would bring whatever alone. Would I could persuade myself that even is good in the Wesleyan discipline, rejecting its with such assistance the overthrow of the Estab- watch-nights and its confessions; they would act lishment might be averted! But no better as catechists when parents are unable to perform means of strengthening it can now be devised, that duty in their own families; and by their and no likelier ones of preparing the way for its meetings and their local preachers, they would eventual restoration, if, as I too surely fear, this introduce and keep up devotional habits. Much generation should not pass away without see- may be done in this way. But for the work of ing it as prostrate as it was in the Great Rebell- startling the sinner and making the deaf hear, I ion. think that in most places the aid of itinerant " You say that you would not ministerially co- preachers will be wanted; and when we come operate in any plan of this kind which was dis- to itinerancy, we come upon the difficulties and approved by those to whom ministerial deference some of the dangers of organizing, supporting, and subordination are due. This, of course, I and governing such a class of men. Yet these should have expected from you; and, indeed, if are the men who can'create a soul under the the scheme were pursued upon any other prin- ribs of Death;' these are the firemen who seem ciple, it couldend only as Methodism has ended, to be in their proper element when they are in producing another schism. In the movers breathing amid flames and smoke; whom pracand promoters of such a scheme there is too much tice has rendered, as it were, fire proof, and who probability of meeting either with much zeal or are thus enabled to snatch brands from the burntoo little-with fervent sincerity untempered by ing. I know not whether any such men have as discretion, or with mere worldly wisdom-with yet appeared among the Church Methodists; but wild enthusiasts, or with men who look to it only when work of this kind is to be done, the supply as a politic expedient for supporting a Church of laborers seldom fails of being equal to the dewhich it is their interest to uphold, which they mand. plainly perceive to be in danger, and which they "In any parish where a society were once suppose to be even weaker than it is, because methodized, it might be possible to ingraft upon they are conscious that they themselves have none their discipline a plan of looking after the sick of the spirit whereby alone it can be preserved. for the purpose of administering to their bodily I know not whether there is more danger from necessities. Women might be found to take the hot head or the cold heart, but I know which upon themselves, if not, like the Beguines, the is to be regarded with most dislike. No good charge of nursing, yet of assisting in, and in some work, however, upon any great scale, has ever degree superintending it, avoiding, however, any been undertaken in which fanatics and formalists perilous exposure of themselves, and thereby their have not thrust themselves forward to make and own families, to infection; for by such exposure to mar. Both must be counted on; and if the the probable evil that may be incurred exceeds work go forward with a blessing upon its pur- the good that can possibly be done. pose, both will be made useful.'There is some hope also (though fainter) "You would not concur in any plan the object that Methodism, thus regulated and kept in subof which was to create schism in the body of the ordination, may be rendered useful in another Methodists, neither would I bestow a thought way. The Co-operative societies are spreading upon any such object. But Methodism is already and must spread. I believe that their principle torn by schisms; the specific schism which a will act upon the whole foundation of society with mere politic churchman would have wished to a force like that of crystallization; and every so. bring about, has been made, and in that schism ciety which is formed into a little community of the only organized Methodists are to be found its own will surely be withdrawn from the nawith whom we could co-operate, or who would tional Church, unless by some such aid as that co-operate with us; for the Revivalists and of Methodism it can be kept or brought within Ranters are out of the question; and the Con- the pale. But this is a wide as well as most H H 482 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 5.. momentous subject. And it is time that I should made for it of his people. You mmbht well wonconclude. Believe me, dear sir, yours, with sin- der that having been moved to call upon you as cere respect, ROBERT SOUTHEY." I have there done, I should leave you to hear of it by chance. Mr's. Opie to R. Southey, Esq. "Though far from any approach to Quaker-'"Tottenham, 6th mo. 8th, 1829. ism myself. I have always justified your transi" MY DEAR FRIEND, tion to it, thinking that under your circumstances "I did not know till our yearly meeting was the change was both a natural and a happy cne, begun the obligation which thou hadst conferred I should have been better pleased if you had not on me, so little worthy of such an enviable dis- consented to corrupt the king's English, againstinction as that of being noticed by thee. I will which debasement, I think, your example, when, own to thee that my first emotion on reading thy you conformed in other things, might perhaps animated and eloquent words* was one of un- have produced some effect, proud of such a proscontrollable anguish, because the bitter recollec- elyte as, however it may.seem, the society musn tion instantly came over my mind that he whon be; not that this is a matter of any lmoment, exthey would rlost have pleased would never see cept that I do not like to see you conform to any them; but happier feelings succeeded, attended thingo hich is not reasonable and worthy of yourby a strong sense of gratitude to thee. self. But the mere change to a state of religious " On the important subject which thou hast feeling and a strict sect would not have induced thus brought before my consideration, I have not me to address you so publicly and pointedly upon time even to give an opinion, as I am preparing a subject which I have very much at heart, fior:to set off for Paris next fourth day (Wednesday). a deep sense of its utility, if I had not heard al. x,- *~ I was inhopes of being able expression of yours relating to'prison duties,' to read thy valuable and interesting book through which I think (though highly meritorious in itbefore I wrote to thee, but I have scarcely had self) is not the best direction which heroic charity:an hour of uninterrupted leisure since our yearly can take. But the words proved that that charmeeting closed, and have not read more than a ity had taken possession of you, and that you third of the first volume. The introduction is were ready to follow wherever it might lead.;exquisite, I think, and amnusing enough to allure "You and I have lived in an age of revolu..even comlnio readers to their benefit. tions, and the greatest, as affecting this country, " I intend to turn my visit to Paris to the best and ultimately the whole of Europe and of the account possible, and shall see their hospitals, Christian world, is yet to come. The evils of prisons, &c.; and I hope to spend a month pleas- the manufacturing system and the misery of the:antly and profitably, thoulgh in that city of aboni- poor are approaching a crisis, and unless some.nations-past, present, and to come. efectual remsedies are speedily applied, the foun"It is twenty-seven years since I was there dations of society will be overthrown. You will'last; what changes in nations, men, and things agree with me that moral and religious discipline have taken place since that time! And hows must be one of those remedies, thouogh we might many individuals whomol wse adtmired and respect- differ concerning its form. But foirs sill not 1ed have gone to their long homes since 1802 s tand in the way between us here. Quakers " But there is One above' Cho chansg eth rot' and M.Ioravians will co-operate in alny great and;and from this conviction I always derive consc- good work with a single mind, where othser seclation, when the sense of what I have lost presses tarians have al watys a secondary rmoive lurkirn *heavily upon me. in all of them, and uppern-lost in many or in most..; Farewell! wi~th the best wishes for thy hap- -,' --' ipiness, and that of thy interesting group,:wxhich I see so distinctly the tdangers which beset I picture to myself in thy library, welcoming the us: and the only means by which they are to be *wet and wandering guest, resistd, that if the objects swhich I have at heart "I am thy affectionate and obliged, could abe promoted by my preachilng in the fields "A. OPIE." and lmarket-places, I would go forth and do so. BuEt my power is in the ink-stand, and my place To Mrs. Opie. is here, where I will take every opportunity of "Keswick, Aug. 30, 1829. enforcing upon such of the public as have ears to MY DEAR iMRS. OPIE hear, truths necessary for their political salvation, "I should have replied to your letter imnlm- u did they lcok no further.,diately upon receiving it, if the answer could' WVhen I designated you so plainly in that Col.'have reached you before your departure for Par- loquy, I vwrote cinder the influence of strong feelis, because I suspect from one part of that letter ing but I have ever since been calmly convinced that the copy of my Colloquies which I requested that I neither spoke too strongly nor said too much. Murray to send you as soon as they were pub- Amelia Opic, I know no person so qualified, and, lished had not found its way to you. Should let me say, so prepa1red, as you to take the lead this be the case, I pray you cause inquiry to be in a great vwork of goodness; and if you are of one miinld with me in this, I verily believe it w il * In the Colloquies, vol. ii., p. 230, my father had men- be done. tioned, only not by name, Mrs. Fry and Mrs. Opie, as b wonoen prep'aed by charitable enthusiasm to take the ledad bess yu,na establlishingl societies fir imp roviLng1 hospitals, &c.'Yours with sincere regard, f. S, )ETAT. 56. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 483 I place the next letter a little out of order in experiment, and to maintain it for two years. respect to date, as being a reply to the preced- They hired a house, engaged a matron. received ing one. a number of inmates, and had educated and sent out some few as nurses. Other individuals now IMrs. Opie to R. Southey, Esq. became anxious to join them in the responsibility " Norwich, 11th mo. 24th, 1829. and superintendence; and there not being a suf" MY DEAR FRIND, ficient unity of purpose among all the managers, " Illness and other circumstances over which the scheme, which was prospering admirably, fell t have seemed to have no power, have, ever since to the ground. As soon as it appeared that they my return to Norwich, prevented lay writing to were educating a valuable class of persons, it was thee, though I can say with truth that I have sought to make them available to the upper classes thought of thee every day, and pondered often as monthly nurses; and this being an entire perover thy letter with grateful and increasing in- version of the original plan, Mr. Hornby and Mr. terest. Hodgson withdrew at the end of the two years, " It reached me at Paris. I did not for a mo- and the whole scheme quickly fell to the ground. ment think of answering it then, because I was The autumn of the year was marked by a great wholly unacquainted with the societies to which change in the household at Greta Hall. Front it alludes, and could not obtain the necessary in- the time of my father's first settling at Keswick, formation. But on my return to England I found where it will be remembered he found Mr. and Elizabeth Fry deep in thy book, and believing that Mrs. Coleridge residing, she and her only daughshe had already made a few steps at least in the ter had formed part of the family circle, and now career to which thou hast pointed in thy eloquent the latter was to change, not her name (for she address to me. was about to marry her cousin, the late Henry " I did not agree with her as to the expediency Nelson Coleridge), but her state and residence; of the delay, but consented to accompany her on and Mrs. Coleridge was about to take up her pera visit to Dr. Gooch, the result of which he has manent residence with them. This, of course, probably communicated to thee. He gave us was like the parting with a sister. ample information relative to the co-operative societies, and last night the friend with whom I To John lMay, Esq. am staying read aloud an excellent article on "Keswick, Sept 19, 1829. that subject in the Quarterly, and I greatly ad- "'I DEAR FRIEND, mire many, of the plans on which the society act.::: i * - * I wish it was indispensable for every member to I will tell you Murray's opinion of the Colloquies. be a religious as well as a moral character. * The sale, he says, would have been ten-fold great" En attendeant, let me know more of thy views er if religion and politics had been excluded firom in relation to Elizabeth Fry and myself. Thy them! The profits, I dare say, will be very litletter was truly gratifying to me, but humbling tle. also, as it led me to look into myself, and feel how i * * * * little worthy I am of such an appeal, and how lit- " My third volume of the War is in the press, tie able to answer it as it ought to be answered. and my hand has been only taken from it for a "I left Paris (where I stayed four months and short interval, that I might do the needful work a fortnight at the house of a near and dear rela- of reviewing, by which alone does it seem praction) with a heart full of love and gratitude to- ticable for me to keep clear with the world. I ward every person there, but also filled with pity, have written for the London Review a short but strong disapprobation, and alarm. Still, when I very interesting account of Lucretia Davidson, consider the efforts making by many pious and an American poetess, killed, like Kirke White, by good persons to spread the knowledge of the over-excitement, in her seventeenth year. It is truth as it is in Christ Jesus among them, I can a most affecting story. There have been three answer the question,' Can these bones live!' not papers of mine in that work-in the first, second, only' Thou knowest,' but that I think they will. and fifth numbers; and, as they promise that Farewell'! there shall be no further delay in payment, I " I am thy grateful and affectionate friend, should not like to withdraw from it. aX * "A. OPIE." " I might be paid at the same rate for Sharpe's London Magazine; but, when that was converted I do not find traces of any further correspond- into a magazine, it passed from the hands of Alence with Mrs. Opie upon this subject; several lan Cunningham into those of Theodore Hook and other letters, however, passed between my father Dr. M'Ginn, with neither of whom did I wish to and 5Mr. -Iornby, chiefly upon the plan of educa- associate myself. ting a better order of persons as nurses for the *';, - poor; and, through the exertions of the latter, a " But I am looking forward with much satisbeginning was made, which unfortunately wasfaction to next year, as setting me free from the prevented by untoward circumstances from pro- Peninsular War, and thereby leaving me at libducing any permanent results. erty to commence printing the History of PortnIt appears that Mr. Hornby, in concert with gal. I shall be able to live by reviewing, and Adam Hodgson, Esq., of Liverpool, undertook to vet win time enough from that employment to set on foot an institution for this purpose as an compose this history from the materials wich 484 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 56. have been so long in preparation, and to carry it I was not likely to do harm. A greater poet than through the press. And I shall get by it some- Wordsworth there never has been nor ever will thing better than money: the profits, indeed, can be. I could point out some of his pieces which not be so small as to disappoint me, or to make seem to me good for nothing, and not a few faulty me in the slightest degree indisposed to the task. passages, but I know of no poet in any language " The best news I can send you of myself must who has written so much that is good. be something like an echo of your own letter- Now, --, I want you, and pray you to read that I go on working steadily, with little to hope, Berkeley's Minute Philosopher;* I want you to but cheerfully, and in full belief that the situation learn that the religious belief which Wordsworth in which I am placed is that which is best for me. and I hold, and which-I am sure you know in Had I kept the path wherein I was placed, I my case, and will not doubt in his-no earthly might have been a bishop at this day-probably considerations would make us profess if we did should have been; and therefore I bless God even not hold it, is as reasonable as it is desirable; is for having gone astray, since my aberrations have in its historical grounds as demonstrable as any ended in leading me to a happier, a safer, and thing can be which rests upon human evidence; (all things considered) a more useful station. and is, in its life and spirit, the only divine phi": If there be a later history of Bristol than Bar- losophy, the perfection of wisdom; in which, and rett's, it must be a better one; there is no ear- in which alone, the understanding and the heat lier. I do not know the spot which you call the can rest. Fairies' Parlor by that name; but I could show * *. you some haunts of mine upon those Downs, and God bless you! R. S." in that neighborhood, which I know not whether I should have most pain or pleasure in revisiting. To Herbert Hill, Esq. Henry Coleridge and his bride are now lodging "Keswick, Nov. 29, 1829. in Keswick: her mother departs next week, and'MY DEAR HERBERT, then we part, after six-and-twenty years' resi- Last year we were at this time looking for dence under the same roof. All change is mourn- your arrival, and well pleased should we all be ful, and if I thought of myself only, I should wish could we look for it now. I have been someto be in a world where there will be none. what of a rambler of late. Having paid a short. * * * * S, * though long-deferred visit at Lowther toward the: I want to finish the biographical letter in latter end of last month, I joined Henry Coleridge my desk; but you would pity me if you knew and Sarah at Penrith, on their way to London, at what I have in head, and in hand, and at heart, noon one day, and on the evening of the next they and saw the continual interruptions which cut up dropped me at Ripon. We saw Rokeby in the my time in large slices, or fritter it away. With- morning (a singularly beautiful place), where I al, I have the blessing of being sound in body called on Mr. Morritt, whom I had not seen for once more, and can ascend the mountains with seventeen years; and. on the way to Ripon, we something like the strength, and all the spirits of saw Richmond. youth. I had more to say of projects, and of ap- " My visit near Ripen was to Mrs. Hodson, proaching evils and dangers, of which we are known as a poetess by her maiden name of Marlikely to see the beginning, but not the end. I garet Holford. One day I dined at Studley, but was born during the American Revolution, the it was so wet a day that it was impossible to go French Revolution broke out just as I grew up, to the Abbey, or see the grounds there. Another and my latter days will, in all likelihood, be dis- day Mr. Hodson took me to Aldborough, where turbed by a third revolution, more terrible than are many Roman antiquities, and to the place either. God bless you, my dear friend! where Paulinus is said to have baptized some " Yours most affectionately, R. S.' thousand Saxons in the River Swale. Another * To the same friend he writes at another time: " It is To- because your range of reading has lain little in that course Oct., 1829. that you suppose religious subjects have rarely been treat~"Mv DEAR S-Ic,.. ed in a philosophical spirit. I believe you have cast an - /MY DEAR SIR, ^eye of wonder upon the three folios of Thomas Jackson's' I have not seen Landor's second edition, works, and that it would be hopeless to ask you to look though Colburn was desired to send it me. Your into them for the philosophy and the strength of faith, and the warmth of sincere religious belief with which they judgment of the book is quite in conformity with abound. I do not recommend you to Dr. Clark as a philmine, if (as I suppose) you except a few dialogues osophical writer, because I have never yet had an opporfrom the general censure, one or two being (to tunity of reading him myself; but I believe you will find from the general censure, one or two being (to head-work to your heart's content there. But I again recmy feeling) nearly perfect. What you have ommend you to Berkeley's Minute Philosopher and to heard me say of his temper is the best and only Phjlipfikelton's work. hed me say of his tempers the best and only Buthe did not arrive at his belief by philosophical reaexplanation of his faults. Never did man repre- soning; this was not the foundation, but the buttress. Besent himself in his writings so much less gener- lief should be first inculcated as an early prejudice-that is, as a duty; then confirmed by historical evidence and ous, less just, less compassionate, less noble in all philosophical views. Whether the seed thus sown and respects than he really is. I certainly never knew thus cultivated shall bring forth in due season its proper any one of brighter genius or of kinder heart. fruit, depends upon God's mercy. Butler, I believe, was "anyI ape o, to find er an a very pious man, though the bent of his mind was toward I am pleased, also, to find you expressing an philosophical inquiry; but you may find among our divines kopinion respecting Milton and Wordsworth which men of every imaginable variety of disposition and genius opinion respecting Milton and Wordsworth which n coming to the same center of truth. The older I grow the I have never hesitated to deliver as my own when more contentment I find in their writings." ETAT. 56. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 485 day I was at Newby (Lord Grantham's), where have taken great hold of my father's mind, doubtthere is a fine collection of statues. Lady - less from their main principle assimilating to that had contrived to introduce herself to me in the upon which the Pantisocratic Utopia of his early morning by a move which it required a good deal youth was to have been founded, and he had perof the effrontery of high life to effect. The most suaded his unromantic friend Mr. Rickman to interesting person whom I saw during this ex- take a considerable interest in them, and to make pedition was Mr. Danby, of Swinton Park, a man the co-operative papers his companions in a jourof very large fortune, and now very old. He ney he was about to make in Scotland in the pregave me a book of his with the not very apt title vious autumn. From thence he writes, " I have a of'Ideas and Realities;' detached thoughts on large and undefined notion of investigating society various subjects. It is a book in which his neigh- with this view. How many actually independent bors could find nothing to amuse them, or which incomes, or how much income is requisite as a they thought it behooved them to admire; but I nucleus wherein to sustain a population dependhave seldom seen a more amiable or a happier ent upon the expenditure of that income, and on disposition portrayed than is there delineated, the expenditure of each other? I suspect that * * * *~ * - this involution is much more powerful and ex" This was a ten days' absence. I have since tensive than is usually supposed, insomuch that made a three days' visit to Colonel Howard at a common payment for the creation of independLevens, between Kendal and Milnthorpe, whom ent gentry (idlers, if you please), pensioners and I knew by the name of Greville Upton when he creditors of the public, is good instead of evil. was in college at Westminster, and had not seen The co-operative plan naturally prompts one to since. He married an heiress, and took her think of the circles, the repetition of patterns in name, taking with it four large estates, with a paper hangings or carpets, whereof the whole mansion upon each, in Westmoreland, Stafford- papered room or carpet is made; and by means shire, Surrey, and Norfolk. Such fortune has not of the little orbits of Descartes, I think I could often been so bestowed upon one who has made depict society usefully by condescending (you so good use of it. Levens is an old house of know I am in Scotland) on particulars, and by Elizabeth's age, and fitted up as in that age, a camera-obscura view of the bustle of manwith carved chimney-pieces, oak wainscots, and kind." one room is hung with gilt leather. The gar- This set my father's imagination working wondens are in the old fashion, and, perhaps, the best derfully, and after quoting this passage in a letspecimen now remaining of their kind. They ter to Mr. Henry Taylor, he says, "Here I think are full of yew trees cut into all imaginable and we have something like a foundation for political unimaginable shapes. One of them is called Dr. economy to rest upon, your existing systems Parr, from its likeness to his wig. A guest who being built either upon sand or bottomless mud. dines there for the first time is initiated by a po- My head is full of thought upon this subject and tent glass (called the Levens' constable) of a of seminal notions, which in due time will work liquor named Morocco, the composition of which out a channel for themselves. They are so busy is a family secret. It is like good strong beer, there that I could almost fancy my work is but with a mixture of currant wine. to begin, and that all I have hitherto done has. *~ * -..- only been in the school of preparation. Take " God bless -ou, my dear Herbert! R. S' notice, H. T., that the clock has just struck eight, that I dined at four, and drank only four glasses of green gooseberry wine; that after dinner I read some pages in Cudworth and the history of CHAPTER XXXIII. some half score Images of our Lady; that I then took half an hour's nap, and afterward drank'HE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES-LITERARY EM- tea; from which fact you are to conclude that I PLOYMENTS-DEATH OF HIS BROTHER HENRY S write now in perfect sobriety, and with a healthy WIFE-EVILS OF OUR COMMERCIAL SYSTEM- pulse that keeps time at its usual sober moderate CURE FOR LUMBAGO GALIGNANI'S EDITION rate." OF HIS POEIS-MILLER'S SERMONS-BISHOP My father never had leisure to bring these HACKET-THE REFORM BILL- DR. GOOCH'S notions into any thing like a definite form, and it DEATH-THE EVANGELICAL CLERGY-LITER- is probable that, had he attempted to do so, one ATURE OF DENMARK-RENEWS THE LEASE OF difficulty after another would have occurred, until HIS HOUSE-ART OF COMPOSITION-HONE'S he would have given up the matter in despair; EVERY-DAY BOOK, ETC.- POLITICS- JOHN and it may be doubted whether any but an odd JONES- MR. SADLER- LITERARY EMPLOY- superstructure could be built upon such a founMENTS-PAUPER COLONIES-THE MARCH OF dation as Mr. Rickman's. INTELLECT-DENMARK-LIFE OF BISHOP HE- The co-operative scheme itself was destined EER-STATE OF FRANCE-MIR. FLETCHER- to disappoint its supporters; for, as soon appearELLIS THE MISSIONARY-DR. BELL-POLITICS. ed from the language of these very persons who -1830. had commenced so moderately, the most dangerous and socialistic opinions quickly began to gain THE co-operative societies, which have been ground among them, as appears from the followalready alluded to in several letters, seen to ing letter. 486 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iYTAT. 56, To John Rickmianz, Esq. our first Saxon kings; yet not wholly so, for they " Ji. 5, 1830. were converted by politic missionaries7 who, for' MIY DEAR., the sake of such converts, made the new religion''4 -- * * There was a meeting perfectly accommodating to all the practices of co-operatives in London in November, I think,,wvhich were tolerated by the old. the proceedings of w^hich were printed in the God bless you and yours with a new year News newspaper, and afterward in a separate which may be prosperous in all things! form. The rankest leveling language was held " R. S.7 and applauded there, and the effect was to frighten one gentleman in this county, who, from To Mrs. iodson. Gooch's paper in the Quarterly Review, was dis- "Keswick, Jan. 20, 1830, posed to encourage such a scheme in his own "' M DEAXR MIRS. HODSON, neighborhood. The best heads o the are y poor brothe a Henry is left with seven very likely to take this wrong turn, and the young children, happily so young that five of worst mischief they will do by it, and the first them will not feel their loss, another soon cease also, will be to cut thenmselves off fiom the en- to feel it, and only the eldest feel it long and lastcouragement which, if they keep within bounds, ingly; for he (poor boy) has some malformation it is clearly the interest of the land-owners to about the heart which must keep him always at afford them. The Brighton writer must not home, and his understanding and atffctions have preach about the growing omnipotence of such acquired strength and intensity as if in compensocieties, if he would have them succeed. But sation for the incurable malady of his frame. I this was to be expected, and is the greatest ob- had known my sister-in-law from her infancy, stacle in the way of a very obvious and great and loved her dearly, both for her own sake and good. her mother's, who, take her for all in all, was the' I should like to see the inquiry which you sweetest woman I have ever been acquainted suggested pursued as to the quantity of expendi- with. Louisa herself was one of the violets of ture needful for keeping a community of some the world; nothing could be gentler or kinder, given number in well being, say five hundred She seemed never to think of herself, and was persons. To know the rate of circulation and wholly devoted to her family. the quantity of the circulating medium would t seem something like knowing that rate, &c., in: Norwich. fMrs. Opie tells me, is in a state of the human body-a means, in some degree, of civil war; and infidelity is said to prevail there ascertaining when and how the system is disor- extensively among the weavers. I believe very dered. But, in the social system, there is no few people who are not serving under its banners danger of disease from overfulness. The circu- are aware how widely it has spread among all lation can neither be too free nor too fast. ranks, and of the imminent danger that threat"'I do not know who wrote the article on ens us from that cause. I am busy upon the Hoime Colonies. They appear to me very de- Peninsular War, and in filishing a life of John sirable; but I conceive a regular and also regu- Bunyan for a handsome edition of the Pilgrim's lated system of emigration to be necessary, to do Progress, a task not of lucre, but of love. The for us in peace more than can be done in war, miomnent it is done I must no longer delay the by taking off the greater part of those who are introduction of John Jones's verses. The Quarrestless at home, or vho have no prospect of terly Review has only a short paper of lmine prosperity. I apprehend that in the Dutch poor upon Captain Head's book. The after numberl colonies a great deal has been done by the best will have one on Mawel's Journal, and I must managemient of manures. The Dutch may have forthwith begin for it an account of the mission learned this froim the Japanese. to Tahiti, Nhich, howsever. you may read to moro " God preserve us from a population such as advantage in my text-book, Ellis's Polynesian is devouring Ireland and threatening to devour Researches. I have engaged to compose a volus! Emigration must at last be resorted to, as ume of Naval History, in biographical form, for the only preventive which can save us from this. the Cabinet Cyclopadia, not for love, but for luMeantime we lmay improve one generation by ere, though it will be done lovingly when in setting them to cultivate bad land, and train their hand. And thus my life passes; little employchildren for good colonists. I believe there is a iments elbowing worthier and greater undertakgreat deal of cultivable waste land in the north ings and shouldering them aside, and the necesof England, and that at Bagshot is of the very sity for providing ways and means preventing me worst kind in the island. from executing half of what I could and would " The absolute necessity of discipline, and the have done for other generations. And yet, how outcry which would be raised against any exer- much better is this than pleading causes, feeling cise of it, are doubtless most serious difficulties pulses, working in a public oflice, or being a in the way, yet I think superable ones, supposing bishop with all the secular cares which a bisithe experiment to be wisely conducted, so that opric brings with it, not to speak of its heavier it might bear close, and full, and even hostile in- responsibilities. spection. Believe me, my dear Mrs. Hodson, "I am to review Ellis's book. Pornare was 6 Yours very truly, probably a state convert, like Clovis aid some of " ROBERxT SoU'THEY) ETAT. 56. ROBERLT SOUTHEY. 487 To John Rickman, Esq. deed, I do not see how that part which I have "Feb. 16,1830. read could have been better.;" MY DEAR R., " If your lumbago be severe, I can tell you "The co-operatives* ought to be very much that at Yarmouth cod-liver oil taken internally obliged to you, and would be so if it were not used to be considered as a specific for that comthe most difficult thing in the world to make men plaint, but in what quantity taken I can not tell. understand their own true interest. It is a villainous complaint, as I know by some "I suspect that in many things our forefathers slight touches of it only; but complaints that were wiser than we are. Their guilds prevent- threaten no serious consequences sit lightly on ed trades from being overstocked, and would us even when they are heaviest. The flesh feels have by that means prevented over-production, them, but not the spirit; and there it is we feel if there had been any danger of it. The greedy, when those who are near and dear to us are sufgrasping spirit of commercial and manufacturing fering. Spring, I hope, will bring with it reambition or avarice is the root of our evils. You covery to your household. are very right in saying that in all handicraft "I am put to the daily expense of two hours' trades wages are enough to allow of a very mis- walking to keep in order a liver which has a chievous application of what, if laid by, would great inclination-as if the spirit of Reform had form a fund for old age; and I quite agree with reached it-to try some new mode of action alyou that tea and sugar must be at least as nu- together inconsistent with the safety of the contritious as beer, and in other respects greatly stitution. The remedy seems to answer well; preferable to it. But there is a real and wide- and when the weather will allow me to take a spreading distress, and the mischief lies in the book in my hand, it is not altogether lost time. manufactories; they must sell at the lowest pos- I can read small print at the pace of three miles sible price; the necessity of a great sale at a an hour; and when I have read enough to chew rate of small profit makes low wages a conse- the cud upon, then in goes the pocket volume, quence; when they have overstocked the mark- and I add a mile an hour to my speed. et (which, during their season of prosperity, they " Galignani has sent me his edition of all my use all efforts for doing), hands must be turned poems, with his compliments. He has put Lawoff; and every return of this cold fit is more vi- rence's name to the portrait, which is a worsenolent than the former. ed copy of'Fitzbust the Evangelical.' He has "There is no distress among those handicrafts got a most circumstantial memoir, in which evwho produce what there is a constant home de- cry circumstance that is not totally false is more mand for. But if we will work up more wool or less inaccurate; all Hazlitt's abuse of me is and cotton than foreigners will or can purchase interwoven and mixed up with a hodge-podge from us, the evils of the country must go on at a of panegyric, which in its particulars is just as rate like compound interest. Other nations willfalse. Some rubbish which I had thrown overmanufacture for themselves (a certain quantity board is raked up; one poem given to me which of manufacturing industry being necessary for is Crowe's, another which is Cottle's, and a third the prosperity of a nation), and this, with the aid which is I forget by whom; and one or two of tariffs, may bring us to our senses in time. pieces are printed twice over. Withal, it is a "One tells me that there is likely to be a goodly volume; and will make my poems known slight degree of consolidating pressure brought on the Continent to the cost of their sale at home. to bear upon the ministry; another, that they I shall favor M. Galignani with a few lines, to may very likely find themselves in a minority. be inserted in my epistle to you, whenever that I do not wish for a change of men, because I do is printed. Farewell, and believe me always not see what better men could do in their places. "Yours with hearty regard, Eighteen months ago circumstances might have "ROBERT SOUTHEY." been directed to a wise statesman's will; now they must take their course: but, come what To Henry Taylor, Esq. will, I shall never lose heart or hope. "Keswick, March 8, 1830. * * * "MY DEAR H. T., " God bless you! Our best remembrances to "Lord John's budget is as much a masteryour fireside. R. S." piece in its way as Lord Althorpe's. It really seems as if the aristocracy of this country were To Allan Cunningham. to be destroyed, so marvelously are they de" Keswick, March 4, 1830. mented.: MY DEAR ALLAN,: While London is intent upon these debates, " Thank you for your second volume, which, I have been reading Miller's* Sermons,'intendif I had not been more than usually pressed for time, I should have read throughout at a sitting * The Rev. John Miller, of Worcester College, Oxford. immediately on its arrival. but of which I have Of these discourses, my father says to another correspondent, "Would to God that such sermons were oftener deread enough to know that it is very good. In- livered from our pulpits! Bad sermons are among the many causes which have combined to weaken the Church * Mr. Rickman had written a paper on the subject for of England; they keep many from church, they send insertion in the Brighton Co-operator, and which he had many to the meeting-house; hurtful they can hardly fail sent to my father for his suggestions and remarks. to be if they are not profitable: and one of the ways by t Of The Lives of British Painters, &c., in Murray's which incompetent ministers disparage and injure the EsFamily Library, tablishment in which they have been ordained, is by de 488 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 56. ed to show a sober application of scriptural prin- been given for libels, public or private, adultery, ciples to the realities of life.' Recommend them or fraud of any kind, and all who, having been to your mother and Miss Fenwick, and to any of bankrupts, had not afterward paid their creditors your friends who are not indisposed to read such in full. books. I think you saw Miller here one even- "I am reading the Doctrine de Saint Simon, ing, with a brother and sister. His sermons are preparatory to a paper upon that subject. The unlike any others which I have ever read; they subject is very curious, and the book written with are thoroughly Christian in their spirit, and phil- great ability. God bless you! R. S." osophical; comprehensible by the plainest understanding, and as satisfactory to the judgment To Mrs. Hodson. as they are to the feelings. "Keswick, March 16,1830. "If I had leisure I could write a very curious MY DEAR MRS. HODSON, essay, historical and critical, upon sermons. " * * * * * * * * * * *3 * I have lost in Dr. Gooch one of the men in the " I have been reading, too, for the first time, world for whom I had the greatest regard. He Lord Chesterfield's Letters, with a melancholy saved this country from having the plague imfeeling that the one and only grace which he de- ported by a paper some years ago upon the subspised might have made him a wise and good ject in the Quarterly Review. That paper upon man. Anatomy in the last number is his, and the forth" Bishop Hacket and I go on well after sup- coming one I believe will contain one upon Madper. His are comical sermons: half Roman houses, the last subject that occupied him. NevCatholic in their conceits, full of learning which er was man more desirous of doing all in his would be utterly unprofitable if it did not some- power toward diminishing the sum of human times call forth a shrewd remark, seasoned with misery. piety, and having good strong sense mixed up " The article on the Internal Situation of the with other ingredients, like plums in a pudding Country is not mine, nor do I know whose it is. which has not too many of them. You may be sure that I shall not be found com"I think you will have another change at the plimenting the present ministry, nor even exColonial Office ere long. This ministry can not cusing them, further than by saying that they stand, if the aristocracy and monarchy are to be know not what they do. If I wish that they preserved. I believe they felt their weakness may keep their station, it is because I do not (how, indeed, could they fail to feel it after such wish any other set of men so ill as to wish them a budget?), and therefore they went over to the in their place, and because I do not see any good Radicals at the eleventh hour, thinking so to find which could be hoped for from such a change. strength. Peel's is said to have been the best Even the Swiss are looking with exultation for speech he ever made. I am curious to see how the downfall of British prosperity and power, far' the evil heart of fear' will carry - upon which they believe to be fast approaching. But this occasion. God bless you! R. S." in this the enemies of England will be woefully deceived, whatever may happen to us at home. To Henry Taylor, Esq. " I am inclined to think that the Church is in "M5arch 14. - more danger from the so-called Evangelical " MY DEAR H. T., party among its own clergy than it would be "Your views are darker than mine, though I from lay-assistance. These clergy are now about see the danger clearly and look it fairly in the to form a sort of union-in other words, a conface. The bill will be thrown out, unless many vocation of their own, that they may act as a members who are opposed to it absent them- body. They have had a Clerical breakfast in selves from the division in cowardice; and to London. The two Noels, Stewart, who is brothsome extent this no doubt will happen, as even er-in-law to Owen of Lanark, and was here with public opinion inflicts no punishment upon moral him some years ago, and Daniel Wilson, were cowardice, though when the poor body offends, the chief movers. There have been two reports it is punished with disgrace or with death. of the speeches in the Record newspaper, and " What astonishes me is, that the Greys, Rus- a Mr. M'Neil, who very sensibly objected to the sells, &c., do not look at the known character whole scheme, had the whole meeting against and certain motives of the men whose support him. they are actually courting at this time. " Like you, I both dislike and distrust those ~ * *. X' who call themselves professors. They are just " I should like a law excluding from Parlia- what the Pharisees were before them; but I ment all persons against whom a verdict has want to embody in the service of the Church some of that honest enthusiasm which will othlivering crude and worthless discourses, which chill devo-erwise be employed against it. I want field tion even where they do not offend and shock the under- standing.preachers while we hav an ignorant an brutal "These are, in the true sense of a word, which has been population: there can be no other means of remost lamentably misapplied-Evangelical. I do notknow. Ty wl t g t c rany discourses in which revealed truths and divine philos-lamg tem. ey l not go to chuhophy are brought home with such practical effect to all the preacher must go to them. men. Theyhave the rare merit of being at the same time "Hae you seen the Last Days of Sir Hmthoroughly intelligible, thoroughly religious, and thoroughly discreet." phrey Davy? knew him intimately in his JETAT. 56. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 489 best days: he would have been a happier and a progress of every thing in the country, except greater man than he was if he had been less suc- good morals and sound policy. cessful in his fortunes. No man was ever yet "The specific evil which I ascribe to the the better for living in what is called the world. Catholic Relief Bill is, that it has destroyed the God bless you! principle of the Constitution: the Revolution "Yours truly, ROBERT SOUTHEY." made it (and at a heavy price) essentially Protestant; it may be any thing now. Parties are To J. W. Warter, Esq. in consequence broken up, the process of dislo"Keswick, March 18, 1830. cation is going on, every thing is out of joint, " MY DEAR WVARTER, and by-and-by all will fall to pieces. * * * * * * * " I am not well, but I am able to work, and " You are going to a country. which has more shall walk, in old English phrase,'for dear in its history and its literature to recommend it life;' though life is not so dear to me but that I than in its objects of art or nature. But to an could very willingly lay it down, if its continuEnglishman it is a very interesting land, and the ance were not more desirable for others than language of all others most akin to our own, and myself. One pleasant thing, however, is, that I consequently easier than any other foreign one yesterday made arrangements for renewing my whatever. You will readily acquire it, and find lease of this house; it expires in November next, the value of the acquisition, as an aid toward six months earlier than I had thought; which is other Northern tongues, and an indispensable step so much the better for me, for, getting rid now toward a lexicographical knowledge of our own. of the little furniture which belongs to the land" One subject will be very well worthy your lord, I take it from that time at a reduced rent inquiry there-the history of the Reformation, for five years, extensible at my option to five and the present state of the Church in Denmark more. This it was prudent to secure, though, and Sweden; for in those countries the work in all likelihood, a smaller tenement will suffice was more effectually done than any where else, for me before that time. and therefore, it should seem, more wisely. The " So I look upon myself as settled for life. Romanists have never recovered strength there, Lack of employment I shall have none, for nor have any sects acquired head enough to be scarcely a week passes without some applicatroublesome. I have long (for my own satisfac- tion to me. tion) been desirous of obtaining more informa- " Sir - told my brother that I was a fortion on this subject than I know where to find. tnnate man: I have been, and am so, God be "There is much sound learning in Denmark, thanked, in almost every sense of the word, exthough it may not be of that kind which is rated cept that in which Sir G. is likely to underso much above its real worth in our English Uni- stand it. versities. Their two most distinguished poets " God bless you! R. S." are (Ehlenschlagen and Ingemann. If you will take over the Tale of Paraguay, and All for To J. W. Warter, Esq. Love to them, these books may serve as an in- " Keswick, April 23, 1830. troduction, some civilities of this kind having: "MY DEAR WARTER, heretofore passed between us: tell me, if you " * * * * * can make room for four such little volumes, I went abroad for the first time at an early age, where they may be sent for you. under circumstances not very dissimilar; for a " For the climate's sake I shall be glad if you shorter absence, but with much worse prospects. migrate to Naples. Such a migration is likely, My disposition, however, was always hopeful; because nothing can be more according to the relying upon Providence, I could rely upon mywisdom of English diplomacy than that a min- self; and I can truly say that no anxiety conister who has made himself acquainted with cerning my worldly fortunes ever cost me a Northern interests should be sent to a Southern sleepless night or an uncomfortable hour. When court, where he has every thing to learn. But I had little I lived upon little, never spending I hope you will lay your Danish and German when it was necessary to spare; and hitherto, foundations first. The Goths, who overthrew by God's blessing, my means have grown with the Roman empire, were not superior in a great- my expenses. er degree to the Romans whom they subdued, "My voyage was to Portugal, and you know than the Northerns are now in literature to any how much it has influenced the direction of my thing that the South produces, or can produce as studies. My uncle advised me at that time to long as Italy is blasted by the Papal Upas. turn my thoughts toward the history of that * * * * * ~ country, when he saw how eagerly I was in" God bless you! R. S." quiring into its literature, and more especially its poetry. Then my mind was not ripe enough To Henry Taylor, Esq. for historical pursuits; but the advice was not "April 15, 1830. without effect; and when I went again to Portu" MY DEAR H. T., gal, after an absence of four years, I began to " Our political evils I impute mainly to the look for materials, and set to work. * Mr. Warter was about to be ordained as chaplain to "I am glad that Burton recommended the ecthe British Embassy at Copenhagen. clesiastical history of Denmark and Sweden to 490 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF STAT. 56. your attention. It is an interesting subject, and his book is a most important one. He has tramif you only sketched it in a paper for the Quar- pled upon Malthus's theory, proving its absurdterly or the British Critic, it might be of use to ity and falsehood, and his own views of the law you hereafter; still more if you found pleasure of population deduce from facts that it is what enough in the pursuit to follow it into its details fiom feeling you would wish it to be. God bless and make a volume. And this might lead you you! R. S." at length to meditate a history of the three Scandinavian kingdoms-Norway, Sweden, and Den- To the Rev. Robert Montgomery. mark-a singularly rich subject, having in its "Keswick, May 11, 1830. early periods an English interest; a romantic "DEAr Sin, one in its middle, and even later ages; and a'I had yesterday the pleasure of receiving moral and political one, in a high degree, at last. your poems. As the note which accompanied "As for composition, it has no difficulties for them bears date in January, you may have wonone who will readl, learn, mark, and inwardly dered that they were not acknowledged sooner. digest' the mnaterials upon which he is to work. Any single page of these volumes contains suffiI do not mean to say that it is easy to write well; cient proof of ardor and power with which any but of this I am sure, that most men would write thing may be done when they are disciplined. much better if they did not take half the pains You are in the right path, with right principles they do. For nysel, I consider it no compli- to guide you, and good fortune, I trust, fiull in ment when any one praises the simplicity of my view. You have only to store your mind well prose writings; they are written, indeed, with- (as you are storing it), and it will ripen of itself. out any other immediate object than that of ex- You mention an introductory letter from one of pressing what is to be said in the readiest and the very best of men;* I shall be glad if this most perspicuous manner. But in the tran- implies that you have an intention of coming into script (if I make one), and always in the proof- these parts, when I should have great pleasure sheet, every sentence is then weighed upon the in becoming personally acquainted with you. ear, euphony becomes a second object, and am- Believe me, dear sir, yours with sincere good biguities are removed. But of what is called will, ROBERT SOUTHEY." style, not a thought enters my head at any time. Look to the matter, and the manner takes care To Mris. Hodson. of itself. " Keswick, May 15, 1830. * 55 5 5 X- 5 5 "aMY DEAR MRS. HODSON, " Yours affectionately, " The poor king, it is to be hoped, will be reROBERT SOUTHEY." leased from his sufferings before this reaches you, if, indeed, he be not already at rest; it was thought To Henry lTaylor, Esq. on Monday that he could not live four-and-twen-'-"May 3,1830. ty hours. God be merciful to him and to us! " MY D EAR H. T., He failed most woefully in his solemn and sworn "Honet might have thriven if he had gone duty on one great occasion, and we are feeling on as badly as ihe begun. But he was meant for the effects of that moral cowardice on his part. better things, and published, at a cost which The duke expected to remove all parliamentary could only be covered by a large popular sale, difficulties by that base measure, instead of which more curious things than these penny purchasers he disgusted by it all those adherents on whom were prepared for; so, in outmarching the march he might have relied as long as he had continued of intellect itself, he outran the constable at the to act upon the principles which they sincerely same time. His old sins averted froml him one set held; rendered all those despicable who veered of customers, and his better mind indisposed oth- to the left-about with him, and found himself as ers, who would have dealt with him for garbage a minister weaker than either the Whigs whom and such offal as goes to the swine-trough ofvul- he sought to propitiate, or the Brunswickers (as gar taste. they are called), whom he has mortally offended. "Add to this that he has ten children, and his "William IV., it is believed, will continue the embarrassments are accounted for. It is too present ministers, but act toward them in such likely that they will at last break, not his spirit, a way that they will soon find it necessary to but his constitution and his heart. resign. Then in come Lord Holland and the " I hold with Wilmot Horton about emigra- Whigs, in alliance with the flying squadron of tion, and think Sadler erroneous in his opinions political economists under Huskisson. Beyond upon the law of primogeniture; but, in the main, this nothing can be foreseen, except change after * "By-the-ly, I have bought Hone's very-dy Book change; every successive change weakening the and his Table Book, and am sorry I had not seen them government, and, consequently, strengthening before my Colloquies were printed, that I might have at poer of ublicpinion which will lay all wn ve that power of public opinion which will lay all given him a hearty good word there. I have not seen any miscellaneous books that are so well worth having; our institutions in the dust. Yet I neither debrimiful of curious matter, and with an abundance of the pair nor despond, and you may be assured I very best wood-cuts. Poor fellow, he outwent the march of intellect; and I believe his unwearied and almost un- ll not be Idle. paralleled itndusty hias end(ied iii balnkruptcy. I shall take': The Peninsular War is my main employment the first opportunity of noticing these books; perhaps it will be in Allan Cunningham's periodical."-To H. TayZor, J.sq. *' The late Sharon Turner. .ETAT. 56. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 491 now. It is yet a long way from its completion, " The march of intellect has had an odd effect but in good steady progress. I have at this time upon Sharon Turner. He thinks past history is a head and both hands full. John Jones's at- likely to attract so little attention in future, and tempts in verse will make their appearance short- carry with it so little interest, that he advised ly; there is a long introduction-in fact, a chap- me to begin my series of British Biography with ter, of the history of English poetry, which ought Sir William Temple! A few steps more in the to content those subscribers who will not feel the march, and we shall have to begin the history touches of nature which are in this poor man's of philosophy with Jeremy Bentham, and the verses, but will feel the rudeness and the faults. history of England with Joseph Hume, and the I have taken public leave of all such tasks, and history of literature with the foundation of the declined all inspection of manuscripts, &c., in a London University. way which will amuse you; but I am very far God bless you! R. S. from repenting of what I have done in this way I am working very steadily, and improving and in this case: in this case, because I have a most wet and wintery season by the fireside." rendered some little service, and afforded great delight, to a very worthy poor man. To J. t. Warter, Esq. "In the next Quarterly Review I have papers " Keswick, June 9, 1830. upon Mawe's passage over the Andes, and the'MY DEAR WARTER, conversion of Tahiti, where, with all my admira- * * * * * X tion for the spirit in which the missionaries begin "Are there any remains at Shrewsbury of the and prosecute their work, you will see that I am Amphitheater which in Elizabeth's reign had not blind to the consequences of Calvinistic Chris- been made there in an old quarry between the tianity. This reminds me of Reginald Heber, city walls and the Severn? Churchyard the upon whose portrait I have written a poem, which poet (a Shrewsbury man) describes it as holding will appear in the forthcoming volume of his ten thousand spectators; the area served for Letters. bear-baiting, wrestling, &c., and on better occa" With our united remembrances to Mr. Hod- sions your school predecessors acted plays there son, always very truly yours, certainly in a more classical theater than the "ROBERT SOUTHEY." Dormitory at Westminster. Sir Philip Sidney, and his friend and biographer Lord Brooke, enTo John Rickman, Esq. tered that school on the same day; and it was "June 8, 1830. then in as high estimation as any public school " MY DEAR R., in England. "In increase of population, would not the in- " Danish is so easy and straightforward a lancreased proportion of infants augment the per guage that you may make yourself acquainted centage of mortality quite as much as the increase with it without study, while you are studying of youth would lessen it? German, and enlarge your vocabulary thereby, And will not insufficient diet among the poor without confounding your grammar. Danish balance the effect of improved diet upon the gen- seems to me the easiest language into which I eral scale? The lower classes were worse fed have ever looked, not excepting Spanish and Portformerly, but, except in seasons of extreme dearth, uguese; but German is as difficult as Greek, and I do not think there were any who died of slow the difficulty is very much of the same kind. I starvation, which is now no uncommon death. am glad you are under the necessity of acquiring This we know in this place, where poor rates, the one; the other you can not help acquiring. formerly low, have prodigiously increased. Lamentable experience makes me know how "Did I tell you that a semi-official offer of much is lost by a ronoglot traveler: that epithet, ground in the New Forest has been made, for perhaps, is not exactly what should be applied the purpose of trying a pauper colony, if gov- to myself, who get on with a mingle-mangle of ernment could have found an amateur philanthro- many languages, put together without regard to pist to undertake the management of it. The mood, tense, gender, number, or person; but my person fixed upon was a clergyman, an old school- ear is the very worst in the world at catching fellow of mine; not wanting in good will for do- sounds, and I have therefore more difficulty in ing his duty at any time, but not so far wanting understanding others than in making them under. in common prudence as to take upon himself stand me. such a charge. * * * * * * " A great deal depends upon the issue of the' Do not think any thing which relates to the present struggle in France. The people will manners or appearance-the in- or out-of-door not be satisfied with a limited monarchy; they nature-of a foreign country unworthy of notice must either be under a tyrannical democracy or ing in your journal or note-book. At your age an absolute king. If the crown should succeed, I was satisfied with two or three lines of memo[ should think it bad policy in this country to op- randa, when the same objects would now give pose any schemes of French conquest on the me good matter for perhaps as many pages. I Barbary shore; there is room enough for ambi- should like to know a great deal more of Dention there, but at such a cost that France, with mark than I can gather from books; there is no such an issue open, would feel little inclination later book than Lord Moleworth's that gives me or strength for troubling the repose of Europe. any satisfaction, and in that there is very much 492 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ATAT. 58. wanting. Coxe is. as he always was, dry and reputation which his Palestine obtained, for it dull, giving only the caput mortuum of what was greatly above its deserts, and the character information he had gathered, which was gener- of the poem, moreover, was not hopeful: it was ally from the most accessible authorities, when it too nicely fitted to the taste of the age. Poetry did not consist of statistic details. Later trav- should have its lights and shades, like painting; elers tell us a great deal more of Sweden. I like music, its sink and swell, its relief and its want to know why Denmark is a poor country, repose. So far as the piece was intended for the people being industrious, and the government success in a competition for a prize, and for efneither oppressive nor wasteful. Two years ago, feet in public recitation, it was certainly judihaving occasion to make some inquiry concern- ciously done to make every line tell upon the ear. ing foreign funds, I thought Danish the safest, But to all such poetry the motto under one of looking upon the government as safe, and the Quarle's Emblems may be applied,'tinnit. innation as honorable and honest, and not likely to ane est.' be involved in wars or revolutions. But I was He had a hurried, nervous manner in private informed that it paid the interest of its debt with society, which covered much more ardor and borrowed money, and, therefore, that it was not feeling than you would have supposed him to a safe stock in which to invest money. This possess. This I believe entirely disappeared came from a person more than ordinarily versed when he was performing his functions; at which in such things; but the stock has gradually risen time, I have been assured, he seemed totally reten per cent. since that time, and will be more gardless of every thing but the duty wherein he likely to keep up than that of any other country, was engaged. if there should be a convulsion in France, which "Few persons took so much interest in my God in his mercy avert. writings, which may partly have arisen from the "We are in no slight danger here, unless the almost entire coincidence in our opinions and Whigs are alarmed in time at the progress of ways of thinking upon all momentous subjects, their own opinions. In this country there are the Catholic Question alone excepted. Mrs. symptoms of their being so. But it must be a Heber told me that I had no little influence in strong sense of their own danger in the men of directing his thoughts and desires toward India, property that can save us from a popular parlia- and I have no doubt that some lines in Joan of mentary reform in the course of the next Parlia- Arc set him upon the scheme of his poem on the ment, the direct consequence of which will be a death of King Arthur. My personal acquaintnew disposal of Church property, and an equi- ance with him was but little, but we knew a table adjustment with the fund-holders, terms great deal of each other through Charles Wynn. which in both cases will be soon found to mean * * * * * * spoliation. I am fond of irregular rhymeless lyrics, a * * * * * * nmeasure wherein I have had few to approve and " Meantime it is a comfort toknow that though still fewer to imitate me. The proof of the poman proposes, the disposal is ordered by a higher etry, however, is not like that of the pudding, in power. God bless you! R. S." the taste of those who partake it. Thalaba might very probably have been popular had it been in To Henry Taylor, Esq. rhyme. None of my lyrical pieces could have "Keswick, July 10, 1830. been so; and methinks it makes little difference " MY DEAR HENRY TAYLOR, whether there be three or four to admire them, " I dare say it will generally be felt that Mrs. or five or six. Heber's book does not support the pretensions' There are friendships of chance and friendwhich its title, and still more its appearance, ships of choice, and it was of the former which I seems to hold forth. The materials would have meant to speak; they are the more numerous, appeared to more advantage in a different ar- and probably the more lasting, because, generalrangement. ly beginning earlier, they have time to strike " There is certainly an air of book-making root in us, and partake of the nature of a habit, about the publication, which is not lessened by as the latter may be said to do, in some degree, the funebrial verses that it contains. Mine might of a passion. For the same reason, you are not have accompanied the portrait, in which case they so likely to be deceived in them. One whom would have seemed to be appropriately intro- you have known from early boyhood may disapduced; in fact, they were composed with that point your hopes and expectations; but you will design. But this book ought not to detract from seldom be deceived in your moral estimate of his reputation, the estimate of which must be him; if he was ingenuous and kind-hearted, he taken from those things which he prepared for will continue so through life. A good applethe press, and from his exertions in India. He tree may be blighted or cankered in its growth, was a man of great reading, and in his Bampton but it will never produce crabs. Lectures has treated a most important part of the " Ministers will delay the meeting of ParliaChristian faith with great learning and ability. ment as long as they can, just as schoolboys His other published sermons are such that I am would prolong their holidays if they could. But not surprised my brother Henry should think him they may be flattered or frightened into any the most impressive preacher he ever heard. thing, good, bad, or indifferent: no persons who "As a poet he could not have supported the ever filled that station before have been political AETAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 493 ly so weak, and most pitiably conscious they are justified in having printed it, but every means of their weakness. A promise to convoke it for superseding it ought to be used, by teaching without delay may probably be extorted from either Dutch or English in all the English school.s them.:Gentlemen' have other business than * * * * * * that of the nation to attend to in the month of "God bless you! R. S." September, and I do not expect them to meet till they have had a campaign against the pheasants To the Rev. Neville White. as well as the partridges; so I look to be in town "Keswick, Aug. 27, 1830. somewhere in October. MY DFAR NEVILLE, 5 - ~*' * * *$ " James Stanger gave me your message yes-' God bless you! R. S." terday evening, and thereby made me perceive that I must have been mistaken in supposing I To J. W. Warter, Esq. had written to you immediately after Mr. Fletch"Keswick, Aug. 25, 1830. er's visit. I received from him the Religio Me-' MY DEAR WARTER, dici, which I was very glad to see; and I now " The late events in France have placed both say to you, what I then said to him, that when that country and this, in some respects, in the the book is ready I will do the best in my power same sort of relation to each other that they to serve it in the Quarterly Review. It will be were in forty years ago, after the fall of the Bas- a very beautiful edition of an author whom I value tile. where my distinct and full recollections of most highly. I was much pleased with Mr. history begin. There they are in the honey- Fletcher himself, and wish there were more bookmoon of their new revolution, and here they are sellers so well-principled and so well-disposed. applauded and admired by persons as rash as "Since his appearance we have had much those who fraternized with the old French Revo- anxiety concerning Cuthbert; first from a slight lutionists, and as ignorant. Their language now but decided attack of scarlet fever, and, before is more open and more violent, because they are he had recovered his strength, from a much more much more numerous, and perfectly aware of serious bilious one, which alarmed us greatly, their own power. Yet, on the whole, I am in- and left him exceedingly reduced. By God's clined to think that the course of events is rather mercy he has been spared to us, and is, I think, likely to retard our progress toward revolution gaining strength now day by day. I endeavor than to accelerate it; a formal revolution I mean, to be thankful for this and for other mercies, the moral one having already been brought about. and, without an endeavor, am always mindful of "The aristocracy are likely to be awakened the uncertainty of human life; without endeavor to a sense of danger: in this country, indeed, I I say, because that feeling has become habitual. know that they are so, though they want either * * * * * the courage or the honesty to make their public "Ellis, the missionary, whose book I reviewed conduct agree with their private declarations. in the last Quarterly Review, has been here, and But this course of double dealing can not long we were very much pleased with him. I was be continued if Europe should be involved again gratified by hearing from Sir Robert Inglis, in a in revolutionary wars, from which I hardly see letter which I received yesterday, that he thought how it can escape, for I can not think that the that reviewal of mine was likely to be of much new King of the French will possess that throne use; the circles in which he moves afford him in peace. opportunities of observing how the observations " As to military means, we have never been which I made upon the errors of the Missionaries, so well prepared for war, and the excitement and the dangers consequent upon those errors, which it would bring with it, and the impulse are received among persons who have some inwhich it would give to every branch of industry, fluence in directing their proceedings. would put an end at once to all the present dis- " This letter would have been finished and distress, whatever might be the eventual conse- patched yesterday if Dr. Bell had not unexpectquences of a war expenditure. edly arrived on a flying visit, or, rather, on his " But enough of this subject, which occupies way to Scotland. He is a marvelous person for more of my thoughts than I could wish. his years, and yet I see a difference since he was "I have written a biographical paper for the here in 1828. Quarterly Review which will interest you much, " Edward, the eldest of my uncle's sons, is if you have not already read the book from which passing the long vacation with me, and has been it is composed. It is the Life of Oberlin, a pas- joined here by the third brother, Erroll. I hope tor of the Ban de la Roche in the Vosges Mount- to have much comfort in these young relations, ains. I am upon the latter part of a reviewal and have now more satisfaction than I can exof Dymond's Moral and Political Philosophy; press in manifesting toward them my love for and 1 have sent off a short paper upon the Negro- their father. God bless you, my dear Neville! English New Testament, for printing which the "Yours most affectionately, R. S." Bible Society has been greatly inveighed against. The Testament is a great curiosity, and I think To Mrs. Hodson. myself very fortunate in having obtained one. "Keswick, Sept. 10,1830. But I do not join in the outcry against the Bible "MY DEAR MRS. HODSON, Society; in my judgment they are completely You might have had another reason for dis 494 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iTAT. 57. believing the statement of my appearing as a Frenchman could have written it. But Louis witness in behalf of TMr. St. John Long, to wit, Philippe is already tasting the bitter relish of that that I am not likely to put myself into the hands ambition which was sweet at the first draught. of a quack. Probably he has had a patient of Take away from his party the adventitious supthe same name, and the news' reporters supposed porters (who make use, or hope to make use of it to be me. It was contradicted in the Times him as an instrument, one faction against anothby my brother (I suppose), who perhaps thought er), and his party is the weakest in France the it some derogation to his own doctorship as well Napoleonists are stronger; so are the Republicas mine. ans; so are the Loyalists. These last would be "I am troubled at the course of events, yet I the most numerous if quiet voices were ever can find some considerations, which, if they do counted in clamorous times. The Republicans not allay my disquietude, have in them a grow- are the most active and the most daring, and ing comfort. Had it been in my power to turn therefore they are most likely to have their dcay the balance between the contending principles of triumph. War then becomes inevitable, and of France-which were Liberalism and Jesuit- the new king's best policy, as against both Reism-I should have laid my hand with great mis- publicans and Napoleonists, may be to keep a. giving on either scale; and if I had decided on mischievous nation quiet at home by engaging that which was, for the time, the cause of order, in hostilities with his neighbors, and taking up and brought with it the least immediate evil, it the old scheme of fraternization and conquest. would have been with no clear conviction or good This is what I expect, and then huzza for anwill. The complete triumph of the old Bourbon other battle of Waterloo! system would be the re-establishment of such a " Believe me, always yours very truly, religion and such a court as those of Louis XIV. "ROBEFRT SOTITHEY." and Louis XV. Charles X. did not desire such a court, neither did the dauphin his son, but they To John Rickmane, Esq. both deemed it their duty to do all that could be " Sept. 11, 1830. done by sovereign power for the holy Roman "MIY DEARt R., Catholic Church. "Parliamentary reform is no longer a doubt"The royal family fully understood that a ful matter; in some shape or other it must come; scheme for expelling them and putting the son and, in fact, the present state of things gives us of Philippe Egalite in their place had been car- some of its worst effects, as seen in Yorkshire rying on ever since the battle of Waterloo, but and Middlesex. The old ground of defense, therethey were strangely mistaken with regard to fore, that the system works well, is no longer their strength, and did not calculate on the means tenable; indeed, I have long seen that what wise of resistance which had been prepared. Other- men ought to look to is to devise in what manner wise, they had troops on whom they could have they may best construct a raft from the wreck perfectly relied, who could have been brought up, of the old ship. I would have fought her to the for they were within two days' march. water's edge rather than have run. among the "It is better as it is, for they had put them- breakers in the vain hope of escaping the enemy's selves glaringly in the wrong by the Ordinances, fire. having been wholly in the right before. You "It has been said that the king meant by his might have been with them for mere political own prerogative to issue writs for Birminglham. considerations (and those only temporary ones) Ma-nchester, and perhaps Leeds and Sheffield. if they had succeeded, but you could not have I wish he would, because it is better this should been with them in principle and in heart. But be done as an act of grace than of yielding; and all three are now united in the Duke de Bor- it would be wholesome to exert the prerog'atives deaux's cause. Oh, how blind of intellect and in a way that would be popular. The qualificadead of heart must the Duke of Orleans be to tion might be fixed at a reasonable standard, and have thrown away such an opportunity of secur- then let the cry for universal suffrage take its ing himself a good and glorious name! Had he course. insisted upon that child's right, and the plain "A curious circumstance has come to my policy of maintaining it-had he acted for him knowledge, showing that the Liberals were ready as a faithful regent-he would have had, not the to strike a blow before the Ordinances gave a mere recognition of unwilling courts, nor the good color to their cause. A Frenchman em-'hey, fellow!' recognition of Cobbet and Co., ployed in Child's banking-house in their foreign but the sure support of all the European powers, correspondence, at k170 a year, asked leave (beand the grateful attachment of all the old Roy- fore the Ordinances were fixed) to go to Paris, alists, and of all Frenchmen who desire tranquil- and was refused; he said he. must go; they said, lity; and his name would have become as illus- if so, they must fill up his place. He then told trious as that of Washington. them that he was one of the National Guard "Did you ever read the Abbe Terasson's Se- that he was hound, as such, by a secret oath, to thos? There this duke might have found a bet- repair to Paris whenever he might be summoned, ter model for himself than Fenelon exhibited for and wherever he might be, disregarding all othhis pupil in Telemachus. It is so fine a romance er objects: the summons had reached him, and in part of its story, and in its conception of moral go lie must. He went accordingly, and would greatness, that I have always wondered howe l arrive just in timle for the struigle. ,ETAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 495 "Has any thought been given at the Admi- This visit to London was partly on business ralty to the effect which steam navigation must -as he found it desirable occasionally to confer produce upon naval war? I fear we shall have personally with his publishers —and partly for to make our experiments in actual war, and learn the sake of being nearer to the scene of action that as we did engineering in Spain. in those stirring times. This was as well for the "By good fortune, our enemies are as igno- purpose of writing upon the state of the times in rant in it as ourselves. God bless you! the Quarterly Review, as also because he was "R. S." then planning a new series of-Colloquies, on moral and political subjects, in which Mr. Rickman was to be the interlocutor. A considerable portion of the work was written in the course of the CHAPTER XXXIV. following' year by these two parties, and even JOURNEY TO LONDON-UNEASY LIFE THERE- part of it set up in type; but the plan of a joint NATIONAL EDUCATION-GOES INTO HAMPSHIRE composition did not answer, being, as might be AND TO THE WEST OF ENGLAND-CORRESPOND- supposed, very unfavorable to any thing like close ENCE WITH LORD BROUGHAIM RESPECTING THE reasoning and logical deduction, and from this ENCOURAGEMENT OF LITERATURE AND SCIENCE and other causes it was never completed. -ADVICE AS TO THE CHOICE OF A PROFESSION The following letter to Dr. Bell shows how -MISS BOWLES-JOANNA BAILLIE-POLITICS restless a life he was compelled to lead in London. -NECESSITY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION-THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATII-TIIE REFORM To the Rev. A. Bell, D. D. BILL-PROSPECTS OF TIHE COUNTRY-IVAN VE- " London, Nov. 25, 1830. GEEGHAN-JOURNEY TO CHELTENHAM ON DR. MY DEAR SIR, BELL S AFFAIRS SIR WALTER SCOTT-MR. t;I came home at twelve this morning,e that WORDSWOR TII-OSTRANGE NOTION OF ANASTA- I might write to you fully by this post, and found SIUS HOPE- IR. KENYON-MIR. POOLE-GEN- on my table a hand-bill of such a nature that I ERAL PEACIIEY-HIS PROSPECTS NOT SO GOOD deemed it my duty to lose no time in sending it AS FORMERLY-THE CHOLERA-LITERARY E2M- to the Home Office: it invites a subscription for PLOYMENTS-STATE OF FEELING IN THE COUN- arming the people against the police. Before TRY-JOURNEY TO LIVERPOOL, IMANCHESTER, this could be done, in came a caller, then anothETC.-IS INVITED TO STAND FOR A PROFESSOR- er; and it is now three o'clock. Would that it SHIP AT GLASGOW-RTEGRETS IMR. MAY S RE- were possible for me to convince you of what it MOVAL FROMI BRISTOL-RIOTS IN TIIAT CITY- is SO desirable for you to be convinced of-not THE CHOLERA-THE EXCHEQUER LIKELY TO merely that your system must make its way uniBE ABOLISIED-PUBLICATION OF HIS POLITICAL versally (for you have never doubted that), nor ESSAYS.-1830-1831. that your own just claims will one day be universally acknowledged (for this also you can not TOWARD the end of the following month (Oc- doubt), but that such efforts as you now weary tober) my father was on the move for London, and vex yourself with making, and as you wish whither he traveled slowly, having Mr. Henry me to assist in, can not possibly promote the exTaylor for a companion, who had been passing tension of the system. * * a short time at Keswick. Their route lay by' The best thing that I can do, after touching the great North Road, through York and Doncas- upon the necessity of national education in the ter, at which latter place they amused themselves Christmas number (of the Quarterly Review), will with fixing upon the identical house in which Dr. be to prepare a paper upon the subject as early Daniel Dove had lived. While they were walk- as possible; a task the more necessary, because ing round the town, an incident occurred, which many persons, I perceive, are beginning to appreis related in The Doctor; &c., and may not un- hend that the progress of education among the fitly be mentioned here: " The group inside a lower classes has done more harm than good. It shaving shop (Saturday evening) led us to stop is, you know, not a matter of opinion with me, for a minute, and a portrait over the fire induced us but of feeling and religious belief; that the greatto walk in and look at it. It was an unfinished er the diffusion of knowledge, the better will it picture, and would probably have been a good be for mankind, provided that the foundation be one had it been completed. Upon inquiring built upon the rock, and that, above all things, whose it was, the barber said it had been in his the rising generation be instructed in their duties. possession many years before he knew; some I shall be well employed, therefore, in showing friend had given it him because he said his shop that where any harm has been done by educawas the proper place for it, the gentleman look- tion, it is because that education has been impering, by his dress, as if he was just ready to be feet, or because its proper object has been pershaved, with an apron under his chin. One day, verted by untoward circumstances, and the preshowever, the portrait had attracted a passing ent state of the nation is such that I shall be enstranger's notice, as it had done ours, and he rec- abled to do this with better hope. ognized it (as I did upon hearing this) for a por-' I am entering far more into general society trait of Garrick."* than in any of my former visits to London, for To Mrs. Southey, Oct., 1830. * From breakfasting out. 496 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF lETAT. 57. the purpose of seeing and hearing all within my (he had three in succession in the course of one reach. The Duchess of Kent sent for me to year); Guildford, where we had time to go into dinner on Wednesday last; there was a large the prettiest alms-houses in the kingdom, a founparty, not one of whom I had ever seen before. dation of Archbishop Abbot, into its chapel, With the duchess, who seems a very amiable where there are some rich painted windows and person, I had a very little conversation, though a good portrait of the founder; and Godalming, quite as much as she could possibly bestow upon where 1 saw the church in passing. * * me; but with Prince Leopold, the only person At Chichester, one of the canons, Mr. Holland to whom I was introduced, I had a great deal. (who married Murray's sister), expected us. I see men who are going into office, and men The Cathedral is avery interesting pile on many who are going out, and I am. familiar enough accounts, and much finer than books or common with some of them to congratulate the latter, report had led me to expect. A bookseller and condole with and commiserate the former. showed me a letter of Cowper's and some MS. I meet with men of all persuasions and all grades notes of his written in Johnson's Life of Milton, of opinion, and hear their hopes and their fears, Chillingworth's grave is in the cloisters, near and have opportunities (which I do not let slip) Mr. Holland's door. Dr. Chandler, the dean, of seeing the mechanism of government, and ob- came to us in the Cathedral library, where, serving how the machine works. I was to have among other rarities, is the oldest volume of dined with the archbishop on Wednesday, when English sermons by Bishop Fisher. Bernard the duchess made me put off my engagement. Barton's brother also joined us there, to be inX 8 ~ * X * * troduced to me. After luncheon, Mr. Holland " My table is now covered with notes, pam- took me to see his Chichester poet, Charles Crockphlets, and piles of seditious papers. You may er, a shoe-mender, a very industrious, happy, and imagine how I long to be at home and at rest. meritorious man, who is perhaps the best examTo-day I dine with Mr. Croker, who is likely to pie of the good that may be done by education be prominent in opposition. The duke will not; to persons in his rank of life. His poems are of neither, by what I hear, will Sir R. Peel. But very considerable merit. Then we went on the I do not think it possible that the present admin- city walls, and lastly into the bishop's palace, so istration can hold together long; and Peel, who that I saw all that could be shown me in Chichesis now without an equal in the Commons, has ter, a cheerful, pleasant city."* The next letter only to wait patiently till he is made minister by gives some account of his further movements. common consent of the nation. "Farewell, my dear sir; and believe me al- To the Rev. J. W. Warter. ways sincerely and affectionately yours, "Crediton, Jan. 12, 1831. ROBERT SOUTHEY." "MY DEAR WARTER, "Here I arrived last night on my way home. My father was much gratified, on the occasion and at the furthest point from it to which my of this visit to the Duchess of Kent, by her bring- circuit has extended; and here, at last, I have ing the Princess Victoria, then eleven years of some hours upon which no demand will be made. age, to tell him she had lately read with pleasure This is the first use of my first interval of leisure, his Life of Nelson. "With the archbishop," he How I have been distracted in London no one says in another letter, " I dined afterward, Words- can fully understand, unless they have been living worth, Dr. Wordsworth, and Joshua Watson be- with me there; and how I have been busied ing of the party. The Duke of Wellington sent tooth and nail during eleven days after I left it me a card, but I could not accept the invitation. and got to Miss Bowles's, near Lymington, you But the oddest thing which befell me was, that may judge when you know that in that time I as I rose from my knee at the levee, my hand wrote the concluding article of the Quarterly Rewas unexpectedly caught hold of and shaken by view all but the first seven pages. Lord Brougham."* * * * * * * * He continued in London until the end of De- "As to the state of the country, I am more cember, when he went down into Sussex with hopeful than most persons. The change of minMr. Rickman, and, after a few days, proceeded istry was the best thing that could have occurred, to his friend Miss Bowles, at Buckland, near Lym- because the Whigs must do what they would ington, where he found perfect quiet and leisure never have allowed the Tories to do; they must to finish a paper for the ensuing number of the unsay much of what they have said; they must Quarterly Review. A few brief extracts from undo (as far as that is possible) much of what his account of his journey thither will show how they have done. They are augmenting the arobservant a traveler he was, even over ground my, which they compelled their predecessors to which most persons would find little to interest reduce. They have called for a yeomanry force, them in: " - * Our road lay through which they made their predecessors disband. Kingston, where Huntingdon the Sinner Saved They are endeavoring to curb the license of the commenced his manner of living by faith; Esher, press. I think they must suspend the Habeas where Prince Leopold lives; Cobham, where Corpus Act. I believe they must restore the some whimsical nobleman used to keep a hermit one pound bills; I expect that they will find it * At that time lord chancellor. * To Mrs. Southey, Dec. 30, 1830. ATAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 497 impossible not to go to war; and I am sure that The Lord Chancellor Brougham and Vaux to if the question of Parliamentary Reform should R. Southey, Esq. not be thrust aside by other events, it could not " Althorp, Jan., 1831. be brought forward so well by any other persons " DEAR SIR, as by the Whigs in power. They have great "I was prevented by various interruptions stakes in the country, and they are now heartily from writing to you while I was at Brougham afraid of the democracy which they have so long upon a subject which greatly interests me, and I been flattering. They have raised the devil, and therefore take the earliest opportunity of bringing it is proper that they should have the task of it before you. laying him. But in this, all who think and feel "The government of this country have long as I do will lend them a cordial support; not for been exposed, I fear justly, to the charge of negtheir sakes, but for the sake of ourselves and of lecting science and letters. I feel it an imposthe nation. While the government is what it is, sible thing for me, whose life has been passed we must support it in whatever hands it may be. more or less in these pursuits, to allow this stain' We shall get through our difficulties, and to rest upon any administration with which I am the better if there be war to help us. The prop- connected, and therefore that it is my duty, as erty of the country is yet strong enough to re- far as in me lies, to turn the attention of the store order. And if we have a change in the present government to the best means of encourform of representation grounding it on property, aging scientific and literary pursuits. With this and nowhere on numbers, we may gain by such view I have applied to the two men at the head a change more than we should lose by it. Soon of the physical and mathematical sciences, in my we shall have a stronger government, and some- opinion, and I can not look into the department thing like police in the country as well as in of literature without being met by your name. London. I may probably apply in like manner to one or * * * * * * two more men distinguished in the same field, but "I leave this place (whither I came only to I have not as yet selected any such. My wish spend three days with my old fellow-collegian is to have the benefit of your unreserved opinion Lightfoot) on Saturday morning for Taunton, upon the questions: there to see my Aunt Mary, the last of my fa- "1st. Whether or not Letters will gain by ther's generation; a dear excellent old lady, in the more avowed and active encouragement of whom I see what I am indebted for to the the government? Southey part of my blood. Monday I go to " 2d. In what way that encouragement can Bristol, where I have not been for twenty years. the most safely and beneficially be given them? I mean once more to look at the scenes of my "Under the first head is to be considered, no birth and childhood, and have so much love for doubt, the chances of doing harm as well as the the place that I have the serious intention of prospect of doing good. Thus it seems obvious writing a poem, descriptive, historical, and des- that there is one danger to be guarded againstultory, in honor of my native city. the undue influence of government-capable of " You may suppose how impatient I am to being perverted to political and party purposes. reach home, and resume once more the even This includes the risk of jobs for unworthy pertenor of my usual life. I bought a good many sons, and the exclusion of men of merit. The books in London, three or four consignments of applause of the public, it may be said, is a safe which have arrived, and others are on the way. test and unbiased reward of merit; not to be Some skill in packing will be required for ar- easily, at least not permanently, perverted to ranging them. Neither my head nor hands were wrong ends. I throw out this as one consideraever so full as at this time, and I hope, with God's tion, showing that the case is not so clear of blessing, to get through a world of work. doubt as it at first may seem to be. " And now, my dear Warter, God bless you! " Under the second head several things pre"Yours affectionately, sent themselves for consideration. If the risk of " ROBERT SOUTHEY." abuse were not great, it is plain that pecuniary assistance would be the most desirable means of It would seem that my father felt considerable helping genius, because many a man of genius surprise at Lord Brougham's friendly greeting is forced out of the path of original inquiry and at the levee, partly because they had little or no of refined taste by the necessities of his situation, personal acquaintance, having, I believe, only and is obliged to spend his talents on labor little met once at Edinburgh in 1805 (see ante, p. better than mechanical. But the difficulties of 195), and partly because they had been so strong- arranging such aid systematically are so great, ly opposed in politics, neither having spared the and the risk of abuse so imminent, that I quesother when occasion served. Time, however, tion if more can be done in this way than by lendhad somewhat softened the political asperities of ing occasional assistance. both, and the greeting was only the prelude to a "The encouragement of societies has been alfriendly letter from his lordship, which reached ready tried, not perhaps in the best way, but still my father while on his journey, but to which he a good deal has been thus attempted. These are had not leisure to reply until his return. I sub- susceptible of considerable improvement. A jujoin it here, with the answer, having Lord dicious foundation of prizes is another mode deBrougham's kind permission to do so. serving consideration. II 498 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT 57, " The distribution of honors has been very par- who is well aware that the time is come in which tially tried, and many have proposed a more reg- governments can no more stand without pens to ular admission of men of science and letters to support them than without bayonets. They must rank, confined to their own lives in cases where soon know, if they do not already know it, that hereditary honors might be burdensome to their the volunteers as well as the mercenaries of both families. An order of merit has been proposed professions, who are not already enlisted in this by some. But as all novelties in such a matter service, will enlist themselves against it; and I (of opinion and public feeling) are to be shunned, am afraid they have a better hold upon the solone of the existing orders of knighthood, as the dier than upon the penman, because the former Guelphic, has been by others suggested as free has, in the spirit of his profession and in the sense from the objection. of military honor, something which not unfre"I throw out these things more for the pur- quently supplies the want of any higher principle, pose of bringing your mind to the details of the and I know not that any substitute is to Le found matter than with the view of exhausting the sub- among the gentlemen of the press. ject. "But neediness, my lord, makes men danger"It will afford me great satisfaction to be fa- ous members of society, quite as often as affuvored with your opinion upon the question as ence makes them worthless ones. I am of opinfully as your leisure may permit. I shall, of ion that many persons who become bad subjects course, keep it entirely to myself. because they are necessitous, because'the world "It may very possibly turn out that, after all, is not their friend, nor the world's law,' might nothing material can be accomplished; but, at be kept virtuous (or, at least, withheld from misany rate, I can not allow this opportunity to pass chief) by being made happy, by early encouragewithout trying all means of accomplishing an ob- ment, by holding out to them a reasonable hope ject so desirable; and my anxiety on this score of obtaining, in good time, an honorable station must plead my excuse for troubling you with so and a competent income, as the reward of literlong a letter. ary pursuits, when followed with ability and dili"I am, dear sir, your faithful servant, gence, and recommended by good conduct. " BROUGHAM.") "My lord, you are now on the Conservative side. Minor differences of opinion are infinitely To the Lord Chancellor Brougham and Vaux. insignificant at this time, when, in truth, there " Keswick, Feb. 1, 1831. are but two parties in this kingdom-the Revo" MY LORD, lutionists and the Loyalists; those who would de" The letter which your lordship did me the stroy the Constitution, and those who would dehonor of addressing to me at this place found me fend it. I can have no predilections for the presat Crediton, in the middle of last month, on a ent administration; they have raised the devil, circuitous course homeward. It was not likely who is now raging through the land; but, in their that deliberation would lead me to alter the no- present position, it is their business to lay him if tions which I have long entertained upon the they can; and so far as their measures may be disubject that has, in this most unexpected man- rected to that end, I heartily say, God speed them! ner, been brought before me; but I should have If schemes like yours, for the encouragement of deemed it disrespectful to have answered such a letters, have never entered into their wishes, there communication without allowing some days to can be no place for them at present in their inintervene. The distance between Devonshire tentions. Government can have no leisure now and Cumberland, a visit upon the way to my na- for attending to any thing but its own and our tive city, which I had not seen for twenty years, preservation; and the time seems not far distant and the engagements arising upon my return when the cares of war and expenditure will come home after an absence of unusual length, will upon it once more with their all-engrossing imexplain, and I trust excuse, the subsequent de- portance. But when better times shall arrive lay. (whoever may live to see them), it will be wor"Your first question is, whether Letters would thy the consideration of any government whethgain by the more avowed and active encourage- er the institution of an Academy, with salaries ment of the government? for its members (in the nature of literary or lay " There are literary works of national import- benefices), might not be the means of retaining ance which can only be performed by co-opera- in its interests, as connected with their own, a tive labor, and will never be undertaken by that certain number of influential men of letters, who spirit of trade which at present preponderates in should hold those benefices, and a much greater literature. The formation of an English Etymo- number of aspirants who would look to them in logical Dictionary is one of those works; others their turn. A yearly grant of C10,000 would might be mentioned; and in this way literature endow ten such appointments of 500 each for might gain much by receiving national encour- the elder class, and twenty-five of C200 each for agement; but government would gain a great younger men; these latter eligible of course, and deal more by bestowing it. Revolutionary gov- preferably, but not necessarily, to be elected to ernments understand this; I should be glad if I the higher benefices as those fell vacant, and as could believe that our legitimate one would learn they should have approved themselves. it before it is too late. I am addressing one who "The good proposed by this, as a political is a statesman as well as a man of letters, and measure, is not that of retaining such persons to iETAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 499 act as pamphleteers and journalists, but that of they impart diminishes, and the anxieties increase preventing them from becoming such, in hostility as they grow up. A little of this one feels for to the established order of things; and of giving those friends to whom we are most attached; and men of letters, as a class, something to look for you know that I have as hearty a regard for - beyond the precarious gains of literature, there- as he has for me. I never knew a better man, by inducing in them a desire to support the ex- and have never known a happier one. A blessisting institutions of their country, on the stabil- ing seems to have attended him through life. ity of which their own welfare would depend. * * * * * * C "Your lordship's second question-in what "Now for your own speculations as to the way the encouragement of government could choice of a profession. And let me begin by admost safely and beneficially be given-is, in the monishing you that this is a choice between risks, main, answered by what has been said upon the uncertainties, and difficulties (discomforts might first. I do not enter into any details of the pro- be added to the list), not between two ways, each posed institution, for that would be to think of pleasant alike, and each leading surely to the fitting up a castle in the air. Nor is it worth resting-place which is the object of the journey. while to examine how far such an institution "You hesitate between the professions of themight be perverted. Abuses there would be, as ology and medicine. Morally and intellectually, in the disposal of all preferments, civil, military, both are wholesome studies for one who enters or ecclesiastical; but there would be a more ob- upon them with a sound heart and a proper sense vious check upon them; and where they occur- of duty. I should not say the same of the law, red, they would be less injurious in their conse- for that must, in my judgment, be always more quences than they are in the state, the army, and or less injurious to the practitioner. The comnavy, or the Church. parative advantages and disadvantages seem to "With regard to prizes, methinks they are be these: the medical profession will require you better left to schools and colleges. Honors are to live in a town, most likely in London, or cerworth something to scientific men, because they tainly in one of the larger cities; this may be a are conferred upon such men in other countries; recommendation or otherwise, according to your at home there are precedents for them in New- inclinations. It requires means for supporting ton and Davy, and the physicians and surgeons you till you get into practice, and this is slow and have them. In my judgment, men of letters are up-hill work, as well as being in a great degree better without them, unless they are rich enough uncertain; you may make a great fortune by it, to bequeath to their family a good estate with the but not till late in life, and your labors increase bloody hand, and sufficiently men of the world to with your success. think such distinctions appropriate. For myself, " As a clergyman, then, you have your fellowif we had a Guelphic order, I should choose to ship till you choose to vacate it; a less busy, but remain a Ghibelline. a less anxious life is before you. Talents and " I have written thus fully and frankly, not industry may do more for you as a clergyman; dreaming that your proposal is likely to be ma- good manners and good nature may tell to better tured and carried into effect, but in the spirit of account as a physician. But the prudential balgood will, and as addressing one by whom there ance is so nearly equipoised, that the determinais no danger that I can be misunderstood. One tion may fairly be a matter of free choice. With thing alone I ask from the Legislature, and in regard to the studies in which they would engage the name of justice-that the injurious law of you, I think you would like that of physic best at copyright should be repealed, and that the family first, but that the older you grew the better you of an author should not be deprived of their just would like and feel the value of those to which and natural rights in his works when his perma- theology would lead you. nent reputation is established. This I ask with " Opinions must always be inherited, and hapthe earnestness of a man who is conscious that py are we who can refer to the title-deeds upon he has labored for posterity. which ours are founded. As you read more and "I remain, my lord, yours, with due respect, observe more, what are now prejudices will be"ROBERT SOUTHEY." come principles, and strike root as such, and as such bring forth fruit in due season. Nullius adTo Herbert Hill, Esq. dictus, 4cc., is the boast of vanity and sciolism. " Keswick, Feb. 5, 1831. There are very few who do not put faith in their "t MY DEAR HERBERT, apothecary and their lawyer, and we are less "You may be perfectly at ease as to my an- likely to be deceived when we confide in the opinticipations of the changes which I might find at ions which have been held by men of whose learnCrediton; they had no relation to any thing but ing, and ability, and integrity no doubt can be enthe knowledge that we must all of us either im- tertained. If the writers from whom I now derive prove or worsen as we grow older, and that at no most pleasure and most profit had been put into time is this more apparent than when we pass to my hands when I was at your age, I should have man-hood or woman-hood. Those whom I had found little in them that was attractive. Our left girls were now become young women; the higher intellectual faculties (perhaps it were betchange is not so great as from kitten-hood to cat- ter to say our spiritual ones) ripen slowly, but hood; but if ever you have children of your own, then they continue to improve till the bodily oryou will then know how the joyousness which gan fails. Take this maxim with you, that in 500 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF STAT. 07, divinity, in ethics, and in politics there can be no own fireside, and once more at rest. In London new truths. Even the latter is no longer an ex- I could not find any time for writing any thing; it perimental science, and woe be to those who treat was less interruption to let in all callers than to it as such!receive and answer notes if they were excluded. t: * i- * 8^ 8 * I was at the most important debates which I "God bless you! R. S.'7 could attend conveniently, because my quarters were with Rickman. I walked into the city on To Airs. Hodson. the Lord-mayor's Day and the day before, and " Keswick, Feb. 7, 1831. saw the sort of multitude which had been brought u" MY DEAR MRS. HODSON, together for mischief, and from various quarters "You may infer how incessantly I was en- I heard what the mischief was-a Cato-street gaged during my abode in town from the 1st of scheme, with this difference only, that instead of November to the 27th of December, when you attacking the ministers at a dinner-party, the kinare told that I could not possibly find time for and the Duke of Wellington were to have been writing more than the first six pages of that killed in their carriages, and the new police maspaper in the Quarterly Review, though the num- sacred. ber was waiting for it. The remainder was "The Quarterly Review was kept waiting for written at Caroline Bowles's, where I shut my- my paper. But yet I have a great deal to say self up for eleven days, refusing all invitations, upon the state of public affairs; both through the seeing no visitors, and never going out, except medium of the Quarterly and in other ways. As when she mounted her Shetland pony, and I soon as possible I mean to address a series of walked by her side for an hour or two before letters to the people. dinner. That paper, however, is but the first "Murray is now reprinting my Moral and fruits of my journey. I have a great deal more Political Papers, in a small cheap form, like his to say, and am busily employed in saying it. Family Library. About half a volume is printed. "When I met Joanna Baillie at Rogers's, her and in revising them for the press it is mournful sister and my daughter Bertha constituted the to see that they are in the main as applicable now whole party; for, as to literary parties, they are as when they were written, and that much of the my abomination. She is a person whom I ad- present evil might have been averted if the warnmired as soon as I read her first volume of Plays, ing which was then given had been taken in and liked when I saw her as much as I had ad- time. The evil has now, I think, become so mired her before. I never talk much in com- great that it must draw on a remedy. And it pany, and never carry abroad with me the cheer- is like a special judgment upon the Whigs, who ful spirits which never forsake me at home. But have raised the devil, that they should be in a I was not sad that morning, though perhaps my position which makes it their business to lay him thoughts might sometimes be more engaged than if they can. They must do every thing which they ought to have been by the engagements of they used to declaim against; and, happily, they various kinds which were pressing upon mne. can do it, because there will be no factious opBertha said of me in one of her letters from town position to them. that I used to look as if I had more to think of " The Duchess of Kent sent for me one day to than I liked. This was only because it was so dine with her; the reason, as I learned from Sir much, not that I looked at the course of events John Conroy, being that she thinks of making a with any thing like despondency. Very far from Northern tour with the little princess, and intendit; I found few persons so hopeful, so confident ed to ask me what tour she should take, and what as myself; but those few were exactly the per- time it would require. No such questions, howsons on whose judgment I have most reliance. ever, could the duchess ask, for there were more The Whigs have already increased the army, than twenty persons at dinner, of whom I only got called for the yeomanry force which they had' at the names of those nearest me, and of course she disbanded, and begun to prosecute for sedition. could have very little conversation with me. I I expect to see them suspend the Habeas Cor- took it quietly, felt as I should have done at a pus, reissue one pound notes, and go to war. We table d'hote where all were strangers, made a have at least a government now, and we have good dinner, and withdrew as soon as my brothonly had the shadow of one before since the great er's carriage came for me at a quarter before defection; and the men in power must, of neces- ten. sity, do what their opposition would have pre- 8 * 8 - * * * vented or deterred their predecessors from doing.' God bless you! R. S.", This advantage is worth purchasing at the cost of that minimum of reform which is to be looked To the Rev. Neville White. for at their hands. "Keswick, March 21, 1831, "Yours very truly, R. SOUTHEY." " MY DEAR NEVILLE, To Captain Southey. You know, my dear Neville, that I have en"Keswick, Feb. 13, 1831. deavored always to impress upon the public the " MY DEAR TOIM, necessity of educating the people. If that edu-'" X* 8 88 * 88 8 * cation is either so conducted, or left so imperfect Heartily glad I am to be at my own desk by my as in many cases to do harm rather than good, .ETAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 501 the fault is not in the principle, but in the mis- very far from being as good a neighbor as he management of it. The great evil which at might like to find me, and, were he less considpresent it produces is that of making young per- erate than he is, might expect me to be. But sons discontented with the stations which they I have no time for neighborly intercourse. were intended to fill, and thus producing more " No room is left for politics. My hope is that claimants for the stations one degree higher than the ministers will not think it expedient to resign can be provided for in that class. Whenever the till war begins, for something would seem wanteducation which such persons receive shall be- ing in political justice if it were not to be begun come universal, this mischief must necessarily under their administration. God forgive them cease. It produced nothing but good in Scot- for the mischief they are doing by their portentland, because it was universal there. ous budget of reform, and for calling in, as they "A more difficult question is how to render have done and are doing, the aid of the villainous the religious instruction which children receive press, in order to carry it by intimidation. Pasat school of more effect. And where parents sages in the —, which even the editor would neglect, as they so very generally do in that sta- not dare to write, are said to have been supplied tion of life, this duty, I do not see how this is to to him for this purpose. be done by schools and teachers. We want a " Our kind remembrances to your fireside. reformation of manners to effect that without "God bless you, my dear Neville! which manners, alas! can not be reformed.'Yours affectionately, R. SOUTHEY." This is evident, that boys and girls are taken fiom school precisely at that age when they be- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. come capable of, in some degree, understanding "Keswick, May 3, 1831. and feeling what till then they have only learned MY DEAR GROSVENOR, by rote. Then it is that the aid of catechists is "Would that I were more at leisure to conwanting. In a small parish the clergyman can verse with those who are at a distance; but do much; in large ones I do not wonder that they leisure and I seem to have parted company forare deterred from attempting what with their ever in this world, and occupation does not bring utmost exertions they could not possibly accom- with it that quiet now which it used to do in less plish. uneasy times.* Not that I have lost either heart "I am perfectly satisfied that no children or hope; for, though nothing can be worse than ought to be left without education, so much as to all the manifestations of public feeling from all enable them to read, write, cipher, and under- sides, I expect that the delusion will in a great stand their moral and religious duties. But degree be removed when the present excitement about infant schools I do not see my way so has spent itself; and though I have no reliance clearly, and am not sure whether some harm is whatever upon the good sense of the people, not done, both to parent and child, by taking so there is yet goodness enough in the nation to much off' the parent's hands. No doubt it is a make me trust in full faith that Providence will choice between evils. Of this I am sure, that not deliver us over to our own evil devices, or half the crimes which disgrace this nation are rather to those of our rulers. Those who gave brought on by street education, which goes on in Earl Grey credit for sagacity, believed, upon his villages as well as in towns. So far as infant own representations, that time had moderated his schools tend to prevent this, they are greatly opinions, and that he would always support the beneficial. interests of his order. Provoked at the exposure " You ask me about Magdalen institutions. of his whole cabinet's incapacity, which their There is scarcely any form of misery that can budget brought forth, he has thrown himself upon have so strong a claim upon compassion as that the Radicals for support, bargained with O'Conwhich these are intended to alleviate. Often as nell, and stirred up all the elements of revolution the intention may be disappointed, one case in in this kingdom, which has never been in so perwhich it succeeds may compensate for fifty dis- ilous a state since the Restoration. appointments. And these poor creatures are not " The poor people here say they shall all be so generally, I might say uniformly, to be dis-'made quality' when this'grand reform' is trusted as prison converts. In prisons, I believe, brought about.' O it is a grand thing!' The the common effect is, that the cleverest criminals word deceives them; for you know, Grosvenor, add hypocrisy to their other sins. it' stands to feasible' that reform must be a good " Look again at what I have said concerning thing, and they are not deceived in supposing the observance of Sunday, and you will perceive that I have argued against Dymond's liberal no- * "If I were in the seventeenth year of my age instead tions about the day, and also against, not a re- of the fifty-seventh, I might, perhaps, like the prospect of tions about the day, and also against, not a re- a general revolution in society, looking only at the evils ligious, but a puritanical observance of, it; for which it was to sweep away, and the good with which it that I am sure tends to promote irreligion. Of was to replace them. But I am old enough to know something of the course on which we have entered. Anarchl the two extremes I would choose rather the pop- is the first stage-and there the road divides, one way ish than the puritanical Sabbath. Let us keep leading by a circuitous route, and so difficult a one as to be scarcely practicable,,back to the place from whence the mean. we start; the other by a broad and beaten way to military " James Stanger is expected here next week, despotism. The tendency is to a despotism of institutions, but for a short time only. He is a very valuable which, when once established, stamps a whole people in a s t. its iron mold and stereotypes them."-To H. Taylor, Esq., man, and I have a sincere respect for him, though March 13, 1831. 502 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF STAT. 57. that its tendency is to pull down the rich, what- his time;'but we's, may be, hear tell,' he added, ever may be its consequences to themselves. and so say I. " Further, I say, come to Keswick this year; "May 14. and remember, Grosvenor, that you and I have " This letter has lain more than a week unfin- not many' next years' to talk of, even if life were ished in my desk. To-day's paper tells me that less precious than it is. his Right Honor* has gained his election; and "I have a great deal to say to you, and a great this I am very glad of, hoping, however, that the deal to show you, if I had you by the fireside, and head of the family, or one of those uncles who in the boat, and on the ascent of Skiddaw, and can so well afford it. will bear the costs. There two or three other mountains, where I would is no statesman to whom I ascribe more of the walk beside your horse, if your own feet were evils which are gathering round us than Lord too sensitive to perform their own duty. Grenville. The Catholic Question was an egg * * * * * laid and hatched in that family, and Leda's egg "God bless you! R. S." was not prolific of more evils to Troy than that question has proved, is proving, and will prove To Dr. Southey. to these kingdoms. " Keswick, June 27, 1831. $* * * * * "' MY DEAR H., "I saw Lord - this morning: he said'we " I returned homet on Friday, and Bertha arare going to wreck;' and I was shocked to see rived the same night, safe, and if not sound, yet how ill he looked-twenty years older than when much better than she had of late been, and I hope I dined with him at Croker's in December last. on the convalescent list. My journey ended as It is not bodily fatigue, but anxiety, that has pro- I expected, in my declining the proposed execuduced this change; the clear foresight of evils torship, and giving good counsel to no purpose. which are coming in upon us with the force of a The poor old doctort may live long, or soon be spring-tide before a high wind. Every one whom taken off. He is completely speechless, but in I see or hear from is in worse spirits than myself, full possession of all his other faculties, and his for I have an invincible and instinctive hope that mind is as quick and vigorous as ever. Neverthe danger will be averted by God's mercy. In theless, I have reason to believe that the will will the present state of the world nothing seems to be contested, on a most untenable plea of insanproceed according to what would have been ity in the testator. If so, I must appear as a thought likely. Who, for example, could have witness. expected that France would not have been at'The proofs which awaited my return I have war before this time, or that Louis Philippe got through; not so the letters, which are, as would have been still on his uneasy throne? usual, de omnibus et quibusdam allis. There Who would have supposed that Russia would were the proofs of an article upon the New have been defeated in its attempt to suppress the Christianity and New System of Society, started Poles? or that Austria could have put down the by the St. Simonites in France; proofs of my insurrection in Italy? I say nothing of the mad- Essays, of which half the first volume is printed, ness which king, cabinet, and people have man- and which I dedicate to Inglis; and proofs of ifested at home, because they really seem to be the Peninsular War. This will be ready for acting under a judicial visitation of insanity. But publication in November. You have got my I am almost ready to conclude that we shall Brazilian small stock out of the fire in good weather this storm, because all probabilities and time: I should have thought myself lucky to get all appearances are against it. Some unexpeet- out at 50; and wonder that they have not fallen ed event may occur; the war for which France so low as to prove that there are no purchasers. has been preparing upon so formidable a scale No other revolution could be so injurious to the may break out in time, and in a way which will commerce of this country, nor produce such inrender it impossible for our ministers to remain terminable evils in its own. at peace; or such a revolution may be effected " Recommend Ivan Vejeeghan, a Russian Gil in that country as will frighten the king and min- Blas, to those who wish to see a lively descripistry here into their senses. Some death may tion of society in Poland and Russia. It contake place which may derange the administra- tains a better account than can any where else tion; some schism may make it fall to pieces; be met with. Were the rest of the world undisthe agricultural insurrections and the burnings turbed and unaffected by what may happen in and may begin again, and act in prevention of a rev- around Poland, the war there might be regarded olution which they would otherwise inevitably with much indifference, as a process which can follow; or, perhaps, the cholera morbus may be not worsen the moral condition of either people, sent us as a lighter plague than that which we and might possibly improve it, though that poshave chosen for ourselves. sibility is a very poor one. But how any thing':Be the end of these things what it may, better than a barbarous government, whether it Grosvenor,' we:s never live to see't,' as an old be an oligarchy or a despotism, can be constructman of Grasmere, whom Betty knew, said upon ed in a country where there is no middle class, some great changes which were taking place in nor any persons in a condition to be raised into _* The next letter explains the object of this journey * Mr. Wynn. fully. t Dr. Bell. ETAT. 57. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 503 such a class, I do not perceive. The peasants and I think it not unlikely that his bequest may are serfs, and trade is in the hands of Jews, be omitted at last; for though I believe there is the vilest, filthiest, and most superstitious of their no person for whom he has a higher regard, and race. though I am sure that the advice which I gave "If I had Aladdin's lamp, the genius should him can not have lowered me in his esteem, transport me, and my household and my books, whatever it may in his liking, yet if he weighs to Cintra; though, just now, perhaps, one might me in the balance against a Madras school to be be safer under the paternal protection of Ferdi- established in any part of Scotland, my scale will nand than of Miguel. But I verily believe that kick the beam. Spain and Portugal are the safest countries in " He has been a most devoted friend to chilEurope, and that Spain will be a most peaceable dren: he has loved them with all his heart, so and flourishing one for some years to come. God indeed as to have left little room in it for any bless you! R..S." other affections. I passed four mournful days with him, and was absent twelve days from home, To the Rev. Neville White. which is to me a serious loss of time. "Keswick, July 15, 1831. * 5: 5 * * * " MY DEAR NEVILLE, " About the Liturgy I have left mysel little': When your letter arrived I was absent from room to write. It wants few alterations, and home on a melancholy business, obeying, indeed, those very easy and unobjectionable. I would a call from my poor old friend Dr. Bell, who told divide the Morning from the Communion Servme that he was speechless and in a perilous state, ice; the two together, with the addition of a and that he greatly desired to see me. I found sermon, being far too long both for the priest and him totally deprived of speech, by a gradual pa- the people. Some of the first lessons might betralysis of the organs, but no otherwise in danger ter be changed, and a few of the Psalms passed of death than that death is daily probable at his over, as not being for edification. When Church advanced age, and that this paralysis may extend reformation begins, if revolution does not render to the neighboring parts and prevent his swal- it unnecessary, I fear we shall find many Judases lowing, or descend and stop the digestive func- in the Establishment. It was more by her own tions. treacherous children that she was overthrown in " He had deposited X 1 20,000 3 per cents. in the Great Rebellion than by the Puritans. But the hands of certain trustees belonging to the this must ever be the case. University of St. Andrews, and when I arrived * * * * * * this sum had been divided into twelve parts, six " God preserve us from the cholera morbus, of which went to the University and town, and from which nothing but his mercy can preserve four for founding Madras schools at Edinburgh, us! It is a fearful thought that perhaps in his Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. I was con- mercy he may bring it upon us as the least of the suited about the disposal of the remaining two, evils which we deserve! Yet I have that comand my advice was that he should dispose of one fortable reliance upon Providence, that even in for the augmentation of small livings (which these times I am not cast down. might have been so managed by vesting it in "God bless you, my dear Neville! And betrustees as to call forth an equal sum from Queen lieve me always Anne's bounty, and thus augment forty livings), "Yours most affectionately, and apply the other to founding his own schools ROBERT SOUTHEY.)7 in the parishes so augmented: to which suggestion I trusted for making the other acceptable. To Henry Taylor, Esq. He was delighted at first with the thought, and "Keswick, July 15, 1831. readily agreed to it. But the next day he return- MY DEAR H. T., ed to the one thought which has always possessed: This day being Friday, when no letters go him, and education was to have it all. I urged for London, I intended to have sent you a note in vain that the Church of England had some of introduction to Sir Walter; but this day's claim for a part of the large sum which had al- newspaper brings account that he has had anmost wholly been derived from it. other attack, and is in extreme danger. I fear " There will be a residue of his property, and this is true, because I wrote to him last week,* I suspect of considerable amount, by his anxiety and should most likely have heard from him in as to the disposal of it. About this, too, I was reply if he had been well. His make is apoconsulted, but to no purpose, for all will go in plectic, and I dare say he has overworked himsome shape or other to schools. I pleaded for self, with much wear and tear of anxiety to boot, his relations earnestly, but in vain. He consid- which is even more injurious. Latterly his spirers it his duty to devote his whole property to its have failed him, a good deal owing to the the object which has occupied his whole life. prospect of public affairs: that, indeed, can ex" He wished me to be one of his executors; hilarate such persons only as --, and those but this was impossible, without neglecting my who hope to fish in troubled waters. own business for an indefinite time. As his will " The sort of statesman that we want is a man then stood, he had bequeathed a thousand pounds who yields nothing that he ought not to yield, each to me and Wordsworth, with the charge of each to me and Wordsworth, with the charge of * The later letters to Sir W. Scott have not come into editing his works. The will was to be re-made, my hands.-ED. 504 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 58. whlo would dispute all the way from London to have chosen rather to enjoy your fortune than to Witton-le-Weir, taking Oxford on the road; who advance it; and with your power of enjoyment, will summon cab-men when it is proper so to I am far from thinking that you have chosen ill. do, and engage with a whole quarterly meeting You would be neither a wiser, happier, or better of Quakers in argument. man if you were sitting on the bench all be-trobed t -* ~ * ~, and be-wigged as Mr. Justice Kenyon, nor if "Wordsworth, in all likelihood, will be at you were in the House of Commons, flitting, like home at the time you wish. I saw him last the bat in the fable, between two contending parweek; he is more desponding than I am, and I ties, and not knowing to which you properly beperhaps despond less than I should do if I saw longed. Men make a great mistake when they more clearly before me. After seeing the reign fancy themselves useful members of society bee (I can not call it the government) of Louis Phil- cause they are busy or bustling ones. You have ippe's last twelve months, Poland resisting Rus- seen a great deal of the world, and your recol.. sia, and Italy not resisting Austria, William IV lections and observations, were you to employ dissolving Parliament in order to effect parlia- yourself in preserving them, might produce mentary reform, and Prince Leopold willing to something which posterity would not willingly become king of the Belgians, who can tell what let perish. to expect, or who would be surprised at any Poole will be here on a flying' visit next thing that was most unexpected, most insane, or week: he says it will be his last visit to the most absurd! Certainly what seems least to be North. I know not why it should be so, if he expected is that we should escape a revolution, continue, as he tells me he now is, in good and yet I go to sleep at night as if there were health. I have lately lost in Duppa one who, no danger of one. though somewhat less than a friend, was much k -' *' ~ * more than an acquaintance. In him the link is " Have you seen the strange book which An- broken which connected me with some who are astasius Hope left for publication, and which his gone before me to their rest, and with places representatives, in spite of all dissuasion, have which I shall never again see. Some pages of published? His notion of immortality and heav- Espriella are his writing and not a few of my en is, that at the consummation of all things, he, cheerful recollections have ceased to be cheerlful and you, and I, and John Murray, and Nebu- now, because he forms a part of them. I have chadnezzar, and Lambert the fat man, and the very few friends younger than myself, and this is living skeleton, and Queen Elizabeth, and the a misfortune. Hottentot Venus, and Thurtell, and Probert, and " The generalb' is here, in good health and the twelve apostles, and the noble army of mar- spirits. It is very pleasant to see the perfect tyrs, and Genghis Khan and all his armies, and boyishness with which he enters into all youthful Noah with all his ancestors and all his posterity sports. He spells Sir Nicholas's name, plays -yea, all men and all wonmen, and all children forfeits, dances, and wears a false nose, as gravethat have ever been or ever shall be, saints and ly and with as much serious enjoyment as he sinners alike, are all to be put together, and made used to play the cymbals five or six-and-twenty into one great celestial eternal human being. years ago. Senhouse also is here with his sfimlHe does not seem to have known how nearly ily. Both desire to be remembered to you. this approaches to Swedenborg's fancy. I do " I am writing some Colloquies, but not with not like the scheme. I don't like the notion of the same interlocutor; and I am collectinc my being mixed up with Hume, and Hunt, and political papers, lest my claims to unpopularity Whittle Harvey, and Phillpotts, and Lord Al- should be forgotten: some of my fricnds may thorpe, and the Huns, and the Hottentots, and say the publication in this respect being illtimed the Jews, and the Philistines, and the Scotch, to a nicety. This year will clear my hands of and the Irish. God forbid! I hope to be I my- the Peninsular War, and then the History of Portself; I, in an English heaven, with you yourself ugal will go to press, the work which I have -you, and some others, without whom heaven most at heart. Whether any thing will come of would be no heaven to me. the collections which I have made for other un"God bless you! R. S." dertakings not less extensive in their kind, God knows. I sometimes fear that I shall have the To John Kenyon, Esq. reflection at last of having heaped up much "Keswick, Sept. 11, 1831. treasure of this kind in vain. "MY DEAR KENYON, God bless you! "I am always glad to receive a letter from "Yours very sincerely, you. It reminds me of many pleasant meetings,: RO:ERT SOUTInEY." and of years upon which, though they have long gone by, it is not yet become painful to look back. To John Mlay, Esq. "Something we must all have to regret; I "Keswick, Oct. 1,1831. have done much since you first became acquaint- "My DExA FRIEND, ed with me, but much less than I hoped to have ~ - * * * * (lone, than I should have done under more favor- The prospect before me is not so clear as it was, able circumstances, and than I might have done_ _ under those in which I have been placed. You * General Peachey. IETAT. 58. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 505 The state of politics has affected every branch of whole of my Political Essays. But here the business, and none more than that upon which I matter rests, and the press stands still. have to depend. It can not be long before it be "One thing I had nearly forgotten to tell you. determined whether the Quarterly Review will A selection from Wordsworth's poems for young continue to pay me at its former rate, or wheth- persons has answered so well, that a similar voler I must withdraw from it, and look about for ume from mine is now in the press; and if this other means of support. Other employment, succeeds, as it may almost be expected to do, equally profitable and certain in its profit as this there will be a companion to it of prose selechas hitherto been, it may not be easy to find; tions. In this way I may derive some little profbut I have no fear of getting on well at last, and it, now that the sale of the works themselves is my disposition saves me from all disquietude at a dead stop; and in this way some good will which is produced by needless anxiety. be done, as far as the selections circulate. Two "Your own cares at this time can have left mottoes have fallen in my way for them, which you little leisure for those fears which the moral, I think you will deem applicable: political, and physical state of Europe awaken in'Nullo imbuta veneno every one who has leisure to look before him and Carmina,' around him. The spirit of insubordination, con- is the one; both are from Janus Douza: the nected with every thing that is most false and other, perilous in politics, morals, and religion, has ex-'Quales filiolis suis parentes, tended so widely, so all but generally, through- Quales discipulis suis magistri, Z51~..Tuto prmelegere et docere possint.' out the working classes, that the white inhabitants in Jamaica are not in more danger from the "Believe me always, my dear and excellent negroes than we are from our servile population. friend, This spirit has been greatly aided by the agita- "Yours most affectionately, tion which the Reform Bill has excited; and "ROBERT SOUTHEY.:' whatever plan of reform may be at length agreed on, and to whatever extent it may be carried, To John Rickman, Esq. the consequences of such a ferment must long be "Keswick, Oct. 14, 1831. felt. One issue leads to certain revolution, the "MY DEAR RICKMAN, other gives only a chance of averting it. With " Since you last heard from me I have taken these prospects at home, and the cholera rapidly a round of about 300 miles-by way of Liveradvancing to the opposite coast of the Continent pool to Shrewsbury, and by way of Manchester (it is daily expected at Hamburg), I do not think home; and, among all the persons with whom I that England, since it was England, has ever fell in, in stage-coaches and at inns, there was been threatened by such serious dangers; for but one reformer, and he a Londoner. The othany pestilence must be more dreadful than in ers generally wanted a little encouragement to former times, in proportion to the increased dens- draw them out, but, when I had spoken boldly, ity of our population and the rapidity of commu- were glad to declare themselves. nication throughout the country, and any revolu- " Manchester* was perfectly quiet when The tion, instead of throwing down (as in former con- Times described it as being in a state of dreadvulsions) a few high towers and old houses like ful excitement. There was alarm enough on a storm of wind, would rend and overthrow the the day of the meeting, but the Radicals, having foundations of society like an earthquake. These routed the Whigs to their heart's content, spent reflections occur to me so frequently and with the evening in jollity instead of mischief. The so much force, that the deprecations in the Lit- Whigs called the meeting, the Radicals had their any which apply to these specific dangers have own way at it, and both have done what the Confor some time made part of my prayers at night servative party would have wished them to do. and morning. " Among the means which have occurred to "My occupations of late have been the Pen- me for lessening the power of the newspapers, insular War, of which I hope to see the end in a one is, that the debates should be officially pubfew weeks after my return; the Colloquies on lished, and sold at a low price, so that their comthe vulgar Errors of the Age, for which Westall parative cheapness might carry them into circuhas made some most beautiful drawings; and a lation. I would have also, whether connected review of Moore's Life and Death of Lord Ed- with the debates or not, a paper as official as ward Fitzgerald, which I must take with me to the Moniteur, and as authentic as the Gazette, finish in Shropshire. The reprint of my Essays in which government should relate as much news might have been completed long since, if Mur- as can possibly be related, never deceiving the ray had pleased. But he is the most incommu- people. This, if ably conducted, might prevent nicable of men; and the book hitches upon some much delusion and consequent mischief. * * notion of his that the papers upon the Catholic "God bless you! R. S.,' Question, which were intended to conclude the volumes, would injure their sale. I tell him that * "The borough-reeve of Manchester tells James White those who hate my opinions will not buy my that if that town were rid of about thirty fellows, who are those who hate my opinions will not buy my' the notorious movers of all political mischief there, it books, whether those papers are included or not would be as quiet and as well-disposed as any place in and that those who agree with me will like to England. Does that government deserve the name of gov-,,Z~~~~n, ~~.ernment which has no power to keep such fellows in orhave what the collection professes to be, the der?" —To J.Rickman, Esq., Oct. 25,1831. 506 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 58. On my father's return from this short journey, heartily glad to be so, though with darker proshe found an invitation awaiting him to offer him- pects than at any former time. But I am in self as a candidate for the Professorship of Hu- good hopes, and trust that, though we are under manity at Glasgow, and it was represented to the worst ministry that ever misconducted the him that the chances of success were not doubt- affairs of a great nation, Providence will preserve ful. " Under the present circumstances of the us. Even if they succeed in bringing upon thempublishing trade," he says, "it would have be- selves the destruction which they deserve, you come a question of prudence in which inclination will live to see a restoration of the monarchy and must not have been suffered to interfere, if it had the Episcopal Church. not so happened that the invitation found its way " God bless you! to me too late to admit of my making inquiries" Yours affectionately, R. S.' concerning particulars which it did not communicate. If, as I suspect, the professors are re- To the Rev. J. W. Watrer. quired to subscribe the Kirk's Articles of Faith, "Keswick, Dec. 27, 1831. there could have been no choice." "MY DEAR WARTER, To a suggestion from another friend of the " The merry Christmas that we wish you will practicability of obtaining some permanent posi- be over before our wishes can reach Copenhagen, tion of this kind, he says, " Headships are out of and the new year will be far on its way to Febthe question both as to the requisite knowledge ruary-may it, however, be a happy one in its and the way of attaining them. No, H. T., I course! None within my memory has ever openhave nothing to look for but what comes out of ed with such threatening aspects; but this conthis ink-stand. There may be some temporary sideration, which enters night and morning into inconvenience, but, unless all things are subvert- my prayers, affects me very little at other times, ed about me, that ink-stand will supply my wants partly because I am too busy to entertain it, till death or infirmity overtake me. For the first partly because my constitutional hilarity overI am sufficiently prepared as to worldly affairs; comes it, and still more, perhaps, because I have for the latter, I trust that Providence will save a strong persuasion, such as might almost be me from it, or support me under it."' called an abiding trust, that Providence will visit this country, sinful as it is, rather in mercy than To Herbert Hill, Esq. in vengeance. "Keswick, Oct. 30,1831. " The misconduct of those people who let the " MY DEAR HERBERT) cholera into Sunderland has been, if possible, ex-': X * * * * * ceeded by that of the government which has let it The study of the Fathers opens so wide a field, out! instead of shutting it up and extinguishing that I, who have long cast a longing eye thither- it in the first house where it appeared. But even ward, have been afraid to enter it, because it in the king's speech the question of coeiagion is was too late in the day for me; and yet few men spoken of as doubtful, and the go-vernment have can be prepared in mind and inclination for such dealt with this pestilence just as they did with pursuits early enough to go through with them. the Catholic Question-allowed the evil to inRouth, I suppose, has published most of what crease till they could plead its extent as an exyour friend recommends to you. It is in the cuse for yielding to it: they kept up the farce early Fathers that you will find least admixture of a quarantine upon the ships, and allowed free of other than theological matter; their success- intercourse by land. The cholera is now as fairly ors offer a mine which has been very imperfectly denizened as the small-pox. worked as yet of historical materials; that is, "I have always thought Copenhagen one of for the history of manners and opinions. Let the safest places from this disease, because your nothing of this kind escape you. I not unfre- government there is an efficient one in such cases, quently find notes useful which were made five- and is perfectly aware of the danger, and yet and-thirty years ago, when I could little foresee has few points to guard, which being guarded it to what use they would be applied. can not be brought to you. In England it will "In a note of Isaac Reed's to Dodsley's Old have as free a course as sedition, treason, and Plays, he quotes a MS. from'a chest of papers blasphemy. This house is as favorably situated formerly belonging to Mr. Powell (Milton's fa- as any one can be that is not at a distance from ther-in-law), and then existing at Forest Hill, an inhabited place; and with this assurance we about four miles from Oxford, where, he says, shall commit ourselves to God's mercy, if it should in all probability, some curiosities of the same be imported into Keswick. kind may remain, the contents of these chests * * * * * * (for I think there are more than one) having nev- " You ask me about the insurrection at Briser yet been properly examined.' This note was tol. Government are well informed that it was written fifty years ago, and most likely the pa- part only of a wider scheme, in which Birmingpers have now disappeared; but it may be worth ham, Nottingham, and other places were to have while to inquire about them, for the bare possi- taken part. The bishop behaved manfully; the bility of discovering some treasures. mob were masters of the city, and one of the "I am, I hope, settled to my winter's work, minor canons waited upon him before the hour of service, and represented to him the propriety * To Henry Taylor, Esq., Oct. 23,1831. of postponing it.'My young friend,' said the TETAT.58. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 507 bishop, with great good nature, laying his hand * * * * * * * upon his shoulder as he spake,'these are times "I am glad to hear that you have been buyin which it is necessary not to shrink from dan- ing books. I have subscribed to the Bibliotheger. Our duty is to be at our post.' The serv- ca Anglo-Saxonica; and to Jonathan Boucher's ice accordingly was performed as usual, and he Glossary, which is at last about to be completed himself preached. Before evening closed, his and published as a Supplement to Johnson. If palace was burned to the ground, and the loss the continuation be as good as Boucher's own which he sustained (besides that of his papers) part, it will be the best work of its kind, I believe, is estimated at X10,000. Except the books and in any language. Cuthbert and I are reading papers which were consumed there, nothing has the Merchant of Venice in the Friesland dialect, been destroyed but what may be replaced; for, Halbertsma having sent me, from Deventer, a though the fire has done no good (that is, though translation by Posthumous of that play and of it has burned none of those filthy dens of wretch- Julius Caesar. edness with which all our cities are disgraced), "God bless you! R. S." it has touched none of the antiquities of the place. A letter from Bristol gives this description, by To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. an eye-witness, of what was going on all night "Keswick, Dec. 28, 1831. in Queen's Square, the main scene of action: "MY DEAR GROSVENOR,'The mob gave notice of the houses they meant "You have taken a wise man's view of the to attack by knocking at the doors, and they al- prospect before you; only in one point I think lowed the family a quarter of an hour to escape. you anticipate something worse than is at all This interval they spent in dancing: they clear- likely to happen, for it is by no means likely that ed a circle in the middle of the square, and went your retiring allowance will be so niggardly as round hand in hand, prisoners in their prison dress- to impose upon you the necessity of any retrenches (drunk with the delight of having been set ment. I shall be sorry when this vile measure free) and women of the worst description. The is carried into effect, believing, upon your judglight from the blazing houses made them all ap- ment, that it is a bad measure in itself; but I pear black; and the dance was to many of them should be sorry for it as a mere change, unless the dance of death, for they were so improvident there were some great and certain good to arise for their own escape, that they set many rooms from it; and even then I should be sorry, for and different stories on fire at the same time, and the sake of the poor old Exchequer itself, and when the roofs fell in many of them were seen my more than forty years' acquaintance with it. to drop into the burning ruins.' It is not known But for your sake, certainly, if your future allothow many perished there, but the number killed ment depended upon my will, your harness should and wounded by the soldiers was not short of 500. be taken off, and to grass you should go for the " This event has made the decent part of the rest of your life, but with a comfortable shed for people understand what the populace are, and winter and bad weather, and plenty of good winhas made the populace fear the soldiers. Lat- ter food there, and warm litter. Whatever beterly, indeed, the mob were so drunk that a hand- comes of the Exchequer, this would be my wish ful of resolute men might have knocked them on for you. The latter years of life ought to be our the head, as sailors kill seals upon an unfrequent- own; by the time we reach the threshold of old ed island. age, the cares of the world have had from us all "The truth is, that the West Indian planters that ought to be exacted for them. are not in more danger from their negroes than * * * * * * * we are from our servile population. The old " You ought, by this time, to have received my habit of obedience is destroyed, and what is even Essays, reprinted from the Quarterly Review, and worse, there is no longer the bond of mutual in- the Edinburgh Annual Register; and with the terest between the workmen, whether in manu- passages restored which poor Gifford cut out, that factures or agriculture, and their employers. is, where I was lucky enough to recover either The poor are poorer than they ought to be; they the MSS. or the proofs. Except the dedication know this, and they know their own numbers and to Sir Robert Inglis, they contain nothing that their strength. Where this is the case, no sys- will be new to you; but you will like to have tem that depends upon cheap labor for its pros- them thus collected; and when you are cutting perity can continue. Great changes in the con- the leaves open, you will see many proofs of melstitution of our society are therefore inevitable; ancholy foresight. My intention was, if these but the changes which our ministers are moving volumes should obtain a tolerable sale, to follow earth and hell to effect, can not even alleviate them with similar volumes ecclesiastical, historany one existing evil: their direct tendency is ical, literary, and miscellaneous, about eight or to give more power to that part of the people ten of which my stores would supply. But in who have already far too much, and who, in the present state of things an encouraging sale truth, can not possibly have too little, in any is not to be expected, especially for a book conwell-ordered state. taining the most unpopular opinions expressed in "How much matters of this kind have been the strongest language in which I could convey in my thoughts during the last three-and-twenty them. years, you will see whenever my Essays reach At present, thank God, we are all in tolerayou. I expect daily to see them advertised. ble health, and in good spirits: these, you know, 508 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 58. never fail me. Your godson is a tall fellow, near- pernicious tendency of the measures the Whig ly as tall, and only some months younger than I party were then advocating-opinions confirmed was when you first saw me across the school, lit- and strengthened by the means adopted to carry tie thinking at the time what you and I should be those measures, and by the feelings with which to each other in after years. so many of the poorer classes regarded them" God bless you, my dear G. My love to Miss yet he had never lost his heart, hope, or a confiPage and your brother, and as many new years | dent that there was that stability in the counto you all as may be happy ones. The Smokerl * try which, under Providence, would withstand the is desired to accept the assurances of their high shock. consideration from the Cattery of Cats' Eden. But he had other causes for looking gloomily " R. S." at the course of events-private reasons as well as political ones. " The Great Trade," as it has been called, shared in the general stagnation. CHAPTER XXXV. Men's minds were too full of the stirring politics of the time to read any thing except newspapers FEARS OF A REVOLUTION-THE CHOLERA MORBUS and pamphlets, the sale of his own works was al- MARY COLLING -CHARLES SWAIN- DR. together at a stand, and publishers naturally were BELL'S DEATH-POLITICAL APPREHENSIONS- unwilling to enter into new engagements. The OFFER OF PROFESSORSHIP AT DURHAM-FEW Quarterly Review was suffering from its being MIEN KNOWN THOROUGHLY-COMPARISON BE- on the unpopular side, and he was beginning to TWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION- fear lest his main support should fail him; yet OPINION OF MR. SWAIN S POETRY-KNOWLEDGE his spirits did not fail him, and in a little time the NOT THE FIRST THING NEEDFUL-HISTORY OF prospect began to look brighter. PORTUGAL-REVIEW OF BOWTLES'S ST. JOHN IN PATMOS-MARY COLLING-VISIT TO LOW- To the Rev. Neville White. THER-LORD MAHON-PRINCE POLIGNAC-PO- "Keswick, June 3, 1832. LITICAL PROSPECTS —LORD NUGENT —LORD "MY DEAR NEVILLE, BROUGHAM-THE CORN-LAW RHYMER-DAN- " Though the old-fashioned wish of a Merry GERS OF THE COUNTRY-THE FACTORY SYS- Christmas and a Happy New Year would now TEM-LORD ASHLEY-AMERICAN DIVINITY- be after date, it is not too late to express a wish THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND-ALISON'S HISTORY that God's blessing may be with you and yours OF EUROPE-DEATH OF A FAVORITE CAT- in this year and in all the years that shall follow HISTORY OF BRAZIL-DR. BELL-ALLAN CUN- it, and that His special mercy may protect you, NINGHAM'S LIVES OF THE PAINTERS-FRENCH whatever evils this nation may be afflicted with. POLITICS-EBENEZER ELLIOTT -PROSPECTS " Lord Althorpe thinks the arrival of the cholOF THE COUNTRY-THE DOCTOR-MARRIAGE era is the greatest national calamity that could OF HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER-THE CORN LAWS befall us; this he says, because, being Chancel-HABITS OF DAILY LIFE-HENRY TAYLOR'S lor of the Exchequer, he dreads the effect which PLAYS-ZOPHIEL-REMONSTRANCE IN A CASE an extended quarantine must produce upon the OF CRUELTY.-1832-1834. revenue; and truly, after the experiments in free trade, and the repeal of taxes, which has cut MY father's apprehensions concerning the state down the national income without affording the and prospects of the country at this time may, slightest perceptible relief to any portion of the perhaps, to persons reading them now, appear people, he may apprehend this consequence. exaggerated and unfounded; and, indeed, we are "It is many years ago, long before the Collooften apt to think lightly both of our own fears quies were begun, that the likelihood of a visitaand those of others when the danger has passed tion of pestilence occurred to me, when thinking by. But these feelings were not confined to him- of the condition of this country and the ways of self, for many others shared them fully. Every Providence. Considering the condition of the reader of Sir Walter Scott's life will remember poor, the miserable population which the manuwith what fears he had viewed the approach of facturing system had collected in great bodies, the present crisis. Mr. Rickman, with a cool, and the zeal with which the most mischievous clear head, and with peculiar opportunities of opinions were propagated, I thought, with David, knowing the feelings and wishes of the various that pestilence was the lightest evil that could parties in the House of Commons, saw the dan- be expected, and therefore that, perhaps, it was ger clearly, at the same time that he believed the likeliest. it would be averted. Mr. Wordsworth, too, " The possibility of such a political crisis as looked at the prospects of the country and the the present was never in my thoughts. Who, signs of the times with the darkest apprehension, indeed, could have dreamed that we should ever and, not being endowed with such elastic spirits have a ministry who would call in the mob for as my father, was occasionally much depressed the purpose of subverting the Constitution? The by his fears. fearful question which a few months must resolve It must, however, be remembered that, not- is, whether pestilence will arrest the progress of withstanding the opinion my father held of the revolution, or accelerate it, by making the populace desperate. Nothing can more dangerously * A favorite cat of Mr. Bedford's. tend to make them so than the opinion which is ETAT. 58. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 509 given in all the newspapers that it is a disease caution have made the squalid misery of the from which the more fortunate classes seem to lower orders matter of public notoriety. What be exempt; and that unclean habits, crowded you and I have so long known, and what was alhabitations, and poor diet render men peculiarly ways known to those whose business or duty liable to it. leads them among the poor, is now brought pub" 10th. On the morning after I had written licly to the knowledge of those who, if not igthe above, the Ballot for January 1 was sent me, norant of it, might at least excuse their gross inwhere, in the leading article, --, by whom it attention to this great and crying evil by affectis edited, endeavors to excite the populace by ing to be so. They who are insensible to the means of the cholera, telling them that they, and moral evils of such poverty, and even to its pothey alone, are the marked victims of this pesti- litical dangers, may be roused by the physical lence, and that it is oppression which has made consequences, when they see it acting as a rethem so! and that the rich are safe, because they cipient and conductor not only for sedition and are rich, and have all the comforts of life! rebellion, but for pestilence also. * "The king, I am told, will make as many "There will be only a short paper of mine in peers as his ministers choose; and nothing then the next Quarterly Review upon Mary Colling's remains for us but to await the course of revolu- Fables. You will be interested with her story, tion. I shall not live to see what sort of edifice and amused, perhaps, with the introduction of the will be constructed out of the ruins, but I shall Poet Laureate of Trowbridge. go to rest in the sure confidence that God will: Pray remember me to Mr. Swain when you provide as is best for His church and His people. see him. I had been much pleased with his " My tenderest regards to your dear mother, poems, and was not less pleased with him, for, and those of my fireside to you and yours. indeed, he seemed to be in all things such as I " God bless you, my dear friend! could have wished to find him. " Yours most affectionately, R. S." " To-night I begin the last chapter of the Peninsular War, and you may well suppose that I To the Rev. James White. shall proceed rapidly, seeing the end so near. "Keswick, Feb. 8,1832. " Take care of yourself; that is, do not at"MY DEAR JAMES, tempt more than flesh and blood can perform. "The endless round of occupation in which You can do no greater good to others than by my days are passed has prevented me from thank- sparing yourself, and keeping yourself in health ing you, as long ago I ought and intended to have for the service of some more manageable flock done, for the trouble and the care which you took in a different sort of pasture. for and of my daughter. This delay lies on my "God bless you, my dear James! conscience for another reason, though happily "Yours affectionately, R. S." what I have to say is not yet too late; it is to give you my most serious and earnest opinion, that To John May, Esq. when the cholera reaches Manchester, your duty * Keswick, Feb. 18, 1832. is not to look after the sick. Upon the Roman "MY DEAR FRIEND, Catholic system it would be; it is not upon the " * * * * * principle of the Reformed Church. The prog- I know no one who has been pursued by such a ress of the disease is too rapid, and when it proves series of unmerited afflictions: one may use such fatal, its effects are also too violent, to admit of language in speaking of calamities that are any good being done by religious instruction: brought on by the actions of our fellow-creatures. this matter I have talked over with Mr. White- " * * * $ * side here, and he entirely agrees with me. If I had been called to Cheltenham, I should cerPreach rousing sermons to your people, tell them tainly have gone on to Bristol; but as yet I have death is at their doors, and exhort them to hold received no further intelligence from thence than themselves in readiness for his summons. Do a few lines from the poor old doctor's secretary, as you are doing to prepare against the evil by informing me of his death, and saying that when other means, but do not expose yourself unneces- the trustees arrived, official information would be sarily to infection when it comes. No man is sent to me. I persuade myself that it is not less likely to take it than you are, your very ar- likely I shall be called from home, disagreeable dor being the best prophylactic; but you are not as it would be, and especially inconvenient at to presume upon that. this time. " I think it would be prudent if those who "No man can care much about public affairs have authority were to enjoin that the funeral -_ c s d nt perr w e t d-. * "I have just received news of Dr. Bell's death from service should not be performed where the dis- his faithful secretary Davies, who says that' official inease is raging in individual cases, nor even over formation will be dispatched to me when the trustees armany at one time, but that when the disease has rive.' When it comes, I fear it may call me to Cheltenmany at one tie, ue d e ham; but certainly I shall not go if the business can be ceased, there should be a general service in ev- done by proxy. Poor old man, he is now at rest from his ery place for those who have died of it; this discovery, which was a perpetual torment to him, whatm'. ever good it may ultimately produce to others. But I had would much lessen the spread of the contagion, a great liking for the better parts of his strongly-marked and have a solemn effect at last. character: and his death, though expected, and for his ": One good I confidently hope for frotm this itown sake long to have been desired, takes full possession'*One good I confidently hope for from this I n v itatio. Th e ao of my mind just now, and troubles it."-To H. Taylor, visitation. The preparatory measures of pre- I Esq., Janz. 31. 510 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 58. when his own troubles are pressing heavily upon drain of emigration is kept open, the means of his heart and mind. But I greatly fear that the more immediate relief which I should look to time is hastening on when public concerns will would be, from bringing wastes into cultivation, affect the vital interests of every individual. thinking it profit enough if those who must otherWordsworth is made positively unhappy by this wise be supported by the public can raise their thought. I should be so if my mind were not own food there. constantly occupied, for I see most surely that " I wish government would employ -- upon nothing but the special mercy of Providence can a digest of the agricultural surveys-a work of save us from a revolution; and I feel, also, that national importance, for which he is peculiarly we have much more reason to fear the Almighty's qualified, and in the course of which much would justice than to rely upon his mercy in this case; suggest itself upon this very subject of the poor. yet I rely upon it, and keep my heart firm in that'I like your simile of the pyramid,* and am reliance. content with it-content that the work should be "Feb. 20. a lasting one, and, though seen by few, heard of "Yesterday brought me the expected letter by many. The commonwealth of Readingdom from Dr. Bell's trustees. He has left me X1000. is divided into many independent circles. Novel He had left me also his furniture, &c., but this and trash readers make by much the largest of he revoked in a codicil a few days before his the communities; I think the religious public death, giving some unintelligible reason for so rank next in numbers; then perhaps come those doing, and adding at the same time a bequest of who affect poetry: history is read by those only c100 to my dear Isabel* as his godchild; his who are desirous of information, and of these very memory, therefore, had completely failed him at few like to have it at length, or, indeed, can afford that time. The legacy to me is the largest he time for it. But in every generation there are has left; and most welcome it is, as something some. My story belongs to a brilliant part of on which I may rely (as far as any thing depend- our own history, and to a most important one in ent upon the fearful insecurity of human life, and that of two other countries; it is sure, therefore, of all our social institutions in these days, may be of a place in the Bibliotheca Historica of all three. relied on) for Cuthbert's support at Oxford: it " The History of Portugal, if I live to execute relieves me from any difficulty respecting means, it, will be my best historical work. There, as if he and I should live so long, and this frame of in the Brazil, industry in collecting materials, and things should be kept together. skill in connecting them, may be manifested, and "I collect from the trustees' letter that Dr. a great deal brought to light which will be deemBell changed his intention concerning the publi- ed of no little interest in the history of European cation of his works, which he had desired Words- society and of the human mind. A good deal of worth and myself to superintend, but it seems he the Peninsular story required, as you observe, still wished and expected that I should draw up little more than the mere patience of detailing it an account of his life. Upon this I shall have on my part; but the whole has an entireness of further information, no doubt, in due time. Poor subject which can belong to the history of very man! the last letter I received from him told me few wars, and an interest from the importance that he had bequeathed to me his furniture, and of the cause and the peculiarity of the circumthat therefore I must be prepared to set off for stances which is quite as uncommon. I believe Cheltenham as soon as I should be informed of none of my works have been read with more ea-'an event which could not be far distant.' If I gerness by those into whose hands it has come, had done so, how uncomfortably should I have and you know I never look for a wide public. felt on my arrival there! * * - It is more profitable to have your reputation God bless and support you, my dear friend, and spread itself in breadth; I am satisfied with lookbring you through all difficulties into a peaceful ing to the probable length of mine. God bless port. you! R. S." " Yours most affectionately, R. S." The next letter was in reply to one containTo Henry Taylor, Esq. ing some overtures from some of the authorities " Keswick, March 2,1832. at Durham as to whether my father would be " MY DEAR H. T., disposed to accept a Professorship of History in (' * * * * that University. The fact of his being willing In how different a situation should we now be if to listen to and consider the details of an offeri ministers had looked to the real evils of the country, and left the imaginary ones alone! The * "I shall be very glad to see the third volume of the great red fr pauperism cn be nhin bt Peninsular War appear. It will be a great work, I supgreat remedy for pauperism can be nothng but pose the greatest of its kind, and yet I should almost reconstant emigration, to which I would have all gret to see you engage again in any narrative of so much pauper children d w a o o detail; a great portion of the labor bestowed upon such pauper children destined who are orphans, or a work must be not of a kind to bring into play the facwhose parents have deserted them: they are eas- ulties of your mind in all their extent and variety, and I ily transported, easily settled, and in this manner doubt whether now or henceforward the growth of literature will admit of works being constructed on such a best provided for. Always bearing in mind that scale. This sort of Great Pyramid will be allowed to be a the country can not be healthy unless the great wonderful structure, but it will not be commonly resorted to "-H. T. to R. S., Feb. 28, 1832. t With reference to the offer, he says, in a letter to Mr. * Isabel Southey died in 1826. Bedford, after stating that it is solely from prudential mo. .,TAT. 58. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 511 of this kind, at his age and with his habits, shows themselves. One's character, being teres atque that a change had come over him, and that a set- rotundus, is not to be seen all at once. You tied income had become a matter of far greater must know a man all round-in all moods and importance in his eyes than formerly. all weathers-to know him well; but in the comThis scheme, however, as he anticipated, soon mon intercourse of the world, men see each other fell to the ground, the remuneration it was in- in only one mood-see only their manners in sotended to offer not being such as he could pru- ciety, and hear nothing that comes from any part dently have accepted. lying deeper than the larynx. Many people think they are well acquainted with me who know To George Taylor, Esq. little more of me than the cut of my jib and the " Keswick, March 3,1832. sound of my voice. "MY DEAR SIR, " The probabilities, I think, are much against'; Your letter which I have this day received the Durham scheme. It will not appear to them proposes for my consideration a question of pru- worth their while to make it worth mine; they dence, which can be answered only when the will consider what, according to common pruparticulars are made known. At present I can dence, they might be expected to afford; as I say no more than that it is a matter in which my must what, upon the same ground, I ought to inclinations shall not be allowed to have more accept. The two prudentials are not likely to than their due weight, but that it must be no in- agree, and they will never know what they lose in considerable advantage which could induce me failing to engage me, for, were I to live and do to alter my habits of life, and divide the remain- well, my work would be worth far more to them der of it between two places of abode; for, though than my name. God bless you! R. S." not so rooted here as to be absolutely irremovable, I am leased to the spot, and my library also To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. binds me to it. Perhaps no consideration could "Keswick, April 1, 1832. induce me wholly to leave it; but Durham is an " MY DEAR GROSVENOR, easy distance, and periodical migrations, though " If you had been within reach of me a week attended with some discomfort, would probably ago, when I wrote Laus Deo at the end of the be wholesome for my family, and not hurtful to Peninsular War, I should have taken my hat and myself. my walking-stick, and set out for the satisfaction "But I will dismiss from my mind at present of singing'O be joyful' in your presence and all thoughts of this kind, and of the difficulties with your aid. The volume, since I wrote to you and objections on one side, and on the other the in December, has outgrown my expectations by plans which would readily present themselves to more than a hundred pages, so much more debe sketched and shaped. It would be losing tail have I been led into by my materials than at time to think of these things now; only I may first sight had been anticipated. say that my estimate of what would be to be * * * * * * * done goes far beyond Mr. -—'s. My consid-'From this you will conclude that I am in eration would be, not with how little labor I good health and in good spirits, notwithstanding might go through the functions of the professor- the dismal prospect of public affairs. On private ship, but how I might best discharge them for scores, however, I have uneasiness enough, of the benefit of those whom I should have to ad- which it were useless to speak where no good dress, and for my own credit hereafter. can be obtained. "Farewell, my dear sir. Present our kind * * * * * * * remembrances to Mrs. Taylor, and believe me "As for the likings or dislikings, Grosvenor, always which are formed at first sight or upon casual "Yours, with great and sincere regard, acquaintance, no one who has lived long in the " ROBERT SOUTHEY." world will attach more importance to them than they deserve. Complicated as every human To H. Taylor, Esq. character must be, we like or dislike just that "Keswick, March 7, 1832. part of it which happens to present itself to our " MY DEAR H. T., observation; and perhaps the same person, in " * * * * * * * another point of view, makes a very different imMost men play the fool in some way or other, pression. It is so with countenances, and it is and no man takes more delight in playing it than so even with natural scenery. Upon a second I do, in my own way. I do it well with children, journey I have sometimes looked in vain for the and not at all with women, toward whom, like beauties which delighted me on the first; and, John Bunyan,'I can not carry myself pleasantly,' on the other hand, I have discovered pleasing unless I have a great liking for them. Most men, objects where I had formerly failed to perceive I suspect, have different characters even among them. I know very well in what very different their friends, appearing in different circles in dif- lights I myself must appear to different people, ferent lights, or rather showing only parts of who see me but once, or whose acquaintance with me is very slight: not a few go away with tives, he " deemed it right to listen to the overture. It is the notion that they have seen a stiff, cold, renot in the natural or fitting course of things that I should served, disobliging sort of person and theyjudoy be put in harness at an age when I ought rather to be turn- serveg sort person an ey ge ed out to grass for the remainder of my days." rightly as far as they see, except that no one 512 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF iETAT. 58. should be deemed disobliging merely for taking " The Cattery of Cats' Eden congratulate the no pains to make himself agreeable where he Cat without a name upon his succession in Staffeels no inclination to do so. ford Row." "This I think is the greatest disadvantage that notorious authorship brings with it. It To Charles Swain, Esq. places one in an unfair position among strangers "Keswick, May 1, 1832. they watch for what you say, and set upon you " MY DEAR SIn, to draw you out, and whenever that is the case, "Do not look upon my invitation to you as a in I go like a tortoise or hodmandod into my shell. matter of politeness, a motive from which I never * * * * ~ act further than the common law of society re"God bless you, my dear G. R. S." quires. " Respect for you and your talents, and the To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. use you have made of them, was my motive. "Keswick, April 15, 1832. Your poetry is made of the right materials. If " MY DEAR G., ever man was born to be a poet, you are; and if " There are Greek and English Lexicons now; Manchester is not proud of you yet, the time will but if your nephew is intended for a public school, certainly come when it will be so. the better way, as he would be a day-boy (which Come when you will, and stay as long as I look upon to be the greatest of all advantages), you can, I shall be sincerely happy to receive would be to send him to Westminster as soon as you here. I wish you were with us now; the he was fit for the second form: I do not say for sun shines, the birds are busy, the buds beginning the petty, because the work of the first two years to open. There is a vernal spirit abroad which may probably be as well got at home in six carries joy to young hearts, and brings the best months. Had I lived in London, Cuthbert should substitute for it to those whose season for joy is certainly have gone to Westminster as a day-boy. past, not to return again. There is in schemes of education, as in every " God bless you! thing else, a choice of evils: no safe process "Yours affectionately, that is impossible. MIy settled opinion is, that "ROBERT SOUTHEY.' the best plan is a public school, where the boy can board at home: upon this I have no doubt. To the Rev J. W. Warter. When he can not, the question between public "Keswick, June 20, 1832. and private education is so questionable, that in " MY DEAR WARTER, most cases a feather might turn the scale. With s" * * * * i me it was turned by the heavy weights of dis- Oxford or Cambridge are good places of residence tance and expense, and the consideration that for men who, having stored their minds well, life is uncertain; and by educating my son at want well-stored libraries which may enable home, I was at least sure of this, that his years them to pursue their researches and bring forth of boyhood would be happy. the fruits of them. But the plant which roots " Your godson whom you are not likely to see itself there will never attain any vigorous growth. unless you come to Keswick, is nearly, if not The mind must be a very strong and a very quite, as tall as his godfather, though he com- active one which does not stand still while it is pleted his thirteenth year only in February last. engaged in tustoring, and both universities now His knowledge of Greek is about as much as I are little more than manufactories in which men carried with me into the fifth form; his Latin are brought up to a certain point in a certain rather less than I brought to Westminster, the branch of knowledge, and when they have reachtruth being that I am not qualified to teach him ed that point they are kept there. either critically; but what he lacks can be super- "But, after all, knowledge is not the first added easily in due time. We went through the thing needful. Provided we can get contentedPentateuch (omitting the Levitical parts), Josh- ly through the world, and (be the ways rough or ua, and Judges, in your present of the Septua- smooth) to heaven at last, the sum of knowledge gint, and read the same portion of the Bible on that we may collect on the way is more infinitely the same day in German and Dutch. Having insignificant than I like to acknowledge in my got so far, I substituted Herodotus for the Septu- own heart. Indeed, it is not easy for me always agint, and added the. Swedish to our biblical to bear sufficiently in mind that the pursuits in readings. We now read Herodotus and Homer which I find constant interest and increasing enon alternate days. God alone knows what may joyment must appear of no interest whatever to be appointed for him or for me. * * * the greater part not merely of mankind, but of " I am reviewing Lord Nugent's Life of Hamp- the educated part even of our own countrymen. den, with the intention of winding up with some I forget this sometimes when I am wishing for remarks on the present state of affairs. One of others, opportunities by which perhaps they would the amiable correspondents of the Times asks, in not be disposed to profit. to-day's paper, whether I am one of the Duke * * * * * * of Wellington's advisers! a question which shows "I wish I could answer Sarmento's question how much this fellow knows either about the to my own satisfaction. If I could follow my induke or me. clinations, a week would not elapse before the " God bless you! R. S. History of Portugal would be in the press. But ETAT. 59. ROBERT SOUTIHEY. 513 this work can only have that time allotted to it whose sweet countenance, if you look at her porwhich can be won from works of necessity, and trait, will say more in her favor than any words that not yet. I hope my affairs are in such a of mine could do. train that next year it will become my chief ob- "I have no wish to encourage the growth of ject in those subsecive hours, for which I can find humble authors, still less of adventurers in literno English word. Once in the press, it would ature, God knows. But I earnestly wish, espego on steadily, for the subject has been two-and- cially in an age when all persons can read, to thirty years in my mind. So long is it since I encourage in all who have any love of reading began not merely to collect materials, but to di- that sort of disposition which would lead them gest them, and for at least two thirds of the his- to take pleasure in your poems and in mine, and tory I have only to recompose in the process of in any which are addressed, as ours always have transcribing what has long been written. I been, to the better feelings of our nature. The believe no history has ever yet been composed tendency of our social system has long been to that presents such a continuous interest of one brutalize the lower classes, and this it is that kind or another, as this would do, if I should live renders the prospect before us so fearful. I wish to complete it. The chivalrous portion is of the to see their moral and intellectual condition as very highest beauty; much of what succeeds has much as possible improved; it seems to me that a deep tragic interest; and then comes the grad- great improvement is possible, and that in betual destruction of a noble national character tering their condition the general good is probrought on by the cancer of Romish superstition. moted. "But I have other letters to write by this post, "Would that there were a hope of seeing you and therefore must conclude. God bless you! here, that I might show you this lake and these R. S." mountains, and these books, and talk with you upon subjects which might make us forget that To the Rev. IT. Lisle Bowles. we are living in the days of William IV., Earli "Keswick, July 30,1832. Grey, the Times newspaper, and the cholera. "MY DEAR SIR morbus. God save the first, and deliver us from. "This morning I received your St. John in the rest! Patmos, two months after the date of the note "Believe me, my dear sir, yours, with sinwhich accompanied it: this is mentioned, that cere respect and regard, you may not think I have been slow in acknowl-'ROBERT SOUTHEY." edging and thanking you for it. I have just read the poem through, and with much pleasure. To the Rev. Neville White. Yours I should have known it to have been by "Keswick, August 19, 1832. the sweet and unsophisticated style upon which "MY DEAR NEVILLE, I endeavored, now almost forty years ago, to form "It rarely happens in these times that the my own. You have so blended the episodical post brings me any matter for rejoicing; but it parts that they do not in any degree disturb the never at any time brought me a communication solemn and mysterious character of the whole. which gave me more thorough delight than your " You will not, I am sure, suppose that I could letter which arrived this morning. You have for even a moment feel hurt by your remarks in now the reward of your deserts, and it is no, the preface. After having reviewed in the Quar- slight comfort to see that desert has been thus terly Review Grahamne's Georgics, Montgom- rewarded. All circumstances, too, are as you ery's Poems, and his World before the Flood, could have wished them to be; for, though your and Landor's Count Julian, I found it necessary lot has not fallen in a beautiful country, it is nearto resolve that I would not review the work of Norwich, and therefore a desirable location for any living poet. Applications to me from stran- you. Walpole is a name which from childhood gers, and from others in all degrees of acquaint- I have regarded with good will, and henceforth: anceship, were so frequent, that it became ex- I shall regard it with still better. pedient to be provided with a general reason for "I shall certainly look in upon you on my refusing. which could offend no one; there was next journey to London. When that may be Ii no other means of avoiding offense. Many would know not, but certainly not before the spring, otherwise have resented the refusal, and more and perhaps not so soon. Engagements will: would have been more deeply displeased if they keep me to the desk, and, happily, inclination had not been extolled according to their own es- would never take me from it. timate of their own merits. From this resolu- "I shall like dearly to see you in your Rection I did not consider myself as departing when tory: to a certain degree you will once more I drew up the account of Mary Coiling; her have to form new habits, but in this instance the story and her character interested me greatly, change is likely to be salutary. and would, I thought, interest most readers. I "I dare say that the duties of your parish will wished to render her some service, and have the be much less fatiguing than those in which you satisfaction of knowing that this has been in engaged as a volunteer in Norwich, and they some measure effected. It was a case wherein will be more agreeable, because, in a little while,. a little praise, through that channel, might be as soon as your parishioners know you, you will the means of producing some permanent benefit perceive the fruits of them. Any clergyman to one who has gentle blood in her veins, and who does his duty as you will do it must soon be KrI 514 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 59. loved by his flock, and then no other station in the time conmes, will be found much more alert life can be so happy. and active than''their opponents are prepared to "I wish James were emancipated from his expect, or, perhaps, to withstand. We are only bondage, and settled as his bishop ought to settle sire of one Conservative member from this counhim, where-he might enjoy the well-deserved re- ty, Matthias Attwood's success being doubtful. ward of his labors, and some rest from them. "'Oddly enough, while American notions of," Much against my will, I am going to Low- government are obtaining ground in Europe, the ther Castle on Friday next, to remain till Mon- United States themselves seem likely to be dis. day. Lord Lonsdale'asks me in so kind a man- united, and give practical proof of the instability ner, saying that he is, always unwilling to take of any such system. No doubt our West Indianl me from my employments, that I can not refuse planters would call upon America to'receive to. go; and his pbject is to introduce me to Lord them into the Union, and be received accordingMahon, whom I know'only by letter, but whose ly, if the Slave Question were hot likely to be way of thinking and pursuits make him desire to the cause of quarrel between the Southern States become acquainted with me. It is gratifying and the Congress. Most likely I shall write a to perceive that there are persons growing up paper upon this question for the Christmas numwhose minds have been influenced by my writ- er. From the way in which the emancipators ings, and that here and there the seed which dur- on the one hand, and the colonial assemblies on ing so many years I have been casting on the the other, are proceeding, we shall soon have waters, has taken root, and is beginning to bring those islands in the condition of St. Domingo. forth fruit after-its kind. -,'.' - @ "God bless you, my dear Neville! With the " Murray has published a letter to himself by *kindest congratulations and remembrances-of my Lord Nugent, which letter abuses me by name, household, and my own especially to youre dear a-la-William Smith. It has been published more smother and your wife, believe me always, than a fortnight, and he has never sent it me,' Yours most affectionately, nor do I'know any thing of it, except at second "ROBERT SOUTHEY." hand from a. newspaper. If I should think it worth while to take any notice of this attack, it To JTohn Rickman, Esq. - will be very briefly, and through the newspapers, "Keswick, Oct. 15, 183. but I must make myself angry before I can be-:"MY DEAR R.,- stow even the little time upon such a business "I have- been working hard upon a paper on which it would require. French affairs, which I shall-finish to-morrow. "God bless you! R. S." A pamphlet by Prince Polignac furnishes the text and much of the matter for-it. This was ^ To Joh-n May, Esq.,sent me by Sir Robert Adair, who is his partic- "Keswicl, March 1,1833. ular friend, and I have since, through the same "MY DEAR FREEND, }channel, had a letter from the poor prisoner him- " If any one had told self*. Adair has also sent me a curious pain- me that I should ever feel an anxious interest in phlet, written to vindicate the Belgian revolution any promise of the Lord Chancellor Brougham's, from the disgrace of having any thing in common it would have seemed a most improbable suppowith the last French one. sition, and yet I am now solicitous about two of "'It is very difficult to foresee any thing in the his promises-that to which you are looking, present state of Europe. Nothing could have and that which he made to Henry about the:seemed more improbable than, the presevation Lunacy Commission. I have known men who'of peace thus long. If it le still preserved, the make promises without the slightest intention of struggle between the government and the Chlam- keeping them, rather with the full intention of' ber will go on till the nation distinctly see that never performing them. This is not Brougham's it is, in fact, a question whether there is to be case;:' in such things he does not look so far for-,:any government or none, and then the least un- ward; and he is a good-natured man, much too likely termination would be that $oult would good-natured ever to raise hopes, meaning to enact the part of Monk, and Louis Philippe make disappoinit them. - t - a merit of having acted as king, in order to pre- This year will not pass away without greatserve the monarchy till he could safely transfer er changes than the last. It is already apparent it to.the legitimate prince. To this or to another that the reformed Parliament will' not work. military despotism it must come. Government by authority has iong' been defunct. " Last night we had the M. of Hastings here, Government by influence was put to death by who' voted with the ministry, and now appre- the Reform Bill, and nothing is left'but governhends the consequences. Wynn thinks there is ment by public opinion. a reaction in the country; C —, on the con- "I have gone through the whole evidence trary, believes revolution to be imminent and in-' concerning the treatment of children in the faeevitable. I will not say that every thing de- tories and nothing so bad was ever brought to. pends upon the' new elections, but much certain- light before. The slave trade is mercy to it. ly does; and I suspect that the Radicals,'when We know how the slave trade began and im-'perceptibly increased, nothing in the beginning * See Appendix. being committed that shocked the feelings and ETAT. 59. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 515 was contrary to the spirit of the age. Having in which any thing religious or devotional might thus grown up, it went on by succession, and of or might not incidentally be introduced, I should later years has rather been mitigated than made have been pleased with the happy disposition that worse. But this white slavery has risen in our they indicate, the benevolent spirit that pervades own days, and is carried on in the midst of this them, and their occasional felicity of expression, civilized and Christian nation. Herein it is that and, I may add, with what might then have deour danger consists. The great body of the served to be called their unobtrusive piety; but manufacturing populace, and also of the agricul- as discourses from a gray-haired pastor to his tural, are miserably poor; their condition is worse people, I could not peruse them without sorrow than it ought to be. One after another, we are nor, indeed, sometimes without astonishment. destroying all the outworks by which order, and, He tells his congregation,'Alms, when they are with it, property and life, are defended, and this bestowed from pious and benevolent principles, brutalized populace is ready to break in upon us. will carry you to Heaven: they will deliver you The prelude which you witnessed at Bristol was from death, and never suffer you to descend into a manifestation of the spirit that exists among a place of darkness. This is rendering it may them. But in the manufacturing districts, where be said, the path to everlasting happiness very the wages of the adults are at a starvation rate, plain and easy. True; but I do not render it end their children are literally worked to death easier and plainer than the Scriptures have -murdered by inches-the competition of the made it.' masters being the radical cause of these evils,'No wonder that the Roman Catholics inthere is a dreadful reality of oppression, a dread- crease at Boston, as they do in Holland and elseful sense of injustice, of intolerable misery, of where, wherever such Christianity is preached. intolerable wrongs, more formidable than any'The Almighty,' he says,'sent down from His causes which have ever moved a people to in- throne such men as Copernicus, Kepler, and surrection. Once more I will cry aloud and Newton to enlighten the world.' spare not. These are not times to be silent.'In an Ordination Charge he says,'In this age Lord Ashley has taken up this Factory Question of the Church it is unnecessary that you should with all his heart, under a deep religious sense read the Fathers, except for improvement in of duty. I hear from him frequently. If we are morals and devotion, because others have read to be saved, it will be, I will not say by such them for you, and have extracted from them almen, but for the sake of such men as he is —men most all the facts that they contain.' who have the fear of God before their eyes, and "These are some of the fruits which Puritanthe love of their fellow-creatures in their hearts. ism has brought forth in America. It seems as " God bless you, my dear friend! Remember if in our own country the experiment was about me most kindly to your two daughters; and be- to be repeated of improving the vineyard by lieve me always yours most affectionately, breaking down the fences, and letting the cattle " R. SOITHEY." and the wild beasts in. The crisis is probably very near at hand: I see my way much more To the Lord Bishop of Limerick. distinctly into it than out of it. For the last two "Keswick, March 6, 1.833. years it has been evident that O'Connell has' MY LORD, formed an alliance offensive and defensive with' I am greatly obliged to you for your edition the political unions. He relies upon them either of Burnet's Lives, made still more valuable by to frighten the ministers out of their coercive the Introduction, the Prefaces, and the Notes measures by a demonstration of physical force, with which they are enriched. No books are embodied, mustered, and ready to take the field, read with more interest than such as this, and or, if they fail in this, he expects them to hoist none are likely to do so much good. the tricolor flag, and march upon London when-' The Americans seem more awake to the ever he gives the signal for rebellion in Ireland. uses of exemplary biography than we are. They Brandreth's insurrection in 1817, the projected lose no opportunity of pronouncing funeral ora- expedition of the Blanketeers a little later, and tions; and in what may be called the ordination the Bristol riots, were all parts.of a widely-concharge of a Unitarian minister, the old pastor certed scheme, which has only been from time recommends that biographical discourses should to time postponed till a more convenient season, be delivered from the pulpit occasionally instead and is now thoroughly matured, and likely to be of sermons, instancing as fit subjects such men attempted upon a great scale whenever the leadas Watts, Lindsey, and Howard. This will re- ers of the movement think proper. I am not mind you of the Roman Catholic practice, to without strong apprehensions that before this which we are indebted fbr such books as the Flos year passes away, London may have its Three Sanctorum. Days. " But the American Unitarians come nearer "But earnestly as such a crisis is to be depto the Romanists on more dangerous ground. recated, I do not fear the result. It may even Two volumes have lately been sent me from come in time to save us from the otherwise inNew England of sermons by James Freeman, a evitable overthrow of all our institutions by the very old and very amiable man, exceedingly be- treachery and cowardice of those who ought to loved and reverenced by his friends and his flock. uphold them. The Whigs will never give over Had they come to me as a collection of essays, the work of destruction which they have so pros 516 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 59. perously begun till the honester Destructives are oiple can any government be justified in robbing armed against them, and threaten them with them of their rights? their due reward. The sooner, therefore, that " Church property neither is nor ever has been it comes to this, the better. public property in any other sense than this. The "Meantime there is a comfort in seeing by the whole was originally private property, so disposLondon election that a great change has taken ed of by individuals in the way which they deemed place in public opinion there: there is a comfort most beneficial to others, and most for the good in knowing that the Church of England and of of their own souls. How much of superstition Ireland could never at any time have been better may have been mingled with this, matters not. able to bear hostile inquiry, and to defend them- Much of this property was wickedly shared among selves than now; above all, there is a never-fail- themselves by those persons who forwarded the ing comfort in a constant reliance upon Provi- Reformation as a scheme of spoliation, and in dence, and this, God be thanked, I am enabled other ways materially impeded its progress. Yet to feel. they did nothing so bad as the Whig ministry " I beg my kindest remembrances to Mr. Fors- are preparing to do, for they, no doubt, mean to ter; and remain, with the greatest respect, my give to the Romish clergy what they take from lord, your lordship's obliged and obedient servant, the Irish Protestant Church. ROBERT SOUTHEY." "You should read Townsend's pamphlet upon Lord Henley's absurd and mischievous schemes. To the Rev. Neville Wrhite. It is a most able and manly composition, and the " Keswick, April 10, 1833. name and character of the writer carry weight " MY DEAR NEVILLE, with them. God bless you! "Your letter, which I have this morning re- "Yours most affectionately, R. S." ceived, came when I was just about to reply to that of March 11th. You may judge how my To.A. Alison, Esq. other correspondents fare by the length of time "Keswick, April 17,1833. that your letters remain unanswered, there being "Mv DEAR SIR, none which I receive more gladly or to which I "I am much obliged to you for your History. reply with more interest; and yet more than half It reached me on Monday evening last, so that my mornings are consumed in letter-writing; I have only had time to run through the whole, though, as far as possible, I have, from necessity, and peruse those parts which arrested me. cut off all useless correspondence, and curtailed " A better book could not possibly have been the rest. made upon that subject within the same limits, " Now, my dear Neville, to the other part of nor could the subject be treated in a manner your letter-the uses and the danger of the more likely to be in the highest degree useful, Church Establishment. I will touch upon one if any thing in these times could be addressed of its uses which happened to be noticed in con- with effect to the understanding of an infatuated versation yesterday with Wordsworth by the way- nation. side. He mentioned of what advantage the "The events which you have so vividly deChurch of England had been to that great body scribed are fresh in my memory, for I was just of Dissenters among whom the Unitarian heresy old enough to take the liveliest interest in them has spread, and your country was particularly as they occurred; and young enough for that ininstanced. A great part of the Presbyterian con- terest to have all the eagerness of hope. I gregations lapsed with their preachers, as sheep thought as highly of the Girondists as you have follow the bell-wether; but of those who remain- spoken of them, but was too young and too iged orthodox, the majority found their way into norant to see their errors as you have done. I the right fold. They held the doctrines of the entered, therefore, warmly into their views, and Church before in the main, differing from them no public event ever caused me so much pain as only in points where our Articles most wisely the fate of Brissot and his associates-till I lived have left room for difference; and they now found to see our own Constitution destroyed. Few of by experience the insufficiency of their own dis- that party hold the same place in my estimation cipline, and the want of such a standard as the now-perhaps only Isnard and Vergniaud, for Establishment preserves. their speeches (which is all that we know of "Public property the Church indeed is-most them), and Madame Roland, whose great qualitruly and most sacredly so-and in a manner the ties can not be estimated too highly. But of the very reverse of that in which the despoilers con- rest, too many were as profligate as they were sider it to be so. It is the only property which superficial and irreligious. Brissot, who was in is public-which is set apart and consecrated as some respects the best of them, has been greatly a public inheritance, in which any one may claim lowered in my mind since I read two volumes his share who is properly qualified. You have of his Memoirs, and a collection of nine volumes your share of it, I might have had mine. There of his works. He was an amiable man in his is no respectable family in England, some of private relations, but as a man of letters not whose members have not, in the course of two or above the third or fourth rank; and that enthuthree generations, enjoyed their part in it; and siasm which sometimes supplied to him the place many thousands are at this time qualifying them- of sound principle, could not supply his want of selves to claim their portion. Upon what prin- judgment. 2ETAT. 59. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 517 " I do not see the name of Helen Maria Will- My father's fondness for cats has been occaiams among your references; if you have not sionally shown by allusion in his letters, and in seen her letters, you would find in them more The Doctor is inserted an amusing memorial of particulars concerning this party than in any oth- the various cats which at different times were er work that has fallen in my way. With all inmates of Greta Hall. He rejoiced in bestowthe cotemporary works I am well acquainted; ing upon them the strangest appellations; and later ones I have not happened to meet with, and it was not a little amusing to see a kitten anhave not sought. The best that I have met with swer to the name of some Italian singer or Inrelating to the early period is Puisaye's-the dian chief, or hero of a German fairy tale, and two or three first volumes-his latter volumes often names and titles were heaped one upon anrelate chiefly to the miserable intrigues among other, till the possessor, unconscious of the honthe emigrants; but there is some very interest- or conveyed, used to " set up his eyes and look" ing matter respecting his own life among the in wonderment. Mr. Bedford had an equal liking Chouans. I have been twice in company with for the feline race, and occasional notices of their Puisaye, and never saw a finer countenance, nor favorites therefore passed between them, of which one that I could more readily have confided in. the following records the death of one of the "Are you accurate as to Barrere's death?* greatest; I very well remember that in 1805 or 1806 the newspapers said he was attached to the French To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. embassy at Lisbon; and though this was not the "A Keswick, May 18, 1833. case, the impression upon my mind is, that he " MY DEAR G., was employed under Bonaparte's government. "* * * * * "You have a good word for General Biron at Alas! Grosvenor, this day poor old Rumpel was his death. If this were the ci-devant due, hle was found dead, after as long and happy a life as cat altogether unworthy of it, having been one of could wish for, if cats form wishes on that subject. the most profligate and thoroughly worthless of " His full titles were: the French nobility. " The Most Noble the Archduke Rumpel" Danton and Robespierre quarreled at one stiltzchen, Marquis Macbum, Earl Tomlemagne, of the political clubs before the 10th of August: Baron Raticide, Waowhler, and Skaratch. high words ended in a challenge: they met, and " There should be a court mourning in Catthe duel was prevented by the interference of an land, and if the Dragon* wear a black ribbon Englishman, who went out as a second to the round his neck, or a band of crape a la militaire one, and represented to them how injurious it round one of the fore paws, it will be but a bewould be to the cause of liberty if either of coming mark of respect. them should fall. That Englishman was the " As we have no catacombs here, he is to be present James Watt of Soho, and from him I decently interred in the orchard, and cat-mint heard this remarkable fact. planted on his grave. Poor creature, it is well " But I must conclude, once more thanking that he has thus come to his end after he had you for the book, which is every thing that such become an object of pity. I believe we are each a book ought to be in all respects, except that and all, servants included, more sorry for his loss, for my own gratification I wish this part of your or rather more affected by it, than any one of us subject had been extended to four volumes in- would like to confess. stead of being compressed into two; the book- " I should not have written to you at present sellers and the public would no doubt be of a had it not been to notify this event. different opinion, but it is because men are too a * * * * busy or too idle to read what ought to be read, God bless you! R. S.'7 that they who engage in state affairs are igno- "Did I tell you that my History of Brazil has rant of what they ought to know, and hence the led the English merchants who trade with Monte consequences that we have seen, and those which Video to claim an exemption from certain duwe may foresee. ties: the attorney general pronounces that they "I very well remember when you and Mr. have established a prima facie claim to that exHope came in upon our cheerful party. Our emption; the officers of the customs are instructfriend Mr. Telford, whom I saw here last, was ed to act upon that opinion; and one house alone depressed in spirits by his growing deafness; saves o~1200 by this, by their own statement to this was more than two years ago, and I fear me, for I have had several letters upon the subthat the cause is not likely to be removed at his ject, soliciting information during the inquiry. age.,* * * * "Should any circumstance lead you into this country, I hope you will give me an opportunity To John May, Esq. of shaking you once more by the hand, and own "Keswick, May 20,1833. me a fellow-laborer in the field of history. MY DEAR FRIENtD, " Believe me, my dear sir," Dr. Bell's amanuensis (Davies) has arrived "Yours very truly, at Keswick with the poor doctor's papers: he "ROBERT SOUTHEY." is established in lodgings at the bottom of the * This observation was quite just, and was correctedgarden and I go to him evey morning at seven in the next edition.-A. A..* A cat of Mr. Bedford's. 518 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 59, and remain with him till nine, inspecting a mass To sllan Cauninzhan:, Esq. of correspondence which it will take several "Keswick, June 3,1833. mouths to go through. Dr. Bell, from the time MY DEAR ALLAN, he went to India in 1787, seems to have pre- Thank you in my own name, and in my served every paper-first, for the interest which daughter Bertha's, for the completing volumes he took in them, and latterly, no doubt, with a of your Painters. The work is very far the best persuasion that whatever related to him would that has been written for the Family Library, and be deemed of importance by posterity, and with will continue to be reprinted long after all the a sure conviction that the more fully he was others with which it is now associated. I do not known the higher would be the opinion formed except the Life of Nelson from this the world of his character; and this is certainly the case cares more about artists than admirals after the till the latter part of his life, when his own sys- lapse of centuries and as long as the works of tem obtained such complete possession of his those artists endure. or so long as their concepheart and soul as to leave room for nothing else. tions are perpetuated by engravings, so long will My acquaintance with himr began in 1809, a lively interest be excited by their lives, when but it was not till two or three years afterward written as you have written them. that I began to knowv him intimately, and then I " Give your history of the rustic poetry of believe there was no person among the connec- Scotland the form of biography, and no bookselltions of his latter life for whom he entertained a er will shake his head at it unless he is a booby, more sincere regard. From that time it was his People who care nothing about such a history wish that I should undertake the office which has would yet be willing to read the lives of such now been committed to me, and I have great poets, and you may very well introduce all that pleasure in thinking that his life and correspond- you wish to bring forward under cover of the ence will not disappoint the expectations which more attractive title. The biography of mene he had formed. who deserve to be remembered always retains its "Having been several weeks at this task, I interest. have now become as well acquainted with the Are you right as to Lawrence's birth-place? first half of his life as the most unreserved let- The White Hart, which his father kept at Bristers could make me, and this has made me un- tol, is in the parish of Christ Church, not St. derstand how little we know of men with whom Philip's, which is a distant part of the city. we become acquainted after a certain age, and'Sir George Beaumont's marriage was in upon what different foundation the friendships 1774, the year of my birth; he spent that sumof boyhood, of youths and of maturity rest; but, mer here, and Faringdon was with him part of withal, the older they are (like good Rhenish the time, taking up their quarters in the little inn wine), the finer is the relish. If you and I had by Lowdore. Hearne, also, was with him here. first met in London ten years later than we did either that year or soon afterward, and made for in Lisbon, our intimacy could never have been him a sketch of the whole circle of this vale from what it is. a field called Crow Park. Sir George intended " This session of Parliament is not likely to to build a circular banqueting-roonl, and have pass over without some fearful struggle. The this painted round the walls. If the execution mob in London stand in fear of the soldiers, and had not always been procrastinated, here would still more of the police. The want of such a po- have been the first panorama. I have seen the lice ha1s given them the upper hand at Manches- sketch, now preserved on a roll more than twenter, Birmingham, and Sheffield, and elsewhere; ty feet in length. and, in the confidence of their union and their " Sir George's death was not from any decay. numbers, it seems to me more than probable that IHis mother lived some years beyond ninety, and they will attempt a simultaneous march upon his health had greatly iiproved during the latter London, such as the Blanketeers intended about years of his life. I-e was never better than when fourteen years ago. In that case there will be last in this country, a very few months before his an insurrection in London, unless they are stopped death. The seizure was sudden: after breakfasts on the way and defeated; and well will it be if as he was at work upon a picture, he fainted; the metropolis suffers nothing worse than it did erysipelas presently showed itself upon the head, in 1780. This is certain, that if any resistance and soon proved fatal. to the revolutionary spirit is intended by the gov- I know that he painted with much more arernment, it must be made soon, and made effect- dor in his old age than at other tinmes of his life, ually, otherwise there will be no security for life and I believe that his last pictures were his best. or property in England. Meantime, I am not In one point I thought him too much of an artist: distressed with anticipations of evil: near as it none of his pictures represented the scene from may be, it does not yet disturb me when I lie which he took them; he took the features, and down at night, nor enters into my dreams. We disposed them in the way which pleased him best. are in the hands of Providence; and though I Whenever you enter these doors of mine, you shall do not see by what human agency it is to be see a little piece of his (the only one I have) which brought about, I know that the Allighty can de- perfectly illustrates this: the subject is this very liver us, and feel as if he would. God bless you, house, and scarcely any one object in the picture my dear old friend! Yours most affectionately, resembles the reality. His wish was to give the " ROBERT SOUTHEY." character-thCle spirit of the scene. But whoever .2TAT. 60. ROBERT SOUTIEY. 519 may look upon this picture hereafter with any eyes were lit up upon finding himself thus unexthought of me, will wish it had been a faithful pectedly remembered. portrait of the place. " The French play is French indeed, and in its " He was one of the happiest men I ever knew, own way far exceeds Calderon's Cisma de Inglafor he enjoyed all the advantages of his station, terra. I shall place it among my curiosities. and entered into none of the follies to which men The Loi sur'Instruction Primaire I am glad to are so easily tempted by wealth and the want of possess, because the subject must, ere long, take occupation. His disposition kept him equally up much of my thoughts, when preparing for.from all unworthy and all vexatious pursuits; he the press the Life and Correspondence of Dr. had as little liking for country sports as for public Bell. This task will lead me to inquire into the business of any kind, but had a thorough love for history of scholastic education, its present state, art and nature; and if one real affliction or one primary schools, Sunday schools-the good and anxiety ever crossed his path in any part of his the evil-the too much and the too little. There life, I never heard of-it. I verily believe that no are no other means by which the character of man ever enjoyed the world more, and few were society might so beneficially and so surely be more humbly, more wisely, more religiously pre- change; but even in this the practical difficulpared for entering upon another state of existence. ties are so many, that the man must have either " He became acquainted with Coleridge here great warmth of enthusiasm or great strength before I came into this country; this led to his of principle who is not rendered almost hopeless friendship with Wordsworth, and to his acquaint- when he contemplates them. ance with me (for more than acquaintance it can' Your account of the state of affairs in France hardly be called). He has lodged more than once is almost what I should have wished it to be. in this house, when it was in an unfinished state: Louis Philippe, in his own country at least, is a this very room he occupied before the walls were Conservative; and if the Due de Bordeaux ever plastered. succeeds to the throne (which, if he lives, I think. " Next to painting and natural scenery, he de- as well as hope, he will), it were better both for lighted in theatricals more than in any thing else. him and for FSrance that some years should have Few men read so well, and I have heard those their course before this restoration takes place; who knew him intimately say that he would have better for him, because he must acquire more made an excellent actor. knowledge in his present condition than he pos" Thank you for your good word in the Athe- sibly could as a reigning prince, and better for uelum. I had not heard of it before: little of the France, because in a few years death will have good or evil which is said of me reaches this removed those persons whom it might be alike place; and as I believe the balance is generally injurious to punish or to pardon. When vengelargely on the wrong side (enmity being always ance has been long delayed, its just infliction selmore on the alert than friendship), my state is dom fails to call forth compassion, even for great the more gracious. The new edition of Byron's criminals; and a still worse effect has followed works is, I think, one of the very worst symptoms inl all restorations when old adherents are negof these bad times. lected, and old enemies not only forgiven, but "I am glad to hear of your sons' welfare; received into favor, and trusted and rewarded. they will all find your good name useful to them For these reasons, and because the citizen king through life. will govern with a stronger hand than the legiti"Since this letter was begun, the influenza mate king, I incline to wish that Louis Philippe laid hold on me and all my children; all except j my reign long to curb his subjects, and break Cuthbert had it very severely. I was completely in the people to habits of obedience by the vigorprostrated by it for a full week, and it has left ous exercise of his power. me emaciated and weak; nor, indeed, is my chest " This reminds me of the spirit which is breathyet completely rid of it. However, I begin to ed in the Corn-Law Rhymes. I have taken those walk about, and have resumed my usual habits. poems as the subject of a paper for the Christmas' God bless you, my dear Allan! My daugh- Review, not without some little hope of making ter joins in kind remembrances to Mrs. Cunning- the author reflect upon the tendency of his writham. Believe me always ing. He is a person who introduced himself to': Yours affectionately, me by letter many years ago, and sent me vari" ROBERT SOUTiHEY.: ous specimens of his productions, epic and dramatic. Such of his faults in composition as were To Lord Ml'ahon. corrigible, he corrected in pursuance of my ad" Keswick, Oct. 22, 1833. vice, and learned, in consequence, to write as he " MY DEAR. LORD MAHON, now does, admirably well, when the subject will "Long ago I ought to have thanked you for let him do so. I never saw him but once, and your paper, which had been so unbecomingly in- that in an inn in Sheffield, when I was passing terpolated in the Quarterly Review. And now, through that town. The portrait prefixed to his having just completed that portion of our naval book seems intentionally to have radicalizea or history which has never been brought together, I rather ruffianized, a countenance which had nco was about to have done this with my first leisure, cut-throat expression at that time. It was a rewhen you give me a second occasion for thanks, markable face, with pale gray eyes, full of lire. both on my own part and on Cuthbert's, whose and meaning, and well suited to a frankness of 520 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 60. manner and an apparent simplicity of character threatened overthrow of the Establishment; but such as is rarely found in middle age, and more it affords also more hope (looking to human especially rare in persons engaged in what may causes) of its restoration. be called the warfare of the world. After that "The Church will be assailed by popular clammeeting I procured a sizarship for one of his or and seditious combinations; it will be attacked sons; and the letter which he wrote to me upon in Parliament by unbelievers, half-believers, and my offering to do so is a most curious and char- misbelievers, and feebly defended by such of the acteristic production, containing an account of ministers as are not secretly or openly hostile to his family. I never suspected him of giving his it. On our side we have God and the right. mind to any other object than poetry till Words- Oi(7rTEV Kal;?riTEceov must be our motto, as it worth put the Corn-Law Rhymes into my hands, was Lauderdale's in his prison. We, however, and then, coupling the date of the pamphlet with are not condemned to inaction, and our hope rests the power which it manifested, and recognizing upon a surer foundation than his. also scenery there which he had dwelt upon in " IHe, no doubt, built his hopes upon the strange other poems, I at once discovered the hand of changes which take place in revolutionary times. my pupil. He will discover mine in the advice Some of those changes are likely to act in our which I shall give him. It was amusing enough favor. The time can not be far distant when the that he should have been recommended to my United States of America, instead of being held notice as an uneducated poet in the New Monthly up to us for an example, will be looked to as a Magazine. warning. Portugal and Spain will show the In such times as these, whatever latent evil egregious incapacity and misconduct of the presthere is in a nation is brought out. This man ent administration; and Louis Philippe, becomappeared always a peaceable and well-disposed ing a Conservative for his own sake, must also subject till Lord Grey's ministry, for their own'seek peace and ensue it,' because the liberal purposes, called upon the mob for support, and principles to which France would appeal in case then, at the age of fifty, he let loose opinions of a Continental war would overthrow his throne. which had never before been allowed to manifest It can not be his policy to excite revolutionary themselves, and the fierce Puritanism in which movements in other countries, while all his efforts he had been bred up burst into a flame. * are required for repressing then at home. Our " And believe me always yours with sincere revolutionary ministers, therefore, will not find regard, ROBERT SOUTTIEY." so ready an ally in him as he might find in them, if it were his object to bring on a general war; To the Rev. J. liiller. and if we get on without any financial embar"Keswick, Nov. 16,1833. rassments (which we may do, as long as peace: MY DEAR SIE, is maintained), there will be no violent revolu" The' Suggestions,/' which I have to thank tion here. We may have an easy descent; and for your welcome letter, came to me about three when the state machine has got to the bottom, weeks ago, from Mr. Charnock of Ripon, through and is there fast in the quagiire, the very people Mrs. Hodson-the largaret Holford of former who have made the inclined plane for it, and huzdays. With whom they have originated I have zaed as it went down with accelerated speed, not heard, nor do I sufficiently understand what when they see what the end of that way is, will is hoped for from the proposed association, or yoke themselves to it to drag it up again, if they how it can act. But that any association formed can, with labor and with pain. on such principles will have my cordial good'I ara constitutionally cheerful, and, therefore, wishes, and all the support that I can give it in hopeful. God has blessed me with good health my own way, you need not be assured. and buoyant spirits, and my boyish hilarity has " Among the many ominous parallelisms be- not forsaken me, though I am now in my sixtieth tween the present times and those of Charles the year. First, none has struck me more forcibly than " Of late I have been employed, profitably for those which are to be found in the state of the myself, and therefore necessarily, in Messrs. Church; and of those, this circumstance cspe- Longnan's great Cabinet manufactory. I am cially-that the Church of England at that time now preparing a friendly lecture to the Cornwas. better provided with able and faithful min- Law 1Rhymer in the Quarterly. I taught him, isters than it had ever been before, and is in like as he says, the art of poetry, and I shall now enmanner better provided now than it has ever been deavor to teach him something better, and bring' since. I have been strongly impressed by this him to a sense of his evil ways. I shall endeavor consideration; it has made me more aprehensive also to prepare for the same number, as a sort that no human means are likely to avert the of companion or counterpart to the lives of Oberlin and Neff, a life of the Methodist blacksmith, * gThe'Suggestions' here spoken of were entitled, Samuel Hick, who was born without the sens. Suggestions for the Promotion of an Association of the Friends of the Church;' but the association never was of shame, and, nevertheless, was useful in his formed. The practical result was' The Oxford Tracts;' generation.:but the whole theory and management fell into other (and;r *. exclusive) hands, so that any direct influence and work But I am preparing for an undertaking of ao the';Suagestions' must ever remain unknown and un- some importance-the Lives of the English Didefiled. Perceval's and Palmer's Narratives of the Tleo- l loical o emnt tell that is to be told on the subject ves, upon a scale e that f Johso's L -J. M. I of the Poets —to accompany a selection,)'om 520 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 60. manner and an apparent simplicity of character threatened overthrow of the Establishment; but such as is rarely found in middle age, and more it affords also more hope (looking to human especially rare in persons engaged in what may causes) of its restoration. be called the warfare of the world. After that "The Church will be assailed by popular clammeeting I procured a sizarship for one of his or and seditious combinations; it will be attacked sons; and the letter which he wrote to me upon in Parliament by unbelievers, half-believers, and my offering to do so is a most curious and char- misbelievers, and feebly defended by such of the acteristic production, containing an account of ministers as are not secretly or openly hostile to his family. I never suspected him of giving his it. On our side we have God and the right. mind to any other object than poetry till Words- Oi(7rTEV Kal;?riTEceov must be our motto, as it worth put the Corn-Law Rhymes into my hands, was Lauderdale's in his prison. We, however, and then, coupling the date of the pamphlet with are not condemned to inaction, and our hope rests the power which it manifested, and recognizing upon a surer foundation than his. also scenery there which he had dwelt upon in " IHe, no doubt, built his hopes upon the strange other poems, I at once discovered the hand of changes which take place in revolutionary times. my pupil. He will discover mine in the advice Some of those changes are likely to act in our which I shall give him. It was amusing enough favor. The time can not be far distant when the that he should have been recommended to my United States of America, instead of being held notice as an uneducated poet in the New Monthly up to us for an example, will be looked to as a Magazine. warning. Portugal and Spain will show the In such times as these, whatever latent evil egregious incapacity and misconduct of the presthere is in a nation is brought out. This man ent administration; and Louis Philippe, becomappeared always a peaceable and well-disposed ing a Conservative for his own sake, must also subject till Lord Grey's ministry, for their own'seek peace and ensue it,' because the liberal purposes, called upon the mob for support, and principles to which France would appeal in case then, at the age of fifty, he let loose opinions of a Continental war would overthrow his throne. which had never before been allowed to manifest It can not be his policy to excite revolutionary themselves, and the fierce Puritanism in which movements in other countries, while all his efforts he had been bred up burst into a flame. * are required for repressing then at home. Our " And believe me always yours with sincere revolutionary ministers, therefore, will not find regard, ROBERT SOUTTIEY." so ready an ally in him as he might find in them, if it were his object to bring on a general war; To the Rev. J. liiller. and if we get on without any financial embar"Keswick, Nov. 16,1833. rassments (which we may do, as long as peace: MY DEAR SIE, is maintained), there will be no violent revolu" The' Suggestions,/' which I have to thank tion here. We may have an easy descent; and for your welcome letter, came to me about three when the state machine has got to the bottom, weeks ago, from Mr. Charnock of Ripon, through and is there fast in the quagiire, the very people Mrs. Hodson-the largaret Holford of former who have made the inclined plane for it, and huzdays. With whom they have originated I have zaed as it went down with accelerated speed, not heard, nor do I sufficiently understand what when they see what the end of that way is, will is hoped for from the proposed association, or yoke themselves to it to drag it up again, if they how it can act. But that any association formed can, with labor and with pain. on such principles will have my cordial good'I ara constitutionally cheerful, and, therefore, wishes, and all the support that I can give it in hopeful. God has blessed me with good health my own way, you need not be assured. and buoyant spirits, and my boyish hilarity has " Among the many ominous parallelisms be- not forsaken me, though I am now in my sixtieth tween the present times and those of Charles the year. First, none has struck me more forcibly than " Of late I have been employed, profitably for those which are to be found in the state of the myself, and therefore necessarily, in Messrs. Church; and of those, this circumstance cspe- Longnan's great Cabinet manufactory. I am cially-that the Church of England at that time now preparing a friendly lecture to the Cornwas. better provided with able and faithful min- Law 1Rhymer in the Quarterly. I taught him, isters than it had ever been before, and is in like as he says, the art of poetry, and I shall now enmanner better provided now than it has ever been deavor to teach him something better, and bring' since. I have been strongly impressed by this him to a sense of his evil ways. I shall endeavor consideration; it has made me more aprehensive also to prepare for the same number, as a sort that no human means are likely to avert the of companion or counterpart to the lives of Oberlin and Neff, a life of the Methodist blacksmith, * gThe'Suggestions' here spoken of were entitled, Samuel Hick, who was born without the sens. Suggestions for the Promotion of an Association of the Friends of the Church;' but the association never was of shame, and, nevertheless, was useful in his formed. The practical result was' The Oxford Tracts;' generation.:but the whole theory and management fell into other (and;r *. exclusive) hands, so that any direct influence and work But I am preparing for an undertaking of ao the';Suagestions' must ever remain unknown and un- some importance-the Lives of the English Didefiled. Perceval's and Palmer's Narratives of the Tleo- l loical o emnt tell that is to be told on the subject ves, upon a scale e that f Johso's L -J. M. I of the Poets —to accompany a selection,)'om 522 LIFE AN D CORRESPONDENCE OF iTAT. 60. rance we anticipated much entertainment, and shame also, the arrears which they have brought have not been disappointed. When I went down upon me in their unheeded course. to dinner, he told me with great glee that the " See how the day is disposed of! I get out book which had come that morning was one of of bed as the clock strikes six, and shut the housethe queerest he had ever seen. He had only door after me as it strikes seven. After two looked into it, but he had seen that there was hours with Davies,* home to breakfast, after one chapter without a beginning, and another which Cuthbcrt engages me till about half past about Aballiboozonorribang (for so he had got the ten, and when the post brings no letters that word), which, whether it was something to eat, or either interest or trouble me (for of the latter I whether it was the thing in the title-page, he could have many), by eleven I have done with the not tell, for in one place it was called the sign of newspaper, and can then set about what is propthe book, and in another you were told to eat beans erly the business of the day. But letters are if you liked, but to abstain from Aballiboozo. often to be written, and I am liable to frequent; At tea he was full of the chapter about the interruptions, so that there are not many mornwarts and the moonshine, and all the philosophers ings in which I can command from two to three in the dictionary. At supper he was open-mouth- unbroken hours at the desk. At two I take my ed about the sirloin of a king, and the school- daily walk, be the weather what it may, and master's rump; he would read to me about the when the weather permits, with a book in my lost tribes of Israel; and concluded by wishing hand; dinner at four, read about half an hour; he had not seen the book, for he should be troubled then take to the sofa with a different book, and by dreaming about it all night. after a few pages get my soundest sleep, till " To-day he says that there is more sense in summoned to tea at six. My best time during the second volume, but he does not like it so well the winter is by candle-light: twilight interferes as the first. That there is not much in the book with it a little; and in the season of company I about the doctor; and, indeed, he does not know can never count upon an evening's work. Supwhat it is about, except that it is about every per at half past nine, after which I read an hour, thing else; that it w5as very proper to put &c. in and then to bed. The greatest part of my misthe title-page; that the author, whoever he is, cellaneous work is done in the odds and ends of must be a clever man, and he should not wonder time. if it proved to be Charles Lamb. You may im- * * t agine how heartily we have enjoyed all this. "To make any amendment of the Poor Laws "A letter from Wordsworth tells us that the what it ought to be, one leading principle should book has just arrived there, and that one of W.'s be that while relief is withheld from the worthnephews (a Fellow of Trinity College, Cam- I less pauper, or administered only in such measbridge, and a very clever and promising person) ure as to keep him from famishing, it should be had got hold of it, was laughing while he lookeed afforded to the deseving poor (as it could then over the contents, and had just declared that the be afforded) more liberally, and that none should man who wrote the book imust be mad. be condemned to a work-house but those who' God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! deserve it as a punishment. It should be made " R. S." apparent that all industrious laborers, all of good character, would gain by the )proposed alteration; To Hrsenry Taylor, Esq. for every possible artifice and exertion will be "IKeswick, Jan,. 16, 1834. used to make the people believe that this is a " MYa DEAR H. T., law passed by the rich against the poor, and there' Edith departed yesterday from the house in never was a time when it was more easy to stir which she was born. God grant that she may up a servile war, nor when such a war would find her new home as happy as this has been to have been so greatly to be dreaded. May God her, though the cheerfullest days of this have long preserve us! been past. Her prospects are fair; and, what * * * * * is of most consequence, she is intrusted to safe; It is needless to say how gladly I would use hands. any endeavors in my power toward effecting your " As my household diminishes, there will be wishes with regard to the Poor Commission, or room for more books. These I shall probably in other ways. They are worth little, I well continue to collect as long as I can, living in the know, but, however little, they shall be zealously past, and conversing with the dead-and The made when we know in what channel they must Doctor. be directed. We may see great changes, and, "God bless you! R. S." perhaps, great troubles, before the appointments are made; for, though Louis Philippe has won To Johin Mlay, Esq. one great battle for us, we may yet have another "Keswick, May 2, 1834. to fight at home. " MY DEAR FRIEND, N* * * ~"* * ~ $ * * * " God bless you, my dear old friend! The days pass so rapidly with me because of "Yours most affectionately, R. S." their uniformity, that I am made sensible of their lapse only by looking back, and feeling with sur- Mr. Davies, the late Dr. Beli's secretary, was then lodg. prise, and sometimes with some sorrow, and some ieg in Keswick, within five osinutes' walk of Greta Hal, ETAT. 60. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 523 To Lord fMahon. seller in Great Queen Street, and I corrected the " Keswick, May 12, 1834. proof-sheets. " MY DEAR LORD MAIION,' Believe me, my dear lord, " Thank you for Sir Robert Peel's speech. I Yours with sincere regard, do not wonder at the effect which it produced. ROBERT SOUTHEY." But could it be believed of any ministers, except the present, that in the course of a week after To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. the close of the debate in which that speech was "Keswick, July 3, 1834. delivered, they should have returned to their old " MIx DEAP G., base policy of complimenting and truckling to I have been prevented from writing before, O'Connell? first, by being too busy with proof-sheets and "In reading that entertaining paper upon the letters, and secondly by being too idle, company modern French drama in the last Quarterly Re- and the season having idled me. view, I fancied that we were obliged to you for > 8 8' * * it. It is, indeed, curiously characteristic of the " The day before yesterday I commanded a people and the tinmes. cart party to Honister Crag, and walked the You will, I think, be pleased with the forth- whole way myself, twenty-one and a half miles comingl play upon the history of Philip van Ar- by Edward Hill's pedometer, without difficulty tevelde. "'he subject was of my suggesting, as or fatigue; so you see that, notwithstanding a eminently dramatic, and the first part (which is touch of the hay-asltma, I am in good condition, all that I have seen) is written with true dramatic and have a pair of serviceable legs. power. But so was the author's former tragedy, Henry Taylor's Tragedies are of the very Isaac Comnenus, which met with few readers, best kind. I am exceedingly glad that you have and was hardly heard of. To obtain immediate taken to one another so well. He is the only popularity, an author must address himself to the one now living, of a generation younger than nlajority of the public-and the vulgar will al- yours and mine, whom I have taken into my ways be the majority-and upon them the finer heart of hearts. delineations of character and of human feeling "I certainly hope that you may be set free are lost. from all official business with such a pension as "If you have not seen Zophiel,* it is well your long services and your station entitle you worth your reading, as by far the most original to; for I have no fears of your feeling any diffipoem that this generation has produced. If - ulty in the disposal of your time, or any other or -- had treated the same subject, they would regret for the cessation of your long-accustomed have made it most mischievously popular; but, business than what always belongs to the past, exceptionable as it is, the story is told with an and what in this ease may arise from the dissoimaginative power to which the one has no pre- lution of an old establishment, which, for the very tensions, and with a depth of feeling of which sake of its antiquity, ought to have been preboth were by nature incapable. The poem has served. You will get more into the country than,attracted no notice; the chief cause of the pres- you otherwise could have done, and you will ent failure I suppose to be that it is not always come here and take a lease of health and good perspicuously told. The diction is surprisingly spirits from the mountains. I shall pass through good; indeed, America has never before pro- London with Cuthbert on our way to the West duced any poem to be compared with it. in the autumn. Our stay will hardly exceed a "The authoress (Mrs. Brooks) is a New En- week. glander, of Welsh parentage. Many years ago 8 * * * she introduced herself to me by letter. When Just now I am very busy, finishing a third she came to this place, and sent up a note to say volume of Naval History. This is my sheet anshe had taken lodgings here, I never was more chor. In the way of sale The Doctor has clearly surprised, and went to call upon her with no fa- failed; yet it may be worth while to send out vorable expectations. She proved, however, a another volume, and so, from time to time, at most interesting person, of the mildest and gen- longish intervals, till the design is completed. tlest manners, and my family were exceedingly This may be worth while, because the notice that taken with her. Coming fresh from'Paris, she each will excite will keep the name alive, and was full of enthusiasm for the Poles, for whom act advantageously when it comes to be included the profits of this poem were intended, if there in the posthumous edition of my works. Meanshould be any; and she had a burning thirst for time, the pleasure that I and my household, and tame, which seems now to have become the ab- a very few others who are behind the curtain, sorbing passion of her most ardent mind. I en- will receive, will be so much gain. It will not deavored to prepare her for disappointment by be amiss to throw out hints that Henry Taylor moderating her confident hopes. She left her may be the author, having shown in his plays manuscript in my hands at her departure. When both the serious and the comic disposition and I had failed to obtain a publisher for it, some of power. her American connections engaged with a book- " My cousin, Georgiana Hill, is here for the first time, and as happy as you may suppose a * Zophiel, or mhe Bride of Seven, by Maria del Occi-h irl of eighteen is likely to be on such an occadtnte. sioln. Iid I tell you that I have a pony, the best 524 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF,ETAT. C0. of ponies (given me by Sir T. Acland)? and I commit a punishable offense when serving you have bought a light chair, in which Cuthbert or in this way, and that you commit one in so emBertha drive out their mother. If I could give ploying them. you a good account of her, all would be well. "You are hereby warned to give up these But her spirits are so wretchedly nervous, and I practices. If you persist in them, this letter will begin to fear so hopelessly so, that I have need be sent to all the provincial newspapers." of all mine. "God bless you, my dear G.! My love to One other trifling circumstance I may briefly Miss Page. R. S." notice here as occurring at this time-a request from the Messrs. Galignani that he would write The following letter was addressed to a party a brief sketch of Lord Byron's life and literary from one of the universities who were at that character, to be prefixed to their edition of his time reading at Keswick, and it is inserted for works, leaving "'the remuneration entirely to the sake of showing how strong was his abhor- himself." It is hardly needful to add that the rence of all cruelty. I have seen his cheek glow, proposal was not entertained. and his eye darken and almost flash fire, when he chanced to witness any thing of the kind, and heard him administer a rebuke which made the recipient tremble. Like some other gentle na- CHAPTER XXXVI. tures, when his indignation was roused-and it was only such cases that did fairly rouse it-he PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS-MODE OF TUITIONwas stern indeed. MY MOTHER S ILLNESS AND REMOVAL TO YORK In reading or speaking of any cases of cruelty -FEELINGS UNDER AFFLICTION -EVIL EFor oppression, his countenance and voice would FECTS OF ANXIETY UPON HIS HEALTH-CORchange in a most striking manner. RESPONDENCE WITH SIR R. PEEL CONCERNING This letter was sent without a signature, and THE OFFER OF A BARONETCY-JOURNEY TO transcribed by another hand. SUSSEX-RETURN TO KESWICK-GRANT OF AN ADDITIONAL PENSION - LITERARY EMPLOYK eswick, July 12, 1834. MENTS THE DOCTOR-DEATH OF MISS "YOUNG GENTLEMEN, HUTCHINSON —MR. WYON'S MEDALLIONS"It has come to the knowledge of the writer PRESENT FEELINGS AND EMPI'LOYMNIENTS-SPANthat one of your amusements here is to worry ISH LITERATURE -WESTMINSTER SCHOOLcats-that you buy them from those owners who CAUSES OF ITS DECLINE-STATE OF HIS SPIRcan be tempted to the sin of selling them for such ITS-JACKSON'S WORKS-FEELINGS OF THANKa purpose, and that you employ boys to steal FULNESS FOPR IIS NEW PENSION-NOVEL MODE them for you. OF BOOK-BINDING-LITERARY EMPLOYSIENTS "A woman who was asked by her neighbor -RECOLLECTIONS OF C. LAMB-SINGULAR EFhow she could do so wicked a thing as to sell FECTS OF SOUND AND LIGHT-STATE OF THE her cat to you, made answer that she never CIURCH-LIFE OF COw1PER-DIFFICULTY OF would have done it if she could have saved the LEAVING HOME-IS SUBPOENAED TO A TRIAL poor creature, but that, if she had not sold it, it AT LANCASTER.-1834-1836. would have been stolen by your agents, and therefore she might as well have the half crown her- As my task draws nearer to its conclusion it self. becomes naturally more painful, and the more "Neither her poverty nor her will consented, so because, in chronicling the events which darkyet she was made to partake in your wickedness ened my father's later years, they rise up so vivbecause she could not prevent it. She gave up idly before my own sight. to your barbarity a domestic animal-a fireside "It is my youth, that where I stand companion, with which her children had played, Surrounds me like a dream. and which she herself had fondled on her lap. The sounds that round about me rise Are what none other hears; You tempted her, and she took the price of its I see what meets no other eyes, blood. Though mine are dim with tears."* "Are you incapable, young gentlemen, of un- A happier home or a happier boyhood than derstanding the injury you have done to this mine had been it would not be easy to conceive. woman in her own conscience and in the estima- My father had so strongly imprinted on his memtion of her neighbors? ory the sad changes through which his own " gen"Be this as it may, you can not have been so tie spirit" had to pass in childhood and boyhoodill taught as not to know that you are setting an " The first grief he felt, evil example in a place to which you have come And the first painful smile that clothed his front for the ostensible object of pursuing your studies With feeligs not his own" in a beautiful country; that your sport is as and how, on first quitting home, blackguard as it is brutal; that cruelty is a crime " Sadly at night by the laws of God, and theft by the laws also He sat himself down beside a stranger's hearth; of man;. in. emp n And when the lingering hour of rest was come of man; that in employing boys to steal for you, First wet with tears his pillow" — and thus training them up in the way they should not go, you are doing the devil's work; that they * Henry Taylor. ATAT. 61. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 525 that he resolved that the early years of his own ciety, full of change and excitement; the quietchildren should be as happy as he could make er enjoyments of winter, all tended to attach us them. He had again become the "father, teach- more to it, perhaps, than was desirable. We er, playmate," all in one, though probably with " loved it, not wisely, but too well." far less heart and hope than in earlier years; But its best days were over: he had said so and he had given up as much time as he could with a too true foreboding, when, in the first possibly spare to my education. This, however, month of the year, his eldest daughter had was somewhat of a desultory and irregular kind, changed her name, and departed to another home more amusing and attractive, perhaps, than very on the distant coast of Sussex; and it being now profitable, at least as regarded the attainment of thought necessary that I should be placed under a good foundation for correct scholarship. He her husband-Mr. Warter's tuition-to be prewas himself far from being an accurate classic; pared for Oxford, my father prepared to take me indeed, he had spoiled his Latinity by continually thither. But the pain of quitting a peculiarly reading bad Latin-" feeding upon monkish his- happy home is not much, if at all, diminished by torians;" and although he did his best to put me postponement. in the right way, I found I had much up-hill Then, in tth, we lear - ", -'... "11 - 1 Then, in truth, we learn work to undergo at too late a period, having learn- That never music like a mother's voice, ed the practice from him of catching at the gen- And never sweetness like a father's smile, eral meaning of a passage without much knowl- And never pleasures like that home-born throng, eral meanming of a passage without much knowl- Circling calm boyhood, has the world supplied."* edge or examination of its construction —' making a shy at it," as school-boys say-an evil hab- And like to this were my father's own anticipait as regards ordinary purposes, though doubtless tions. " This," he says, " will never again be profitable for him whose glance was so keen and Cuthbert's home, in the whole full meaning of that so sure. word. He will come to it at vacation times, but He had also an odd plan (conducing to this never more will he have that sense of home comsame end), which he practiced a good deal with fort and home happiness here, the want of which me in modern tongues, of reading the original is very ill compensated by all the hopes, and emaloud, and making me render it into English by ulations, and excitement of the world on which the ear; and this he would do with the Dutch, he must now enter. I shall miss him sadly, and German, Danish, and Swedish, being particular- begin to perceive that books, which have always ly partial to the Northern tongues, and wishing been the chief pleasure of my life, will soon be to become more versed in them himself. French the only ones with which there are no regrets to he disliked exceedingly; and he did not teach mingle."t me Spanish and Portuguese, which he knew thor- But these plans were destined to be sadly and oughly, probably for that very reason. suddenly disconcerted for the time. I have beAnother odd practice I may mention. After fore alluded to the weak and nervous state of my reading a portion of Homer in our daily studies, mother's spirits; and of late, total loss of appehe would make me read aloud the.,ame portion tite and sleep had caused serious apprehensions, in every translation he possessed-Pope, Cowper, which were, alas! too well founded; for, just as Chapman, and Hobbes-a process more amusing we were on the point of departing, the melanthan profitable; and he would do the same thing choly truth became apparent that she was no with Virgil, out of Sotheby's magnificent Poly- longer herself. It is, perhaps, rash to endeavor glott. to search into the causes of these mysterious visIn other matters I was left very much to my- itations of Providence; but it may, I think, fairly self, allowed to run riot amid the multitude of be alleged: that an almost life-long anxiety about books, and permitted, if not encouraged, to in- the uncertain and highly precarious nature of my dulge a desultory appetite for odd reading; and father's income, added to a naturally nervous conhere again some objects were sacrificed which stitution, had laid the foundation for this mental might have been attained had I been encouraged disease; and my father himself also now felt and to read less and more carefully. acknowledged that Keswick had proved, espeBut while this sort of bringing up had, as all cially of later years, far too unquiet a residence home education must have, some disadvantages, for her weakened spirits, and that much compaI must always feel grateful for it, as enabling me ny and frequent visitors had produced exactly the to have that appreciation of my father's charac- opposite effect to what he had hoped. Her imter-that companionship with him and freedom mediate removal seemed to offer the best hope from reserve, that " perfect love that casteth out of restoration, and this step was at once taken. fear," which I could never have felt had I been earlier sent out into the world. The most cer- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. tain evil of the many years of school-boy life is "York, Thursday night, Oct 2,1834. the want of friendship between father and son.' MY DEAR GROSVENOR, To all of us, indeed, Greta Hall was a most de- "After what Henry Taylor has imparted to lightful home. The daily walks; the frequent you, you will not be surprised at learning that I excursions "by flood and fell;" the extreme have been parted from my wife by something beauty of the surrounding country, his own keen worse than death. Forty years has she been the appreciation of and deep delight in which had ex- * Robert ontgomery. tended to his children; the pleasant summer so- t To H. Taylor, Esq., Aug. 21, 1834. 526 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 61. life of my life, and I have left her this day in a is a possibility of restoration, and, however feeble, lunatic asylum. a hope; therefore that collapse is not to be ap" God, who has visited me with this affliction, prehended which always ensues when the effort has given me strength to bear it, and will, I know, which the circumstances of a mortal sickness, support me to the end, whatever that may be. and death, and burial, call forth in the survivor, "Our faithful Betty is left with her. All that is at an end. can be done by the kindest treatment and the " Mine is a strong heart. I will not say that greatest skill we are sure of at the Retreat. I the last week has been the most trying of my,do not expect more than that she may be brought life, but I will say that the heart which could into a state which will render her perfectly man- bear it can bear any thing. ageable at home. More is certainly possible, but "It is remarkable that the very last thing I not to be expected, and scarcely to be hoped. wrote before this affliction burst upon me in its "To-morrow I return to my poor children. full force was upon Resignation, little foreseeing, There is this great confort, that the disease is God knows, how soon and how severely my own not hereditary, her family having within all mem- principles were to be put to the proof. The ocory been entirely free from it. casion was this: Mrs. Hughes thought it would "I have much to be thankful for under this gratify me to peruse a letter which she had just visitation. For the first time in my life, I am received from one of her friends-a clergyman so far beforehand with the world that my means who had recently suffered some severe domestic are provided for the whole of next year, and that affliction. He said that his greatest consolation I can meet this additional expenditure. consider- had been derived from a letter of mine, which able in itself, without any difficulty. As I can she had allowed him to transcribe some years do this, it is not worth a thought; but it must ago, and which he verily believed had at that have cost me much anxiety had my affairs been time saved his heart from breaking. The letter in their former state. must have been written upon my dear Isabel's Another thing for which I am thankful is, death. I have no recollection of it; but that that the stroke did not fall upon me when the must have been the subject, because Mrs. Hughes printers were expecting the close of my naval and her husband had both been exceedingly struck volume, or the Memoir of Dr. Watts. To inter- with her, and declared-when such a declaration rupt a periodical publication is a grievous loss to could without unfitness be made-that she was the publishers, or, at least, a very serious incon- the most radiant creature they had ever beheld. venience. This made me reflect upon the difference -0 it ~ - 9,- 4 8 between religious resignation and that which is "Some old author says,'Remember, under generally mistaken for it, and, for immediate purany affliction, that Time is short; and that, though pose, in no slight degree supplies its place. You your Cross may be heavy, you have not far to will see what I was thus led to write in its propbear it.' er place. " I have often thought of those striking words. Davies came with me here, and has been of "God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! My great use. God bless you, my dear H. T.! love to Miss Page; she, I know, will feel for us, " R. S." and will pray for us. R. S.' To I. Taylor, Esq. To HIenry Taylor, Esq. "Keswick, Oct. 6, 183i4.' York, Oct. 2, 1834.' MYv DEAR H. T., M" My DEAR H. T., " Your letter did not surprise me, though it "Yesterday I deposited my dear wife in the would from almost any one else. Thank you Retreat for Lunatics, near this city, and to-day most heartily for your offer. But at present it is I visited her there. To-morrow I return home, better that I should be alone, and that the girls to enter upon a newT course of life. should be left to themselves with Miss Hutchin** 4; 4 t: 4 * son. For me this is best, because nothing is so Recovery is possible, but I do not attempt to painful as the reaction of your own thoughts after deceive myself by thinking that it is likely. It you have been for a while drawn away from them, is very probable that she may be brought into a if this be attempted too soon. When I can enjoy state which will no longer require restraint. In your company, I shall be most thankful for it; that case, I shall engage a proper attendant from and as you know I shall not give myself to melthis place, bring her home, appropriate two ancholy, you need not apprehend any ill conserooms to her use, and watch over her to give quences from my being alone. her all the comforts of which she may be capa- " The worst of my business has been got ble, till death do us part. through. I had Cuthbert at his lessons this * * < -8,8 > * morning; to-day will clear off the remaining and " The call upon me for exertion has been such, less important letters, and to-morrow I hope to that, by God's help, I have hitherto felt no weak- resume my work; not, however, forcing myself ness. to it, but following the course which my own in" That this is a far greater calamity than death stinct will point out. would have been, I well know. But I perceive "Miss Fenwick will like to see the last pasthat it can be better borne at first, because there sage which I wrote before this calamity burst .ETAT. 61. ROBERT S 0 T I1E'. 527 upon me, and certainly with no prospective feel- and, independent of this, I am, for the first time ings. It will be safe with her if you tell her from in my life, so far beforehand with the world, that whence it is extracted. God bless you! I have means at command for a whole year's "R. S." expenditure, were my hand to be idle or palsied during that time. There is, therefore, no rea"' He had looked for consolation where, when son for anxiety concerning the means of meeting sincerely sought, it is always to be found, and he this additional expenditure. had experienced that religion effects in a true " Thank God, my strength has not failed nor believer all that philosophy professes, and more my health suffered." than all that mere philosophy can perform. The wounds which stoicism cauterizes, Christianity This, as may well be imagined, is a period not heals. to be remembered without pain: the anxiety at" There is a resignation with which, it may tendant upon absence, and the constantly varying be feared, most of us deceive ourselves. To bear accounts while the issue was yet doubtful and what nmst be borne, and submit to what can not there was room for hope, though but slenderly be resisted, is no more than what the unregener- grounded, had the most injurious effect upon my ate heart is taught by the instinct of animal na- father's naturally sensitive mind. He kept up, ture. But to acquiesce in the afflictive dispensa- indeed, wonderfully, and a common observer tions of Providence-to make one's own will con- would have remarked but little change in him, form in all things to that of our heavenly Father except that he was unusually silent; but to his -to say to Him, in the sincerity of faith, when family the change was great indeed. Yet he we drink of the bitter cup,' Thy will be done" bore the trial patiently and nobly; and when, in -to bless the name of the Lord as much from the following spring, it was found that the poor the heart when He takes away as when He gives, sufferer was likely in all respects to be better and with a depth of feeling of which, perhaps, under his own roof, and the period of suspense, none but the afflicted heart is capable: this is and doubt, and alternate hope and fear had passed the resignation which religion teaches, this the away, it was marvelous how much of the old sacrifice which it requires. This sacrifice L. elasticity remained, and how, though no longer had made, and he felt that it was accepted.'" happy, he could be contented and cheerful, and take pleasure in the pleasures of others. A few This was, indeed, a sad return-this an awful extracts from his letters will show his state of separation between those who had been so long, mind and feeling at this time. About three so truly united; to this death had been a light weeks after his return home, he says, " This evil, for when are we so near as then- morning's letter is decidedly favorable, and I feel "'Tis but the falling of a leaf, its effects. Hitherto I have not recovered my The breaking- of a shell, natural sleep at night: plenty of exercise and The rending of a veil." quiet employment fail of their wonted effect in But what a gulf is there " fixed" between the producing it, because in darkness and solitude reasoning and the unreasoning mind? uncomfortable thoughts prevent sleep for a while, Yet even now, when sorrow had indeed and then trouble it. I should not be the better "; reached him in his heart of hearts," he sought for society nor for leaving home. There is nothfor all sources of comfort, for all motives for res- ing to be done but to pursue the same course of ignation and thankfulness. Writing to Mr. War- self-management, live in as much hope as it may ter from York, he says, " I can not but regard it be reasonable to encourage, and, above all, to as a special mercy that this affliction should have bear always in mind that we have both entered fallen upon me at a time when there were no ex- on the last of our seven stages. In a very few traneous circumstances to aggravate it, the griev- years, what may have befallen us in the course ous thought excepted of the grief it would cause of these years may be of some interest to any at Tarring. How easily might it have happened one who may write my life, but it will be of no when I was pressed for time to bring out a vol- consequence to us, whose lot, doubtful as it is ume for periodical publication, the delay of which for the short remaining portion of our time, is, I would have been a most serious loss to the pub- trust, fixed for eternity."* lishers-nor could it have occurred when I was A little later he says to another friend, " I am so perfectly able to support the expense. My beginning to sleep better the last few days, and dear Edith had laid by money for a time of need I do every thing that is likely to keep myself in which will fully cover the mournful demand upon bodily and mental health, walking daily in all me. Moreover, Mr. Telford* has left me 200; weathers, never overtasking myself, or forcing To Thomas Campbell, poet, ~200. * "That kind old man, Mr. Telford, has (most unex- " Robert Southey, do. ~200. pectedly) left me ~200. His will, like his life, is full of He had completed and put to press a history of all his kindness; bequests to all whom he loved, and all who works. It will be a splendid book, with about seventy had served under him so as to deserve his good opinion; engravings. IIe was far the greatest man that has ever and to the widows of such as had gone before them, a appeared in his profession, and has left behind him the larger portion than would have been allotted to their hus- greatest works; and as no man in that profession has left bands. Mr. Rickman is one of the executors, and put a a greater name, so, I verily believe, no one in any line has copy of the will into my hands, doubling it at the place ever left a better; for he was thoroughly disinterested, which concerned me. After the surprise and the first and as kind-hearted and considerate as man could be."emotion, it was some tine before I smiled at recollecting To jMrs. J. W. Warter, Sept. 11, 1834. the whimsical manner in which I was designated thus: * To H. Taylor, Esq., Oct. 23, 1834. 528 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF / TAT. 61. myself to a distasteful employment, yet never (the first of the kind which I have offered), remaining idle. But my spirits would assuredly which, although it concerns you personally, congive way were it not for a constant reference to cerns also high public interests, so important as another world, and a patient hope of God's mer- to dispense with the necessity on my part of that cy in this."', previous reference to individual feelings and With one more extract I will conclude this wishes which, in an ordinary case, I should have year-the saddest of all I have had yet to chron- been bound to make. I have advised the king ie:le "I find it a grievous thing that I must to adorn the distinction of baronetage with a now, for the first time, think about ways as well name the most eminent in literature, and which as aeans. For the last eight-and-thirty years I has claims to respect and honor which literature had nothing to do but to provide the means in alone can never confer. my own quiet way, and deliver them over to one "The king has most cordially approved of my of the best stewards that ever man was blessed proposal to his majesty; and I do hope that, with. The ways were her concern, and her however indifferent you may be personally to a prudence and foresight exempted me from all compliment of this kind, however trifling it is trouble as well as from all care. My daughters when compared with the real titles to fame can not yet stand here in their poor mother's which you have established, I do hope that you place, and I must be more accustomed to my will permit a mark of royal favor to be conferred new situation before I introduce them to it. in your person upon the illustrious community of Nothing can possibly exceed the good sense and which you are the head. good feeling which they have manifested under "Believe me, my dear sir, with the sincerest our present affliction; but their attentions to me esteem, give me a very painful sense of how much im- "Most faithfully yours, portance I am to their happiness. Cuthbert, "ROBERT PEEL." also, is a great comfort to me. Whatever course I may find it necessary to take, his removal to This was accompanied with another letter Sussex will not be delayed beyond the commence- marked private. ment of the spring."t Sir Robert Peel to R. Southey, E sq. The new year brought nothing cheerful with "Whitehall, Feb. 1,1835. it to our now diminished and saddened circle. "MY DEAr SIR, The regular report from York was the only ob- "I am sure, when there can be no doubt as ject of interest, and that, while it varied a little, to the purity of the motive and intention, there and sometimes raised temporary hopes, yet, on can be no reason for seeking indirect channels the whole, gradually prepared us for the convic- of communication in preference to direct ones. tion that no permanent restoration was to be ex- Will you tell me, without reserve, whether the pected, and that the most that could be looked possession of power puts within my reach the tor was such an improvement as would permit the means of doing any thing which can be servicesufferer to be taken care of under her own roof. able or acceptable to you, and whether you will The days thus passed by in an almost unbroken allow me to find some compensation for the many routine of regular employment-my father him- heavy sacrifices which office imposes upon me self working, if possible, more closely than ever in the opportunity of marking my gratitude as a -when an event occurred which broke the cur- public man, for the eminent services you have rent of his thoughts for a time, and which, in its rendered, not only to literature, but to the highsequel, proved a most fortunate occurrence for er interests of virtue and religion? the comfort of his remaining years, and one which "I write hastily, and perhaps abruptly, but I helped very materially to lighten the still darker write to one to whom I feel it would be almost days which were yet in store. unbecoming to address elaborate and ceremoOne morning, shortly after the letters had ar- nious expressions, and who will prefer to receive rived, he called me into his study. " You will the declaration of friendly intentions in the simhe surprised," he said, " to hear that Sir Robert plest language. Peel has recommended me to the king for the "Believe me, my dear sir, with true respect, distinction of a baronetcy, and you will probably "Most faithfully yours, feel some disappointment when I tell you that I ROBERT PEEL. shall not accept it, and this more on your ac-'P.S. I believe your daughter is married to a count than on my own. I think, however, that clergyman of great worth, and perhaps I can not you will be satisfied I do so for good and wise more effectually promote the object of this letter reasons;" and he then read to me the following than by attempting to improve his professional letters, and his reply to them. situation. You can not gratify me more than by writing to me with the same unreserve with Sir Robert Peel to R. Southey, Esq. which I have written to you." " Whitehall Gardens, Feb. 1,1835. " MY DEAR SIR, Robert Southey, Esq., to Sir Robert Peel. "I have offered a recommendation to the king " Keswick, Feb. 3, 1835. To John May, Esq., Nov. 12,1834. DEAR SIR, t To G. C. Bedford, Esq., Dec. 18,1834. "No communications have ever surprised me JETAT. 61. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 529 so much as those which I have this day the hon- dered helpless, all our available means would or of receiving from you. I may truly say, also, procure only a respite from actual distress. that none have ever gratified me more, though " Under these circumstances, your letter, sir, they make me feel how difficult it is to serve would in other times have encouraged me to ask any one who is out of the way of fortune. An for such an increase of pension as might relieve unreserved statement of my condition will be the me from anxiety on this score. Now that lay fittest and most respectful reply. sinecures are in fact abolished, there is no other " I have a pension of o2200 conferred upon way by which a man can be served, who has no me through the good offices of my old friend and profession wherein to be promoted, and whom benefactor, Charles W. Wynn, when Lord Gren- any official situation would take from the only ville went out of office; and I have the laureate- employment for which the studies and the habship. The salary of the latter was immediately its of forty years have qualified him. This way, appropriated, as far as it went, to a life insur- I am aware, is not now to be thought of, unless ance for co3000. This, with an earlier insur- it were practicable as part of a plan for the enance for ol1000, is the whole provision that I couragement of literature; but to such a plan have made for my family; and what remains of perhaps these times might not be unfavorable. the pension after the annual payments are made, The length of this communication would reis the whole of my certain income. All beyond quire an apology, if its substance could have been must be derived from my own industry. Writ- compressed; but on such an occasion it seemed ing for a livelihood, a livelihood is all that I have a duty to say what I have said nor, indeed, gained; for, having always something better in should I deserve the kindness which you have view, and therefore never having courted popu- expressed, if I did not explicitly declare how larity, nor written for the mere sake of gain, it thankful I should be to profit by it. has not been possible for me to lay by any thing. " I have the honor to remain, Last year, for the first time in my life, I was "With the sincerest respect, provided with a year's expenditure beforehand. "Your most faithful and obliged servant, This exposition might suffice to show how ut- ROBERT SOUTHEY." terly unbecoming and unwise it would be to accept the rank which, so greatly to my honor, Young as I then was, I could not, without you have solicited for me, and which his maj- tears, hear him read, with his deep and faltering esty would so graciously have conferred. But voice, his wise refusal and touching expression of the tone of your letter encourages me to say those feelings and fears he had never before given more. utterance to to any of his own family. And if "My life insurances have increased in value. any feelings of regret occasionally come over my With these, the produce of my library, my pa- mind that he did not accept the proffered honor, pers, and a posthumous edition of my works, which, so acquired and so conferred, any man there will probably be c12,000 for my family might justly be proud to have inherited, the reat my decease. Good fortune, with great exer- membrance at what a time and under what cirtions on the part of my surviving friends, might cumstances it was offered, and the feeling what possibly extend this to oC15,000, beyond which a mockery honors of that kind would have been I do not dream of any further possibility. I had to a family so afflicted, and, I may add, how unbequeathed the whole to my wife, to be divided suitable they would be to my own position and ultimately between our four children; and hav- very straitened means, make me quickly feel how ing thus provided for them, no man could have justly he judged and how prudently he acted. been more contented with his lot, nor more thank- The next letter shows how thankfully he anful to that Providence on whose especial blessing ticipated the possibility of such a result as soon he knew that he was constantly, and, as it were, afterward followed, from his communication in immediately dependent for his daily bread. reply to Sir Robert Peel. "But the confidence which I used to feel in myself is now failing. I was young, in health To the Rev. Neville White. and heart, on my last birth-day, when I com- "Keswick, Feb. 16, 1835. pleted my sixtieth year. Since then I have been' MY DEAR NEVILLE, shaken at the root. It has pleased God to visit " * X * * * me with the severest of all domestic afflictions, You will see by the papers that a baronetcy has those alone excepted into which guilt enters. been offered to me. The offer came in a letter My wife, a true helpmate as ever man was bless- from Sir Robert Peel, and nothing could be more ed with, lost her senses a few months ago. She handsome than the way in which it was made. is now in a lunatic asylum; and broken sleep I may tell you (what must be known only to those and anxious thoughts, from which there is no es- from whom I have no secrets) he accompanied it cape in the night season, have made me feel how with another letter, inquiring, in the kindest man. more than possible it is that a sudden stroke may ner, if there was any way wherein he could serve deprive me of those faculties, by the exercise of me. I replied by an unreserved statement of which this poor family has hitherto been sup- my circumstances, showing how utterly unbeported. Even in the event of my death, their coming and unwise it would be to accept of such, condition would, by our recent calamity, be ma- when I had absolutely nothing to bequeath with terially altered for the worse; but if I were ren- it. From the manner in which my answer was L L 530 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 61. received (which I know not from himself, but ble patients in the asylum are kept there that they from two other authentic sources), I have reason may be out of the way of their respective families, to believe that, as soon as in his power, I may though they are perfectly harmless. This may receive some substantial benefit. be necessary in some cases, but where it is not "It was signally providential that I should necessary it seems to me that we are no more have been enabled to meet the expenses which justified in thus ridding ourselves of a painful my domestic affliction has occasioned, and which, duty than we should be in sending a wife or a at any former time, would most seriously have mother to die in an infirmary, that we might esembarrassed me; and what a blessing it will be cape the pain and trouble of attending upon a if Providence should now, by this means, relieve death-bed."* me from all the anxieties attendant upon a pre- Immediately after his return, when his hopes carious income-anxieties which, as you know, had been raised by a temporary improvement, I have not felt before, because I was confident in he writes: "I had never any thought of leaving my own powers of exertion; but how precarious the girls with their mother, and transferring to these powers are, this recent visitation has made them a duty which I am better able to bear. me feel too sensibly. * * If any thing should be done for " God bless you, my dear Neville! I am in me (which it would be equally unwise to build the midst of packing, and the arrangements which upon, and unjust to doubt, though, to be sure, it are necessary upon leaving home. It will be the is not easy to sit between the two stools)-if, I first time that I ever left it without looking for- say, my circumstances should be rendered easy, ward joyfully to the time of my return. But, by I believe it would have a happy effect upon her God's blessing, I shall soon become accustomed who, for some twenty years, has been anxious to a small family. If my hopes of a permanent over much upon that score; though, in the mornincome are realized, I shall be able, after another ing of life, when all my exertions and all her year, to devote myself wholly to my own great economy were required, and if either had failed works, regardless of booksellers, and without im- in their respective duties we must have sunk, prudence I shall be able to travel for health's her spirits failed as little as mine."t sake whenever it may be expedient. In short, Two days later the suspense was ended. I shall be thankful for the past, make the best I can of the present, and look on to the future Sir Robert Peel to R. Southey, Esq. in humble, and yet, I trust, sure and certain "Whitehall, April 4,1835. hope. " MY DEAR SIR, "Yours most affectionately, " I have resolved to apply the miserable pit"ROBERT SOUTHEY." tance at the disposal of the crown, on the Civil List Pension Fund, altogether to the reward and In the preceding letter my father speaks of encouragement of literary exertions. I do this being on the point of leaving home. This was on public grounds; and much more with the view for the purpose, first, of conveying me into Sus- of establishing a principle, than in the hope, with sex, and then, if it should be found practicable, such limited means, of being enabled to confer of removing my mother to Keswick. This proved any benefit upon those whom I shall name to the to be the case. A brief extract from a letter crown-worthy of the crown, or commensurate written to me from Scarborough, where he re- with their claims. mained for a short time after leaving York with "I have just had the satisfaction of attaching his sad charge, will show the unvaried tone of my name to a warrant which will add;300 anhis feelings under affliction. " The monotony of nually to the amount of your existing pension. this week is a curious contrast to the excitement You will see in the position of public affairs a and movements of the preceding month. The sufficient reason for my having done this without first great change in your life has taken place delay, and without previous communication with during this interval, and I am about to enter upon you. not the least in mine-so different will my house- " I trust you can have no difficulty in sanctionhold be from what it has formerly been, and so ing what I have done with your consent, as I much will it be reduced. Your sisters will find have acted on your own suggestion, and granted themselves supported in the performance of their the pensions on a public principle-the recogniduties; and after the emotion which our return tion of literary and scientific eminence as a pubmust produce is over, their spirits, I doubt not, lie claim. The other persons to whom I have will rally. We shall always have enough to do, addressed myself on this subject are Professor they as well as myself; and this is certain, that Airey, of Cambridge, the first of living mathethey who are resigned to God's all-wise will, maticians and astronomers-the first of this counand endeavor to do their duty in whatever cir- try, at least-Mrs. Somerville, Sharon Turner, cumstances they are placed, never can be thor- and James Montgomery, of Sheffield. oughly unhappy-never, under any affliction, can' Believe me, my dear sir, find themselves without consolation and sup- "Most faithfully yours, port."* And again, after a few days, he writes "ROBERT PEEL." to Mr. May: " The far greater number of incura-_ * March 30, 1835. * March 27, 1835. { To H. Taylor, Esq., April 2,1835. 530 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 61. received (which I know not from himself, but ble patients in the asylum are kept there that they from two other authentic sources), I have reason may be out of the way of their respective families, to believe that, as soon as in his power, I may though they are perfectly harmless. This may receive some substantial benefit. be necessary in some cases, but where it is not "It was signally providential that I should necessary it seems to me that we are no more have been enabled to meet the expenses which justified in thus ridding ourselves of a painful my domestic affliction has occasioned, and which, duty than we should be in sending a wife or a at any former time, would most seriously have mother to die in an infirmary, that we might esembarrassed me; and what a blessing it will be cape the pain and trouble of attending upon a if Providence should now, by this means, relieve death-bed."* me from all the anxieties attendant upon a pre- Immediately after his return, when his hopes carious income-anxieties which, as you know, had been raised by a temporary improvement, I have not felt before, because I was confident in he writes: "I had never any thought of leaving my own powers of exertion; but how precarious the girls with their mother, and transferring to these powers are, this recent visitation has made them a duty which I am better able to bear. me feel too sensibly. * * If any thing should be done for " God bless you, my dear Neville! I am in me (which it would be equally unwise to build the midst of packing, and the arrangements which upon, and unjust to doubt, though, to be sure, it are necessary upon leaving home. It will be the is not easy to sit between the two stools)-if, I first time that I ever left it without looking for- say, my circumstances should be rendered easy, ward joyfully to the time of my return. But, by I believe it would have a happy effect upon her God's blessing, I shall soon become accustomed who, for some twenty years, has been anxious to a small family. If my hopes of a permanent over much upon that score; though, in the mornincome are realized, I shall be able, after another ing of life, when all my exertions and all her year, to devote myself wholly to my own great economy were required, and if either had failed works, regardless of booksellers, and without im- in their respective duties we must have sunk, prudence I shall be able to travel for health's her spirits failed as little as mine."t sake whenever it may be expedient. In short, Two days later the suspense was ended. I shall be thankful for the past, make the best I can of the present, and look on to the future Sir Robert Peel to R. Southey, Esq. in humble, and yet, I trust, sure and certain "Whitehall, April 4,1835. hope. " MY DEAR SIR, "Yours most affectionately, " I have resolved to apply the miserable pit"ROBERT SOUTHEY." tance at the disposal of the crown, on the Civil List Pension Fund, altogether to the reward and In the preceding letter my father speaks of encouragement of literary exertions. I do this being on the point of leaving home. This was on public grounds; and much more with the view for the purpose, first, of conveying me into Sus- of establishing a principle, than in the hope, with sex, and then, if it should be found practicable, such limited means, of being enabled to confer of removing my mother to Keswick. This proved any benefit upon those whom I shall name to the to be the case. A brief extract from a letter crown-worthy of the crown, or commensurate written to me from Scarborough, where he re- with their claims. mained for a short time after leaving York with "I have just had the satisfaction of attaching his sad charge, will show the unvaried tone of my name to a warrant which will add;300 anhis feelings under affliction. " The monotony of nually to the amount of your existing pension. this week is a curious contrast to the excitement You will see in the position of public affairs a and movements of the preceding month. The sufficient reason for my having done this without first great change in your life has taken place delay, and without previous communication with during this interval, and I am about to enter upon you. not the least in mine-so different will my house- " I trust you can have no difficulty in sanctionhold be from what it has formerly been, and so ing what I have done with your consent, as I much will it be reduced. Your sisters will find have acted on your own suggestion, and granted themselves supported in the performance of their the pensions on a public principle-the recogniduties; and after the emotion which our return tion of literary and scientific eminence as a pubmust produce is over, their spirits, I doubt not, lie claim. The other persons to whom I have will rally. We shall always have enough to do, addressed myself on this subject are Professor they as well as myself; and this is certain, that Airey, of Cambridge, the first of living mathethey who are resigned to God's all-wise will, maticians and astronomers-the first of this counand endeavor to do their duty in whatever cir- try, at least-Mrs. Somerville, Sharon Turner, cumstances they are placed, never can be thor- and James Montgomery, of Sheffield. oughly unhappy-never, under any affliction, can' Believe me, my dear sir, find themselves without consolation and sup- "Most faithfully yours, port."* And again, after a few days, he writes "ROBERT PEEL." to Mr. May: " The far greater number of incura-_ * March 30, 1835. * March 27, 1835. { To H. Taylor, Esq., April 2,1835. 532 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 61L to be sent to the Rev. John Miller, and the fol- there confirmed this, and there seemed to be no lowing letter was written in reply to one from doubt about it in Doncaster. It is plain, therehim concerning it. In common with many oth- fore, that REVERNE designates this Great-evers, it seems from the first he had believed my ery-where-else-unknown; but I would not swear father to be the author. the book to him upon such evidence. " I can resolve another of your doubts. The To the Rev. John Miller. concluding signature is not in the Garamna Keswick, July 20, 1835. tongue, but in cryptography, or what might more C" MYv DEPARW SIR, properly be called, in Dovean language, comic" A copy of the'unique Opus' came to me ography. If you look at it, and observe that k, upon its first appearance, with my name printed e, w spell Q, you will find that when the nut is in red letters on the back of the title-page, and cracked it contains no kernel.'from the author' on the fly leaf, in a disguised " So much concerning a book which is a great hand; in which hand, through the disguise, I favorite with my family, and has helped them thought I could recognize that of my very inti- sometimes to beguile what otherwise must have mate friend, the author of Philip van Artevelde. been hours of sorrow. Ten months have elapsed He, however, if my theory of the book be well since our great affliction came upon us. founded, is too young a man to be the author. I * X X This is the fortieth take the preparatory postscript to have been writ- year of our marriage, and I know not whether ten in sincerity and sadness; and if so, Henry the past or the present seems now to me most Taylor was a boy at the time when (according like a dream. to the statement there) the book was begun. "Amid these griefs, you will be glad to know "It may, I think, be inferred from every thing that some substantial good has befallen us. One about the book and in it, that the author began of the last acts of Sir Robert Peel's administrait in his blithest years, with the intention of say- tion was to give me a pension of X300, in addiing, under certain restrictions, quidlibet de quoli- tion to that of o200 which I before possessed, bet, and making it a receptacle for his shreds and the new one being (I am told) free from deducpatches; that, beginning in jest, he grew more tions, and this will emancipate me from all book.. and more in earnest as he proceeded; that he sellers' work when my present engagements are dreamed over it and brooded over it-laid it aside completed. If my life be prolonged, I shall then for months and years, resumed it after long in- apply myself to the histories of Portugal, of the tervals, and more often latterly in thoughtfulness Monastic Orders, and of English Literature, from than in mirth; fancied, perhaps, at last, that he the point where Warton breaks off. Do not concould put into it more of his mind than could elude that, in entertaining such designs at my age, conveniently be produced in any other form; and I am immemor sepulchri; for of the first at least having supposed (as he tells us), when he began, three fourths of the labor has been performed, that the whole of his yarn might be woven up and I have been very many years preparing for in two volumes, got to the end of a third with- all three, hoping the time might come when I out appearing to have diminished the balls that could afford to make them my chief employment, were already spun and wound when the work Farewell, my dear sir. Present my best was commenced in the loom, to say nothing of wishes to your brother and sister, and believe me his bags of wool. always yours with the sincerest respect and re"To the reasons which he has assigned for not gard, ROBERT SOUTHEY." choosing to make himself publicly known, this no doubt may be added, that the mask would not To John May, Esq. conceal him from those who knew him intimate- "Keswick, Aug. 1, 1835, ly, nor from the few by whom he might wish to MY DEAR FRIEND, be known; but it would protect his face from " * * * X' dirt, or any thing worse that might be thrown Since my last letter we have had a severe shock at it. in the death of Miss Hutchinson, Mrs. Words"I see in the work a little of Rabelais, but not worth's sister, who was one of the dearest friends much; more of Tristram Shandy, somewhat of these poor girls had, and who was indeed to me Burton, and perhaps more of Montaigne; but lile a sister. She had been with us in all our methinks the qsuintum quid predominates. greatest afflictions. Her strength had been so " I should be as much at a loss to know who much exhausted in nursing Miss Wordsworth the is meant by REVERNE as you have been, if I elder, and with anxiety for Dora, that after a had not accidentally heard that the only person rheumatic fever, from which she seemed to be to whom the authorship is ascribed, upon any recovered, she sunk at once, owing to mere thing like authority, is the Rev. Erskine Neale. weakness: an effusion on the brain was the imMrs. Hodson (formerly Margaret Holford) being mediate cause. Miss Wordsworth, whose death in the neighborhood of Doncaster, and desirous has been looked upon as likely any day for the to hunt out, if she could, the history of the Opus, last two years, still lives on. Her mind, at times, inquired about it there, and was assured by a fails now. Dora, who is in the most precarious bookseller that it was written by this gentleman, state herself, can not possibly amend while this who had once resided in that place, but was then anxiety continues, so that at this time Wordsliving at Hull. A clergyman whom she met worth's is a more afflicted house than my own, ETAT. 62. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 533 They used to be two of the happiest in the coun- might expect them to be-somewhat the better, try. But there is a time for all things, and we because it is necessary that they should make the are supported by God's mercy. best appearances, and always equal to the demand "Our health, thank God, continues good. ~ upon them, for which I can never be sufficiently * * * If I could leave home with satis- thankful. And what a blessing it is to be relievfaction, I should go either to Harrowgate or Shap ed from all anxiety concerning my ways and (if Shap, which I hope, would do) for the sake means, just at the time when it must otherwise of the waters. But my poor Edith likes none have made itself felt in a way which it had never of us to leave her, and requests us not to do so. done before. This, of course, would induce me to bear with "I very much regret that you could not come any thing that can be borne without danger. here this summer. That'more convenient seaNor, indeed, should I willingly leave my daugh- son,' for which you have so long waited, may ters, who stand in need of all that can be done to now be put off till the Greek Kalends; and, for cheer them in the performance of their duty, and aught I can see, any movement of mine to the who are the better because they exert themselves South may be as distant. Here I shall remain, to keep up their own spirits for my sake. as long as it is best for these members of my "You will see how unprofitable it would be family that I should remain here, and that is for me, under these circumstances, to look be- likely to be as long as our present circumstances yond the present any where-except to another continue. world. In the common course of nature, it can " Happily, while my faculties last, I shall never not be long before all the events of this life will be in want of employment. At present I have be of no further importance to me than as they rather more than is agreeable; but when the shall have prepared me for a better. To look pressure is over, it will never be renewed. Just back over the nine-and-thirty years which have now two presses are calling upon me, a third elapsed since you and I first met at Lisbon, seems longing for me, and a fourth at which I cast a but as yesterday. Wednesday, the 12th, com- longing eye myself. The two which, like the pletes my sixty-first year; and the likelihood is, daughter of the horse-leech, cry Give, give, are that before a fourth part of the like interval has employed upon Cowper and the Admirals. The passed, you and I shall meet-where there will third is asking for the new edition of Wesley; be no more sorrow nor parting. and the quantity of a good Quarterly Article " God bless you, my dear old friend, and bring must be written before that can be satisfied. us thither in His own good time. My love to Two, or, at the most, three chapters would give your dear daughters. me my heart's desire with the other. But the Yours most affectionately, Admirals will cover all my extraordinaries for " ROBERT SOUTHEY.: two years to come largely; and when the edition of Cowper is finished, I shall receive sweet reTo Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. muneration to the amount of 1000 guineas, which. "Keswick, Sept. 29, 1835. however, will be well earned.' MY DEAR G., "By-the-by, you are likely to possess Hender-' Mr. Wyon has killed two birds with one shot. son's life; and if so, I wish you would write me Seeing how perfectly satisfied every body here a letter about him, for he gave such a lift to was with his medallion of me, he asked for an Cowper by reciting John Gilpin, that a page or introduction to Wordsworth, which I was about two to his honor might, with great propriety, be to have offered him. Off he set in good spirits introduced. to Rydal, and, not finding Wordsworth there, "I shall finish my first volume in the course was advised to follow him to Lowther. To Low- of a few days; the life will go far into the secther he went, and came back from thence de- ond. As much as possible, I have woven the lighted with his own success, and with the civil- materials into the narration, and made Cowper ities of Lord and Lady Lonsdale, who desired tell his own story; but still the work is a web. that they might have both medallions. Nothing, "Will you believe that I had forgotten your I think, can be better than Wordsworth's, and he direction, and that it took me five minutes to recis equally pleased with mine. ollect it! Saville Row was running in my head; "He tells me of some unpublished poems of I danced for joy when I shouted EVdpKa. Cowper, which he is in hopes of obtaining for me. "R. S. * * * * * * - c" Sharpe recommended John Gilpin to Hen"To-morrow will be just twelve months since derson. The last communication I ever had we set out on our miserable journey to York! with him was a note confirmatory of this." One whole year! At our time of life there can not be many more to look on to at most. If her To the Rev. John Warter. illusions are like dreams to her, the reality is like "Keswick, Oct. 1,1835. a dream to me, but one from which there is no "MY DEAR W., awaking. "Poor Karl* is to start on Monday, the 12th, " Yet, Grosvenor, I need not say that in doing if no mishap intervene. * * His all which can be done, there is a satisfaction sisters will miss him woefully. As for me, the which, if it be not worth all it costs, is worth The German abbreviation of my name, which he corn. more than any thing else. My spirits are as you monly used. 534 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 62, blossoms of my life are shed, and I stand like a To the Rev. Gerrard Thomas.Andrews. tree in winter-well rooted, and, as yet, whole "Keswick, Nov. 12, 1835. at the heart, and with its head unscathed. There DEAR SIR, is this difference, that the tree will put forth its "I can not but be much gratified by a letter foliage again. like yours, and should be still more so did I think Time, however, passes rapidly with us; it likely, or even possible, that I could comply every day brings its employments, and my in- with a request that does me so much honor. tcrest in them is unabated. Last week I re- " I know what poems ought to be which are ceived a parcel sent by Quillinan from Porto, con- designed for a public meeting-terse, pointed, taining Gil Vincente's works, a present from one and, above all, short. But I know, also, that I of the editors. My uncle would have rejoiced am given to prolixity, and that, if I could find with me over it, but in losing him I lost the only leisure, or muster resolution to begin upon such person who could fully enter into that branch of a subject, it would lead me astray from the demy pursuits. The book is printed at Hamburg, sired object. The musings of an old man might from a copy of the first edition in the Gottenburg draw some quiet tears from a solitary reader, but Library: I believe there is no other copy of that at such an assembly they would be as much out edition in Europe, and none of the only other one of place as their author himself. are in England, that other, moreover, having been My time is more fully occupied than can be expurgated by the Inquisition. More than any well conceived by any one who is not acquaintother writer Gil V. may be called the father of ed with my habits of mind and the number of my the Spanish drama. He was a man of most ex- pursuits. Moreover, I have outlived the inclinatraordinary genius, his satire so undaunted, that tion for writing poetry. To be asked for an epit accounts for the almost utter annihilation of itaph, or to contribute something to a lady's his work. As connected with the history of Port- album, gives me much more annoyance than I uguese manners and literature, this republication ever felt at hearing Dr. Vincent say to me, is the most important work that could have been'Twenty lines of Homer, and not go to breakfast.' undertaken. I sup upon him every night. " Some causes of the decline at Westminster' Grimshaw and his publishers, by taking the are of a permanent nature. Preparatory schools, evangelical line, have removed the only uncom- which were not heard of fifty years ago, have fortable circumstance in my way, which was annihilated the under school. King's College the care I must otherwise have taken (in con- and the London University take away a large sideration to the publishers) not to say any thing proportion of the day boys, who were very nuthat would have been unpalatable to that party. merous in my time. Proprietary schools (an* * * * * other recent invention) are preferred by anxious "The first fine day in next week, Bertha, parents; and too many patrician ones, though Kate, Karl, and I are to accompany the Lord the father were at Westminster himself, forsake High Snab* to his estate, and there each of us a falling house, and send their boys to Harrow is to plant a yew-tree, which planting I am to or to Eton. A school declines faster as soon as celebrate in a poem that is to live as long as the it is known to be declining. The religio loci, yew-trees themselves, live they ever so long. I which with you is an hereditary feeling, and with need not tell you how happy the Lord High Snab me a strong one, can do little, I fear, to counteris at the prospect of both the fete and the poem. act so many co-operating causes. It does one's heart good to see a man so thor- " Your father was before my time. I should oughly happy who so thoroughly deserves to love and venerate his name, even did I know be so. * * *' 4 nothing more of him than his kindness to Her" God bless you! R. S." bert Knowles.* " I was placed at Westminster in the under The following letter was written in reply to fourth, a few weeks before Dr. Smith left it, in a communication from the Rev. T. G. Andrews, 1788. Botch Hayes was then usher of the fifth, dean of Westminster, on the subject of Westmin- and left it in disgust because he was not apster School, which at that time had greatly de- pointed under-master. Most of my cotemporaclined in numbers. Mr. Andrews, who took ries have disappeared; but in Charles W. W. great interest in the matter, from " his family Wynn and Grosvenor Bedford I have still two of having been there for more than 200 years," had my dearest friends; and if I were beholden to written, urging my father, as an Old Westmin- the old school for nothing more than their friendster, to write some verses in commendation of the ship, I should have reason enough to bless the school, and with some allusion to the eminent men day on which I entered it. who had been educated there, which might be " Believe me, dear sir, read on the anniversary dinner, and printed after-" Yours with sincere respect, ward for circulation. "ROBERT SOUTHEY.'. * A playful appellation given to Dr. Bell's late amanu- To C. C. Southey. ensis, Mr. Davies, who had lately purchased a small mountain farm near Keswick, called High Snab, whither' Keswick, Dec. 16, 1835. for some years we made annual visits. The yew-trees MY DEAR CUTHBERT, died, and of the poem, which was to have been in the form "Twice I wished for you yesterday; first at of an epistle addressed to his eldest daughter, only a few wce wished ou yesteI; it lines were ever written. * See ante, p. 343. JETAT. 62. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 535 breakfast, because it was a beautiful morning, and better than I could possibly have expected, had my feet itched for a ten miles' walk. But you our present circumstances been foreseen. * * are in Sussex, Davies is in Shropshire, and I have It is remarkable that, of all employments at this not even a dog for a companion. time, the Life of Cowper should be that on which "Secondly, you were wished for two hours I amengaged. Enough ofthis. God blessyou! afterward, when I had settled to my work, for "R. S." then came the box of books from Ulverston. You would have enjoyed the unpacking. It is the To John May, Esq. best batch they ever sent home: thirty-six vol- Keswick, Jan. 30, 1836. umes, besides three for Bertha and five of Kate's. " MY DEAR FRIEND, "I should like, if it were possible, always to "Your letter arrived this morning. I sent communicate my pleasures, and keep my troubles off by this day's post the last portion of manuto myself. Here was no one to admire the books script for my second volume; and having so done, with us. I lay aside all thoughts of Cowper till Monday " You remember* when the miller invited me, morning, giving myself thus what may be called to whom he had never spoken before, to rejoice a quarter's holiday this evening. Methinks time with him over the pig that he had killed, the has taken from me nothing which is so much to finest that he had ever fattened, and how he led be regretted as leisure, or rather nothing of which me to the place where that which had ceased to I should so certainly, as well as allowably, wish be pig, and was not yet bacon, was hung up- to be possessed again. However, I live in hope scalded, exenterate, and hardly yet cold-by the of working my way to it. When Cowper and hind feet. the Admirals are off my hands, I will engage in "Mr. Campbell'st man Willy, in like manner, nothing that does not leave me master of my yesterday called on his acquaintance to admire a own time. It will be still too little for what I salmon which he had kippered the preceding once hoped to perform. night; the kitchen floor had been cleaned and " Cradock has advertised for the 13th; so on swept, and the salmon was displayed on it, while Monday, the 15th, your copy ought to be in HarWilly, half-seas over in the forenoon, pointed out ley Street. The Life will extend to half a volto his master the beauty of the fish: he had ume more, and with it my hurry ends, but not never killed one in such condition before-it was my work. worth seven shillings. " I am very glad to hear that you are reading " About six weeks hence I hope to rejoice DI-. Thomas Jackson, an author with whom, more both over Cowper and the Admirals, though not almost than any other, one might be contented to take my leave of them then. But I hope to in a prison. There is hardly any thing in his have a volume of each completed, and am now works which I wished away, except one shockkeeping onpan passu with both. The Evangel- ing passage about the Jews. For knowledge, ical Magazine has outdone its usual outdoings and sagacity, and right-mindedness, I think he in abusing the first volume. They say I shall has never been surpassed. You will be much be known to posterity as embalmed in Lord By- pleased, also, with Knox's Remains, and his corron's verse for an incarnate lie. The whole ar- respondence with Bishop Jebb. tide is in this strain, and it has roused Cradock's "There is no change for the better in our doindignation as much as it has amused me; for mestic circumstances. All hope is extinguished, it is written just as I should wish an enemy to while anxiety remains unabated, so sudden are'write. God bless you, my dear boy! the transitions of this awful malady. I can never " R. S." be sufficiently thankful that my means of support are no longer precarious, as they were twelve To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. months ago. The fear of being disabled, which "Keswick, Jan. 7, 1836. I never felt before, might too probably have " Mv DEAR GROSVENOR, brought on the evil which it apprehended, when " The best thing I can wish for myself, on the my life seemed to be of more consequence to my commencement of a new year (among those family than at any former time, and my exerthings which'stand to feasible'), is, that it may tions more called for. Thank God, Sir Robert not pass away without your making a visit to Peel set me at ease on that score. Would to Keswick. Other hope for the year I have none, God that you were relieved from your cares in and not much (to confess the truth) of this. Time, like manner! We have both cause to return however, passes rapidly enough; and good part thanks for the happiness that we have enjoyed, of it, by help of employment, in a sort of world and for the consolations that are left us. If the of my own, wherein I seem abstracted from every last stage of our journey should prove the most thing except what occupies my immediate atten- uneasy, it will be the shortest. It is just forty tion. The most painful seasons are when I lie years since we met in another country; most down at night and when I awake in the morning. probably, before a fourth part of the time has But my health continues good, and my spirits elapsed, we shall meet in another state of existence. * I remember it very well, and how my father rejoiced " We have both great comfort in our children. the man's heart by admiring the goodly sight. Perhaps one reason wh women bear affiction t A gentleman resident at Keswick, with whom he was very intimate. (as I think they generally do) better than men 536 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JETAT. 62. is, because they make no attempt to fly from the off the second volume of Cowper to reply to your sense of it, but betake themselves patiently to inquiries concerning poor Lamb sooner. His acthe duties, however painful, which they are called quaintance with Coleridge began at Christ's Hosupon to perform. It is the old emblem of the pital; Lamb was some two years, I think, his reed and the oak-they bend, and therefore they junior. Whether he was ever one of the Greare not broken; and then comes peace of mind, cians there, might be ascertained, I suppose, by which is the fruit of resignation. inquiring. My own impression is, that he was " Secluded as we now are from society, my not. Coleridge introduced me to him in the windaughters find sufficient variety of employment. ter of 1794-5, and to George Dyer also; from They transcribe a good deal for me: indeed, whom, if his memory has not failed, you might whatever I want extracted of any length from probably learn more of Lamb's early history than books-most of my notes. One room is almost from any other person. Lloyd, Wordsworth, and fitted up with books of their binding: I call it Hazlitt became known to him through their conthe Cottonian library; no patch-work quilt was nection with Coleridge. ever more diversified. They have just now at- When I saw the family (one evening only, tired two hundred volumes in this fashion. Their and at that time), they were lodging somewhere pleasure, indeed, in seeing the books in order, is near Lincoln's Inn, on the western side (I forget not less than my own; and, indeed, the greater the street), and were evidently in uncomfortable part of them are now in such order, that they are circumstances. The father and mother were the pride of my eye as well as the joy of my both living; and I have some dim recollection of heart. the latter's invalid appearance. The father's On Monday I begin to give my mornings senses had failed him before that time. He pubagain to the Admirals, that is, as many mornings lished some poems in quarto. Lamb showed me as my ever-growing business of letter-writing once an imperfect copy: the Sparrow's Wedmay leave leisure for-letters in half of which I ding was the title of the longest piece, and this have no concern, and in the other half no pleas- was the author's favorite; he liked, in his dotage, ure. The fourth volume will contain the lives to hear Charles read it. of Essex, Raleigh, Sir William Monson, Blake, "His most familiar friend, when I first saw and Monk. Then, not to extend unreasonably him, was White, who held some office at Christ's a work which was not intended by the publisher Hospital, and continued intimate with him as long at first for more than two volumes, I shall drop as he lived. You know what Elia says of him. the biography, and wind up in one volume more, He and Lamb were joint authors of the Original with the Naval History from the Revolution, in Letters of Falstaff. Lamb, I believe, first apcontinuous narrative. A good pretext for this peared as an author in the second edition of Coleis, that the age of naval enterprise and adventure, ridge's Poems (Bristol, 1797), and, secondly, in and, consequently, of personal interest, was past, the little volume of blank verse with Lloyd (1798). and the interest thenceforth becomes political; Lamb, Lloyd, and White were inseparable in events are regarded, not with reference to the 1798; the two latter at one time lodged togethprincipal actors, as in Drake's time, but to their er, though no two men could be imagined more bearings upon the national affairs. I shall be unlike each other. Lloyd had no drollery in his glad when this work is completed, because, nature; White seemed to have nothing else. though of all my books I have been best paid for You will easily understand how Lamb could it, it is that which I have taken the least interest sympathize with both. in composing, and which any one who would have " Lloyd, who used to form sudden friendships, bestowed equal diligence upon it might have ex- was all but a stranger to me, when unexpectedly ecuted quite as well. he brought Lamb down to visit me at a little vil* * — * * * lage (Burton) near Christ Church, in Hamp" The snow has confined me three days to the shire, where I was lodging in a very humble cothouse. It is now rapidly thawing, to my com- tage. This was in the summer of 1797, and fort, for I feel as if the machine wanted that sort then, or in the following year, my correspondence of winding up which is given to it by daily ex- with Lamb began. I saw more of him in 1802 ercise. God bless you, my dear old friend! than at any other time, for I was then six months May I live to write a great many more books; resident in London. His visit to this county was and may you and your daughters live, and read, before I came to it; it must have been either in and like them all. No small part of the pleas- that or the following year: it was to Lloyd and ure which I take in writing arises from thinking to Coleridge. how often the work in which I am engaged will " I had forgotten one of his school-fellows, who make me present, in a certain sense, with friends is still living-C. V. Le Grice, a clergyman at who are far away. or near Penzance. From him you might learn "Yours most affectionately, something of his boyhood. " ROBET SoUTHEY." " Cottle has a good likeness of Lamb, in chalk, taken by an artist named Robert Hancock, about To Edward Moxon, Esq. the year 1798. It looks older than Lamb was "Keswick, Feb. 2, 1836. at that time; but he was old-looking. "MY DEAR SIR, " Coleridge introduced hin to Godwin, shortly "I have been too closely engaged in clearing after the first number of the Anti-Jacobin Mag AETAT. 62. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 537 azine and Review was published, with a carica- same sound distinctly, though it came from withture of Gillray's, in which Coleridge and I were in instead of without. introduced with asses' heads, and Lloyd and Lamb " Now let me tell you a more curious circumas toad and frog. Lamb got warmed with what- stance, of which I made a memorandum as soon ever was on the table, became disputatious, and as I returned. About two months ago I was said things to Godwin which made him quietly going to the lake, and reading as I went. It say,'Pray, Mr. Lamb, are you toad or frog?' was a bright, frosty day, and my Scotch bonnet Mrs. Coleridge will remember the scene, which (in which I appear like a Gaberlunzie man) afwas to her sufficiently uncomfortable. But the forded no shelter to the eyes, but, having been next morning S. T. C. called on Lamb, and found used to wear it, I was not inconvenienced by the Godwin breakfasting with him, from which time light. Just on the rising ground, where the their intimacy began. view of the lake opens, I suppose the sun came "His angry letter to me in the Magazine arose more directly upon my eyelids, but the page out of a notion that an expression of mine in the which I was reading appeared to be printed in Quarterly Review would hurt the sale of Elia: red letters. It happened to be a page in which some one, no doubt, had said that it would. I one book of a Latin poem ended and another bemeant to serve the book, and very well remem- gan: the heading of this latter was, of course, in her how the offense happened. I had written considerably larger types; these changed their that it wanted nothing to render it altogether de- color first, and became red as blood; the whole lightful but a saner religious feeling. This would page presently became so, and the opposite page have been the proper word if any other person presented a confused intermixture of red and had written the book. Feeling its extreme un- black types when I glanced on it, but, fixing my fitness as soon as it was written, I altered it im- eyes, the whole became rubric also, though there mediately for the first word which came into my was nothing then so vivid as the large letters of head, intending to remodel the sentence when it the heading. The appearance passed away as should come to me in the proof; and that proof my position to the sun was altered. never came. There can be no objection to your "This phenomenon never occurred to me beprinting all that passed upon the occasion, be- fore, but I observed it particularly, because, if ginning with the passage in the Quarterly Re- my memory does not deceive me, I have more view, and giving his letter. than once read of the same thing, and always as "I have heard Coleridge say that, in a fit of of something supernatural in the history of a derangement, Lamb fancied himself to be young Romish saint, or a fanatic of some other denomNorval. He told me this in relation to one of ination. According to the mood of mind in which his poems. it occurred, it would be taken for a manifesta"If you print my lines to him upon his Album tion of grace or of wrath. Verses, I will send you a corrected copy. You * * * * * * * received his letters, I trust, which Cuthbert took " God bless you! R. S." with him to town in October. I wish they had been more, and wish, also, that I had more to To Herbert Hill, Esq. tell you concerning him, and what I have told "Keswick, April 2, 1836. were of more value. But it is from such frag- "MY DEAR HERBERT) ments of recollection, and such imperfect notices, * * * * * *' that the materials for biography must, for the James II.'s conduct in obtruding a Romish presimost part, be collected. dent upon Magdalen was not worse than that of "Yours very truly, the present ministry in appointing Dr. tHampden ROBERT SOUTHEY." to the professorship of divinity. If they had given him any other preferment, even a bishopric, it To Henry Taylor, Esq. would have been only one proof among many that "Keswick, March 12,1836. it is part of their policy to promote men of loose MY DEAR H. T., opinions; but to place him in the office which he "When I went to Lisbon the second time (in now holds was an intentional insult to the Uni1800), it was for my health. An illness (the versity. In no way could the Whigs expect so only one I ever had) had weakened me, and I materially to injure the Church as by planting was liable to sudden pulsations of the heart, Germanized professors in our schools of divinity. which seemed to indicate some organic derange- Thank God, there is too much sound learning in ment. It was inferred, or rather ascertained, the land for them to succeed in this. Not the that they arose from nervous excitability, be- least remarkable of the many parallels between cause the moment I apprehended them they re- these times and those of Charles I. is to be found turned; and this conclusion was confirmed by a in the state of the clergy: from the time of the circumstance which has led me to this relation. Reformation they had never been in so good a Going out of our sitting-room one morning, I state as when the Church was for a while overhappened to hear the maid draw the bed-cur- thrown; and since the Restoration they have tains, preparatory to making the bed in the cham- never been in so good a state as at present. I her opposite. From that time, while I remained mean, that there has never been so great a proin those lodgings, I never went out of the room portion of learned and diligent able men: men in the early part of the day without hearing the whose lives are conformable to their profession, 538 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ]ETAT. 62. who are able to defend the truth, and who would thing about him. The tedious chapters about not shrink from any thing which they may be Doncaster give some probability to this statecalled upon to suffer for its sake. ment. You have it, however, as it came to me, " Have you read' Subscription no Bondage?' for what it is worth; and the next volume, perSome one (I forget who) sent it me last year. haps, if next there should be, may throw more Mauricee is said to be the author's name; an light upon the authorship. abler treatise I have never read. " God bless you, my dear Herbert! "I am glad that you are studying German, "R. S." and that you sometimes write verses, not only as a wholesome exercise for thoughts and feelings To John May, Esq. which hardly find utterance in any other form,, Keswick, June 13, 1836. but also because if you ever become a prose writ- " My DEAR FRIEND, er, you will find the great advantage of having " Time passes on so rapidly with me in the written poetry. No poet ever becomes a man- regular course of constant occupation, that it nerist in prose, nor falls into those tricks of style seems only a few days since that letter arrived which show that the writer is always laboring to which yours of this morning reminds me is two produce effect. months old. * * "The third volume of Cowper will be pub- "There is no change in my poor Edith, nor is lished next week. The remaining part of the there likely to be any. Thank God, there is no Life extends far into it. The dealers in weekly suffering, not even so much as in a dream (of and monthly criticism appear to think it as much this I am fully convinced), and her bodily health a matter of course that I am now to be beplas- is better than it had been for very many years. tered with praise as they once did that I was to * ** be bespattered with abuse. On both occasions " Only one of my daughters is with me at I have often remembered what the Moravian said present. Kate has been prevailed on to go to to Wesley: Mifrater, non adhatret vestibus. To Rydal, and if it be possible to remove poor Dora make amends, however, the Evangelical party Wordsworth to the coast (which is her only have declared war against me, and I am told that chance of recovery), she will go with her. The in some places as much zeal is manifested in rec- loss of Miss Hutchinson, which was the greatest ommending Grimshawe's edition as n canvassing we could have sustained out of our own nearest for a vacant lectureship. My main labor is over, kin, has drawn the bonds of affection closer bebut a good deal yet remains to be done in bio- tween dear Dora and my daughters, who were graphical notices, some of which will probably almost equally dear to the dead. form a supplementary volume. As for materials, * * * * * * 8 I have been fed by the ravens. The information " You will not wonder that the Life of Cowper which I have come upon unexpectedly, or which was a subject better suited to my own state of has been supplied to me from various quarters to mind at this time than almost any other could which no application was made, because I did not have been. It was something like relief to have know that such documents existed, has been sur- thoughts, from which it is not possible that I could prisingly great. escape, diverted as it were from home. There " It would have amused me much if you and are passages which I dare say you will have perEdward had exhibited your skill in special plead- ceived would not have been written unless I had ing upon the delectable book'The Doctor,' as had something more than a theoretical knowledge you intended. To convince a man against his of this most awful of all maladies. will, you know, is no easy matter; and if you "I shall be very glad to see John Coleridge. substitute knowledge for will, what must it be The bishop sent me his kind remembrances from then? That the writer has at first or second Demerara the other day. You ask if there be hand picked up some things from me, is plain any likelihood of seeing me in town? Not at enough; if it be at first hand, there is but one present; nor is it possible for me to say when it man upon whom my suspicion could rest, and he may be fitting for me to leave home. My presis very capable of having written it, which is no ence, though it may be little comfort to my poor light praise. He possesses all the talents that wife, is a very great one to my daughters; my the book displays, but not the multifarious sort of spirits help to keep up theirs, and with what they knowledge, nor are the opinions altogether such have to do for me in the way of transcribing, and as he would be likely to express. So if it be his, the arrival of letters and packets which would he must have had assistance, and must also have cease during my absence, they would feel a great hung out false lights. However, some friends of blank were they left to themselves. In her quietHenry Taylor's tell him that Dr. Bowring is the er moods, too, my poor Edith shows a feeling toauthor; not the Dr. Bowring who is now M.P., ward me, the last, perhaps, which will be utterly who has had a finger in every revolutionary pie extirpated. How often am I reminded of my own for the last fifteen years (and ought, indeed, to lines, and made to feel what a woeful thing it is be denoted as dealer in revolutions and Greek scrip), but a retired practitioner of that name at When te p fes urviving, doth entomb Doncaster. H. Taylor's informants know every __You and I, my dear friend, have been afflict* Rev. F. Maurice, Professor at King's College, London. ed in different ways, and both heavily. But the ]ETAT.63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 539 time is not far distant when we shall have all To H. Taylor, Esq. losses restored, and understand that the ways of "Keswick, Sept. 10, 1836. Providence are always merciful to those who put "MY DEAR H. T., their trust in it. * * - * " The papers may have told you that Words" Bedford and his cousin, Miss Page, are com- worth's evidence was not received. The point ing to lodge at the foot of the garden in the at issue was, whether certain letters produced in course of a fortnight. I have known him from the testator's hand-writing could all be composed the year 1788; we became familiar in 1790, by the same person, or whether they did not imintimate in 1791, and have kept up a constant ply such a difference of intellect, and contain and most intimate intercourse ever since. So such different peculiarities of spelling and style, you may suppose how much I shall enjoy his so- as to be proofs of a long-laid scheme for defraudciety. Mary Page, too, is the oldest of my fe- ing the heir-at-law. male friends." The argument whether this course of in" God bless you, my dear old friend! and be- quiry should be gone into was raised as soon as lieve me always W. had been sworn in the box, and was yielded " Yours most affectionately, by the plaintiff's counsel (Cresswell) -less, I " ROBERT SOUTHEY." think, in deference to the advice of the judge, than because he saw that, in the event of a faIn consequence of the presence of these friends, vorable verdict, Pollock was preparing to make whose coming my father anticipates at the close it the plea for another trial. of the last letter, this summer passed more cheer- " I wish you could have seen us at a board of fully than those which for some time had preced- law the preceding evening; and how Pollock ed it; nor, indeed, could any persons have more was taken aback when he heard Wordsworth thoroughly enjoyed each other's society. Mr. called into the box; and how well he recovered, Bedford, though afflicted with almost complete and skillfully took his ground, though every step deafness, as well as other infirmities, had lost of his argument was sophistical. Wordsworth none of his natural cheerfulness and relish for odd is now a' Sworn Critic, and Appraiser of Comhumor and boyish jokes; and my father was nev- position;' and he has the whole honor to himer weary of talking into his trumpet. They had, self-an honor, I believe, of which there is no indeed, both preserved up to so late a period of other example in literary history. life more natural vivacity and elasticity of mind " We went on Tuesday, Quillinan accompanythan falls to the lot of most persons even in youth, ing us. On Wednesday we returned to Rydal, and both regarded it as a signal blessing that they where I slept that night, and the next morning had done so. I walked home without the slightest fatigue. The cheerfulness of the summer was further But when Wordsworth marvels that I can do increased by the circumstance of another old this, and says that I must be very strong to un-' Westminster" (the Rev. Edward Levett, late dertake such a march, it shows that he is an old of Hampstead) passing some months at Keswick; man, and makes me conscious that I am on the and although they had rarely met since their boy- list of the elders. ish days, this tie quickly brought them into inti- "The journey has been useful as an experimacy. ment; and my plans are now laid for a long cirSoon after their departure, my father was sur- cuit. About the middle of October, as soon as prised by a subpoena to appear as a witness at the volume of Admirals can be finished-upon the assizes at Lancaster, in what was commonly which I go doggedly to work from this day-I called " The great Will Case," involving a prop- hope to start with Cuthbert for the West of Enerty called the Hornby Castle Estate. The late gland. We shall halt in Shropshire, and perpossessor, whose name was Marsden, was pre- haps in Warwickshire, on the way to Bristol, sumed to have been a person of weak intellect, thence to Taunton, Devonshire, and the Land's under the control of his steward, to whose son End. I shall show him all the scenes of my he had bequeathed the estate, worth from C6000 childhood and youth, and the few old friends who to X7000 a year. Admiral Tatham, the heir- are left; convey him to Tarring, and then come at-law, challenged Marsden's competency to to London for two or three weeks, taking up my make a will; and one of the points upon which abode there with Rickman. God bless you! his counsel (Mr., now Sir Cresswell Cresswell) " R. S." relied was the internal evidence contained in a series of letters purporting to be the production Dr. Shelton Mackenzie has kindly favored me of the testator. with his recollections of this meeting with my faFor the purpose of giving opinion upon these ther, of great part of which I avail myself here. letters, several literary men had been subpoenaed "At our meeting on the preceding evening, -Dr. Lingard, the historian (who had been a Mr. Wordsworth gave his opinion of the letters witness on a former trial, as knowing the testa- to this effect, judging from external as well as tor personally), Mr. Wordsworth, my father, Dr. internal evidence, that though they came from Shelton Mackenzie, and others. The following one hand, they did not emanate from one and the letter shows it was decided not to examine these same mind; that a man commencing to write witnesses, and Mr. Wordsworth was the only one letters might do so very badly, but as he adsworn. vanced in life, particularly if, like Marsden, he 540 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF IETAT. 63. wrote many letters, he would probably improve yearning of the robber for his booty: they rein style; such improvement being constant, and printEnlish works, because it pays them betnot capricious. That is, if he gradually learned ter than to buy hative copyrights; and until men to spell and write properly, he would not fall are paid, and paid well for writing, depend on it back at intervals into his original errors of com- that writing well must be an exception rather position and spelling-that if once he' had got out than the rule.' of-his ignorance, he could not fall back into it, "We now went to visit Lancaster Castle, except by design-that the human mind advanc- which need not here be described. After enjoyes, but can not recede, unless warped by insan- ing the fine viewfrom the Keep, we went to see ity or weakened by disease. The conclusion ar- the Penitentiary, within the castle. Dr. Lingard rived at, which facts afterward proved, was, that had left us before, this, and the ball of conversathe inequality in the letters' arose from their be- tion was kept up between Wordsworth, Southey, ing composed by different persons, some ignorant and myself. The principal subject was Ameriand some well informed, while another person can literature, with which, at that time, I was pretalways copied them fairly for the post. ty well acquainted. Wordsworth could scarcely "This is the sum of what Mr. Wordsworth at believe that of a three volume work, published great length and very'elaborately declared as here at a guinea and a half, the reprint was usuthe result he had arrived at. It was thought ally sold in New York for two shillings-in later piled on thought, clear investigation, careful anal- days the price'has been as low as sixpence, the ysis, and accumulative reasoning. great sale making a fraction of profit worth look" While Wordsworth; was speaking, I noticed ing for. Wordsworth expressed a strong desire that Southey listened with great attention. Once to obtain an American reprintdof any of Southey's or twice Wordsworth referred to him for his co. works; but Mr., Southey appeared quite indifferincidence in an argument, and Southey very la- ent.'I should be glad to see them,' said he,'if conically assented. Dr. Lingard's opinion was the rogues would only give me a tithe of what the already on, record, and my friend and myself very work of my brains may yield to them.' briefly stated ours to be precisely the, same as "Returning to the terrace leading to the Wordsworth's. The next day Wordsworth was courts, Wordswxorth and Mr. Quillinan went into put into the witness-box, was sworn, and his ex- the town, while Southey and myself walked up amination had commenced, in fulfillment of Mr. and down for about half an hour.' I am glad,' Cresswell's promise to the jury that they should said he,'that they would not take our evidence. hear the opinion of eminent literary characters as It was nothing but matter of opinion, and if to the compound authorship of Marsden's letters. twenty men of letters swore one way on one day, But Sir F. Pollock, the leader on the other side, twenty more would swear the reverse on the next objected to such evidence, alleging that they day, and with equal conscientiousness.' I said might as well examine a batch of Edinburgh re- that I suspected the offering such evidence was viewers; and that it was substituting speculative enough, as its, rejection made the jury suspect opinion for actual fact, besides taking from the there was a cause for not hearing it.'Like jury the power of judgment founded upon opin- enough,' said he, laughing heartily,'that would ion. After a long argument, it was decided be a true lawyer's trick!' that this evidence was inadmissible;- but, as the " Southey then inquired whether some lines on verdict eventually' showed, the jury evidently the death of a child, which had gone the round thought that there was good reason why such of the newspapers shortly' before, were not my evidence was set aside. composition. Learning that they were,'he said, "While.a friend went for a magistrate's or-'The solace of song certainly does mitigate the der for us to see the Castle (which is used as sufferings of the wounded spirit. I have suffered the' prison), Southey, Wordsworth, and myself deeply, and I found a comfort in easing my mind had a brisk conversation. through poetry, even though much of what I'" From the spot on which we stood (a sort of wrote at such times I have not let the world see. terrace), there was a.fine view of the Irish sea, It is a bitter cup,' added he,'but we can not exthe country around Lancaster, and to the' north pect the ties of kindred to remain forever.'One the mountains of Cumberland and Westmoreland, by one, as we live on, our friends and our relawhich last were eagerly pointed out by Words- tions drop through the-broken arches of the bridge worth. I hazarded'the remark that an Amer- of life.' ican had compared these mountains with some "He spoke freely of his cotemporaries. Linin the vicinity of his own Hudson River, and this gard he praised for true earnestness, and a desire led to a conversation about America.'I always to state the facts. Another living historian he lamented,' said Southey, -' that Gifford's anti- praised as'one of the most learned men in EuAmerican feeling should be so prominent in the rope.' He regretted that Robert Montgomery Quarterly; but he was obstinate, and the more should have been as much overpraised at first as I remonstrated the more he persevered.' We he was latterly abused. He eulogized the genius spoke of American reprints of English works, of Mary Ann Browne, then living at Liverpool, and Wordsworth said it was wonderful what an and said that he thought she had as much ability interest they took in our literature-' it was the as Mrs. Hemans, with less mannerism. He said yearning of the. child for the parent;' while that the Corn-Law Rhymer was a sort of pupil Southey remarked, with a smile,' Rather the of his own:' he sent me his verses whlen he was I]TAT. 63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 541 a youth; I pointed out their defects, and he was should not have condemned others; but, from my not above trying to amend and remove them. youth until now, my desire has been to improve There are parts of Elliott's poems,' added he, the condition, moral, religious, and physical, of'not surpassed in the language.' the great body of mankind. The means which "We spoke of Wordsworth, and he said,'A I once thought best suited to effect this are not clear half of what he has written will remain. the means which, after forty years' constant Who can say how much of the rest of us will thought, I would now employ. My purpose resurvive? Scott, for example; no one thinks of mains the same as it was in youth-I would use his poetry now.' I ventured to say that in Scott's different machinery.' case, as in his own, the excellence of their prose " After this conversation we parted. Southey had thrown their poetry into the shade.'That went to his friends at their inn, while I went to is a flattering apology,' said he;' but our prose mine for some American reprints of English and may, from its very quantity, if from no other Scotch magazines which I had with me. When cause, have crowded down our poetry. One I rejoined them they were at luncheon. Mr. thing I do know; to write poetry is the best Wordsworth again expressed a desire to obtain preparation for writing prose. The verse-maker any reprints of Southey's poems; and Southey gets the habit of weighing the meanings and said,'I wish they would reprint my History of qualities of words, until he comes to know, as if Brazil.' I said, alluding to the size of the work, by intuition, what particular word will best fit that this would be a heavy affair.'Yes,' said into the sentence. People talk of my style! I he,'it is in three thick quartos, and therefore have only endeavored to write plain English, and quite out of the reach of common purchasers. to put my thoughts into language which every It is a very curious fact that this very work has one can understand.' He mentioned Cobbett as added some cX1200 a year to the income of a one of the best writers of English we had yet commercial house in London. They claimed possessed.'He has a Saxon basis, derived from some exemption (of duties, I think he said) from his education in the heart of an English county, information given them by a passage in that where the Saxon roots occur once or twice in work, and thus they gain more by it in one year every sentence uttered by the peasantry. Cob- than the author can expect for the labor and rebett,' he added,'has done and said many foolish search of many.' things; but he writes English such as every one, " Shortly after they departed, both poets kindfrom Chaucer to Sir Thomas More, and from ly inviting me to correspond with them, and pressMore to Cowper, can not fail to comprehend. ing me to visit them, if ever I went within'a He is very much in earnest, and writes without day's march' of either. I never again saw these stopping to pick out pretty words, or round off poets, but enjoyed the correspondence of each. polished sentences.' The personal appearance and demeanor of "I mentioned his Life of Nelson.'That,' said Southey at this time (he was then aged 62) was he,'was a Quarterly article, and I expanded it striking and peculiar. The only thing in art into a book. I was afraid of the sea phrases; which brings him exactly before me is the monbut I had no fear of making the book liked by ument by Lough, the sculptor. Like many other the public, for I had material for ten times the young men of the time, who had read Byron with extent I was bound to, and the man I wrote of great admiration, I had imbibed rather a prejulived in the nation's heart.' dice against the laureate. This was weakened'The question of memory was touched upon, by his appearance, and wholly removed by his from my mentioning the dates of some events we frank conversation. He was calm, mild, and spoke of.'Now,' said he,'I could as soon fly gentlemanly; full of quiet, subdued humor; the as recollect these dates. I have trusted so little reverse of ascetic in his manner, speech, or acto memory, that memory will do little for me tions. His bearing was rather that of a scholar when I press her. I have a habit of making than of a man much accustomed to mingle in notes of what I should treasure in my mind, and general society. Indeed, he told me that, next the act of writing seems to discharge it from the to romping with his children when they were mind to the paper. This is as to particulars; children, he'enjoyed a tete-a-tete conversation the main points of a subject I recollect very well.' with an old friend or a new. With one,' added "To my surprise, when I inadvertently namedhe,'1 can talk of familiar subjects which we Byron, he rather encouraged the subject.'You have discussed in former years, and with the think,' said he,'that if we had been personally other, if he have any brains, I open what to me acquainted there would probably have been few is a new mine of thought. The educated Amerunkind feelings between us. We did meet, more icans whom I have conversed with always leave than once, in London society. I saw that he me something to think of.' was a man of quick impulses, strong passions, In any place Southey would have been pointand great powers. I saw him abuse these pow- ed at as'a noticeable man.' He was tall, slight, ers; and, looking at the effect of his writings on and well made. His features were striking, and the public mind, it was my duty to denounce Byron truly described him as' with a hook nose such of them as aimed at the injury of morals and a hawk's eye.' Certainly his eyes were peand religion. This was all; and I have said so culiar-at once keen and mild. The brow was in print before now. It has been said that I, rather high than square, and the lines well dewho avowed very strong opinions in my youth, fined. His hair was tinged with gray, but his ~~ —- -~~-~ —-- -- J ~ —-— ~II LI 542 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 2ETAT. 63. head was as well covered with it-wavy and almost every halting-place was at the house of flowing-as it could have been in youth. He some hospitable friend, it was all pure pleasure by no means looked his age: simple habits, pure to mei and, indeed, he himself enjoyed it as thoughts, the quietude of a happy hearth, the much as any one could do whose thoughts and friendship of the wise and good, the self-con- heart were elsewhere: he appreciated every misciousness of acting for the best purposes, a sep- nute beauty of the country we passed through aration from the personal irritations which men with all his natural quickness of perception, the of letters so often are subjected to in the world, frequent meetings with old friends were a source and health, which up to that time had been so of evident pleasure, and with the remembrance generally unbroken, had kept Southey from many of old times his spirits seemed occasionally to of the cares of life, and their usually harrowing recover their old buoyancy; neither, indeed, could effect on mind and body. It is one of my most he help being gratified with the reception he pleasant recollections that I enjoyed his friend- every where met with. ship and regard." Our first halting-place was at Lord Kenyon's beautiful seat, near Oswestry, whence the following letter was written, in which the reader CHAPTER XXXVII. will find an outline of our route. JOURNEY IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND-THE LIFE To Charles Swain, Esq. OF COWPER-LITERARY ADVICE TO A LADY- Grcdington, Oct. 27, 1836. HIS SON S PROSPECTS —NEW EDITION OF HIS MY DEAR SIR, POEMS-PROSPECTS OF THE COUNTRY-LAMBS 7 No compliment has ever been addressed to LETTERS- THE DOCTOR - FAILURE OF THE me which gratified me more than your DedicaPUBLISHERS OF THE LIFE OF COWPER-THANKS tory Sonnet, and one only which gratified me so TO DR. S. MACKENZIE FOR REVIEWING THE NEW much (that of Henry Taylor's Philip van ArteEDITION OF HIS POEMS-CERTAINTY OF A FU- velde) both for the same reason, because both TURE STATE-DEATH OF HIS WIFE. - 1836- are in themselves singularly beautiful, and I know 1837. that both were written with sincerity. " This letter is written from my first haltingSINCE the commencement of this last and bit- place on a very wide circuit. Cuthbert and I terest sorrow which had befallen my father, he left home on Monday, bound for the Land's End, had devoted himself wholly to the office of light- from whence I shall turn back with him to Susening, as far as possible, the affliction both to the sex, and, having deposited him there, proceed to poor sufferer herself and to all his household. London. There my purpose is to remain a fortHe had never quitted home, and, with the rare night, after which I shall perform my promise exception of a single friend, had seen no society of visiting Neville White whenever I went again whatever. to town, and then make the best of my way home. This sort of life, however, although his health It is an unfavorable season for making such a did not appear yet to suffer, was naturally deem- journey, but my brother, Dr. Southey, advised ed so likely to prove permanently injurious to and urged me to break from home, and not rely him, that his friends had often and strongly urged too confidently upon a stock of health and spirits him to leave home for a time, and recruit him- on which there were large demands. self by change of air and scene. " Being able to do this (which I hardly exBut, while assenting to the desirableness of such pected till a fortunate subpoena to Lancaster put a change, he had considerable difficulty in mak- it to the proof), I had the additional motive of ing up his mind to attempt it. My mother had going to examine the only collections of Cowbecome a constant object of solicitude; his pres- per's letters which have not been intrusted to ence was often useful, always a source of as me-those of Mr. Bagot, which I am to peruse much pleasure as she was capable of receiving; with his son, near Birmingham, and those of and he knew, moreover, that in absence there Joseph Hill, which were bequeathed as an heirwould always be a certain amount of anxiety, loom, with a good estate, to Jekyll. I go to Mr. which would materially diminish the good to be Bagot's on Monday next, and shall have access gained. He felt, also, the comfort his presence to Mr. Jekyll's MSS. in London. There can be was to his daughters, and the blank which the little doubt of my finding in these collections (esabsence of his continual cheerfulness would make pecially in the latter) materials for my suppleto them. mentary volume. It happened, however, that the brief, enforced " There was a third inducement for this jourabsence at Lancaster, which has just been no- ney. I wished to show Cuthbert the scenes of ticed, came opportunely to decide him. He found my childhood and youth, which no one but mythat, after the momentary discomfort had passed self could show him, and to introduce him to a away, his absence did not make any very mate- few old friends, all that are left to me in that rial difference; and he determined to seize the part of England. Probably it may be my last time present, although the year was already so journey to those parts. We hope to reach Brisfar advanced, for a journey of considerable length, tol on Thursday, Nov. 3, and intend to remain a in which I was to be his companion. Our prog- week there. ress was an extremely circuitous one; and as "Direct to me at Mr. Cottle's, Bedminster, ]ETAT. 63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 543 Bristol. Cottle published my Joan of Arc in Corston-his first boarding-school, and found all 1796, and there are very few who entertain a there exactly as he has described it in his Autowarmer regard for me than he has done from that biography and in the " Retrospect." time. I was much struck with his strong attachment " The lines which I have written in Miss to his native city, and his appreciation of all the --'s album are on the opposite page to that beauties of the neighborhood; and I have often upon which O'Connell and Joseph Bonaparte have wondered he did not take up his abode there or inscribed their effusions. You will see that mine in the neighborhood in earlier life. did not require any premeditation: Our next visit is described in the following "'Birds of a feather flock together; letter But vide the opposite page I And thence you may gather I'm not of a feather To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. With some of the birds in this cage.', N. 1 1. "Bedminster, Nov. 10,1836. " As soon as Cowper is completed, Longman "' MY DEAR G., means to commence a monthly publication of my " Right glad should I be to feel myself suffi poems in ten volumes. The volumes shall be ciently at rest and at leisure for writing at full sent you duly as they are published. Very few length to you; but little rest shall I have, and as of my successors in this generation would be so little leisure, till we meet in London some six well entitled to them as an acknowledgment of weeks hence. their merit, fewer still as a mark of personal re- " We left home on Monday the 24th, crossed gard. the Mersey, and got to Chester the next evening. " Cuthbert desires his kind remembrances; and the next day reached Lord Kenyon's to dinand believe me always, my dear sir, yours with ner. Gredington (his house) is in Flintshire, not sincere regard, ROBERT SOUTHEY." far from old Bangor, where the monks were massacred, and one of the small meres which are not From Gredington we proceeded, after paying uncommon in Cheshire touches upon his grounds. some visits on the way, to Bristol, where the pub- The view is very splendid: Welsh mountains in lisher of Joan of Arc in 1796, Mr. Cottle, hos- the distance, stretching far and wide, and the fore pitably entertained us. From his hands my fa- and middle ground undulated and richly wooded. ther had received, when struggling with his ear- There we remained till Friday morning, and then ly difficulties, many most substantial acts of kind- posted to Sweeny Hall, near Oswestry, where ness which he was always prompt to mention and Mr. Parker had a party to meet me at dinner. acknowledge, and under his roof, and with his I called there on Davies's mother and his two sisters, my mother had been left after their ro- sisters, who are just such women as the mother mantic marriage. Here, therefore, were many and sisters of so thoroughly worthy a man ought mournful thoughts awakened, though no one to be. The former lives in a comfortable cottage could yield to them less, or dwell more wisely which he purchased for his father some years than he did upon every alleviation. We visited ago, the two others are married; and the pleastogether all his old haunts-his grandmother's ure of seeing these good people, and of seeing house at Bedminster, so vividly described in his with what delight they heard me talk of Davies, Autobiography-the College Green where Miss would have overpaid me for my journey. Tyler had lived-the house where he was born " Saturday we reached Mr. Warter's (near -the schools he had been sent to. He had for- Shrewsbury) to dinner, stayed there Sunday, and gotten nothing-no short cut-no by-way; and on Monday proceeded to Birmingham, from he would surprise me often by darting down some whence we took chaise for Mr. Egerton Bagot's alley, or thridding some narrow lane, the same at Pipe Hayes. which in his school-boy days he traversed. We * *' * went to Westbury to look for Martin Hall,* the " Two mornings were fully occupied in readhouse where he had passed one of the happiest ing Cowper's letters with him, and transcribing portions of his life; but no trace of it could be such as had hitherto been withheld. found; and we were then told, I believe errone- " At four on Wednesday the chaise which I ously, that the walls of a nunnery inclosed the had ordered at Birmingham arrived, and took us place where it stood; at all events, the general to the Hen and Chickens. We then flew (that features of the place were so changed, that my is to say, went in a fly) about a mile out of that father did not recognize the house again, if in- town, to drink tea with Mr. Riland, a clergyman, deed it was, then standing. who married a sister of Robert Wolsely (your This was a pleasant visit, and my father's en- cotemporary at Westminster), and who has now joyment was greatly enhanced by the company and then communicated with me by letter. We of Mr. Savage Landor, who was then residing at had a pleasant evening; after which we returnClifton, and in whose society we spent several ed, like dutiful chickens, to rest under the Hen's delightful days. He was one of the few men wings. with whom my father used to enter freely into "Thursday we came to Bristol, and took up conversation, and on such occasions it was no our quarters here at Bedminster with Cottle. mean privilege to be a listener. We also visited Here I have been to the church which I used to attend with my mother and grandmother more * See ante, p. 104. than half a hundred years ago; and I have shown 544 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 63. Cuthbert my grandmother's house-what wasI himself at follies which nevertheless he is cononce my garden of Eden. At church I was tinually repeating. He is literally afraid of every placed in a seat exactly opposite the spot on thing. His oddity, his untidyness, his simplicity, which our pew had stood; but the whole inte- his benevolence, his fears, and his good-nature, rior of the church had been altered. A few mon- make him one of the most entertaining and exuments only remained as they had been. No- traordinary characters I ever met with. He is vember 8. Tuesday, we walked with Landor in his seventy-third year, and for that age is cerabout the finest parts of the neighborhood but tainly a fine old man, in full possession of all his the house which I inhabited for one year at West- faculties, though so afraid of being deaf, when a bury, and in which I wrote more verses than in slight cold affects his hearing, that he puts a any other year of my life, has been pulled down. watch to his ear twenty times in the course of Yesterday I took the North Pole* to Corston, and the day. Our reception was as hospitable as went into the house in which I had been at school possible, Mrs. Bowles was as kind as himself, fifty-five years ago. and every thing was done to make us comfortaWe go on Saturday to visit Bowles at Brem- ble. * * hill, and shall stay there till Wednesday.' The bishop, unluckily, is at Weymouth; he "To-day I have a letter from home with ac- wrote to Bowles to say how glad he should be counts not on the whole unfavorable, but upon to see us; but he will not be in Wells till this which I must not allow myself to dwell. Right day week. Whether the dean (Goodenough) is glad shall I be, or rather right thankful (for glad- here, the people of the inn can not tell. X ness and I have little to do with each other now) "Tell your dear mother that I earnestly wish to find myself at home again. I am well, thank to be at home again, and shall spend no time on God, and my spirits seldom fail; but I do not the way that can be spared. sleep better than at home, and lose that after- " Love to all. So good night; and God bless dinner nap, which has for some time been my you R. S. soundest and most refreshing sleep. On the whole, however, I expect to find myself the better The next letter gives in brief an account of for this journey, when I return to remain by the great part of the journey; and I think is not unwreck. You will not wonder that I am anxious interesting, as showing his capabilities of bearing to be there again, and that I have a satisfaction fatigue, and of deriving some pleasure from such in being there-miserable as it is-which it is a routine of visits as might reasonably have been impossible to feel any where else. expected to be wearisome to him. "God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! ". S. To John Ricknman, Esq. " Our love to Miss Page." "Linton, Dec. 7, 1836. " MY DEAR R., To Miss Katharine Southey. "After a course as erratic as that of a comet "Wells, Wednesday evening,? which has been driven out of its way (if comets "Nov. 16, 1836. are liable to such accidents), here we are, in cer" MY DEAR KATE, tainly the most beautiful spot in the West of End t * i t * i ~' gland. I was here in 1799, alone, and on foot. Look at the history of Bremhill, and you willAt that time the country between Porlock and see Bowles's parsonage; it is near the fine old Ilfracombe was not practicable for wheel carchurch, and as there are not many better livings, riages, and the inn at Linton received all travthere are few more pleasantly situated. The elers in the kitchen. Instead of that single pubgarden is ornamented in his way, with a jet- lie house, there are now several hotels, and in its fountain, something like a hermitage, an obelisk, accommodation, and in the number of good houses a cross, and some inscriptions. Two swans, who which have been erected by settlers, Linton vies answer to the names of Snowdrop and Lily, have with any watering-place in Devonshire. a pond to themselves, and if they are not duly " We were within a few miles of this place a fed there at the usual time, up they march to the fortnight ago, when Poole parted with us at Holbreakfast-room window. Mrs. Bowles has also nicot, Sir T. Acland's, Somersetshire House; but a pet hawk called Peter, a name which has been Sir T. persuaded us to accompany him to Killerborne by two of his predecessors. The view ton, that we might see the road that he has openfrom the back of the house extends over a rich ed along the side of the Exe, and then return to country, to the distant downs, and the white horse the south coast by way of Barnstaple. At Kilmay be seen distinctly by better eyes than mine, lerton we met Scoresby the Ceticide, now the without the aid of a glass. * * * Reverend, and the Earl of Devon. We paid our " Much as I had heard of Bowles's peculiari- visit to Mrs. Hodson at Dawlish, and there met ties, I should very imperfectly have understood Colonel Napier, brother to the Peninsular histohis character if I had not passed some little time rian, and Mrs. Crawford, widow of the general, under his roof. He has indulged his natural who was killed at Ciudad Rodrigo. Thursday timidity to a degree little short of insanity, yet last we breakfasted with Charles Hoare, the he sees how ridiculous it makes him, and laughs banker, who is uncle to both Sir Thomas and Lady Acland. He has a beautiful house, which * An appellation given to the editor by Mr. Bedford. he built himself, near Dawlish. From thence JETAT. 63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 545 Sir Thomas drove us to Manmhead, where Sir (see some of the first chapters of Morte d'Arthur), IRobert Newman has built, and is now busily dec- interested him greatly; and the rugged scene orating, the most gorgeous mansion I have ever lacked no accompaniments of storm and tempest seen. Here Lord Devon met us, and took us to which could increase its grandeur, for we could Powderham Castle. The Poor-Law Bill is work- hardly keep our footing while we viewed it; and ing well here, they tell me; and it has had the to have scaled the rocks which lead up to it good effect of' bringing the better kind of country would have been impossible in such weather, gentlemen in contact with the farmers, who used and dangerous enough at any time. to think that gentlemen knew nothing, and are Further down the coast we visited that sinnow convinced that they are better informed than gular tract of sand which has been rendered well themselves. known by the discovery of the ancient British "We staved one night at Powderham, and Church of Peranzabuloe (or St. Peran in the went next day to my old friend Lightfoot's, near Sands), which, when we saw it, was again half Crediton; there we spent three comfortable days buried. The structure itself was of the rudest in a parsonage, having every thing about us that and humblest kind; and what struck us most the heart of man could desire. To-morrow we forcibly was, that the sand all around was filled return to Barnstaple, and go to Mr. Buck's, the vwith small fragments of human bones, indicating chief of the North Devon Conservatives, near a burial-place at some distant period of far greatBedeford, who has offered us hospitality, and to er extent than the size of the building or the popshow us Clovelly and Hartland. Sir Thomas ulation of the country would have led any one to talksof meeting us again at Bude.; t -, think necessary. I suppose, however, it had At Poole's we met MTr. Cross, whose discoveries been an oratory, and not a parish church. We astonished the Wittenlagemot at Bristol. You were told that. a few days before our visit, the would like his frank, unassuming manner.;t * sand shifting during a storm had exposed to view We saw the storm of Tuesday, Nov. 29, from a a row of stone colfins without covers, with the: house on the beach at Dawli.sh, ihich was con- skeletons in them nearly perfect; but they had sidered to be in danger, if the wind had not been again buried by the last turn of the wind.. changed when it did. The efiect of the change hich, indeed, was already driving the sand.. more resembled what I suppose may be that of whiich is exceedingly deep and loose, over the a hurricane than any thing I ever witnessed be- reniains of the little church itself. fore: it whirled the waves about, and the whole Ilston was our furthest restting-place, where surface of the sea was covered with spray flying the Rev. De rwent Coleridge was then residing; in all directions. On Saturday week we weref from whence we visited the Land's End, withl called out to a fire which consumed a large farm- the wild grandeur of which my father was parhouse, not far from Lightfoot's. It will be well ticularly struck. St. Michael's Mount, in Penif the ensuing week passes without our seeilng a zance BaTy also pleased him greatly; and he shipwreck; for when the winter commences with was delighted at seeing the identical chair from storms, they seem generally to prevail through which Rebecca Penlake was thrown, as narrait. as far a:i my observation extends, or rather as ted in his well-known ballad. It is situated on iar as my recollection can be trusted. the oe f the church tower, and is evidently " This wandering life is as little suited to my part of an old lantern or place to light a beacon: inclinationl as to my habits; but it has its use inl fire o. shaking up the systeml and in refreshing old rec- One other scene also which he had described ollectioni:..Iuch of vwhat i see and hear vwill in verse h jas much pleased at now being able at some tinme or other turn to account, I hope; to vi:it ifr the first time, viz., the Well of St. and, moreover, it will be a good thing for Cuth- eyne, near Liskeard, which we saw during a bert to have seen my old lfriends and so nmuch of briei visit to the Rev. W. Farwell; and duringhis own country this excursion, which was impracticable on foot, " Go bl ess you t I. So-rculm Y." I saw my father for the first and last time in my life mount on horseback. That he had ever been: From Linton, after v;isitig MIr. Buck at Hart- a good rider I should think very doubtful; but land Abbe-y, and meeting Sir Thomas Aeland at on this occasion he surpassed my expectations. Bude Haven, who had ridden fast and far that he Our Christmas was passed at Tavistock, at the might ws-elcome my father in three counties,; we Rer. E. Brays, whose wife is the well-known pursued our way downi the iron-bound north coast novelist and the kind editress of Mary Colling's of Cornwlall, visiting the most remarkable places. simple verses. My father had known her for Tintagel,t the reputed birth-place of King Arthur some time as a not unfrequent correspondent, but not until now personally. A second visit to * At Holnicot, in Somersetshire; Killerton, in Devon- Mr. Lightfoot ended our western sojourn. shire; mad Bude, in Cornwall. t I find this place well described in a topographical ac-,>oli~ltn of Cornnwall: And wild the scene; from far is heard the roar cou~nit olf Corinw ~all: ^Of billows breaking on the shingly shore; "Reft from the parent land by some dire shock, And at long intervals the startling shriek Majestically stands an island rock, Of the white tenants of the lofty peak; On whose rough brow Tintagel's donjon keep Beneath in caverns raves the maddening surge, Sternly uprears and bristles o'er the deep: Around with ruins capp'd grim rocks emerge, Tier arches, portal tower, and pillars gray And Desolation fills his gloomy throne, Lie scattered, all in ruinous decay. Raised on the fragments of an age mulnowvn." M M 546 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ETAT. 63. To Miss Katharine Southey. try is at a better season, and in all such scenery "Stockleigh Pomeroy, Jan. 1, 1837. it resembles Cumberland. "MY DEAR DAUGHTER, "I may fill up what remains of this paper "Whichever it be to whom this letter is due with some epitaphs, which I wrote down from (for I keep ill account of such things), I begin the tombs in Bremhill church-yard. The first with such wishes to both, and to all others at two were as follows, on a Dissenter and his wife home, and all friends round Skiddaw or else- and because they were Dissenters, Bowles, in where, as the first day of the year calls forth. reference to the latter, wrote the third, on one * $8 $ 8 * * of his own flock. " It was some comfort to hear that your dear- "E.W. 1800. est mother listened to my letters, and asked some' A loving wife, a friend sincere, questions; and it is some comfort to know that A tender mother, sleepeth here.' my presence is not wanted, while it is in vain to "' W. W. 1834. wish that it were wished for. I shall be home "'Here in the silent dust lies one Beloved of God. by the middle of February; glad to be there, Redeemed he was by Christ, and glad that I have taken a journey which has Wash'd in his precious blood, ltn~. 1 1. ~~~~~And faithiful was his name. warmed some old attachments, and been in many From ribulat great he came, respects of use. As for Cuthbert, he declares In love he lived, in Christ he died; that it would have been worth while to make the His life desired, but God denied.' whole journey for the sake of seeing Mary Col- "Bowles, who loves not the Dissenters more ling. Verily I never saw any person in and than I do, wrote, in contrast to this, the follow-:about whom every thing was more entirely what ing inscription, on a neighboring tomb-stone: you could wish, and what it ought to be. She "'Reader, this heap of earth, this grave-stone mark! is the pattern of neatness and propriety, simplicity Here eelast remains of poor John Dark. *n good s. He od FMrive years beyond man's age he lived, and trod and good sense. Her old master, Mir. Hughes, This path each Sabbath to the house of God; is as proud of her as if she was his dauohter. From youth to age, nor ever from his heart hey live in a small house, the garden of which Did that best prayer our Sactiort teasht depart. They live in a small house, the garden of which At his last hour with'ifted hands he cried, extends to the River Tavy, a beautiful stream; Thy kingdosm come, Thy will be done! and died.' *and her kitchen is such a kitchen for neatness' This was a hit at those who went to meetand comfort, that you would say at once no per- ing instead of church, and never used the Lord's -son who could not be happy there deserved to be Prayer; moreover, it alluded to the Dissenter -happy any where else. Strangers (and there are wishing to live longer if he could.,many whom Mrs. Bray's book draws to Tavi- I And now God bless you all! Heartily instock and Dartmoor) generally inquire for her, deed do I vish nyself at home; but I am far and find means to see her, and she has already a from repenting of my journey.'little library of books which have been presented "Your dutiful father, i. S.:''to her by such persons. *' X *' ~ To HeWry Taylor, Esq. " Mr. Bray's is the only house in which I have "Beuckland, Jan. 8, 1837.'eaten upon pewter since I was a child; he has a I MY DEAR H. T., ~complete service of it, with his crest engraved' * *'' upon it, and bright as silver. The house (built If I have learned to lool with indifference upon for him by the Duck, as the Duke of Bedford is those whom I meet in casual society, it is because,called in Tavistock) is a very good one, the gar- in early life circumstances (and disposition also) den large and pleasantly laid out: it includes made me retire into myself, like a snail into his *some of the ruins, and a door from it opens upon shell; and in later years, because so many new:a delightful walk on the Tavy. In spite of the faces have come to me like shadows, and so deweather we had two pleasant walks, one of about parted. Yet I was not slow in my likings whell ten miles, the other about six; but of Dartmoor young, nor has time rendered me so: it has only twe could see nothing. Our time passed pleas- withheld me fiom making any advances toward -antly, Mary paying us a visit every day some intimacy with persons, however likeable, whom more Fables in her own hand-writing will be it is certain that I can have very few opportuni-'among the most interesting autographs that I ties of seeing again, and no leisure for conversing'have to dispose of. I with by letter. So much for Tavistock. I see it to great " It is, indeed, most desirable to knit our friends disadvantage. The Tavy is like our Greta in in a circle; and one of those hopes which, thank its better parts, the water was quite as clear; God, have in me the strength of certainties, is but snow has the effect of making water look that this will be done in the next stage of our dirty, and Mr. Bray compared the foam of the existence, when all the golden links of the chain river to soap-suds; a simile not less apt than will be refined and rendered lasting. I have that of Sir Walter, who likens the foam of a dark been traveling for the last ten weeks through stream to the mane of a chestnut horse. The places where recollections met me at every stage, small patches of snow on the banks looked like and this certainly alone could render such recollinen laid there to dry or to bleach. The beauty lections endurable. My faith in that future which of brook and torrent scenery was thus totally de- can not be far off never fails. stroyed; yet I could well imagine what the coun- " God bless you! R. S.' ~~~-j —-l J~~'""'" " to R. S. ~ETAT. 63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 547 To M3iss Kalharinie Sozuthey. disrespect or indifference to its contents, but be"Tarring, Feb. 8, 1837. cause, in truth, it is not an easy task to answer "Y DER rt KATE, it, nor a pleasant one to cast a damp over the " -+ ~; * -'* high spirits and the generous desires of youth. Yesterday I and Karl had a walk of some four-' What you are I cal only infer from your teen or fifteen miles, to the Roman encampments letter, which appears to be written in sincerity,/ of Sisbury and Chankbury. The latter commands though I may suspect that you have used a fiea noble prospect over the VWeald. We had also titious signature. Be that as it may, the letter a remarkable view of Worthing, -wich appeared and the verses bear the same stamp, and I can like a ruined city (Balbec or Palmyra) in the dis- well understand the state of mind which they intance, on the edge of what we knew to b-e the dicate. What I am you might have learned by sea, but what might as well have been a desert; such of my publications as have come into your for it was so variegated with streaks of sunshine hands; and had you happened to be acquainted and of shade, that no one ignorant of the place'with me, a little personal knowledge would have could have determined whether it were sea or tempered your enthusiasm. You might have had sky that lay before us. your ardor in some degree abated by seeing a " - ~ -: ~ -a' -* j poet in the decline of life, and witnessing the ef"I shall come home hungry for swork, for fet which age produces upon our hopes and assleeping after dinner, and for walking with a book pirations; yet I am neither a disappointed man in my hand. The first thing I have to do is to nor a discontented one, and you would never have write a preface for Cowper's Homer-little more heard from me any chilling sermons upon the than an evening's employment. Then I set text,'All is vanity.' about reviewing Mrs. Bray's book, and carefully "It is not my advice that you have asked as reading through Joan of Are, that it may be sent to the direction of your talents, but my opinion immediately to the press; for the first volume of of them and yet the opinion may be worth litmy Poetical Works is to appear on July 11 (a tle, and the advice much. You evidently possess, month after Cowper is finished), and we wish to and in no inconsiderable degree, what Wordshave two or three more through the press, so as worth calls'the faculty of verse.' I am not deto prevent all danger of delay in the publication. preciating it when I say that in these times it is Then there are two volumes of Cowperiana to not rare. Many volumes of poems are now pubprepare (for which I am to have, as is fitting, lished every year without attracting public attenseparate pay), and two volumes more of Admi- tion, any one of which, if it had appeared half a rals, besides other things-enough to do, but not century ago, would have obtained a high reputatoo much for I see my way through all; and tion for its author. Whoever, therefore, is amw-as never in better trim for work. bitious of distinction in this way, ought to be pre-, - - -'- - -- ** pared for disappointment.'; And now, God bless you all! Rejoice, Baron | " But it is not with a view to distinction that Chinchilla, for I am coming again to ask of you you should cultivate this talent, if you consult whether you have every thing that a cat's heart your own happiness. I, who have made literactan desire! Rejoice, Tommy Cockbairn, for I ture my profession, and devoted my life to it, and must have a new black coat! and I have chosen have never for a moment repented of the delibthat it should be the work of thy hands, not of a crate choice, think; myself nevertheless bound in London tailor. Rejoice, Echo, for the voice duty to caution every young man who applies as which thou lovest will soon awaken thee a(gain an aspirant to me for encouragement and advice, ii illhymounnains! Rejoice, Ben Wilson, for sam- against taking so perilous a course. You will pie clogs are to be sent into the West country, say that a woman has no need of such a caution for the good of the Devonshire men! R. S." -there can be no peril in it for her. In a certain sense this is true; but there is a danger of To -- -.. which I would, with all kindness and all earnest" teswick, MIarch, 1837. ness, warn you. The day-dreams in which you: MADAM,, habitually indulge are likely to induce a distem"You will probably, ere this, have given up all pered state of mind; and in proportion as all the expectation of receiving an answer to your letter ordinary uses of the world seem to you flat and of December 29. I was on the borders of Corn- unprofitable, you will be unfitted for them withwall when that letter was written; it found me out becoming fitted for any thing else. Literaa fortnight afterward in Hampshire. During my ture can not be the business of a woman's life, subsequent movements in different parts of the and it ought not to be. The more she is engaged country, and a tarriance of three busy weeks in in her proper duties, the less leisure will she London, I had no leisure for replying to it; and have for it even as an accomplishment and a recnow that I am once more at home, and am clear- reation. To those duties you have not yet been ing off the arrears of business which had aceu- called, and when you are you will be less eager mulated during a long absence, it has lain un- for celebrity. You will not seek in imagination answered till the last of a numerous file, not from for excitement, of which the vicissitudes of this i life, and the anxieties from which you must not * Thelady to whom this and the next letter are address- hope to be exempted, be your state wlhat it mav ed is now well known as a prose writer of no common powers. will bring with them but too much. 548 L IFE AND CORRESPONDENCE O F O.ETAT. 63. "But do not suppose that I disparage the gift that it w ould be difficult to say on which side the which you possess, nor that I would discourage advantages preponderate. But life is uncertain, you from exercising it. I only exhort you so to and it was a great object with me, feeling that think of it and so to use it as to render it condu- uncertainty, to make his boyhood happy. Morecive to your own permanent good. Write poetry over, the expense of a public school would have for its own sake-not in a spirit of emulation, cost me no little anxiety, and must have put me and not with a view to celebrity: the less you to my shifts. aim at that, the more likely you will be to de- * * - * * serve, and, finally, to obtain it. So written, it is "For the future, he knows my predilection, wholesome both for the heart and soul; it may and knows also that he is just as free to choose be made the surest means, next to religion, of his own profession as if I had none. I indulge soothing the mind, and elevating it. You may in no dreams respecting my life or his, or into embody it in your best thoughts and your wisest which their prolongation enters. But if he lives, feelings, and in so doing discipline and strengthen I think he would be happier in a country parsonthem. age than at the bar, or as a physician, or in a. "Farewell, madam. It is not because I have public office. He is free to choose. I may live forgotten that I was once young myself that I to see his choice, but not to know the result of write to you in this strain, but because I re- it. God bless you! R. S.' member it. You will neither doubt my sincerity " If you have never read Roger North's Lives nor my good will; and, however ill what has of the Lord-keeper Guildford and his other two here been said may accord with your present brothers, let me recommend them to you. Batviews and temper, the longer you live the more ing the law matters, you will be amused by evreasonable it will appear to you. Though I may cry thing else. There is an edition in three ocbe but an ungracious adviser, you will allow me, tavos, published a few years ago. His Examen therefore, to subscribe myself, with the best wish- is also well worth reading by any one who wishes es for your happiness here and hereafter, to understand our history from the Restoration to " Your true friend, the Revolution. "ROBERT SOUT-IIE." "The influenza is leaving me slowly, and I wait for milder weather to get out of doors." To the same. " Keswick, March 22, 1837. To the Rev. T. L. Bolwles. DE A MADAMI "Keswick, April 25, 1837.: Your letter has given me great pleasure, and " Mv Y DEAR MiIa. BOWLES: I should not forgive myself if I did not tell you so. " I have to thank you for the honor which you You have received admonition as considerately intend me in your forthcoming edition-a very and as kindly as it was given. Let me now re- great honor I can not but consider it, especially quest that, if you ever should come to these lakes remembering (what I shall never forget) the imwhile I am living here, you will let me see you. provement, as well as the delight, which I deYou would then think of me afterward with the rived from your poems more than forty years ago, more good will, because you would perceive that and have acknowledged in a general preface (just there is neither severity nor moroseness in the drawn out) to my own. The Conscript Fathers state of mind to which years and observation have of the Row have set me upon a collected edition brought me. of them. "It is, by God's mercy, in our power to attain " The booksellers in one respect have rendered a degree of self-government, which is essential to me a service by accelerating what 1 looked forour own happiness, and contributes greatly to that i ward to as a posthumous publication, for I might of those around us. Take care of over-excite- otherwise have deferred the necessary preparament, and endeavor to keep a quiet miind (even tions, swaiting for a more convenient season, till for your health it is the best advice that can be it would have been too late. Indeed, it requires given you): your moral and spiritual improve- some resolution to set about a task which brings ment will then keep pace with the culture of in review before me the greater part of my life your intellectual powers. -old scenes, old feelings, and departed friends. " And now, madam, God bless you! No doubt the reason why so many persons who' Farewell; and believe me to be your sincere have begun to write their own lives have stopped friend. ROBERT SOUTIIEY." short when they got through the chapter of their youth is, that the recollections of childhood and To H. Taylor, Esq. adolescence, though they call up tender thoughts, " Keswick, March 30, 1837. excite none of that deeper feeling with which we " MY DEAR H. T., look back upon the time of life when wounds heal " I too, as you may suppose, speculate (and slowly and losses are irreparable. sometimes more largely than is wise) upon Cuth- " The mood in which I have set about this rebert's past, present, and future. The past is past, vision is like that a man feels when he is setting and could not, I believe, all things considered, his house in order. I waste no time in attempthave been changed for the better; for the good ing to mend pieces which are not worth mendarnd evil of public education and of private, as ing; but upon Joan of Arc, which leads the way, compared with each other, are so nearly balanced, as having first brought me into notice, a good ETAT. 63. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 549 deal of patient labor has been bestowed. The of so many things which had better have been faults of language have been weeded out, and as forgotten, and now these Memorials of poor many others as it was possible to extirpate. This Charles Lamb. What with these, and the prepwould have been a preposterous attempt if the aration of my own poems for an edition which I poem had been of a piece before; but it was have set about in the same mood of mind as if it written in 1793, rewrtten in 1795, and mate- were designed for posthumous publication, my rially altered in 1797, and what has been done thoughts and feelings have been drawn to the now makes the diction of the same character years that are past far more than is agreeable or throughout. Faults enough of every other kind wholesome. remain to mark it for a juvenile production. * - * "The men who are now in power are doing'I wish that I had looked out for Mr. Talthe greatest injury they can to the Church by fourd the letter* which Gifford wrote in reply to strengthening the only strong argument that can one in which I remonstrated with him upon his be brought up against the alliance between designating Lamb as a poor maniac. The words Church and State. They certainly overlook all were used in complete ignorance of their peculconsiderations of character, station, acquirements, iar bearings, and I believe nothing in the course and deserts in the disposal of their preferment, of Gifford's life ever occasioned him so much and regard nothing but the interests of their own self-reproach. He was a man with whom I party. It will tend to confirm the American had no literary sympathies; perhaps there was Episcopalians in the only point upon which they nothing upon which we agreed except great differ from their English brethren, and I am more political questions; but I liked him the better sorry for this than for the handle which it gives ever after for his conduct on this occasion. He to the Dissenters at home; for in these dark had a heart full of kindness for all living creattimes, the brightest prospect is that of the Epis- ures except authors; them he regarded as a copal Church in America, and yet without an al- fishmonger regards eels, or as Isaac Walton did liance with the State, and endowments for learned slugs, frogs, and worms. I always protested and laborious leisure, it never can be all that a against the indulgence of that temper in his Rechurch ought to be. view, and I am sorry to see in this last number "I am a good hoper, even when I look dan- i that the same spirit still continues there. ger full in the face. We are now in great dan- "A few remarks I will make upon these volger of a severer dearth than any within our mem- umes as they occur to me. There was nothing ory. Here in Cumberland, at this time, there is emulous intended in Coleridge's Maid of Orleans. scarcely the slightest appearance of spring. Last When Joan of Are was first in the press (1795), year the hay failed, and the sheep are now dying he wrote a considerable portion of the second for want of food. The gardens have suffered book, which portion was omitted in the second greatly by frosts, which continued till last week, edition (1798), because his style was not in keepand most of the grain which was sown in the ing with mine, and because the matter was inearly spring is lost. The manufacturers are out consistent with the plan upon which the poem of employ, and the cold fit of our commercial dis- had been in great part recast. All that Coleridge ease is likely to be the most formidable that we meant was to make his fragment into a whole. have ever experienced. Mischief of course is at " I saw most of Lamb in 1802, when he lived work in the manufacturing countries, and it will in the Temple, and London was my place of be tremendously aided by the New Poor-Laws, abode-for the last time, God be thanked! v hich are not more useful in some of their en- "It was not at Cambridge that Lloyd was atactments than they are inhuman in others. I tracted to Coleridge. He introduced himself to fear, however, nothing so much as a premature him at Bristol in 1796, resided with him afterchange of ministry. Let the present men re- ward at Stowey, and did not go to Cambridge till main to reap what they have sown. You and I three or four years later, after his own marriage. can not live to see the issue of all these changes, * * * ^ that are in progress, but, as an old man in this "Remember me to Mrs. Moxon, and believe neighborhood said,:mayhap we may hear tell.' me always yours very truly, "God bless you, my dear sir! Present my "ROBERT SOUTHEY. kind regards to Mrs. Bowles, and believe me, "Remember me most kindly to Mr. Rogers "Yours affectionately, when you see him. I am sorry that Cary has' ROBERT SOUTHEY." been so ill treated. It may be hoped that the archbishop may think it fitting to mark his sense To Ediuard Aoxon, Esq. of the transaction by giving him some preferment " Keswick, July 19, 1837. " Mr. Talfourd has performed his task as wel " MY DEAR SIR, as it could be done, under all circumstances. The "I received Lamb's Letters yesterday even- book must be purely delightful to every one, the ing, and not very wisely looked through both vol- very few excepted to whom it must needs recall times before I went to bed, for, as you may sup- melancholy recollections." pose, they kept possession of me during the night. Of late I have seen much of myself in a way that The reader will have observed, from various thus painfully brings back the past; Sir Walter's passages in my father's letters, the extreme pains Memoirs first, then Joseph Cottle's Recollections * See ante, p. 417. 550 LIFE AND COIRRESPONDENCE OF jETAT. 64. and trouble he had taken to conceal the true au- fixing the authorship upon him. It does not apthorship of The Doctor; the publication of this pear, however, that he took up the joke with book, and the mystification about it, in which he any zest, or that the matter was heard of until contrived to involve so many people, being one the letters were found among his papers after of his chief sources of amusement-indeed, his his death. only recreation during his later years. To H. Taylor, Esq. The two first volumes had been published at "Keswick, Aug. 12,1837. hap-hazard, the work being so unlike any other My 63d Birth-day. that had ever appeared that he could form no an- "i MY DEAr H. T., ticipation of what its reception would be. With' " * *- * that reception (although the sale was never a I am amused to hear that before the fourth vollarge one) he was fully satisfied, and encouraged ume could be permitted to circulate in the Book to continue it at much greater length than he at Club at Harrow, the chapter relating to the first intended; indeed, had his faculties and life Loves of Nobs's Sire and Dam was cut out, as been spared, there is no knowing where it would being too loose and licentious for this virtuous have ended. age. O soul of Sir John Falstaff! When first he determined upon anonymous " I think of a special Inter-chapter upon the publication, it is certain he did not expect that occasion, proposing a reform of our vocabulary;. the authorship would be so uniformly and confi- for example, that as no one ventures to pronounce dently ascribed to him as proved to be the case, the name of a she-dog before female ears, the otherwise he might have hesitated at a step which principle of decency should be carried through ultimately involved him in so many statements, (as reformers phrase it), and we should speak of which, if not amounting to an absolute denial of a she-horse, a she-cow; he-goat and she-goat the fact, yet sounded like it to the persons to are in use, so ought he-sheep and she-sheep to whom they were written; and in some cases his be; or Tom-sheep, as no one has objected to friends felt hurt at what he had said in pure play- Tom-cat: then touch upon the Family Shaksfulness, and at being led on by his own expres- peare, and hint at a Family Bible upon a plan sions to assert positively that they knew he was dilebrent from all others. not the author. He was himself from the first 4 A. * * determined that this should not be like the au- |" People say they know me to be the author.. thorship of the Waverley Novels-a secret and no As how? There are two ways: one is, by besecret. The vast extent of odd and out-of-the- ing in the secret. Now it must be presumed that way reading manifested, the peculiar vein of hu- none who are would commnit so gross a breach of mor, the admixture (distasteful to some minds, confidence as to proclaim it. The other way is, delightful to others) of light topics with grave they know it by particular circumstances and by ones, and the strong opinions so plainly express- internal evidences; their knowledge, therefore, is ed on political and social subjects, all combined worth just xwhat their opinion may be-no more. to stamp him so positively as the author, to those " This is certain, that some of my nearest rewho knew him personally or his writings well, lations and oldest friends have not been intrusted that it required something more than a mere play- with the secret: in this way we have a good ful shifting off of the charge to convince them to right to discredit the assertions of persons -who the contrary. To some of these persons he ad- show so little sense of what they ought to have mitted it, in a way which did not commit them to considered a mioral obligation. keeping it a secret, and yet enabled them to es- " God bless you! R.. S. cape acknowledging that they knew him to be the "We dined yesterday in the bed of one of the writer; to others, whom he was more anxious to Borrovwdale streams. Karl, and Erroll Hill. mystify, he said more than they thought he ought K ate, Miss Mduckle, Davies, and I. Just when to have said. But, after all, it must be said he we had finished our dinner came on a noble never denied the authorship in direct terms, nor thunder-storm. The subject would have been indeed said more on the subject than is asserted good for a picture: rocks and umbrellas shelterin hundreds of cases when any secret is intended ed some of us well. I was among the fortunate. to be kept; and if the matter seemed to occupy Erroll and Davies got well soaked. We sat it more of his attention and call forth more inge- out like so many Patiences, except that Patience, nuity than it was worth, it must be remembered though she may have been in as heavy a storm, it was the amusement of what would otherwise was never in so merry a mood. The force of have been sad hours, and a relief from painful rec- the storm wvas at Armboth, about two miles firom ollections and melancholy thoughts. us, where some sheep were killed and other misAmong other expedients to put the critics and chief done. Lowdore was nearly dry in the literary public on a wrong scent, one was to morning, and on our return it was in great force. send all the original letters of acknowledgment I did not think an hour's rain could possibly have for the first two volumes (among them an inge- swollen the streams so much. God bless you! nious one from himself) to the late Theodore R. SOUTIEY..' Hook, as a person who might fairly be suspected of having been the writer; and it was hoped he The following letter refers to some apprehenwould have spoken of this hoax being passed sion my father had been, and indeed was then upon him, and thus have given a fair pretext for under, respecting the payment for his Life of ETAT. 64. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 551 Cowper, and labor in editing his works, in con- ter. Longman proposed it, not because there sequence of the insolvency of the firm of Bald- was any call for such an edition, but because he win and Cradock, who were the publishers, and did not like that Galignani should have the markwho had engaged him to prepare the edition. et to himself. My own intention was to prepare With his usual equanimity, however, in such for a posthumous collection, which I was confimatters, although the sum at stake was for him dent would prove a good post-obit for my chila large one, he had not suffered himself to be at dren. The Conscript Fathers of the Row thought all discomposed, and patiently awaited the result; that the present ought not to be neglected for which was not so favorable as he had anticipated; I prospective views, and I gave up my own opinfor, in addition to much trouble, and of necessity ion, thinking that they were better qualified to some anxiety, he received o-250 less than the! form a judgment upon such points. They then stipulated payment. proposed giving only a vignette title-page. Upon that point I represented that any such parsimony To Mrs. Hodson. would be fatal to the project; for if they made "Keswick, Oct. 27, 1837. the book inferior in its appearance to the other t MY DEAR 1MRS. HODSON, works which had been published in the same "Happily, pecuniary assistance is not needed. manner and at the same price, it was neither There is reason to think I shall suffer no eventual m ore nor less than a confession that they had no loss. The price to have been paid me was 1000 reliance upon their own speculation, and did not guineas. That sum not having been paid upon think the work in sufficient repute for them to the completion of the work, the copyright rests venture the same outlay upon it, which was with me, and the property of the edition can not readily advanced upon the credit of more fashbe sold without my assignment. The sum was ionable names. They yielded to this argument, intended to cover Cuthbert's expenses through and have performed their part well. his University course. Even if it should be ma- "' What I aimed at in my Prefaces was to say terially diminished, or lost, it will not distress neither too little nor too much, and to introduce me. Dr. Bell left re X1000 that sum is vest- I no more of my own history than was naturally ed in the French funds, and, if need be, may be connected with the rise and progress of the redrawn out for this purpose. But my own opin- spective poems. But of this there will be a ion is, that the copyright is good security for great deal. Many years ago I began to write payment in full. I had written good part of a my own Life and Recollections in letters to an letter in reply to yours, saying that I have no old and dear friend. About half a volume was other concern with the publishers of my poems produced in this way, till it became inconvenient than to receive from them half the eventual prof- to afford time for proceeding; and, to confess the its, which half is not the lion's half. I was writ- truth, my heart began to fail. This, no doubt, ing also playfully about The Doctor; but it was is the reason why so many autobiographies proan effort, and I had no heart to go on, for our ceed little beyond the stage of boyhood. So far long tragedy is drawing to its close. The all our recollections are delightful as well as change has been very rapid. Thank God, there vivid, and we remember every thing; but when is no suffering either of body or mind. How the cares and the griefs of life are to be raised up, long this may last it is impossible to say. To it becomes too painful to live over the past again. all appearance she is in the very last stage of "Doubtful, or more than doubtful as it is emaciation and weakness. There is no strength whether I shall ever have heart to proceed with for suffering left; she will probably fall asleep these letters, your advice shall have the effect of like an infant, and you may imagine what a coin- making me say more than I had thought of sayfort it is for me to believe, as I verily do, after ing in these prefaces. t woand-forty years of marriage, that no infant WTat Tyler is printed in the second volume, was ever more void of offense toward God and and in the third there will be the Devil's Walk at man. I never knew her to do an unkind act nor much greater length than it has ever appeared. say an unkind word. "You will have your reward for refusing to " We are as well as we can be in this state. conduct a journal that aims at a mischievous The event has long been to be desired-the worst end. The time is fast coming when it will be has long been past-and when one sharp grief seen that measures of true reform are to be exis over, we shall be thankful for her deliverance pected froin those only one of whose chief enfrom the body of this death. deavors it is to preserve what is good. God bless you, my dear Mrs. Hodson!'; Farewell, my dear sir; and believe me al" ROBERT SOUTIEY.:' ways very truly and thankfully yours, "ROBERT SOUTHEY." To Dr. Shelton Mfackenzie. "Keswick, Nov. 3,1 837. To - " MY DEAR SIR, "1Keswick, Nov. 3, 1837. " I am greatly obliged to you for the efficient " MY DEAR SIR, and timely assistanceo which you have given to "I have never seen the book to which you a publication that needs all the aid it can mus- _ __ father's poems in the Liverpool paper which he conduct. ed, and had strongly urged him, by letter, not to be too * Dr. S. Mackenzie had reviewed the new edition of my brief in his autobiographical prefaces. 5.52 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF AJTAT. 64. allude, but I suppose it to be that which bears " IMy dear old friend, yours affectionately. in the fictitious name of Search. The end which weal or in woe, ROBERT SOUTIIEY.." I should propose and expect from any theological investigation would be simply a conviction that Christianity is neither a fable cunningly devised, nor a superstition which has sprung from a com- CIIAPTER XXXVIII. bination of favoring causes, but that it is a scheme MIELANCIIOLY TIHOUGIiTS-INTENDED MOVraEMENI'TS of Providence indicated by prophecies and proved -REFLECTIONs o-N 1Is WIFE'S DEATIT-LETby miracles. With this consent of the under- TER FROMI MRt. BEDFORD-THIE COPYRIHGHIT 3GILL. standing, I should be satisfied in Y — s case. -REVIEW IN'THE EXAMINER-HIS WIFE CONThe rest would assuredly follow in due time and TINUJALLY BROUGIHT TO MiIND-WEARI STATE OF' in natural course. IIS HEALTH AND SPIRITS-MISS EDGEVWORTH"I could agree with you that'personal iden- -INVITATION TO C. SWAIN —LETTER TO HIS tity unbroken by death' were little to be desired, SON ON COM13IENCING A COLLEGE LIFE-STATE if it were all-if we were to begin a new life in oF HIS H1EALTH'I AND SPIRITS- LITERARY ( cthe nakedness of that identity. But when we CT'PATIONS-FROUDE S REM AINS - THE DOccarry with us in that second birth all that makes TOR - TOUR IN FRANCE - RETURNT HOME - existence valuable, our hopes and aspirations, our GREAT STORM - SAVONAROLA - CIHATTERTON affections, our eupathies, our capacities of happi- -MARRIAGE WITHII MISS BOWLES-FAILURE OE ness and of improvement-when we are to be MIND-1IIS DEATII.-1837-1843, welcomed into another sphere by those dear ones who have gone before us, and are in our turn to I HAVE just closed a melancholy chapter, and welcome there those whom we left on earth, I must open another-the last-in which there surely, of all God's blessings, the revelation which is nothinhg cheerful to record. During the three renders this certain is the greatest. There have years that my mother's afflicted state continued, been times in my life when my heart would have my father had borne up wonderfully, and after been broken if this belief had not supported me. the first shock had passed away, his spirits, At this moment it is worth more than all the though of course not what they had been, were world could give. uniformly cheerful, and he had found in the per* s. -.t *, liformanee of a sacred duty that peace and comfort which in such paths is ever to be found. But " Nov. 4. when the necessity for exertion ceased, his spirits " The end can not be far off, and all is goino Ifell, and he became an altered man. Probably on most mercifully. For several days, when I the long-continued effort began now to tell upon have supported her down stairs, I have thought him, and the loss of her who for forty years, in it was for the last time; and every night, when sickness and health, had been the constant object she has been borne up, it has seemed to me that.of his thoughts, now caused a blank that nothing she would never be borne down alive. Thank could fill. "I feel," he says, in one of his letGod, there is no pain, no suffering of any kind, ters, " as one of the Siamese twins would do it and only such consciousness as is consolation. the other had died, and he had survived the sep" God bless you! R. S." aration." He seemed, indeed, less able to accoimmnodate himself to his altered circumstances To Joseph Cottle, Esq. than might have been expected from the turn of "Keswick, Nov. 16, 1837. his mind and the nature of his pursuits. MY DEAR COTTLE, " It pleased God to release my poor dear Edith To Iltesry Taylor, Esq. this morning from a pitiable state of existence. "Keswick, Nov. 20, 1837. though we have always had the consolation of MY DEAR H. T., thinking it was more painful to witness than to'"An ever-present sense of the uncertainty of endure. She had long been wasting away, and all human projects does not, and indeed ouglht for the last month rapidly. For ten days she not, to prevent me from forecasting what course was unable to leave her bed. There seemed to it may be best to pursue under any probable cirbe no suffering till excess of weakness became cumstances. For this I have had but too much pain, and at no time any distress of mind; for opportunity for some time past, and temptation being sensible where she was and with whom, to it as well, for it was some kind of relief from and of the dutiful affection with which she was the present and the past. attended, she was sensible of nothing more. "About the niddle of January Karl must be"My poor daughters have been mercifully gin his residence at Oxford. I think of giving supported through their long trial. Now that him charge of Kate to London, from whence she the necessity for exertion is over, they feel that will proceed to Tarring. prostration which in such cases always ensues. Bertha and I must winter where we are.,But they have discharged their duties to the ut- The house can not be left without a mistress. tnost, and they will have their reward. It is a "We shall find salutary occupations enough:oessed deliverance! the change from life to till Cuthbert returns about the end of March for death, and from death to life! inexpressibly so This endorsed, "Te latletter Joseph Co for her. received from his old friend Robert Southey." IETAT. 64. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 553 a month's recreation. That brings me to the keeping ever conducted with greater prudence month of May. By that time my extraordinaries or greater comfort. Every thing was left to her will be provided for by the Admirals (whatever management, and managed so quietly and so becomes of Cowper) or by the Q. R., for which well, that, except in times of sickness and sorI have two papers in hand (Sir T. Browne, and row, I had literally no cares. Lord -lowe). Then, too, Miss Fricker will come " I always looked upon it as conducing much from the Isle of Man to keep Mrs. Level corm- to our happiness that we were of the same age, pany, and, in fact, look after the house during the for in proportion to any perceptible disparity on summer months. thus placing Bertha and myself that point, the marriage union is less complete; at liberty, and so completely was she part of myself that "In May, then (I do not look so far forward the separation makes me feel like a different without misgivingss)-but if all go on well, by creature. While she was herself, I had no sense God's blessing in May-I hope to leave home of growing old, or, at most, only such as the with Bertha and our invaluable Betty, whose mere lapse of time brought with it: there was services to us for five-and-twenty years, through no weight of years upon me; my heart continuweal and woe, have been beyond all price, who ed young, and my spirits retained their youthful loves my children as dearly as if they were her buoyancy. Now, the difference of five-and-thirty own, and loved their poor mother with that sort years between me and Bertha continually makes of attachment which is now so rarely found in me conscious of being an old man. There is no that relation, and served her with the most affec- one to partake with me the recollections of the tionate and dutiful fidelity to the last. The house best and happiest portion of my life; and for that might safely be left in her charge; but she needs reason, were there no other, such recollections recruiting as much as we do. So I shall go first must henceforth be purely painful, except when with Bertha and her into Norfolk, and pass a week I connect them with the prospect of futurity. or ten days with Neville White, discharging thus " You will not suppose that I encourage this a visit which was miserably prevented three years mood of mind. But it is well sometimes to look ago. Then we go to London, making little tar- sorrow in the face, and always well to understand riance there, and that chiefly for Betty's sake, one's own condition. on whom the sight of London will not be thrown > I * * * away. By that time Kate will have got through " Meantime you may be assured that I shall both her stay at Tarring and her visit to Miss not be wanting in self-management, as far as that Fenwick; and depositing Bertha at Tarring, I can avail; that I shall think as little as I can of think of taking Kate with me to the West. One the past, and pursue as far as possible my wonted friend there I have lost since my last journey: it course of life.* must have been about this very day twelve months - that I shook hands with him, little thinking that * I transcribe here the chief part of Mr. Bedford's ad. it was for the last time. But there are still some mirale reply to this letter: persons there who will rejoice to see us. Old "MY DEAR SOUTIEY,.r.,. | ut s, sh " 11 Your letter, as you may suppose, is one of the highest as my good aunt is, she may very probably be interest to me, as affording a perfect picture of your presliving; there is Elizabeth Charter there, and there ent state of mind and feelings; and it is also satisfactory.,is iThtfoot. with either of xvhom xve should feel "However much the separation may have been anticiLightfoot, wit eithe of whom e shold feel pated, or, for her sake, even desirable, I am not at all sur. at home; on our way back there would be Miss prised that you feel the sense of bereavement as you do at Bowles; and very possibly Mrs. B1row-n may be this moment, or that your recollection rather reverts to Bowles ad vey p y r my her in her happier days than in the last few years of sickin Devonshire. ness and helplessness. It is quite natural, and the period " God bless you! R. S. for such recollections will run its course, to be succeeded "It has been snowing this morning for the by a ender, a cherished, and in its effects a most consolatory feeling. first time in the valley, but the snow having "If you and I had not resembled each other in some turned to rain I shall presently prepare for my material points, we could not have maintained an unbroken intimacy for five-and-forty years, and when I speak daily walk, from which nothing but snow deters from observation and experience of myself, I speak for me." you also. I may therefore, on these grounds, say that I believe few men have preserved the youth of their minds as long as we have. For my own part I am truly grateful To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq for this, for I consider such a possession as one of Heaven's Keswick, Nov. 2, 1837. best blessings, inasmuch as it affords a protection against " Keswick, Nov. 24, 1837. the evils of life, and, like youth of body, contains an elastic i MY DEAR G., power of resistance to every blow, and encourages the "This event could not have been regarded spring and growth of hope in the very depth of misfortherise tan as a dlivrance at any te, se tune. My dear Southey, I have no hesitation in believing:therwise than as a deliverance at any toime, since that in due time you will again be such as you have been. there ceased to be a hope of mental restoration; You have great and happy means within your own reach and for several weeks it was devoutly to be de- for attaining this desirable state, in the society of your own excellent children, with whom you have ever lived sired. Yet it has left a sense of bereavement so much like a brother, that I can not believe the differwhich I had not expected to feel, lost as she had ence in your mual years can create any strong line of demarkation between you. You will now consider been to me for the last three years, and worse them with (if possible) increased love, and they will look than lost. During more than two thirds of my to you with more reverent affection. Surely these must life, she had been the chief object of my thoghts, operate to break down the bar which difference of years life, she had been the chief object of my thoughts, might else interpose between you, to prevent that perfect and I of hers. No man ever had a truer help- intercourse and fellow-feeling which will constitute so mate, no chicdren a more careful mother. No much of your happiness and theirs. Recollection will op. atild e more sefl oer. o o erate to strengthen the tie on both sides. I have often family was ever more wisely ordered, no house- called to mind the last act of my dear father's life that dis 554 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF JTAT. 64. " Remember me most kindly to Miss Page. more of it than is good. In the piece which they God bless you, my dear Grosvenor! R. S." praise as resembling Cowper, there is nothing Cowperish; and, on the other hand, in the subTo TI. Taylor, Esq. stitution of the general crimes of the Terrorists "Keswick, Dec. 2, 1837. in France for the instances of Brissot and Ma"MY DEAR IH. T., dame Roland, there is nothing but what is in per"I have received Spring Rice's circular about feet accord with the pervading sentiment of the the pensions, and take for granted that it comes poem. Madame Roland's praise is left where it as a mere circular, and therefore requires no an- was appropriate, in the second volume. As for swer. Brissot, I knew him only by newspapers, when " Moore and I being coupled upon this occa- his death, and that of the great body of the Gision, it is not likely that our pensions will be ob- rondists with him, kept me (as I well remember) jected to, on either side of the House, upon the a whole night sleepless. But I know him now ground that literature, like any other profession, by two volumes of his Memoirs, which, though brings with it its own emoluments. But if that made up, are from family materials; and I know argument should be used against an enlargement him by nine volumes of his own works, and thereof the copyright, which is not unlikely, it will by know that he was a poor creature. And I be fitting that some one should state how the know by Garat's book that the difference between ease stands in my instance: that, followed as a the Brissotines and the Jacobines was that, playprofession, with no common diligence and no or- ing for heads, the Brissotines lost the game. dinary success, it has enabled me to live respect- "God bless you! R. S." ably (which, without the aid of my first pension, it would not have done), and that all the provision To Henry Taylor, Esq. I have been able to make for my family consists " Keswick, Dec. 14,1837. in a life insurance, of which about three fourths MY DEAR H. T., are covered by the salary of the laureateship. " * * * * *, * Were I to die before Talfourd's Bill passes, the It can not often have happened that any one greater part of my poems and no little of my should have a lost wife brought to his mind in prose would be seized immediately by some ras- the way that I am continually reminded of my cally booksellers, as property which the law al- poor Edith. Before any of my children were old lowed them to scramble for. It is true that, as enough to make extracts for me, it was one of the law now stands, I secure a newQ term of copy- her pleasures to assist me in that way. Many right by the corrected edition now in course of hundred notes in her writing (after so many have publication; but these fellows would publish from been made use of) are arranged among the mathe former copies, and thereby take in all those terials to which every day of my life I have ocpurchasers who know nothing about the difference casion to refer, and thus she will continue to be between one edition and another. my helpmate as long as I live and retain my "It is well that Windham is not living, and senses. But all these notes bring with them the that there is no one in either house on whom his vivid recollection of the when, and the where, mantle has fallen, for he would surely have taken and the why they were made; and whether the the opposite side to Talfourd, and argued upon sight of her hand-writing will ever be regarded the folly of altering an established law for the without emotion, is more than I can promise sake of benefiting one or two individuals in the myself. course of a century. He would ask what the "God bless you! R. S." copyrights are which would at this time be most beneficial to the family of the author: the Cook- To Grosvenor C. Bedford, Esq. ery Book would stand first; within my recol- "Keswick, Dec. 29,1837. lection, the most valuable would have been Blair's " M DEAR G., Lectures, the said Blair's Sermons, Taplin's Far- "I was not aware that it was so long since riery, Burn's Justice, and Lindley Murray's En- you had heard from me; of me you could only glish Grammar. have heard from H. T., with whom I have a X* * * $ -* >X * pretty constant communication, owing to the "Monday, 4. transmission of proofs. These come thick; there "Thank you for the Examiners; they shall has been little tinkering in the third volume, but be duly returned. I would never desire better the sixth, on which I am at work, requires a good praise, and must not complain because there is deal, in repairing some old wefts and strays, and __ —,~ — ---- -preparing prolegomena. Moreover, I am replayed consciousness, and always with such pleasure as I. r i look for for you. Henry and I were standing on each side viewg Barrow's Life of Lord Howe; so yo of the bed, with one of his hands in each of ours. He had see I am not idle. long lain quite still, and only breathed, when, to our joint "In other respects I can give no good report surprise, he lifted one, the disabled arm, and brought our two hands in union across his breast. After that he never of myself. There is every possible reason to be moved-for several hours, but passed imperceptibly to a thankful for my poor Edith's release, and God state, I hope and trust, of happiness. Excuse me for this,. but I always dwell upon the recollection of that act with nows I am truly thankful for it. But my spirits, delight, and though it be of the tenderest character, it is which bore up through three trying years, and unmingled with pain. * * * * * * "Ever yours, my dear Southey, Eer yours, my dearouthy, " continued to do so whle there was immediate " G. C. BEDFORD." necessity for exertion, show as yet no tendency YETAT. 64. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 555 to recover that elasticity which they lost when \ Dr. Holland's, but have no recollection of seeing the necessity ceased. Time will set all to rights. her there; but I very well remember seeing her As the days lengthen, I shall be able to rise ear- more than once at Clifton in 1800, at which time lie, which will be a great benefit, the worst her father said to me,'Take my word for it, sir, hours being those in which I lie awake, and they your genius is for comedy.' He formed this are many. The best are those when I am em- j opinion, I believe, from some of the Nondescripts, ployed, and you know I am not given to idle- and one or two Ballads which had just then apness; but it behooves me to manage myself in peared in the Annual Anthology. This, I think, this respect. Except in the main point of sleep, will be worth mentioning in the Preface to the the bodily functions go on well. I walk duly and Ballads. When you write to Miss Edgeworth, dutifully. But I am as much disposed to be si- present my thanks for her obliging message, and lent in my own family now, as I ever was in comn- say that I am pleased at being remembered by her. pany for which I felt little or no liking; and if' "It is mortifying to think how few situations it were not plainly a matter of duty to resist this i there are in this country for men of letterspropensity, I should never hear the sound of my fewer, I believe, than in any other part of civilown voice. ized Europe-and what there are, leave the oc* * * * *X * cupant very little leisure to profit by the stores "Nothing more has been heard of Baldwin and of learning with which he is surrounded. The Cradock's affairs. But I must tell you what it editorship of the --, or of any literary journal, will give you pleasure to hear. As soon as would be a more agreeable office than that of a Lightfoot learned that the sum which I had (as public librarian, in this respect that your own I thought) provided for carrying Cuthbert through mind would have more scope; and private librathe University was supposed to be in danger of rians there are very few. Lord Spencer, I supbeing lost, he offered to relieve me from all anx- pose, must have one as a matter of necessity. iety upon that score. Knowing the sincerity of The only instance within my knowledge in which that offer, I am just as much obliged to him as a man of letters was invited to such an appointif there were any necessity for accepting it. But ment not because the library was extensive Dr. Bell's legacy is available for that purpose. enough to need his attendance, but because it And as for my Cowperage, if it be recovered, as was thought desirable for him, is that of Jere1 think it will, so much the better; if it be lost, miah Wiffen, and no doubt he owed it to his beit will never enter into the thoughts that keep ing a native of Woburn. The Duke of Bedford me wakeful at night, or in the slightest degree might otherwise never have heard of him, nor trouble me by day. cared for him if he had. Farewell, my dear sir. * * * * * " Yours very truly, "To-day (30th) the sun shines, and it is some "ROBERT SOUTHEY." satisfaction to see that there still is a sun, for he has been so long among the non apparentibus, To Charles Swain, Esq. that if I jumped to my conclusions as eagerly as "Keswick, March 9,1838. some of our modern philosophers, I might have " MY DEAR SIR, pronounced him to be not in existence. "Since you heard fiom me last I have been " Your brother ought to reflect that though it so much shaken that there is little likelihood of is many a poor fellow's duty to expose his life my ever being myself again. But it would be upon deck, and to lose it there, it is no man's duty ungratefll indeed in me to complain, who have to die at the desk; and, as I once heard a mned- had a greater share of happiness than falls to the ical student say, when he expressed his satisfac- lot of one in ten thousand, and that happiness of tion at having escaped being taken upon a resur- a higher degree and of much longer continuance, rectionary party,'there is no glory in it.' The with health that had scarcely ever been interfirst duty of any man, upon whose life the hap- rupted, and with a flow of spirits that never ebbed. piness or the well-being of others is in great de- I can not be too thankful for these manifold blessgree dependent, is to take care of it. God bless ings, let the future be what it may. ou! Our love to Miss Page. R. S." Cuthbert comes home the first week in April for about a month's vacation. Can you give yourTo Dr. Shelton Mackenzie. self a holiday, and pass with us as much of that "Keswick, Jan. 25,1838. month as you can spare? I can not now climb " MY DEAR SIR, the mountains with you-not for want of strength,' I am much obliged to you for your good serv- my father was employed in working up materials for his ices in one paper, and the Canadian news in an- own life, and had communicated the substance of her re-.s ~ T 1 ~' ^~ * r~ p~ 5 ply, which was as follows: her. It has never been my fortun"I thank you for telling me that Southey is engaged in gaged with any bookseller who made good use literary biography. His Life of Nelson is one of the finest of the periodical press to promote the sale of any peces of biography I know. I have seen its efects o many young minds. I had the honor of meeting Mr. of my works. They lay out lavishly in adver- Southey some years since, at our mutualfriend's, Dr. Holtisements, when a tenth part of the money so ex- land's, in London. But such is the nature of that sort of e l d.w,.i l o. t town intercourse, that I had not opportunity of hearing Iended would, if laid out in extracts, produce ten much of his conversation, and he none of mine; therefore times the effect. I can hardly presume that he remembers me. But I would "I recollect hearing of Mliss Edgerworth*e at wish to convey to him, through you, the true expression:____reollec _ __ hearing of ss dgewort at of mny respect for his character, and admiration of his tal.' Dr. Mackenzie had mentioned to Miss Edgeworth that ents, and of the use he has made of them." 556 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ITETAT. 64. still less of inclination, but because of an infirm- with less, but that you should lay by the surplus ity (I know not how or when occasioned) but re- for your own use. Next to moral and religious cently discovered, which condemns me to cau- habits, habits of frugality are the most importtion, at least, for the rest of my life. But I shall ant; they bclong, indeed, to our duties. In this be heartily glad to see you, and to make your visit virtue your dear mother never was surpassed. as pleasant as I can. You were the last guest Had it not been for her admirable management, whom my dear Edith received with pleasure. this house could not have been kept up, nor this "Most persons, I believe, are displeased with family brought up as they were. God never any alterations that they find in a favorite poem blessed any man with a truer helpmate than she the change, whether for the better or the worse, was to me in this and in every other respect, till balks them, as it were, and it is always un- she ceased to be herself. pleasant to be balked. In tinkering one's old':I dwell upon this, not as supposing you need verses, there is a great chance of making two I any exhortation upon the subject, for I have the flaws where you are mending one. However, to most perfect confidence in you; no father ever my great joy, I have now done with tinkering; had less apprehension for a son in sending him the last pieces which required correction on the to the University. But frugality is a virtue which score of language are in that volume of Ballads will contribute continually and most essentially (beginning with The Maid of the Inn), which to your comfort; without it, it is impossible that come next in order of publication. I know not you should do well, and you know not how much yet how the adventure is likely to turn out. The nor how soon it may be needed. It is far from number struck off at first was 1500, which the my intention, if I should live till you take your publishers say will just about cover the expenses, d egree, to hurry you into the world, and bid you leaving the profit to arise from any further use shift for yourself as soon as you can. On the of the stereotype and the engravings. Some- contrary, there is nothing on which I could look thing may be expected from the occasional sale forward with so much hope as to directing your of separate portions, for which merely a new title- studies after you have finished your collegiate page will be required; in that way the long po- course, and training you to build upon my founems may tempt purchasers by their cheapness. dations. That object is one which it would be But, apart from all other considerations, I am j orth wishing to live for. But when you take very thankful that I was persuaded, against my your degree, I, if I should then be living, shall inclination, and in some degree, also, against my be hard upon threescore and ten. My whole judgment, to undertake such a revision of my | income dies with me. In its stead there would poetical works. The sort of testamentary feel- be (at this time) about s8000 immediately from ing with which it was undertaken may prove to the insurance, and this is all that there will be have been an ominous one: certain it is, that if (except ~200 or ~300 for current expenses) till the task had been deferred but a few months, I my papers and copyrights can be made availshould never have had heart to perform it, though able. At first, therefore, great frugality will be it was a duty which I owe to myself and to the required, though eventually there may be a fair interests of my family. provision for all. I make no estimate of my li-' And now, my dear sir, God bless you! brary because, if it please God that you should' Yours with sincere regard, make use of the books in pursuing my course, "ROBERT SOUTHEIY." they would be of more value to you than any sum that could be raised by dispersing them. To C. C. Southey, Esq. "It is fitting that you should bear all this in' Keswick, Feb. 7,1838. mind, but not for discouragement. Your prosMY DEAR CUTHBERT, pects, God be thanked, are better than if you " It is right that you should clearly understand I were heir to a large estate-far better for your what you have to reckon on for your ways and moral and intellectual nature, your real welfare, meais. Two hundred a year will be a liberal al- your happiness here and hereafter. lowance, probably above the average at Queen's, "God bless you, my dear Cuthbert! which has not the disadvantage of being an ex- Your affectionate father, pensive college. Whether I live or die, this is "ROBERT SOUTHEY." provided for you. If I live and do well, my current occupations will supply it. In any other To the Rev. Neville White. event, there is Dr. Bell's legacy in the French " Keswick, Feb. 14,1838. Funds, even if the Cowperage should not be forth- " M DEAR NEVILLE, coming. " Long ago I ought to have written to you, but "It is an uncomfortable thing to be straitened to you and my other friends I have as little exin your situation; but, for most under-graduates, cuse to offer as an insolvent debtor can make to it is far more injurious to have too much. If you his creditors. Of late, indeed, I have waited not can save from your income, I shall be glad; and so much for a more convenient season as for betI have confidence enough in you to believe that ter spirits and for better health. I have been you would have much more satisfaction in saving very much out of order in many ways-old infrom it than you could derive from any needless firmities reappeared and brought others in their expenditure. I do no not mean that you should train, and I could both see and feel such changes receive less frmn me, if you find that you can do in myself as induced a not unreasonable appre ETAT. 64. 6 ROBERT SOUTHEY. 557 hension that my constitution was breaking up. has made a good choice in her cousin Herbert - I have had recourse, under my brother's direc- and happy man is his dole, I may say with equal tion, to tonics and opiates: they have quieted the truth. They may have long to wait before he most distressing symptoms, and abated others, gets a living; but meantime there is hope, withand I hope that milder weather, when it comes, out which life is but a living death. He loves will rid me of what I suppose to be rheumatic literature, and his situation as second librarian affection in the right hip. So much for my mal- at the Bodleian is favorable for literary pursuits. adies. No one can have enjoyed better health My papers may be intrusted to his care, if I than I have been favored with during what has should die before Cuthbert is old enough to supernow not been a short life, nor has any one been intend their publication. blessed with a greater portion of happiness-hap- -' t, + piness not to be surpassed in this world in its Cuthbert's vacation is only for a month. He kind and degree, and continued through a long must be at chapel on Sunday the 29th. I shall course of years. I never can be too thankful to proceed the more earnestly with my work, that the Giver of all good. I may have the shorter time to pass in solitude " I have recovered sufficiently to be in trim and silence. What I have to do is to get through for work, though it is hardly to be expected that a volume of the Admirals, in which little progress I should do any thing with the same heart and has been made, and a reviewal of Sir Thomas hope as in former days. However, I shall do Browne's works. My Poems require no further my best, and endeavor, by'God's mercy, to take tinkering; I have only to correct the proofs of the remaining stage of my journey-as cheerily as the remaining three volumes, and to write the I can. prefaces to them. Arranged and dated as the "Remember me most kindly to your fireside; Poems now are, they communicate to those who and believe me always, my dear Neville, yours have known me well much of my history and with true and affectionate regard, character; and a great deal has been reserved LRo aBERT SOUTIEY." which there would have been no propriety in telling the public while I am in the land of the At this time he was laboring under apprehen- living. There is nothing, thank God, which I sion of an infirmity which, though not dangerous, could wish to be concealed after my death; but would have prevented him taking active exercise, the less that a living author says of himself (exand caused him great inconvenience aifd discom- cept in verse), the better. God bless you, dear Ibrt, and this naturally preyed somewhat on his Miss Charter! spirits; fortunately, however, he determined at " Yours with sincere regard, R. S." once to seek London advice, and went up to town to consult Sir B. Brodie, who quickly relieved To --. his apprehension, pronouncing that there was no "Easter Monday (April 16), 1838. real cause for alarm. "MY DEAR SIR, He consequently returned home, reassured on " - this point. God forgive those who bring upon others any unhappiness which could be prevented by a wiser To Miss Charter. and kinder course of conduct. If we could be "Keswick, April 11., 1838. spared the misery which others make for us, lit" DEAR Miss CIARTER, tie would there be but what might be borne with I am much obliged to you for all the trouble wholesome resignation as the appointment of vou have taken; trouble being, I am sorry to say, Providence, or as the proper consequence of our the only privilege accruing at present from the own errors and misdeeds. title of friend, which you have possessed with me: Time will do all for you, and will probably for so many years, and will continue to hold not be long in doing it. With an old subject like while we retain any remembrance of the past. me there is more to do, and of that kind that I -:' * -* * there is little hope it can be done before the cur"I have now been returned a week, in which tain falls. I could always, when I went from time I have been fully employed in writing let- home, leave all my habits behind me. It is a far ters and correcting proof-sheets, except yester- different thing to feel that I have lost them-that day, when great part of the day was passed upon my way of life is changed, the few points which the sofa, for the sake of putting to sleep a cold are unchangeable serving only to make the in the head. The weather has been wet and change in all other respects more sensible. stormy; and it is better that I should keep with- "I thank God I am well in health, having easin doors, than continue to brave all weathers, as ily got rid of a cold; and now that all the proofs I was wont to do, till I get into good condition in your packet have been got through, and direcagain, if it please God. Shaken as I have been, tions given to the printer concerning the eighth there is still a reasonable hope of this. volume, I shall make up my dispatches, set my " Kate is at Mr. Rickman's now. clogs by the fire, and emerge from solitude; not Bertha was very busily employed during my ab- to look for society which is not to be found, nor sence in painting and papering-making altera- to be wished for, out of a very small circle which tions which are not the less melancholy because every year contracts, but to take a dutiful walk. it was necessary that they should be made. She God bless you! R. S." 558 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF YETAT. 64. To IIery Taylor, Esq. laureate to their good town, some ten years agone, "Keswick, June 10, 1838. accompanied, as some may recollect, by his love" MY DEAR H. T., ly daughter,'the dark-eyed Bertha;' and this he:Whether Hope and I shall ever become in- mentions as one of the facts which' appear intimate again in this world, except on the pilgrim- dubitably to identify the author of The Doctor age to the next, is very doubtful; nor ought it with the author of Thalaba.' The conclusion to be of much importance to a man in his sixty- would not have followed, even if the premises fourth year. I have had a large portion of hap- had been true. But the truth upon which he piness, and of the highest kind: five-and-thirty has built a fallacious argument is, that about ten years of such happiness few men are blessed years ago I passed a night at Sheffield on the way with. I have drunk, too, of the very gall of bit- to London. My daughter Edith was one of our terness; yet not more than was wholesome: the traveling party; and certainly there was nothing cup has been often administered, no doubt be- clandestine in the visit, for I wrote notes to Montcause it was needed. The moral discipline gomery and to Ebenezer Elliott to come to me through which I have passed has been more com- at the inn-the only time I ever saw either of plete than the intellectual. Both began early; those remarkable men. James Everett, a Methand, all things considered, I do not think any cir- odist preacher, and also a remarkable man, heard cumstances could have been more beneficial to from one of them where I was, and volunteered me than those in which I have been placed. If a visit. So it was soon known that I was in not hopeful; therefore, I am more than contented, Sheffield. It is not often that a mistake of this arid disposed to welcome and entertain any good kind can so plainly be explained.' Well,' Latithat may yet be in store for me, without any mer used to say,'there is nothing hid but it shall danger of being disappointed if there should be be opened.' none. "Farewell, my dear sir; and believe me al"I am very glad that Kate is to join Miss ways yours with sincere regard and respect, Fenwick; but I must warn both Kate and Dora'ROBERT SOUTHEY." against converting dormitories into loquitories, and talking each other to death before they get For some time my father had been meditating to the end of their journey. God bless you! a short journey on the Continent, to which his "R. S." friends also urged him, in the hopes it might aid in re-establishing his health and spirits, which, To the Rev. fohn Mfiller. though both were somewhat amended, seemed "Keswick, July 21, 1838. greatly to need some change. A party of six " MY DEAR SIR, was accordingly soon formed for the purpose, and "I was very much pleased with Bishop Jebb's a tour arranged, through Normandy, Brittany, first opinion of your Bampton Lectures, and not and a part of Touraine, to terminate at Paris. less pleased with the greater part of his more The party consisted of Mr. Senhouse, of Nethelaborate critique. I did not agree with him in erhall, who had been with my father in Switzerany of his objections, nor has a fresh perusal of land in 1817; Mr. Kenyon, also a fiiend of long that critique, after reading your Preface, altered standing; Mr. Henry Crabbe Robinson, and Capor even modified my first impression in the slight- tain Jones, R.N.; my father and myself made up est degree. It appears to me that you were right the number. At the end of August we all met in noticing his remarks as fully as you have done, in London, and, crossing to Calais, commenced and that it could not have been done in a better our excursion, the course of which is indicated spirit nor in a more conclusive manner. in the next letter, and which proved as agreea-' The publication of Froude's Remains is like- ble as favorable weather, an interesting line of ly to do more harm than - is capable of do- country, and a party disposed to be pleased with ing.'The Oxford School' has acted most un- every thing could make it. wisely in giving its sanction to such a deplorable In all we saw my father took much interest, example of mistaken zeal. Of the two extremes and while we were actually traveling, the change — the too little and the too much-the too little and excitement seemed to keep his mind up to is that which is likely to produce the worst con- its usual pitch. He bore all inconveniences with sequence to the individual, but the too much is his wonted good humor, and his vast stores of more hurtful to the community; for it spreads, historical knowledge furnished abundant topics and rages too, like a contagion. of conversation. X* D 4', 48 4 * Still, however, I could not fail to perceive a "I hear, though I have not seen, that another considerable change in him from the time we had volume of The Doctor is announced. You and last traveled together: all his movements were 2, therefore, may shortly expect it, if the masked slower, he was subject to frequent fits of absence, author keeps his good custom of sending it to us. and there was an indecision in his manner, and Some letters, published in the Sheffield Mercury, an unsteadiness in his step, which was wholly have been collected into two small volumes, en- unusual with him. titled: The Tour of the Don.' They contain a The point in which he seemed to me to fail chapter which is headed' Doncaster and the Doc- most was, that he continually lost his way, even tor.' The writer reminds the Doncasterians of in the hotels we stopped at; and, perceiving this, the visit,'not a clandestine one,' of the worthy I watched him constantly, as, although he him jETAT. 65. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 559 self affected to make light of it, and laughed at church very much resembled in their situation his own mistakes, he was evidently sometimes the Penha Convent. The mount stands also in painfully conscious of his failing memory in this a small bay, and is itself a beautiful object, in a respect. part of the country which is itself regarded as His journal also, for he still kept up his old the most genial part of the West of England. habit of recording minutely all he saw, is very Another place which we were desirous of different from that of former journeys-breaks seeing was the great Druidical monuments, off abruptly when about two thirds of our tour known by the name of Carnac, from the nearest was completed, and shows, especially toward the village. They are the most extensive Druidical close, a change in his hand-writing, which, as remains that have yet been discovered, the stones his malady crept on, became more and more at the lowest computation not being fewer than marked, until, in some of the last notes he ever four thousand, and extending in parallel lines wrote, the letters are formed like the early efforts over a great extent of country; none of these are of a child. so large as those of Stonehenge, and they are all single stones. But there are many of consideraTo John May, Esq. ble magnitude, and many have been destroyed be" Dieppe, Sept 2o, 1838. fore a stop was put by authority to such destruc"MY DEAR JoHN MAY, tion, and many are built up in walls; but there " Thus far our journey has been in all respects remains enough to astonish the beholder. favorable. You saw us proceeding with weath- To-day we have seen the Castle of Amboise, er which was only too fine, inasmuch as it soon which Louis Philippe began to repair when he became hot and dusty, such weather bringing was Duke of Orleans, but which, though it is a with it a plague of flies, who insisted upon being beautiful place, commanding fine views, and in inside passengers, and whenever I was inclined itself a comfortable palace, there being nothing to doze, and, indeed, could not keep awake, some too large to be inconsistent with comfort, he has one of the Egyptian enemies presently awakened never set foot in himself. I can account for this me by alighting upon the most prominent feature only by supposing that as the very beautiful chapof my face. We had a short and pleasant pas- el which they are repairing contains the intended sage the next morning, and remained one day at mausoleum for himself and his royal family, that Calais for the purpose of engaging carriages for consideration may dispose him to regard it with the journey, Kenyon having recommended that a melancholy feeling, which he is not willing to we should travel post, as the only means by induce. which we could command our own time, choose "To-morrow we shall see what is most worth our own route, stop where we would, and remain seeing at Blois, and proceed after breakfast to as long as seemed good to us at any place. Orleans, where we shall remain on Sunday. I This I had found the most advisable mode when I should tell you that I have seen Joan of Arc's traveling with poor Nash and Senhouse in 1817. monument at Rouen, and the Castle of Chinon, "I am now writing at Blois, on Friday, Sept. and the apartment in the ruins there in which she 28. Our faces were turned homeward when we had her first interview with the king; so, when left Nantes on Sunday last, Sept. 23. We had I shall have seen Orleans, I shall have sufficient then accomplished the two chief objects of our knowledge of the localities to correct any misjourney-that is, we had been to Mount St. Mi- takes into which I may, indeed must, have fallen. chael's and to Carnac, the only two days concern- " Th other places of most interest which we ing which there could be any solicitude concern- have seen are Havre, by which port I propose ing the state of the weather. In both instances! returning, Honfleur, Caen, Bayeux, Granville, St. we were most fortunate. We came to the mount Malo, Nantes, Angers, Saumur, Tours. Norduring the neap tides and in a clear day, escap- mandy and Bretagne we have seen satisfactorily, ing thus all dangers and inconveniences that, at and were as much delighted with Normandy as ordinary tides, the state of the weather might we were surprised by the miserable condition have occasioned, and fogs at any time. Cuth- and more miserable appearance of our Breton bert and I had seen our own St. Michael's Mount cousins: they seem not to partake in the slightin 1836. The French is the more remarkable, est degree of that prosperity which is every where because of its position, which is always a waste else apparent in France. Louis Philippe is both either of water or of sand. The mount itself is I Pontifex and Viafex maximus, if there be such not much higher, if at all, I think, than the Cor- a word. The roads are undergoing, at the exnish Mount, but the superstructure of building is pense of government, a most thorough repair, much greater, including a small fishing town, a greatly to our annoyance in traveling over then large prison, a garison, houses for the governor in the course ofremaking. I know not how many and other officers, and, on the summit, a church. suspension bridges we have seen, finished or in Our own mount, on the contrary, is far the more progress, and every large place bears evident: beautiful object, and, except a few mean houses marks of improvement upon a great scale. at the landing-places, there is nothing to excite " I hope to be at Paris on the 4th or 5th of Ocany uncomfortable reflections. The rock itself tober. There our party separates: Kenyon and reminded me of Cintra in this respect, that it' Captain Jones proceed to the Low Countries; consisted in great part of rocks piled on rocks, Robinson remains a while at Paris; Cuthbert,. I, and on the summit the governor's house and the and Mir. Senhouse make our way by one steam 560 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF STAT. 65, er down the Seine to Havre, and by another from " There is one work which Mr. Tlford would Havre to Southampton. From thence Cuthbert have regarded with great interest if he ever happroceeds to London and Oxford, Senhouse to Cum- pened to see it-the Levee, as it is called, which berland, and I to Lymington, where I shall re- protects a large tract of country from the inunmain a few weeks with Miss Bowles, and get dations of the Loire. This work is of such anthrough some work, where I shall be free from tiquity that it is not known when it was comall interruption. menced, but it seems first to have been taken "I have had no opportunity of purchasing any up as a public work by our Henry II. Perhaps books, there being no old book shops in any of there is no other embankment which protects so the great towns through which we have passed; great an extent of country. but at Paris my only business will be to look for "I am finishing here the reviewal of Telford's those which I want. book, which I hope to complete in about a week's " And now, my dear old friend, God bless you! time, taking care not to make it too long, and Remember me to your daughters, and believe me therefore passing rapidly over his latter works. always yours most affectionately, and winding up in the way of a eulogium, which " ROBERT SOUTHEY." no man ever was more worthy of. " I derived all the benefit that I hoped for from To John Rickman, Esq. my journey, and am in good condition in all re"Bucldand, Lymington, Oct., 1838. spects. God bless you! R. S." ( MY DEAR R., " I heard good accounts of you on my journey, To Mllrs. Hodson. and having since seen that you were present at "Keswick, Feb. 18, 1839. the prorogation, venture to infer that you are no MY DEAR MIS. HODSON, longer under the oculist's care. My movements last year did not extend be-' Nothing could be more fortunate than my ex- yond Normandy and Bretagne, and when I turnpedition was in every thing. The weather was ed my face toward England, it was in a steam as fine as it could be. During six weeks there packet from Havre to Southampton, by good forwas not one wet day; what rain fell was gener- tune just before that stormy weather set in, ally by night, and never more than sufficed for which, with few intervals, and those but short, laying the dust and cooling the air. We got to has continued ever since. Normandy pleased me Carnac. Chantrey had desired me to look for as much as I had expected, and my expectations some small red stones,-', which Buckland, or were pitched high. We were six in company, some of his disciples, had been much puzzled and no journey could have been more prosperous about, because they are not pebbles of the soil, in all respects. The weather never prevented and have all evidently been rubbed down to dif- us from seeing any thing that we wished, and we ferent angles. Just such stones so rubbed are met no mishap of any kind. used by Chantrey's own people in polishing the " Cuthbert and I parted when we left the steam finer parts of their statuary; and he fancied this packet. He made the best of his way to Oxford; was proof that the people who erected the stones I remained some weeks in Hampshire, and on at Carnac must have used them for some similar returning to Keswick found my youngest daughpurpose. I came to the conclusion that the Celts, ter suffering under a serious attack of the influwhich are so hard and so highly polished, were enza; an insidious disease, from which, though brought to that high polish by these instruments. we were assured that she was well recovered, " The Bretons are the most miserable people she has not yet regained strength. You may I have ever seen, except those inhabitants of the possibly have heard from the newspapers that I Alps who suffer with goitres, and among whom have resolved upon a second marriage. I need the Cretons are found. They look, indeed, as if not say that such a marriage must be either the they lived in an unhealthy country, and as if they wisest or the weakest action of a man's life; but were only half fed. Yet I know not that there I may say that in the important points of age, long are any causes to render it insalubrious: it is not and intimate acquaintance, and conformity of ill cultivated, and there is no want of industry in opinions, principles, and likings, no persons could the inhabitants. The only cause that I can im- be better suited to each other. The newspapers, agine for their squalid appearance and their evi- indeed, have stated that Miss Bowles is thirty dently stunted stature (if that cause be sufficient) years younger than me, which, if it were true. is their extreme uncleanness. The human ani- would prove me to be something worse than an mal can not thrive in its own filth, like the pig; old fool. and the pig, no doubt, is a very inferior creature " You will be glad to hear that I am likely to in its tame state to what it is when wild in the recover something from Baldwin and Cradock. forest. The trustees of their affairs had the modesty to "I never saw so many dwarfs any where as in expect that I should receive a dividend of one Brittany-more, indeed, when traveling through shilling in the pound, to be followed by a second that province than in the whole course of my life. and final dividend of the same amount. But upon * We found a number of these stones, all in one place, finding that I was prepared to file a bill in Chanas if they had been poured out in a heap, nearly overgrown with grass and weeds. I brought some home, and took * Upon this a sharp attack of pleurisy had supervened, them to Sir F. Chantrey, who recognized them as of the and we were for some little time in alarm as to the result. same description as those he had seen before.-ED. -ED. SETAT. 65. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 561 eery against them, they have proposed to pay me To Walter Savage Landor, Esq. eight hundred pounds-a composition which I am "Buckland, March 31, 1839. advised to accept, and shall think myself fortu- MY DEAR LANDOR, nate when it is fairly paid. " The portrait of Savonarola is safely lodged " This place and the surrounding country suf- at Keswick; I should have thanked you for it fered greatly in the late hurricane: it was quite sooner, if I had known whither to direct to you. as violent as that which I witnessed at Dawlish, I have seldom seen a finer picture or a finer face and of much longer duration. I never felt the the countenance seems to bespeak credit for one house so shaken. Indeed, there were persons whose character may perhaps be still considered who came as soon as it was daybreak to see what doubtful. had become of us, and whether we were buried "Mr. C. Bowles Fripp wrote to me some time in the ruins of the house. Happily, we suffered last year, asking me to supply an epitaph for the no serious injury, having chiefly to regret that proposed monument to Chatterton. I said to the whole front of the house, which was covered him, in reply, that I was too much engaged to with ivy, has been completely stripped of it. The undertake it; that, as far as related to Chatterhavoc among the trees* has been such as the ton, I had done my duty more than thirty years oldest persons do not remember to have seen or ago; that of all men, men of genius were those heard of. Few days have passed without a storm who stood least in need of monuments to perpetsince the great one. The winds are piping at uate their memory. Moreover, as to an epitaph, this time, and so continued is the sound that my I never would attempt to compose any thing of head is almost as much confused by it as if I were the kind, unless I imagined that I could do it satisat sea. The weather concerns me much more factorily to myself, which in this case appeared to than the affairs of state, and I know as little of me impossible. How, indeed, could the circumcurrent literature as if there were neither maga- stances of Chatterton's history be comprised in a zines nor reviews. My state is the more gra- monumental inscription? It is to the credit of cious. And if there were no newspapers in the Bristol that my fellow-townsmen should show how world, and no rail-roads, I should begin to think different a spirit prevails among them now from that we might hope to live once more in peace that which was to be found there fifty years ago; and quietness. but how this might best be effected I know not. " I heard of Landor during my last transit " The portrait of Chatterton, which Mr. Dix through London, and saw one of the very best discovered, identifies itself if ever portrait did. portraits of him by a young artist that I ever re- It brought his sister, Mrs. Newton, strongly to member to have seen. The picture, too, was as my recollection. No family likeness could be good as the likeness. The artist did not succeed more distinctly marked, considering the disparity so well with Kenyon, whose head upon the can- of years. vas might very well have passed for the Duke My daughter Bertha's marriage to her cousof York's. in, Herbert Hill, is especially fortunate in this re" You will think that I am bent upon continu- spect, that for a few years it will remove her no ing in the old ways when I tell you that it is my further from Keswick than Rydal. Very differintention never again to travel by a rail-way, if ent has been her elder sister's lot; for being, to there be any means of proceeding by any other all likelihood, fixed upon the coast of Sussex mode of conveyance. It is very certain that the (and the very worst part of it), she has been lost rapidity of rail-way traveling, if long continued, to us ever since. I have now only one daughhas a tendency to bring on a determination of ter left, and my son divides the year between blood to the head: this is one of the unforeseen college and home. Oxford has done him no and unforeseeable results of a mode of traveling harm; indeed, I never apprehended any. Reso unlike any thing that was ever before in use. duced in number as my family has been within Mail-coach traveling will be fast enough for me, the last few years, my spirits would hardly recovif I should ever travel again after the journey to er their habitual and healthful cheerfulness if I which I am now looking forward of four hundred had not prevailed upon Miss Bowles to share my miles, which I mean to take with no other rest lot for the remainder of our lives. There is just than what is to be had in the mail. But I expect such a disparity of age as is fitting; we have to doze away the time. When I was a school- been well acquainted with each other more than boy there was nothing I should have liked better twenty years, and a more perfect conformity of than such a journey. disposition could not exist; so that, in resolving "Present my kind remembrances to Mr. and upon what must be either the weakest or the Mrs. Blencowe, &c. wisest act of a sexagenarian's life, I am well as" Believe me, my dear Mrs. Hodson, sured that, according to human foresight, I have " Yours with sincere regard, judged well and acted wisely, both for myself and " ROBERT SOUTHEY." my remaining daughter. God bless you! ": ROBERT SOUTHEY." * "A poplar, mentioned in the proem to the Tale of Paraguay, was torn up by the roots. It had become for some O t 5 o J m f r w ui years a mournful memorial, and though I should never On the 5th of June my father was unted to have had heart to fell it, I am not sorry that it has been Miss Bowles, at Boldre Church, and returned to thus removed. But do not suppose that I ever give will. Keswick with her the latter end of the following nH. admission to thoughts of unprofitable sadnesst.-To H. Taylor, Esq., Jan. 8, 1839. August. 562 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF.ETAT. 66. I have now almost arrived at the conclusion has been living since his marriage in Hampshire, of my task, yet what remains to be said calls up where he has not had the aid of his old habits more painful recollections than all the rest. and accustomed books to methodize his mind. The reader need not be told that the sorrows All this considered, I think we may hope that a and anxieties of the last few years of my father's year or two of quiet living at his own home may life had produced, as might be expected, a very restore him. His easy, cheerful temperament injurious effect upon his constitution, both as to will be greatly in his favor. You must help me body and mind. Acutely sensitive by nature, to hope this, for I could not bear to think of the deep and strong in his affections, and highly decay of that great mind and noble nature-at predisposed to nervous disease, he had felt the least not of its premature decay. Pray that this sad affliction which had darkened his latter years may be averted, as I have this night."* far more keenly than any ordinary observer would On the following day the same friend writes, have supposed, or than even appears in his letters. " I think I am a little relieved about Southey He had, indeed, then, as he expressed himself in to-day. I have seen him three times in the his letter declining the baronetcy, been "shaken course of the day, and on each occasion he was at the root;" and while we must not forget the so easy and cheerful that I should have said his more than forty years of incessant mental appli- manner and conversation did not differ, in the cation which he had passed through, it was this most part, from what it would have been in forstroke of calamity which most probably greatly mer days, if he had happened to be very tired. hastened the coming of the evil day, if it was I say for the most part only though, for there not altogether the cause of it, and which rapidly was once an obvious confusion of ideas. He lost brought on that overclouding of the intellect himself for a moment; he was conscious of it, which soon unequivocally manifested itself. and an expression passed over his countenance This, indeed, in its first approaches, had been which was exceedingly touching-an expression so gradual as to have almost escaped notice; of pain and also of resignation. I am glad to and it was not until after the sad truth was learn from his brother that he is aware of his fully ascertained that indications of failure (some altered condition, and speaks of it openly. This of which I have already alluded to) which had gives a better aspect to the case than if he could appeared some time previously were called to believe that nothing was the matter with him. mind. A loss of memory on certain points; a les- Another favorable circumstance is, that he will sening acuteness of the perceptive faculties; an deal with himself wisely and patiently. The occasional irritability (wholly unknown in him be- charm of his manner is perhaps even enhanced fore); a confusion of time, place, and person; the at present (at least when one knows the circumlosing his way in well-known places-all were stances) by the gentleness and patience which remembered as having taken place when the pervade it. His mind is beautiful even in its melancholy fact had become too evident that the debility." powers of his mind were irreparably weakened. MIuch of my father's failure in its early stages On his way home in the year 1839, he passed was at first ascribed by those anxiously watcha few days in London, and then his friends plainly ing him to repeated attacks of the influenzasaw, what, from the altered manner of the very at that time a prevailing epidemic-from which few and brief letters he had latterly written, they he had suffered greatly, and to which he athad already feared, that he had so failed as to tributed his own feelings of weakness; but alas! have lost much of the vigor and activity of his the weakness he felt was as much mental as faculties. The impressions of one of his most bodily (though he had certainly declined much intimate friends, as conveyed at the time by let- in bodily strength), and after his return home it ter, may fitly be quoted here. "I have just gradually increased upon him. The uncertain come home from a visit which affected me deep- step-the confused manner-the eye once so ly. x ~ It was to Southey, who ar- keen and so intelligent, now either wandering rived in town to-day from Hampshire with his restlessly, or fixed, as it were, in blank contemwife. - > He is (I fear) much alter- plation, all showed that the overwrought mind ed. The animation and peculiar clearness of his was worn out. mind quite gone, except a gleam or two now and One of the plainest signs of this was the cesthen. What he said was much in the spirit of sation of his accustomed labors; but, while doing his former mind as far as the matter and mean- nothing (with him how plain a proof that nothing ing went, but the tone of strength and elasticity could be done), he would frequently anticipate a was wanting. The appearance was that of a coming period of his usual industry. His mind, placid languor, sometimes approaching to torpor, while any spark of its reasoning powers remained, but not otherwise than cheerful. He is thin and was busy with its old day-dreams-the History shrunk in person, and that extraordinary face of of Portugal-the History of the Monastic Orders his has no longer the fire and strength it used to -the Doctor-all were soon to be taken in hand have, though the singular cast of the features in earnest-all completed, and new works added and the habitual expressions make it still a most to these. remarkable phenomenon. Upon the whole, I For a considerable time after he had ceased came away with a troubled heart." * * to compose, he took pleasure in reading, and the After a brief account of the great trials of my father's late years, the writer continues: "He * August 24, 1839. /ETAT. 68. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 563 habit continlued after the power of comprehen- It was a dark and stormy morning when he sion was gone. His dearly-prized books, indeed, was borne to his last resting-place, at the westwere a pleasure to him almost to the end, and ern end of the beautiful church-yard of Crosthhe would walk slowly round his library looking waite. There lies his dear son Herbert-there at them, and taking them down mechanically. his daughters Emma and Isabel-there Edith, In the earlier stages of his disorder (if the his faithful helpmate of forty years. But fev term may be fitly applied to a case which was besides his own family and immediate neighnot a perversion of the faculties, but their de- bors followed his remains. His only intimrate cay) he could still converse at times with much friend within reach, Mr. Wordsworth, crossed of his old liveliness and energy. When the the hills that wild morning to be present. mind was, as it were, set going upon some familiar subject, for a little time you could not perceive much failure; but if the thread was Soon after my father's death, various steps broken, if it was a conversation in which new were taken with a view to erecting monuments topics were started, or if any argument was to his memory, and considerable sums were commenced, his powers failed him at once, and quickly subscribed for that purpose, the list ina painful sense of this seemed to come over him eluding the names of many persons, not only for the moment. His recollection first failed as strangers to him personally, but also strongly to recent events, and his thoughts appeared chief- opposed to him in political opinion. The result ly to dwell upon those long past, and as his mind was that three memorials were erected. The grew weaker, these recollections seemed to re- first and principal one, a full length recumbent cede still further back. Names he could rarely figure, was executed by Lough, and placed in remember, and more than once, when trying to Crosthwaite church, and is certainly an excelrecall one which he felt he ought to know, I have lent likeness, as well as a most beautiful work seen him press his hand upon his brow and sadly of art. The original intention and agreement exclaim, "Mnemory! memory! where art thou was that it should be in Caen stone, but the gone?" sculptor, with characteristic liberality, executed But this failure altogether was so gradual, it in white marble at a considerable sacrifice. and at the same time so complete, that I am in- The following lines, by Mr. Wordsworth, are dined to hope and believe there was not, on the inscribed upon the base: whole, much painful consciousness of it; and cer- Ye vales and, whose beauty her drew, n.' L, T \ * -i. " Ye vales and hills, whose beauty hither drew tainly for more than a year preceding his death The poet's steps, and fixed him here; on you he passed his time as in a dream, with little, if His eyes have closed; and ye loved books, no more any, knowledge f uwhat uwent on around him. Shall Southey feed upon your precious lore, any, knowledge f hat went on around hi To works that ne'er shall forfeit their renown One circumstance connected with the latter Adding immortal labors of his ownyears of his life deserves to be noticed as very hether he traced historic truth with zeal For the state's guidance or the Church's weal, singular. His hair, which previously was almost Or fancy disciplined by curious art snowy white, grew perceptibly darker, and I Informed his pen, or wisdom of the heart, -.k1 * 1 * 1t-i -r a/. 1iceI *. a v l Or judgments sanctioned in the patriot's mind think, if any thing, increased in thickness and a By reverence for the rights of all mankind. disposition to curl. Wide were his aims, yet in no human breast But it is time I drew a veil over these latter Could private feelings meet in holier rest. His joys-his griefs-have vanished like a cloud scenes. They are too painful to dwell on. From Skiddaw's top; but he to I-eaven was vowed Through a life long and pure, and steadfast faith "A noble mind in sad decay, Calm'd in his soul the fear of change and death." When baffled hope has died away. And life becomes one long distress But this was not the only tribute to my faIn pitiable helplessness. ther's memory paid in connection with the church Methinks'tis like a ship on shore, That once defied the Atlantic's roar. where he had so long worshiped. The strucAnd gallantly through gale and storm ture itself, though not unecclesiastical in its style Hath ventured her majestic tbrm; * But now in stranded ruin laid, and plan, had little architectural beauty; and the By winds and dashing seas decayed, interior, at the time I am referring to. was much Must c rumble into eathn rein"* in the same state as ordinary country churches MIust crumble into earth again.'," — a flat ceiling, the stone pillars and arches covIn some cases of this kind, toward the end ered with whitewash, and a multitude of pews some glimmering of reason reappears, but this of all shapes, and sizes, and colors. A small must be when the mind is obscured or upset, gallery at the west end had been added a few not, as in this case, apparently worn out. The years before, and a very handsome organ presentbody gradually grew weaker, and disorders ap- ed by James Stanger, Esq., of Lairthwaite, Kespeared which the state of the patient rendered wick. This gentleman had taken a most active it almost impossible to treat properly; and, after part in furthering the erection of the monument; a short attack of fever, the scene closed on the and rightly deeming that the introduction of a 21st of March, 1843, and a second time had we beautiful work of art would only show in a strong cause to feel deeply thankful when the change light the deficiencies of the structure, as well as from life to death, or more truly from death to moved by the pious wish to dedicate largely of life, took place. his substance to the Church, he determined upon * Robert Montgomery. The fourth line is altered from a total renovation o the building, of the heavy the original, expense of which he bore by far the largest par%. 564 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. The exterior stone-work was renewed, the pil- they contained nothing sufficiently interesting for lars and arches restored to their original state, publication. With others, again, as with Mr. an open roof with ornamented rafters was substi- Rickman, Mr. H. Taylor, and Mr. Bedford, the tuted for the flat ceiling, the pews were taken correspondence increased in frequency, and necaway, the chancel was fitted with oak stalls beau- essarily the interest of single letters diminished, tifully carved, and the nave and aisles with uni- as it was carried on by a multitude of brief notes; form open seats. He also presented a very hand- and this, which in these two cases resulted from some painted east window. This good example facilities in franking, it seems likely will be so was not lost, for three other painted windows and general a result of the New Postage System, a beautiful communion service were presented by that in another generation there will be no correresidents in the immediate neighborhood; and a spondences to publish. With respect to the corfourth was added by the parishioners generally, respondence with Mr. Wynn, much to my regret, as a testimonial to Mr. Stanger. I was unable to procure any letters of later date When all was completed, the monument was than 1820, owing to their having been mislaid; removed to its appointed place, immediately fac- since his decease they have been found and kinding the east door, and, together with the changes ly transmitted to me by his son; but, unfortunateand embellishments of the church itself, forms a ly, it was too late for me to make any present use most lasting and gratifying testimonial to the of them. estimation in which my father was held in the In addition to these causes, it may also be menplace where so large a portion of his life had tioned, that his correspondence with comparative been spent. strangers and mere acquaintances occupied a conCommittees were also formed in London and tinually increasing portion of his time. The numin Bristol for the same purpose, and busts and ber of letters he received from such persons was tablets erected in Westminster Abbey, and in the very great, and almost all had to be answered, Cathedral church of his native city. so that but little time was left for those letters he had real pleasure in writing. Every new work he engaged in entailed more or less correspondI must now make a few observations upon the ence, and some a vast accession for a time, and materials which have passed through my hands these letters generally would not be of interest in the preparation of this volume. I stated at to the public. The Life of Cowper involved him the commencement my intention of making my in a correspondence of considerable extent with father his own biographer, and I have endeav- many different persons: many of these letters I ored to render this work consistent with itself could have procured, and some were sent to me; throughout in its autobiographical character. but they were not available, from the limits of In selecting from the masses of correspondence this work, neither would their contents be of genwhich have passed through my hands, there has eral interest. I may, however, take this oppornecessarily been considerable labor and difficulty, tunity of expressing my thanks to those gentlethe amount and nature of which can only be un- men who have sent me letters of which I have derstood by those who have been similarly em- not made any use, but for whose kindness I am ployed. One of my chief difficulties has been to not the less obliged. avoid repetition, for the same circumstance is While, however, I have necessarily been comcommonly to be found related, and the same opin- pelled to leave out many interesting letters, I feel ions expressed to most of his frequent and familiar satisfied that I have published a selection abundcorrespondents; so that what a Reviewer calls antly sufficient to indicate all the points in my "' significant blanks and injudicious erasures" are father's character-to give all the chief incidents very often nothing more than what is caused by in his life, and to show his opinions in all their the cutting out of passages, the substance of stages. I am not conscious of having kept back which has already appeared in some other letter, any thing which ought to have been brought forand, according to my judgment, more fully and ward-any thing excepting some free and unbetter expressed. It may probably be observed guarded expressions which, whether relating to that my selections from the correspondence of things or persons, having been penned in the conthe later years of his life are fewer in proportion fidence of friendship and at the impulse of the mothan of the former ones; but for this several rea- ment, it would be as unreasonable in a reader to sons may be given. A correspondence is often I require as it would be injudicious and improper carried on briskly for a time, and then dropped al- in an editor to publish. And if in any case I most entirely, as was the case between Sir Walter may have let some such expression pass by unScott and my father, although the friendly feel- canceled, which may have given a moment's pain ings of the parties were undiminished; in other I to any individual, I sincerely regret the inadvertases the interchange of letters continued, though ency. APPENDIX, Extract from Mr. William Smith's Speech in the Habeas Corpus Act taken notice of this poem? why House of Commons, 3 March 14, 1817. had they not discovered the author of that seditions publication, and visited him with the penalties of "THE honorable member then adverted to that the law? The work was not published secretly, it tergiversation of principle which the career of po- was not handed about in the darkness of night, but litical individuals so often presented. He was far openly and publicly sold in the face of day. It was from supposing that a man who set out in life with at this time to be purchased at almost every bookthe profession of certain sentiments, was bound to seller's shop in London: it was now exposed for conclude life with them. He thought there might sale in a bookseller's shop in Pall Mall, who styled be many occasions in which a change of opinion, himself bookseller to one or two of the royal family. when that change was unattended by any personal He borrowed the copy from which he had just read advantages, when it appeared entirely disinterest- the extract from an honorable friend of his, who ed, might be the result of sincere conviction. But bought it in the usual way; and, therefore, he supwhat he most detested, what most filled him with posed there could be no difficulty in finding out the disgust, was the settled, determined malignity of a party that wrote it. He had heard, that when a renegado. He had read in a publication (the Quar- man of the name of Winterbottom was, some years terly Review), certainly entitled to much respect ago, confined in Newgate, the manuscript had been from its general literary excellences, though he dif- sent to him, with liberty to print it for his own adfered from it in its principles, a passage alluding to vantage, if he thought proper; but that man, it apthe recent disturbances, which passage was as fol- peared, did not like to risk the publication, and therelows:'When the man of free opinions commences fore it was now first issued into the world. It must professor of moral and political philosophy for the remain with the government and their legal advisbenefit of the public, the fables of old credulity are ers to take what step they might deem most advisathen verified; his very breath becomes venomous, ble to repress this seditious work and punish its auand every page which he sends abroad carries with thor. In bringing it under the notice of the House, it poison to the unsuspicious reader. We have he had merely spoken in defense of his constitushown, on a former occasion, how men of this de- ents, who had been most grossly calumniated, and scription are acting upon the public, and have ex- he thought that what he had said would go very far plained in what manner a large part of the people to exculpate them. But he wished to take this have been prepared for the virus with which they bull by the horns."-See Hansard's Parl. Debales, inoculate them. The dangers arising from such a vol. xxxvii., p. 1088. state of things are now fully apparent, and the designs of the incendiaries, which have for some years A Letter to William Smith, Esq., M.P.,from Robbeen proclaimed so plainly, that they ought, long ere ert Southey, Esq. this, to have been prevented, are now manifested "1817. by overt acts.' "SIn,-You are represented in the newspapers "With the permission of the House, he would as having entered, during an important discussion read an extract from a poem recently published, to in Parliament, into a comparison between certain which, he supposed, the above writer alluded (or, at passages in the Quarterly Review, and the opinions least, to productions of a similar kind), as constitu- which were held by the author of Wat Tyler threeting a part of the virus with which the public mind and-twenty years ago. It appears further, accordhad been infected: ing to the same authority, that the introduction of so strange a criticism, in so unfit a place, did not'y breathren, these are trths, and e eighty ones: sarise from the debate, but was a premeditated thing, Equality is your birth-right; when Igaze that you had prepared yourself for it by stowing the On the proud palace, and behold one man Quarterly Review in one pocket, and Wat Tyler In the blood-purpled robes of royalty, m the other; and that you deliberately stood up for Feasting at ease, and lording over millions; the purpose of reviling an individual who was not Then turn me to the hut of poverty, present to vindicate himself, and in a place which And see the wretched laborer, worn with toil, afforded you protection. Divide his scanty morsel with his infants, " My name, indeed, was not mentioned; but that I sicken, and, indignant at the sight, I was the person whom you intended, was notoriBlush for the patience of humanity.' ous to all who heard you. For the impropriety of "He could read many other passages from these introducing such topics in such an assembly, it is works equally strong on both sides; but, if they were further stated that you received a well-merited rewritten by the same person, he should like to know buke from Mr. Wynn, who spoke on that occasion from the honorable and learned gentleman opposite as much -om his feelings toward one with whom he why no proceedings had been instituted against the has lived in uninterrupted friendship for nearly thirty author. The poem Wat Tyler appeared to him to years, as from a sense of the respect which is due to be the most seditious book that ever was written; Parliament. It is, however, proper that I should its author did not stop short of exhorting to gen- speak explicitly for myself. This was not necessaeral anarchy; he vilified kings, priests, and nobles, ry in regard to Mr. Brougham: he only carried the and was for universal suffrage and perfect equality. quarrels as well as the practices of the Edinburgh The Spencean plan could not be compared with it: Review into the House of Commons. But as calthat miserable and ridiculous performance did not nmny, sir, has not been your vocation, it may be attempt to employ any arguments; but the author useful, even to yourself, if I comment upon your first of Wat Tyler constantly appealed to the passions, attempt. and in a style which the author, at that time, he sup- " First, as to the Quarterly Review. You can posed, conceived to be eloquence. Why, then, had have no other authority for ascribing any particular not those who thought it necessary to suspend the paper in that journal to one person or to another, 566 APPENDIX. than common report; in following which, you may It became me to disclaim whatever had been erro. happen to be as much mistaken as I was when neous and intemperate in my former opinions, as upon the same grounds I supposed Mr. William frankly and as fearlessly as 1 once maintained them. Smith to be a man of candor, incapable of grossly And this I did, not as one who felt himself in any and wantonly insulting an individual. degree disgraced by the exposure of the crude and "The Quarterly Review stands upon its own misdirected feelings of his youth (feelings right in merits. It is not answerable for any thing more themselves, and wrong only in their direction), but than it contains. What I may have said or thought as one whom no considerations have ever deterred in any part of my life no more concerns that journal from doing what he believed to be his duty. than it does you or the House of Commons; and I "When. therefore, Mr. William Smith informed am as little answerable for the journal as the jour- the House of Commons that the author of Wat Tynal for me. What I may have written in it is a ler thinks no longer upon certain points as he did in question which you, sir, have no right to ask, and his youth, he informed that legislative assembly of which certainly I will not answer. As little right nothing more than what the author has shown durhave you to take that for granted which you can not ing very many years in the course of his writingspossiblyknow. The question, as respects the Quar- that while events have been moving on upon the terly Review, is not who wrote the paper which great theater of human affairs, his intellect has not happens to have excited Mr. William Smith's dis- been stationary. But when the member for Norpleasure, but whether the facts which are there wich asserts (as he is said to have asserted) that I stated are true, the quotations accurate, and the in- impute evil motives to men merely for holding now ferences just. The reviewer, whoever he may be, the same doctrines which I myself formerly professmay defy you to disprove them. ed, and when he charges me (as he is said to have "Secondly, as to Wat Tyler. Now, sir, though charged me) with the malignity and baseness of a you are not acquainted with the full history of this renegade, the assertion and the charge are as false notable production, yet you could not have been ig- as the language in which they are conveyed is norant that the author whom you attacked at such coarse and insulting. unfair advantage was the aggrieved, and not the "Upon this subject I must be heard further. The offending person. You knew that this poem had Edinburgh Review has spoken somewhere of those been written very many years ago, in his early vindictive andjealous writings in which Mr. Southey youth. You knew that a copy of it had been sur- has brought forward his claims to the approbation of reptitiously obtained and made public by some the public. This is one of those passages for which skulking scoundrel, who had found booksellers not the editor of that review has merited an abatement more honorable than himself to undertake the pub- in heraldry, no such writings ever having been writlication. You knew that it was published without ten; and, indeed, by other like assertions of equal the writer's knowledge, for the avowed purpose of veracity, the gentleman has richly entitled himself insulting him, and with the hope of injuring him, if to bear a Q-ore sinister tensez in his escutcheon. Few possible. You knew that the transaction bore upon authors have obtruded themselves upon the public its face every character of baseness and malignity. in their individual character less than I have done. You knew that it must have been effected either by My books have been sent into the world with no robbery or by breach of trust. These things, Mr. other introduction than an explanatory Preface as William Smith, you knew! and, knowing them as brief as possible, arrogating nothing, vindicating you did, I verily believe, that if it were possible to nothing; and then they have been left to their fate. revoke what is irrevocable, you would at this mo- None of the innumerable attacks which have been ient be far more desirous of blotting from remem- made upon them has ever called forth, on my part, brance the disgraceful speech which stands upon a single word of reply, triumphantly as I might have record in your name, than I should be of canceling exposed my assailants, not only for their ignorance the boyish composition which gave occasion to it. and inconsistency, but frequently for that moral turWat Tyler is full of errors, but they are the errors pitude which is implied in willful and deliberate misof youth and ignorance; they bear no indication of statement. The unprovoked insults which have an ungenerous spirit or of a malevolent heart. been leveled at me, both in prose and rhyme, never "For the book itself, I deny that it is a seditious induced me to retaliate. It will not be supposed performance; for it places in the mouths of the per- that the ability for satire was wanting, but, happily, sonages who are introduced nothing more than a I had long since subdued the disposition. I knew correct statement of their real principles. That it that men might be appreciated from the character is a mischievous publication, I know, the errors of their enemies as well as of their friends, and I which it contains being especially dangerous at this accepted the hatred of sciolists, coxcombs, and proftime. Therefore I came forward to avow it, to claim ligates, as one sure proof that I was deserving well it as my own property, which had never been alien- of the wise and of the good. ated, and to suppress it. And I am desirous that " It will not, therefore, be imputed to any habit mv motives in thus acting should not be misunder- of egotism, or any vain desire of interesting the pubstood. The piece was written under the influence lie in my individual concerns, if I now come forward of opinions which I have long since outgrown, and from that privacy in which, both from judgment and repeatedly disclaimed, but for which I have never disposition, it would have been my choice to have affected to feel either shame or contrition; they remained. While among the mountains of Cumber. were taken up conscientiously in early youth, they land I have been employed upon the Mines of Brazil, were acted upon in disregard of all worldly consid- the War in the Peninsula, and such other varieties erations, and they were left behind in the same of pursuit as serve to keep the intellect in health by straightforward course, as I advanced in years. It alternately exercising and refreshing it; my name was written when Republicanism was confined to a has served in London for the very shuttlecock of disvery small number of the educated classes; when cussion. My celebrity for a time has eclipsed that those who were known to entertain such opinions of Mr. Hunt the orator, and may perhaps have imwere exposed to personal danger from the populace; peded the rising reputation of Toby the sapient and when a spirit of anti-Jacobinism was predom- pig. I have reigned in the newspapers as parainant, which I can not characterize more truly than mount as Joanna Southcote during the last month of by saying that it was as unjust and intolerant, her tympany. Nay, columns have been devoted to though not quite as ferocious, as the Jacobinism of Mr. Southey and Wat Tyler which would otherwise the present day. Had the poem been published have been employed in bewailing the forlorn conduring any quiet state of the public mind, the act dition of the Emperor Napoleon, and reprobating the of dishonesty in the publisher would have been the inhumanity of the British cabinet for having designsame; but I should have left it unnoticed, in full edly exposed him, like Bishop Hatto, to be devourconfidence that it would have been forgotten as ed by the rats. speedily as it deserved. But in these times it was "That I should ever be honored by such a delicate incumbent upon me to come forward as I have done. investigation of my political opinions was what I APPENDIX. 567 never could have anticipated, even in the wildest honored with a place in Mr. William Smith's library, dreams of unfledged vanity. Honor, however, has as it received the approbation of all the dissenting been thrust upon me, as upon Malvolio. The verses journals of the day. It is possible that their recolmof a boy, of which he thought no more than of his mendation may have induced him to favor Joan of school exercises, and which, had they been publish- Arc with a perusal, and not improbably in a mood ed when they were written, would have passed which would indulge its manifold demerits in style without notice to the family vault, have not only and structure for the sake of its liberal opinions. been perused by the lord chancellor in his judicial Perhaps, too, he may have condescended to notice office, but have been twice produced in Parliament the minor poems of the same author, sanctioned as for the edification of the Legislature. The appetite some of these also were at their first appearance by for slander must be sharp-set when it can prey upon the same critical authorities. In these productions such small gear! As, however, the opinions of Mr. he may have seen expressed an enthusiastic love of Southey have not been thought unworthy to occupy liberty, a detestation of tyranny wherever it exists so considerable a share of attention, he need not ap- and in whatever form, an ardent abhorrence of all prehend the censure of the judicious if he takes part wicked ambition, and a sympathy not less ardent in the discussion himself, so far as briefly to inform with those who were engaged in war for the defense the world what they really have been, and what of their country and in a righteous cause-feelings they are. just as well as generous in themselves. He might " In my youth, when my stock of knowledge con- have perceived, also, frequent indications that, in sisted of such an acquaintance with Greek and Ro- the opinion of the youthful writer, a far happier sysman history as is acquired in the course of a regular ten of society was possible than any under which scholastic education-when my heart was full of mankind are at present existing, or ever have expoetry and romance, and Lucan and Akenside were isted since the patriarchal ages-and no equivocal at my tongue's end, I fell into the political opinions aspirations after such a state. In all this he might which the French Revolution was then scattering have seen something that was erroneous and more throughout Europe; and following these opinions that was visionary, but nothing that savored of inwith ardor wherever they led, I soon perceived the temperance or violence. I insist, therefore, that ininequalities of rank were a light evil compared to asmuch as Wat Tyler may differ in character from the inequalities of property, and those more fearful these works, the difference arises necessarily from distinctions which the want of moral and intellectual the nature of dramatic composition. I maintain that culture occasions between man and man. At that this is the inference which must be drawn by every time and with those opinions, or rather feelings (for honest and judicious mind; and I affirm that such an their root was in the heart and not in the under- influence would be strictly conformable to the fact. standing), I wrote WVat Tyler, as one who was im- "Do not, however, sir, suppose that I shall seek patienc of' all the oppressions that are done under to shrink from a full avowal of what my opinions the sun.' The subject was injudiciously chosen, and have been: neither before God nor man am I ashamit was treated as might be expected by a youth of ed of them. I have as little cause for humiliation in twenty, in such times, who regarded only one side recalling them, as Gibbon had when he related how of the question. There is no other misrepresenta- he had knelt at the feet of a confessor; for while I tion. The sentilments of the historical characters imbibed the Republican opinions of the day, I escapare correctly stated. Were I now to dramatize the ed the Atheism, and the leprous immorality which same story, there would be much to add, but little generally accompanied them. I can not, therefore, to alter. I should not express these sentiments less join with Beattie in blessing strongly, but I should oppose to them more enlargedranling crew, s Iht fa h o o' The hour when I escaped the wrangling crew, views of the nature of man and the progress of so- From yrrho's ze and Epicurus sty,' ciety. I should set forth with equal force the oppressions of the feudal system, the excesses of the for I was never lost in the one, nor defiled in the insurgents, and the treachery of the government; other. My progress was of a different kind. From and hold up the errors and crimes which were then building castles in the'air to framing commonwealths committed as a warning for this and for future ages. was an easy transition; the next step was to realize I should write as a man, not as a stripling; with the the vision; and in the hope of accomplishing this, I same heart and the same desires, but with a rip- forsook the course of life for which I had been deened understanding and competent stores of knowl- signed, and the prospects of advancement, which I edge. may say, without presumption, were within my'It is a fair and legitimate inference, that no per- reach. My purpose was to retire with a few friends son would have selected this subject, and treated it into the wilds of America, and there lay the foundain such a manner at such a time, unless he had, in tions of a community upon what we believed to be a certain degree, partaken of the sentiments which the political system of Christianity. It matters not are expressed in it; in Orhat degree he partook them in what manner the vision was dissolved. I am not is a question which it requires more temper as well writing my own memoirs, and it is sufficient simply as more discretion to resolve than you, sir, have to state the fact. We were connected with no clubs, given any proof of possessing. This can only be no societies, no party. The course which we would ascertained by comparing the piece with other have pursued might have proved destructive to ourworks of the same author, written about the same selves, but as it related to all other persons, never time or shortly afterward, and under the influence did the aberrations of youth take a more innocent of the same political opinions; by such a comparison direction. it might be discerned what arose from his own feel- "I know, sir, that you were not ignorant of this ings, and what from the nature of dramatic composi- circumstance: the project, while it was in view, was tion. But to select passages from a dramatic poem, much talked of among that sect of Christians to which and ascribe the whole force of the sentiments to the you belong: and some of your friends are well acwriter as if he himself held them, without the slight- quainted with the events of my life. What, then, I est qualification, is a mode of criticism manifestly may ask, did you learn concerning me from this late absurd and unjust. Whether it proceeded in this surreptitious publication? Nay, sir, the personal instance from excess of malice, or deficiency ofjudg- knowledge which you possessed was not needful for ment, is a point which they who are best acquainted a full understanding of the political opinions which with Mr. William Smith may be able to deternine. I entertained in youth. They are expressed in "It so happens that sufficient specimens of Mr. poems which have been frequently reprinted, and Southey's way of thinking in his youth are before are continually on sale; no alterations have ever -the world, without breaking open escritoires, or been made for the purpose of withdrawing, concealstealing any more of his juvenile papers which he ing, or extenuating them. I have merely affixed to lmay have neglected to burn. The poem to which, every piece the date of the year in which it was with all its faults, he is indebted for his first favor- written-and the progress of years is sufficient to able notice from the public, may possibly have been explain the change. 568 APPENDIX. "You, Mr. William Smith, may possibly be ac- the present race of revolutionary writers appeal to quainted with other persons who were Republicans any other? What man's private character did I in the first years of the French Revolution, and who stab? Whom did I libel? Whom did I slander? have long since ceased to be so, with as little im- Whom did I traduce? These miscreants live by peachment of their integrity as of their judgment; calumny and sedition; they are libelers and liars by yet you bring it as a heinous charge against me, trade. that, having entertained enthusiastic notions in my " The one object to which I have ever been deyouth, three-and-twenty years should have produced sirous of contributing according to my power, is the a change in the opinions of one whose life has been removal of those obstacles by which the improvedevoted to the acquirement of knowledge. ment of mankind is impeded; and to this the whole "You are pleased, in your candor, to admit that I tenor of my writings, whether in prose or verse, might have been sincere when I was erroneous, and bears witness. This has been the pole-star of my you, who are a professor of modern liberality, are course; the needle has shifted according to the not pleased to admit that the course of time and movements of the state vessel wherein I am em. events may have corrected me in what was wrong, barked, but the direction to which it points has aland confirmed me in what was right. True it is ways been the same. I did not fall into the error that the events of the last five-and-twenty years of those who, having been the friends of France have been lost upon you; perhaps you judge me by when they imagined that the cause of liberty was yourself, and you may think that this is a fair crite- implicated in her success, transferred their attachrion; but I must protest against being measured by ment from the Republic to the military tyranny in any such standard. Between you and me, sir, there which it ended, and regarded with complacency the can be no sympathy, even though we should some- progress of oppression because France was the optimes happen to think alike. We are as unlike in presser.'They had turned their faces toward the all things as men of the same time, country, and rank east in the morning to worship the rising sun, and in society can be imagined to be; and the difference in the evening they were looking eastward still, obis in our mind and mold, as we came from the Pot- stinately affirming that still the sun was there.'5 ter's hand. I, on the contrary, altered my position as the world "And what, sir, is the change in the opinions of went round. For so doing, Mr. William Smith is Mr. Southey, which has drawn upon him the pon- said to have insulted me with the appellation of renderous displeasure of William Smith? This was a egade; and if it be indeed true that the foul asperpoint upon which it behooved you to be especially sion passed his lips, I brand him for it on the forewell informed before you applied to him the false head with the name of SLANDERER. Salve the mark and insolent appellation which you are said to have as you will, sir, it is ineffaceable! You must bear used, and which I am authorized in believing that it with you to your grave, and the remembrance you have used. He has ceased to believe that old will outlast your epitaph. monarchical countries are capable of Republican "And now, sir, learn what are the opinions of the forms of government. He has ceased to think that man to whom you have offered this public and notohe understood the principles of government, and the rious wrong; opinions not derived from any contanature of man and society, before he was one-and- gion of the times, nor entertained with the unreflecttwenty years of age. He has ceased to suppose ing eagerness of youth, nor adopted in connection that men who neither cultivate their intellectual nor with any party in the state, but gathered patiently, their moral faculties can understand them at any during many years of leisure and retirement, from age. He has ceased to wish for revolutions even in books, observation, meditation, and intercourse with countries where great alteration is to be desired, living minds who will be the light of other ages. because he has seen that the end of anarchy is " Greater changes in the condition of the country military despotism. But he has not ceased to love have been wrought during the last half century liberty with all his heart, and with all his soul, and than an equal course of years had ever before prowith all his strength; he has not ceased to detest duced. Without entering into the proofs of this proptyranny wherever it exists, and in whatever form. osition, suffice it to indicate, as among the most efHe has not ceased to abhor the wickedness of am- ficient causes, the steam and the spinning engines, bition, and to sympathize with those who are engag- the mail-coach, and the free publication of the deed in the defense of their country and in a right- bates in Parliament: hence follow, in natural and eous cause; if, indeed, he had, he might have been necessary consequence, increased activity, entersure of the approbation, not only of Mr. William prise, wealth, and power; but, on the other hand, Smith, and of those persons who were, during the greediness of gain, looseness of principle, half knowlwar, the sober opponents of their country's cause, edge (more perilous than ignorance), vice, poverty, but of the whole crew of ultra Whigs and anarchists, wretchedness, disaffection, and political insecurity. from Messrs. Brougham and Clodius down to Cob- The changes which have taken place render other bett, Cethegus, and Co. changes inevitable; forward we must go, for it is "Many were the English who wished well to the not possible to retrace our steps; the hand of the French at the commencement of their revolution; political horologe can not go back, like the shadow but if any of those Englishmen have attached the upon Hezekiah's dial; when the hour comes, it must same interest to the cause of France through all the strike. changes of the Revolution-if they have hoped that "Slavery has long ceased to be tolerable in EuBonaparte might succeed in the usurpation of Portu- rope; the remains of feudal oppression are disapgal and Spain, and the subjugation of the Continent pearing even in those countries which have im-the change is in them, in their feelings and their proved the least; nor can it be much longer endurprinciples, not in me and in mine. At no time of ed that the extremes of ignorance, wretchedness, my life have I held any opinions like those of the and brutality should exist in the very center of civBonapartists and Revolutionists of the present day; ilized society. There can be no safety with a popnever could I have held any communion with such ulace half Luddite, half Lazzaroni. Let us not demen in thought, word, or deed; my nature, God be ceive ourselves. We are far fromthat state in which thanked! would always have kept me from them any thing resembling equality would be possible; instinctively, as it would from toad or asp. Look but we are arrived at that state in which the exthrough the whole writings of my youth, including, tremes of inequality are become intolerable. They if you please, Wat Tyler-there can be no danger are too dangerous, as well as too monstrous, to be that its errors should infect a gentleman who has borne much longer. Plans which would have led called upon the attorney-general to prosecute the to the utmost horrors of insurrection have been preauthor; and he would not be the worse were he vented by the government, and by the enactment to catch from it a little of the youthful generosity of strong but necessary laws. Let it not, however, which it breathes. I ask you, sir, in which of those be supposed that the disease is healed because the writings I have appealed to the base or the malignant feelings of mankind; and I ask you whether * I quote my own words, written in 1809, APPENDIX. 569 nicer may skin over. The remedies by which the dustry be opened (as soon as the necessities of the body politic can be restored to health must be slow state will permit) by a liberal expenditure in public in their operation. The condition of the populace, works, by colonizing our waste lands at home, and physical, moral, and intellectual, must be improved, regularly sending off our swarms abroad, and the or a Jacquerie, a Bellun Servile, sooner or later, will strength. wealth, and security of the nation will be be the result. It is the people at this time who in proportion to its numbers. stand in need of reformation, not the government. "Never, indeed, was there a more senseless cry "The government must better the condition of the than that which is at this time raised for retrenchpopulace; and the first thing necessary is to pre- ment in the public expenditure, as a means of allevent it from being worsened. It must no longer viating the present distress. That distress arises suffer itself to be menaced, its chief magistrate in- from a great and sudden diminution of employment, salted, and its most sacred institutions vilified with occasioned by many coinciding causes, the chief of impunity. It must curb the seditious press, and which is, that the war-expenditure of from forty to keep it curbed. For this purpose, if the laws are fifty millions yearly has ceased. Men are out of not at present effectual, they should be made so; employ: the evil is, that too little is spent, and, as nor will they then avail, unless they are vigilantly a remedy, we are exhorted to spend less. Every executed. I say this, well knowing to what obloquy where there are mouths crying out for food, because it will expose me, and how grossly and impudently the hands want work; and at this time, and for this my meaning will be misrepresented; but I say it, reason, the state-quack requires further reduction. because, if the licentiousness of the press be not Because so many hands are unemployed, he calls curbed, its abuse will most assuredly one day occa- upon government to throw more upon the public sion the loss of its freedom. by reducing its establishments and suspending its " This is the first and most indispensable measure, works. 0 lepidum caput! and it is by such heads for without this all others will be fruitless. Next in as this that we are to be reformed! urgency is the immediate relief of the poor. I differ' Statesmen,' says Mr. Burke,'before they value tote ctelo from Mr. Owen, of Lanark, in one main themselves on the relief given to the people by the point. To build upon any other foundation than re- destruction (or diminution) of their revenue, ought ligion is building upon sand. But I admire his prac. first to have carefully attended to the solution of this tical benevolence; I love his enthusiasm; and I go problem: Whether it be more advantageous to the far with him in his earthly views. What he has people to pay considerably and to gain in proportion, actually done entitles him to the greatest attention or to gain little or nothing and to be disburdened of and respect. I sincerely wish that his plan for the all contribution.' And in another place this great extirpation of pauperism should be fairly tried. To statesman says,'The prosperity and improvement employ the poor in manufactures is only shifting the of nations have generally increased with the increase evil, and throwing others out of employ by bringing of their revenues; and they will both continue to more labor and more produce of labor into a market grow and flourish as long as the balance between which is already overstocked. what is left to strengthen the efforts of individuals, " Wise and extensive plans of foreign coloniza- and what is collected for the common efforts of the tion contribute essentially to keep a state like En- state, bear to each other a due reciprocal proportion, gland in health; but we must not overlook the great- and are kept in a close correspondence and commuer facility of colonizing at home. Would it not be nication.' This opinion is strikingly corroborated by desirable that tracts of waste land should be pur- the unexampled prosperity which the country enchased with public money, to be held as national joyed during the war-a war of unexampled exdomains, and colonized with our disbanded soldiers penditure; and the stupendous works of antiquity, and sailors, and people who are in want of employ- the ruins of which at this day so mournfully attest ment, dividing them into estates of different sizes, the opulence and splendor of states which have long according to the capability of the speculators, and al- ceased to exist, were in no slight degree the causes lotting to every cottage that should be erected there a of that prosperity of which they are the proofs. Incertain proportion of ground? Thus should we make stead, therefore, of this senseless cry for retrench. immediate provision for those brave men whose serv- ment, which is like prescribing depletion for a paices are no longer required for the defense of their tient whose complaints proceed from inanition, a lib. country; thus should we administer immediate re- eral expenditure should be advised in works of publief to the poor, lighten the poor-rates, give occupa- lie utility and magnificence; for if experience has tion to various branches of manufacture, and provide shown us that increased expenditure during war, a permanent source of revenue, accruing from the and a proportionately increasing prosperity, have increased prosperity of the country. There never been naturally connected as cause and consequence, was a time when every rood of ground maintained it is neither rash nor illogical to infer that a liberal its man; but surely it is allowable to hope that expenditure in peace upon national works would whole districts will not always be suffered to lie produce the same beneficial effect without any of waste while multitudes are in want of employment the accompanying evil. Money thus expended will and of bread. flow like chyle into the veins of the state, and nour"A duty scarcely less urgent than that of dimin- ish and invigorate it. Build, therefore, our monuishing the burden of the poor-rates, is that of provid- ments for Trafalgar and Waterloo, and let no paltry ing for the education of the lower classes. Govern- considerations prevent them from being made worthy ment must no longer, in neglect of its first and para- of the occasion and of the country-of the men who mount duty, allow them to grow up in worse than have fought, conquered, and died for us-of Nelson, heathen ignorance. They must be trained in the of Wellington, and of Great Britain! Let them be way they should go; they must be taught to' fear such as may correspond in splendor with the actions God and keep his commandments, for this is the to which they are consecrated, and vie, if possible, whole duty of man.' Mere reading and writing will in duration with the memory of those immortal not do this: they must be instructed according to events. They are for after ages: the more magthe established religion; they must be fed with the nificent they may be, the better will they manifest milk of sound doctrine, for states are secure in pro- the national sense of great public services, and the portion as the great body of the people are attached more will they excite and foster that feeling in to the institutions of their country. A moral and re- which great actions have their root. In proportion ligious education will induce habits of industry; the to their magnificence, also, will be the present benepeople will know their duty, and find their interest fit, as well as of future good; for they are not like the and their happiness in following it. Give us the Egyptian pyramids, to be raised by bondsmen under great boon of parochial education, so connected with rigorous task-masters; the wealth which is taken the Church as to form part of the establishment, and from the people returns to them again, like vapors we shall find it a bulwark to the state as well as to which are drawn imperceptibly from the earth, but the Church. Let this be done; let savings' banks distributed to it in refreshing dews and fertilizing be generally introduced; let new channels for in- showers. What bounds could imagination set to 570 APPENDIX. the welfare and glory of this island, if a tenth part, self as it became him to do, and treated his caluimor even a twentieth, of what the war expenditure niator with just and memorable severity. Whether has been, were annually applied in improving and it shall be added that Mr. William Smith redeemed creating harbors, in bringing our roads to the best his own character by coming forward with honest possible state, in colonizing upon our waste lands, in manliness and acknowledging that he had spoken reclaiming fens and conquering tracts from the sea, in rashly and unjustly, concerns himself, but is not of encouraging the liberal arts, in erecting churches, in the slightest importance to me. building and endowing schools and colleges, and " ROBERT SOUTHEY." war upon physical and moral evil with the whole artillery of-wisdom and righteousness, with all the resources of science, and all the ardor of enlightened and enlarged benevolence? Two Letters concerning Lord Byron, published it "It is likewise incumbent upon government to Southeys Essays, 2 vols., Muray, 1832. take heed lest, in its solicitude for raising the nec- "HAVING, in the preface of my'Vision of Judgessary revenue, there should be too little regard for ment,' explained the principle upon which the meter the means by which it is raised. It should beware of that poem is constructed, I took the opportunity of imposing such duties as create a strong tempta- of introducing the following remarks: tion to evade them. It should be careful that all its "' I am well aware that the public are peculiarly measures tend as much as possible to the improve- intolerant of such innovations, not less so than the lment of the people, and especially careful nothing populace are of any foreign fashion, whether of fopbe done which can tend in any way to corrupt them. pery or convenience. Would that this literary inIt sho-iu. reform its prisons, and apply some remedy tolerance were under the influence of a saner judgto the worst grievance which exists-the enormous ment, and regarded the morals more than the manexpenses, the chicanery, and the ruinous delays of ler of a composition-the spirit rather than the the law. form! Would that it were directed against those "Machiavelli says that legislators ought to sup- monstrous conmbinations of horrors and mockery, pose all men to be naturally bad; in no point has lewdness and impiety, with which English poetry that sagacious statesman been more erroneous. Fit- has, in our days, first been polluted! For more than ter it is that governments should think well of man- half a century English literature had been distinkind; for the better they think of them, the better guished by its moral purity-the effect, and, in its they will find them, and the better they will make turn, the cause of an improvement in national manthem. Government must reform the populace, the ners. A father might, without apprehension of evil, people must reform themselves. This is the true have put into the hands of his children any book reform, asnd compared with this all else is fiocci, which issued from the press, if it did not bear, einanci, niilT, pili. ther in its title-page or frontispiece, manifest signs "Such, sit, are, in part, the views of the man that it was intended as furniture for the brothel. whom you have traduced. Had you perused his There was no danger in any work which bore the writings, you could not have mistaken them; and I name of a respectable publisher, or was to be proam willing to believe that if you had done this, and cured at any respectable bookseller's. This was formed an opinion for yourself, instead of retailing particularly the case with regard to our poetry. It that of wretches who are at once the panders of is now no longer so; and woe to those by whom the malice and the pioneers of rebellion, you would offense cometh! The greater the talents of the neither have been so far forgetful of your parlia- offender, the greater is his guilt, and the more enmentary character, nor of the decencies between during will be his shame. VWhether it be that the man and man, as so wantonly, so unjustly, and in laws themselves are unable to abate an evil of this such a place, to have attacked one who had given magnitude, or whether it be that they are remissly you no provocation. administered, and with such injustice that the celeb"Did you imagine that I should sit down quietly rity of an offender serves as a privilege whereby he under the wrong, and treat your attack with the obtains impunity, individuals are bound to consider same silent contempt as I have done all the abuse that such pernicious works would neither be puband calumny with which, from one party or the lished nor written, if they were discouraged, as they other, anti-Jacobins or Jacobins, I have been assail- might and ought to be, by public feeling. Every ed in daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly publi- person, therefore, who purchases such books, or adcations, since the year 1796, when I first became mits them into his house, promotes the mischief, and known to the public? The place where you made the thereby, as far as in him lies, becomes an aider and attack, and the manner of the attack, prevent this. abettor of the crime. "How far the writings of Mr. Southey may be "'The publication of a lascivious book is one of found to deserve a favorable acceptance from after the worst offenses which can be committed against ages, timne will decide; but a name which, whether the well-being of society. It is a sin, to the conseworthily or not, has been conspicuous in the literary quences of which no limits can be assigned, and history of its age, will certainly not perish. Some those consequences no after repentance in the writaccount of his life will always be prefixed to his ercan counteract. Whateverremorse of conscience works, and transferred to literary histories and to he may feel when his hour comes (and come it must!) the biographical dictionaries, not only of this, but of will be of no avail. The poignancy of a death-bed other countries. There it will be related that he repentance can not cancel one copy of the thousands lived in the bosom of his family, in absolute retire- which are sent abroad; and as long as it continues ment; that in all his writings there breathed the to be read, so long is he the pander of posterity, same abhorrence of oppression and immorality, the and so long is he heaping up guilt upon his soul in same spirit of devotion, and the same ardent wishes perpetual accumulation. for the amelioration of mankind; and that the only "'These remarks are not more severe than the charge which malice could bring against him was, offense deserves, even when applied to those ilmthat as he grew older his opinions altered concerning moral writers who have not been conscious of any the means by which that ameliorationwas to be effect- evil intention in their writings, who would acknowled; and that, as he learned to understand the insti- edge a little levity, a little warmth of coloring, and tutions of his country, he learned to appreciate them so forth, in that sort of language with which men rightly, to love, and to revere, and to defend them. gloss over their favorite vices, and deceive themIt will be said of him, that in an age of personality selves. What, then, should be said of those for he abstained fiom satire, andthat during the course whom the thoughtlessness and inebriety of wanton of his literary life, often as he was assailed, the only youth can no longer be pleaded, but who have writoccasion on which he ever condescended to reply ten in sober manhood and with deliberate purpose? was when a certain Mr. William Smith insulted him Men of diseased' hearts and depraved imaginations, in Parliament with the appellation of renegade. On that occasion it will be said that he vindicated him- "Suamni poeta in omnsi poetarurm saczlo viri ficruat APPENDIX. 571 who, forming a system of opinions to suit their own "' It is the fashion to attribute every thing to the unhappy course of conduct, have rebelled against French Revolution, and the French Revolution to the holiest ordinances of human society, and hating every thing but its real cause. That cause is obvithat revealed religion which, with all their efforts and ous. The government exacted too much, and the bravadoes, they are unable entirely to disbelieve, la- people could neither give nor bear more. Without bor to make others as miserable as themselves, by this, the encyclopedists might have written their infecting them with a moral virus that eats into the fingers off without the occurrence of a single alterasoul! The school which theyhave set up may prop- tion. erly be called the Satanic School; for, though their "' And the English Revolution (the first, I mean), productions breathe the spirit of Belial in their las- what was it occasioned by? The Puritans were civious parts, and the spirit of Moloch in those loath- surely as pious and moral as Wesley or his biograsome images of atrocities and horrors which they pher. Acts-acts on the part of government, and delight to represent, they are more especially char- not writings against them, have caused the past conacterized by a Satanic spirit of pride and audacious vulsions, and are leading to the future.. impiety, which still betrays the wretched feeling of "' I look upon such as inevitable, though no revohopelessness wherewith it is allied. lutionist. I wish to see the English Constitution re"'This evil is political as well as moral; for, in- stored, and not destroyed. Born an aristocrat, and deed, moral and political evils are inseparably con- naturally one by temper, with the greater part of nected. Truly has it been affirmed by one of our my present property in the funds, what have I to ablest and clearest reasoners,t that "the destruc- gain by a revolution? Perhaps I have more to lose tion of governments may be proved, and deduced in every way than Mr. Southey, with all his places from the general corruption of the subjects' man- and presents for panegyrics and abuse into the barners, as a direct and natural cause thereof, by a gain. But that a revolution is inevitable, I repeat. demonstration as certain as any in the mathemat- The government may'exult over the repression of ics." There is no maxim more frequently enforced petty tumults; these are but the receding waves, by Machiavelli than that, where the manners of a repulsed and broken for a moment on the shore, while people are generally corrupted, there the govern- the great tide is still rolling on, and gaining ground ment can not long subsist: a truth which all history with every breaker. Mr. Southey accuses us of atexemplified; and there is no means whereby that tacking the religion of the country; and he is abetcorruption can be so surely and rapidly diffused as ting it by writing lives of Wesley! One mode of by poisoning the waters of literature. worship is merely destroyed by another. There "'Let rulers of the state look to this in time! never was, nor ever will be, a country without a reBut, to use the words of South, if "our physicians ligion. We shall be told of France again; but it think the best way of curiing a disease is to pamper was only Paris and a frantic party which for a moit, the Lord in mercy prepare the kingdom to suffer ment upheld their dogmatic nonsense of theophilanwhat He by miracle only can prevent!" thropy. The Church of England, if overthrown, will "'No apology is offered for these remarks. The be swept away by the reclaimers, and not by the subject led to them; and the occasion of introducing skeptics. People are too wise, too well-informed, them was willingly taken, because it is the duty of too certain of their own immense importance in the every one, whose opinion may have any influence, realms of space ever to submit to the impiety of to expose the drift and aim of those writers who are doubt. There may be a few such diffident speculalaboring to subvert the foundations of human virtue tors, like water in the pale sunbeam of human reaand of human happiness.' son, but they are very few; and their opinions, with. " Lord Byron, in his next publication, was pleas- out enthusiasm or appeal to the passions, can never ed to comment upon this passage in the ensuing gain proselytes, unless, indeed, they are persecuted: words: that, to be sure, will increase any thing. "'Mr. Southey, too, in his pious preface to a poem, "' Mr. S., with a cowardly ferocity, exults over whose blasphemy is as harmless as the sedition of the anticipated "death-bed repentance" of the obWat Tyler, because it is equally absurd with that jects of his dislike, and indulges himself in a pleassincere production, calls upon the "Legislature to ant "Vision of Judgment," in prose as well as verse, look to it," as the toleration of such writings led to full of impious impudence. What Mr. S.'s sensathe French Revolution-not such writings as Wat tions or ours may be in the awful moment of leaving Tyler, but as those of the " Satanic School." This this state of existence, neither he nor we can preis not true, and Mr. Southey knows it to be not true. tend to decide. In common, I presume, with most Every French writer of any freedom was persecn- men of any reflection, Ihave not waited for a "deathted: Voltaire and Rousseau were exiles, Marmontel bed" to repent of many of my actions, notwithstandand Diderot were sent to the Bastile, and a per- ing the "diabolical pride" which this pitiful renepetual war was waged with the whole class by the gado, in his rancor, would impute to those who scorn existing despotism. In the next place, the French him. Revolution was not occasioned by any writings. "'Whether, upon the whole, the good or evil of -my deeds may preponderate, is not for me to ascerprobi; in nostris id vidimus et videmus; neque alius esttain; but as my means and opportunities have been error a veritate longius qui magna ingenia magnis n- greater, I shall limit my present defense to an ascessario corrumpi viti is. Secitndopleriqueposthabent pri-sertion (easily proved, if necessary), that I, "in my mum, hi malignitate, illi ignzorantia; et quum aliquem in- degree," have done more real good in any one given veniunt styli morutmque vitiis notatum, snec inficetuim tamen year, since I was twenty, than Mr. Southey in the nec in libris edendis parcum, eeum stipant, prnedicant occu- whole course of his shifting and turn-coat existence. pant, amplectturntz. Si mores aliquantuluzm vellet corrigere, There are several actions to which I can look back si stylsum curare paululum, si fervido ingenio temperare, si with an honest pride, not to be damped by the calmeore tantillum interponere, turn ingens nescio quid et vereumnnies of a hireling. There are others to which I epicum, quadraginta annos natus, procuderet. Ignorant recur with sorrow and repentance; but the y a ver6 febriculis non indicari vires, impatientiam ab imbecil-ec wth sorrow and epenta; but the only act litate non differre; ignorant a levi homine et inconstante of ny life, of which Mr. Southey can have any real multa fortasse scribi posse plusquam mediocria, nihil cor- knowledge, as it was one which brought me in conpositum, arduum, eternum.n"-Savagius Landor, De Cultu tact with a near connection of his own, did. no disatque Usu Latini Sermonis. This essay, which is full of honor to that connection nor to me. fine critical remarks and striking thoughts felicitously ex- "' I am not ignorant of Mr. Southey's calumnies pressed, reached me from Pisa, while the proof of the on a different occasion, knowing them to be such, present sheet was before me. Of its author (the author he scattered abroad on is returnom Switz of Gebir and Count Julian) I will only say in this place, wlich ae scattere abroad o hs return from Stz that to have obtained his approbation as a poet, and poserland against me and others. They have done him sessed his friendship as a man, will be remembered among o good in this world; and if his creed be the right the honors of my life, when the petty enmities of this one, they will do him less in the next. What his generation will be forgotten, and its ephemeral reputa- "death-bed" may be, it is not my province to predtions shall have passed away. t South. icate; let him settle it with his Maker, as I must do 572 APPENDIX. with mine. There is something at once ludicrous my note-book, and spoke of the circumstance on my and blasphemous in this arrogant scribbler of all return. If I had published it, the gentleman in quesworks, sitting down to deal damnation and destruc- tion would not have thought himself slandered by tion upon his fellow-creatures, with Wat Tyler, the having that recorded of him which he has so often Apotheosis of George the Third, and the Elegy on recorded of himself. Martin the Regicide all shuffled together in his writ- "The many opprobrious appellations which Lord ing-desk. One of his consolations appears to be a Byron has bestowed upon me, I leave as I find them, Latin note from a work of Mr. Landor, the author of with the praises which he has bestowed upon him" Gebir," whose friendship for Robert Southey will, self. it seems, " be an honor to him when the ephemeral "4 How easily is a noble spirit discern'd disputes and ephemeral reputations of the day are From harsh and sulphurous matter that flies out forgotten." In contumelies, makes a noise, and stinks.' "'I, for one, neither envy him "the friendship" Ben Jonson. nor the glory in reversion which is to accrue from it, But I am accustomed to such things; and so far from like Mr. Thelusson's fortune, in the third and fourth irritating me are the enemies who use such weapgeneration. This friendship will probably be as ons, that when I hear of their attacks, it is some satmemorable as his own epics, which (as I quoted to isfaction to think they have thus employed the mahim ten or twelve years ago in "English Bards") lignity which must have been employed somewhere, Porson said "would be remembered when Homer and could not have been directed against any person and Virgil are forgotten, and not till then." For the whom it could possibly molest or injure less. The present I leave him.' " viper, however venomous in purpose, is harmless The foregoing passage, which has here been given in effect while it is biting at the file. It is seldom, at length, called forth the first of the ensuing letters. indeed, that I waste a word or a thought upon those who are perpetually assailing me. But abhorring LETTER I. as I do the personalities which disgrace our current literature, and averse from controversy as I am, To the Editor of the Corier. both by principle and inclination, I make no profes"Keswick, Jan. 5, 1822. sion of non-resistance. When the offense and the " SIR,-Having seen in the newspapers a note re- offender are such as to call for the whip and the lating to myself, extracted from a recent publication branding-iron, it has been both seen and felt that I of Lord Byron's, I request permission to reply through can inflict them. the medium of your journal. "Lord Byron's present exacerbation is evidently " I come at once to his lordship's charge against produced by an infliction of this kind, not by hearme, blowing away the abuse with which it is froth- say reports of my conversation four years ago, transed, and evaporating a strong acid in which it is sus- mitted him from England. pended. The residuum, then, appears to be, that "The cause may be found in certain remarks upon Mr. Southey, on his return from Switzerland (in the Satanic School of Poetry, contained in my pref1817), scattered abroad calumnies, knowing them to ace to the Vision of Judgment. Well would it be for be such, against Lord Byron and others.' To this I Lord Byron if he could look back upon any of his reply with a direct and positive denial. writings with as much satisfaction as I shall always " If I had been told in that country that Lord By- do upon what is there said of that flagitious school. ron had turned Turk or monk of La Trappe-that Many persons, and parents especially, have expresshe had furnished a haremn or endowed a hospital, I ed their gratitude to me for having applied the brandmight have thought the report, whichever it had ing-iron where it was so richly deserved. The Edbeen, possible, and repeated it accordingly, passing inburgh Reviewer, indeed, with that honorable feelit, as it had been taken, in the small change of con- ing by which his criticisms are so peculiarly distinversation, for no more than it was worth. In this guished, suppressing the remarks themselves, has manner I might have spoken of him as of Baron Ge- imputed them wholly to envy on my part. I give rambe, the Green Man, the Indian Jugglers, or any him, in this instance, full credit for sincerity: I beother figurante of the time being. There was no lieve he was equally incapable of comprehending reason for any particular delicacy on my part in a worthier motive, or inventing a worse; and, as I speaking of his lordship; and, indeed, I should have have never condescended to expose, in any instance, thought any thing which might be reported of him his pitiful malevolence, I thank him for having in would have injured his character as little as the this stripped it bare himself, and exhibited it in its story which so greatly annoyed Lord Keeper Guil- bald, naked, and undisguised deformity. ford-that he had ridden a rhinoceros. He may "Lord Byron, like his encomiast, has not venturride a rhinoceros, and though every one would stare, ed to bring the matter of those animadversions into no one Would wonder. But making no inquiry con- view. He conceals the fact that they are directed cerning him when I was abroad, because I felt no against authors of blasphemous and lascivious books; curiosity, I heard nothing, and had nothing to repeat. against men who, not content with indulging their When I spoke of wonders to my friends and acquaint- own vices, labor to make others the slaves of sensuances on my return, it was of the flying-tree at Alp- ality like themselves; against public panders, who, nach, and the eleven thousand virgins at Cologne mingling impiety with lewdness, seek at once to de-not of Lord Byron. 1 sought for no staler sub- stroy the cement of social order, and to carry profaject than St. Ursula. nation and pollution into private families and into the " Once, and only once, in connection with Switz- hearts of individuals. erland, I have alluded to his lordship; and as the "His lordship has thought it not unbecoming in passage was curtailed in the press, I take this op- him to call me a scribbler of all work. Let the word portunity of restoring it. In the Quarterly Review, scribbler pass; it is an appellation which will not speaking incidentally of the'Jungfrau,' I said'it stick like that of the Satanic School. But, ifa scribwas the scene where Lord Byron's Mlanfred met bler, how am I one of all work? I will tell Lord tle Devil and bullied him, though the Devil must Byron what I have not scribbled, what kind of work have won his cause before any tribunal, in this I have not done: world or the next, if he had not pleaded more fee- "I have never published libels upon my friends bly for himself than his advocate, in a cause of can- and acquaintances, expressed my sorrow for those onization, ever pleaded for him.' libels, and called them in during a mood of better "With regard to the others, whom his lordship ac- mind, and then reissued them when the evil spirit, cuses me of calunniating, I suppose he alludes to a which for a time had been cast out, had returned and party of his friends, whose namles I found written in taken possession, with seven others more wicked the album at Mont Anvert, with an avowal of athe- than himself. I have never abused the power, of ism annexed, in Greek, and an indignant comment which every author is in some degree possessed, to in the same language, underneath it. Those names, wound the character of a man or the heart of a with that avowal and the comment, I transcribed in woman. I have never sent into the world a book to APPENDIX. 573 which I did not dare affix my name, or which I fear- am glad Mr. Southey owns that articles " Foliage," ed to claim in a court of justice, if it were pirated which excited my choler so much. But who else by a knavish bookseller. I have never manufactur- could have been the author? Who but Southey ed furniture for the brothel. None of these things would have had the baseness, under pretext of rehave I done; none of the foul work by which liter- viewing the work of one man, insidiously to make it ature is perverted to the injury of mankind. My a nest-egg for hatching malicious calumnies against hands are clean! There is no damned spot upon others? I say nothing of the critique itself on " Fothem! no taint, which all the perfumes of Arabia liage;" but what was the object of that article? I will not sweeten! repeat, to vilify and scatter his dark and devilish in" Of the work which I have done it becomes me sinuations against me and others. Shame on the not here to speak, save only as relates to the Sa- man who could wound an already bleeding hearttanic School, and its Coryphseus, the author of Don be barbarous enough to revive the memory of an Juan. I have held up that school to public detesta- event that Shelley was perfectly ignorant of, and tion as enemies to the religion, the institutions, and found scandal on falsehood! Shelley taxed him with the domestic morals of the country. I have given writing that article some years ago; and he had the them a designation to ewhich theirfounzder and leader audacity to admit that he had treasured up some answers. I have sent a stone from my sling which opinions of Shelley ten years before, when he was has smitten their Goliath in the forehead. I have on a visit to Keswick, and had made a note of them fastened his name upon the gibbet for reproach and at the time.' ignominy, as long as it shall endure. Take it down "The reviewal in question I did not wurite. Lord who can! Byron might have known this if he had inquired of " One word of advice to Lord Byron before I con- Mr. Murray, who would readily have assured him elude. When he attacks me again, let it be in that Iwas not the author; and he might have known rhyme. For one who has so little command of him- it from the reviewal itself, wherein the writer deself, it will be a great advantage that his temper clares in plain words that he was a cotemporary of should be obliged to keep tune. And while he may Shelley's at Eton. I had no concern in it, directly still indulge in the same rankness and violence of in- or indirectly; but let it not be inferred that in thus suit, the meter will, in some degree, seem to lessen disclaiming that paper, any disapproval of it is inits vulgarity. ROBERT SOUTHEY." tended. Papers in the Quarterly Review have been ascribed to me (those on Keats's Poems, for examLETTER II. ple), which I have heartily condemned both for their spirit and manner. But for the one in question, its To the Editor of the Courier. composition would be creditable to the most distin"; Keswick, Dec. 8, 1824. guished writer; nor is there any thing either in the "SIR,-On a former occasion you have allowed opinions expressed, or in the manner of expressing me, through the channel of your journal, to contra- them, which a man of just and honorable principles diet a calumnious accusation as publicly as it had would have hesitated to advance. I would not have been preferred; and though, in these days of slan- written that part of it which alludes to Mr. Shelley, der, such things hardly deserve refutation, there are because, having met him on familiar terms, and partreasons which induce me once more to request a ed with him in kindness (a feeling of which Lord similar favor. Byron had no conception), would have withheld me "Some extracts from Captain Medwin's recent from animadverting in that manner upon his conduct publication of Lord Byron's Conversations have been In other respects, the paper contains nothing that i transmitted to me by a friend, who, happening to would not have avowed if I had written, or subscrib know what the facts are which are there falsified, ed, as entirely assenting to, and approving it. is of opinion that it would not misbecome me to state "It is not true that Shelley ever inquired of ma, them at this time. I wish it, however, to be distinct- whether I was the author of that paper, which pur. ly understood, that in so doing I am not influenced porting, as it did, to be written by an Etonian of his by any desire of vindicating myself; that would be own standing, he very well knew I was not. But wholly unnecessary, considering from what quarter in this part of Lord Byron's statement there may be the charges come. I notice them for the sake of lay- some mistake, mingled with a great deal of maliging before the public one sample more of the prac- nant falsehood. Mr. Shelley addressed a letter to tices of the Satanic School, and showing what cred- me from Pisa, asking if I were the author of a critiit is due to Lord Byron's assertions. For that his cism in the Quarterly Review upon his Revolt of lordship spoke to this effect, and in this temper, I Islam, not exactly, in Lord Byron's phrase, taxing have no doubt, Captain Medwin having, I dare say, me with it, for he declared his own belief that I was to the best of his recollection, faithfully performed not, but adding that he was induced to ask the questhe worshipful office of retailing all the effusions of tion by the positive declaration of some friends in spleen, slander, and malignity which were vented England that the article was mine. Denying, in my in his presence. Lord Byron is the person who suf- reply, that either he or any other person was entifers most by this; and, indeed, what man is there tied to propose such a question upon such grounds, whose character would remain uninjured, if every I nevertheless assured him that I had not written peevish or angry expression, every sportive or ex- the paper, and that I had never, in any of my writtravagant sally, thrown off in the unsuspicious and ings, alluded to him in any way. imagined safety of private life, were to be secretly " Now for the assertion that I had the audacity to noted down and published, with no notice of circum- admit having treasured up some of Shelley's opinstances to show how they had arisen, and when no ions when he had resided at Keswick, and having explanation was possible? One of the offices which made notes of them at the time. What truth is has been attributed to the Devil is that of register- mixed up with the slander of this statement I shall ing every idle word. There is an end of all confi- immediately explain, premising only, that as the dence or comfort in social intercourse if such a prac- opinion there implied concerning the practice of tice is to be tolerated by public opinion. When I noting down familiar conversation is not applicable take these Conversations to be authentic, it is be- to me, I transfer it to Captain Medwin for his own cause, as far as I am concerned, they accord, both especial use. in matter and spirit, with what his lordship himself "Mr. Shelley having, in the letter alluded to, had written and published; and it is on this account thought proper to make some remarks upon my opinonly that I deem them worthy of notice-the last ions, I took occasion, in reply, to comment upon his, notice that I shall ever bestow upon the subject. and to ask him (as the tree is known by its fruits) Let there be as many' More last Words of Mr. Bax- whether he had found them conducive to his own ter' as the'reading public' may choose to pay for, they will draw no further reply from me. * A volume of poems by Mr. Leigh Hunt. The reader * Now, then, to the point. The following speech who may be desirous of referring to the article will find 574 APPENDIX. happiness, and the happiness of those with whom ess in swimming. Nothing more than this came to he had been most nearly connected. This produced my hearing; and I must have been more sensitive a second letter from him, written in a tone partly of than his lordship himself could I have been offended justification, partly of attack. I replied to this also, by it. But if the contempt which he then express-' not by any such absurd admission as Lord Byron ed had equaled the rancor which he afterward dishas stated, but by recapitulating to him, as a prac- played, Lord Byron must have known that I had the tical illustration of his principles, the leading circum- flocci of his eulogium to balance the nauci of his stances of his own life, from the commencement of scorn, and that the one would have nihili-piljifed his career at University College. The earliest facts the other, even if I had not well understood the I stated upon his own authority, as I had heard them worthlessness of both. from his own lips; the latter were of public notori- "It was because Lord Byron had brought a stigety. Here the correspondence ended. On his part ma upon English literature that I accused him; beit had been conducted with the courtesy natural to cause he had perverted great talents to the worst him; on mine, in the spirit of one who was earnest- purposes; because he had set up for pander-genly admonishing a fellow-creature. eral to the youth of Great Britain as long as his "This is the correspondence upon which Lord By- writings should endure; because he had committed ron's misrepresentation has been constructed. It is a high crime and misdemeanor against society, by all that ever passed between us, except a note from sending forth a work in which mockery was mingled Shelley, some years before, accompanying a copy of with horrors, filth with impiety, profligacy with sehis Alastor, and one of mine in acknowledgment of dition and slander. For these offenses I came forit. I have preserved his letters, together with cop- ward to arraign him. The accusation was not made ies of my own; and if I had as little consideration darkly, it was not insinuated, nor was it advanced for the feelings of the living as Captain Medwin under the cover of a review. I attacked him openhas displayed, it is not any tenderness toward the ly in my own name, and only not by his, because he dead' that would withhold me now from publishing had not then publicly avowed the flagitious producthem. tion by which he will be remembered for lasting in" It is not likely that Shelley should have commu- famy. He replied in manner altogether worthy of nicated my part of this correspondence to Lord By- himself and his cause. Contention with a generous, ron, even if he did his own. Bearing testimony, as honorable opponent leads naturally to esteem, and his heart did, to the truth of my statements in every probably to friendship; but, next to such an antagpoint, and impossible as it was to escape from the onist, an enemy like Lord Byron is to be desiredconclusion which was then brought home, I do not one who, by his conduct in the contest, divests himthink he would have dared produce it. How much self of every claim to respect; one whose baseness or how little of the truth was known to his lordship, is such as to sanctify the vindictive feeling that it or with which of the party at Pisa the insolent and provokes, and upon whom the act of taking vengecalumnious misrepresentations conveyed in his lord- ance is that of administering justice. I answered ship's words originated, is of little consequence. him as he deserved to be answered, and the effect "The charge of scattering dark and devilish insin- which that answer produced upon his lordship has nations is one which, if Lord Byron were living, I been described by his faithful chronicler, Captain would throw back in his teeth. Me hehad assailed Medwin. This is the real history of what the purwithout the slightest provocation, and with that un- veyors of scandal for the public are pleased somemanliness, too, which was peculiar to him; and in times to announce in their advertisements as'Bythis course he might have gone on without giving ron's Controversy with Southey!' What there was me the slightest uneasiness, or calling forth one an-'dark and devilish' in it belongs to his lordship; and imadversion in reply. When I came forward to at- had I been compelled to resume it during his life, tack his lordship, it was upon public, not upon pri- he who played the monster in literature, and aimed vate grounds. He is pleased to suppose that he had his blows at women, should have been treated acmortally offended Mr. Wordsworth and myself many cordingly.'The Republican Trio,' says Lord Byyears ago, by a letter which he had written to the ron,'when they began to publish in common, were Ettrick Shepherd.' Certain it is,' he says,'that I to have had a community of all things, like the Andid not spare the Lakists in it, and he told me that cient Britons-to have lived in a state of nature, he could not resist the temptation, and had shown it like savages, and peopled some island of the blessed to the fraternity. It was too tempting; and as I with children in common, like -. A very pretty could never keep a secret of my own (as you know), Arcadian notion!' I may be excused for wishing much less that of other people, I could not blame that Lord Byron had published this himself; but, him. I remember saying, among other things, that though he is responsible for the atrocious falsehood, the Lake poets were such fools as not to fish in their he is not for its posthumous publication. I shall own waters. But this was the least offensive part only observe, therefore, that the slander is as worthy of the epistle.' No such epistle was ever shown to of his lordship as the scheme itself would have been. Mr. Wordsworth or to me; but I remember (and Nor would I have condescended to have noticed it this passage brings it to my recollection) to have even thus, were it not to show how little this caheard that Lord Byron had spoken of us in a letter lumniator knew concerning the objects of his uneato Hogg, with some contempt, as fellows who could sy and restless hatred. Mr. Wordsworth and I were neither vie with him for skill in angling nor for prow- strangers to each other, even by name, at the time when he represents us as engaged in a satanic con* In the preface to his Monody on Keats, Shelley, as I federacy, and we never published any thing in comhave been informed, asserts that I was the author of the mon. criticism in the Quarterly Review upon that young man's "Here I dismiss the subject. It might have been poems, and that his death was occasioned by it. There thought that Lord Byron had attained the last dewas a degree of meanness in this (especially considering gree disgrace when his head was set up for a sign the temper and tenor of our correspondence) which I was at one of those peparatory schools for the brothel not then prepared to expect from Shelley, for that he be- at oe o tory schools for the brothel lieved me to be the author of that paper I certainly do notand the gallows, where obscenity, sedition aid blasbelieve. He was once, for a short time, my neighbor. I phemy are retailed in drams for the vulgar. There met him upon terms, not of friendship indeed, but certain- remained one further shame-there remained this ly of mutual good will. I admired his talents; thought exposure of his private conversations, which has that he would outgrow his errors (perilous as they were); compelled his lordship's friends, in their own deand trusted that, meantime, a kind and generous heart fense, to compare his oral declarations with his writwould resist the effect of fatal opinions which he had t ten words, and thereby to demonstrate that e was en up in ignorance and boyhood. Herein I was mistaken. as reardless of truth as e was incapable of susBut when I ceased to regard him with hope, he became a s regardless of truth as he was i ncapable of susto me a subject for sorrow and awful commiseration, not taiing those feelings suited to his birth, station, and of any injurious or unkind feeling; and when I expressed high endowments, which sometimes came across his myself with just severity concerning him, it was in direct better mind. ROBERT SOUTHEY." communication to himself.-R. S. APPENDIX. 575 THE GRIDIRON. And call on Vulcan to release the birth. He call'd on Vulcan now, but'twas to say A PINDAIuC ODE.r That in the fire and fume-eructant hill 1. The sweltering Cyclops might keep holiday, Broiling is best;; bear witness, gods and men! For his own will divine, Awake, my pen; Annihilant of delay, Promoted from some goose or gander's pinion Should with creative energy fulfill To be the scepter wherewithal I sway The auspicious moment's great intent benign. The Muses' wide dominion! So spake the All-maker, and before the sound And thou, my spirit, for a loftier flight Of that annunciant voice had pass'd away, Than ere the Theban eagle gain'd, prepare; Behold upon the ground, Win with strong impulse thine ethereal way, Self-form'd, for so it seem'd, a Gridiron lay. Till from the upper air, 6. Subjected to thy sight, Regions remote and distant ages lie, It was not forged by unseen hands, And thine unbounded eye Anticipant of Jove's commands, All things that are on earth or were in time descry. Work worthy of applause, And then through air invisibly convey'd, 2. Before him upon Earth's green carpet laid. Broiling is best; from Jove begin the strain, Jove in his mind conceived it, and it was; High-thundering Jupiter, to whom belong But though his plastic thought The Gridiron and the song. Shaped it with handle, feet, and bars, and frame, Whence came the glorious Gridiron upon earth? Deem not that he created it of naught. O daughter of Mnemosyne, relate Nothing can come of nothing: from the air When, where, and how the idea uncreate, The ferrean atoms came; That from all ages in the all-teeming mind The air, which, poising our terraqueous ball, Had slept confined, Feeds, fosters, and consumes, and reproduces all. Received in happy hour its formal birth. 7. Say, Muse, for thou canst tell Whate'er to gods or men in earliest days befell: Now the perfect Steak prepare! Nor hath Oblivion in her secret cell, Now the appointed rites begin! Wherein with miserly delight Cut it from the pinguid rump, For aye by stealth Not too thick and not too thin; She heaps her still accumulating wealth, Somewhat to the thick inclining, Aught that is hidden from thy searching sight. Yet the thick and thin between, That the gods, when they are dining, 3. May commend the golden mean.'Twas while the Olympian gods Ne'er till now have they been bless'd Were wont among yet uncorrupted nations With a beef-steak duly dress'd; To make from time to time their visitations, Ne'er till this auspicious morn Disdaining not to leave their high abodes When the Gridiron was born. And feast with mortal men: To Britain were the heavenly guests convened; 8. Its nymphs and sylvan gods assembled then, Gods and demigods alertly From forest and from mountain, Vie in voluntary zeal: From river, mere, and fountain; All are active, all are merry, Thither Saturnian Jove descended; Aiding, as they may, expertly, With all his household deities attended; Yet in part the while experiAnd Neptune with the oceanic train, mentally the expected meal. To meet them in his own beloved isle, Then it was that call'd to birth, Came in his sea-car sailing o'er the main. From the bosom of the earth, In joy that day the heav'ns appear'd to smile, By Apollo's moving lyre, The dimpled sea to smile in joy was seen, Stones, bituminous and black, In joy the billows leap'd to kiss the land; Ranged themselves upon the hearth Yea, joy like sunshine fill'd the blue serene, Ready for Hephaestus' fire: Joy smooth'd the waves, and sparkled on the sand; While subjacent fagots crack, Winds, woods, and waters sung with one consent; Folds of fog-like smoke aspire, The cloud-compelling Jove made jovial weather, Till the flames with growing strength And earth, and sea, and sky rejoiced together. All impediment subdue, And the jetty gloss at length 4. Is exchanged for Vulcan's hue. The sons of Britain then, his hearty hosts, Now with salt the embers strew, Brought forth the noble beef that Britain boasts, In faint explosion burning blue. To please, if please they might, their mighty guest. All offending fumes are gone, And Jove was pleased, for he had visited Set, oh set the Gridiron on! Men who on fish were fed, And those who made of milk their only food,9 A feeble race, with children's meat content, But who is she that there Whey-blooded, curd complexion'd. But this sight From Jove's own brain hath started into life? Awaken'd a terrestrial appetite Red are her arms, and from the elbow bare; That gladden'd his dear heart. The chief Clean her close cap, white and light, Of gods and men approving view'd From underneath it not a hair The Britons and their beef; Straggles to offend the sight. His head ambrosial in benignant mood A fork bidented, and a trenchant knife, He bent, and with a jocund aspect bless'd She wields. I know thee! yes, I know thee now, The brave Bo6phagi, and told them broil'd was best. Heiress of culinary fame; Clothed with pre-existence thou! 5. Dolly of the deathless name! He touch'd his forehead then, Thy praise in after days shall London speak, Pregnant this happy hour with thought alone, O kitchen queen, Not riving with parturient throbs, as when Of pearly forehead thou, and ruby cheek! Panoplied Pallas, struggling to come forth, And many a watery mouth thy chops will bless, Made her astonish'd Mater-pater groan, Unconscious they and thou alike, I ween, 576 APPENDIX. That thou hadst thus been ante-born to dress For Jupiter himself the first beef-steak. LIST OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF ROBERT SOUTHEY, 10.ESQ. O Muse divine, of Jove's own line, expound 1. Poems by R. Southey and R. Lovell. 1 vol. That wcnderful and ever-only birth Cottle, 1794. Like which the womb of Possibility 2. Joan of Arc. 1 vol. 4to. Cottle, 1795. (Aye-and-all-teeming though it be) 3. Letters from Spain and Portugal. 1 vol. CotHath brought no second forth. tie, 1797. What hand but thine, O Muse divine, can sound 4. Minor Poems. 2vols. Cottle,1797-1799. The depth of mysteries profound 5. Annual Anthology. 2 vols. Biggs and Cottle, Sunk in arcanal ages and in night? 1799-1800. What but thy potential sight,6. Thalaba. 2 vols. Longman, 1801. Piercing high above all height, 7. Chatterton's Works, edited by R. Southey and Reach them in the abyss of light? J. Cottle. 3 vols. 1802. 8. Amladis of Gaul. 4 vols. Longman, 1803. 11. 9. Metrical Tales and other Poems. 1 vol. 1805. It were ignorance or folly 10. Madoc. 1 vol. 4to. Longman, 1805. To compare this first-born Dolly 11. Palmerin of England. 4 vols. Longman, 1807. With Athene ever young; 12. Specimens of English Poets. 3 vols. LongGray-eyed, grave, and melancholy, man, 1807. In her strength and in her state, 13. Letters from England, by Don Manuel Espri. When from her cranial egg the goddess sprung ella. 3 vols. Longman, 1807. Full-fledged, in adamantine arms connate. 14. Remains of Henry Kirke White, edited by R. Verily produced \vas she Southey. 2 vols. Longman and others, 1807. In her immortality; 15. Chronicle of the Cid. 1 vol. 4to. Longman, This of Dolly was a fan- 1808. tastic birth, or, rather, man- 16. Curse ofKehama. I vol. 4to. Longman, 1810. ifestation soon to be 17. Omniana. 2 vols. Longman, 1812. Revoked into non-entity. 18. Life of Nelson. 2 vols. Murray, 1813. X ~ X. 19. Roderic, the Last of the Goths. 1 vol. 4to. Longman, 1814. mi l- - * 4320. Carmen Triumphale and Carmina Aulica. 1 Thus far, apparently, is completed; that which 20. Caren Trimphae and Ca a Alica. vol. Longman, 1814. follows is transcribed from loose slips of paper. 21. Minor Poems (re-arranged, &c.). 3 vols. LongAnticipating all her wishes, man, 1815. Spirits come with plates and dishes. 22. Lay of the Laureate 1 vol. Longman, Can more be needed? Yes, and more is here. 1816. Swifter than a shooting-star, 23. Specimens of later British Poets. One to distant Malabar 24. Pilgrimage to Waterloo. 1 vol. Longman, Speeds his way, and, in a trice, 1816. Brings the puaygent nd in saice. 25. Morte d'Arthur. 2 vols. 4to. Longman, 1817. Whither bath Erin's guardian genius fed? 26. Letter to William Smith. APamphlet. MurTo the Tupinamban shore ray, 1817. This tutelary power hath sped; 27. History of Brazil. 3 vols. 4to. Longman, Earth's good apples thence he bore, 1810-1817-1819. One day destined to abound 28. Life of Wesley. 2 vols. Longman, 1820. On his own Hibernian ground, 29. Expedition of Orsua. 1 vol. Longman, 1821. Praties to be entitled then, 30. A Vision of Judgment. 1 vol. 4to. Longman, Gift of gods to Irishmen. 1821. Gift of gods to Irishmen. 31. Book of the Church. 2 vols. Murray, 1824. 32. Tale of Paraguay. 1 vol. Longman, 1825. And strike with thunder from my starry seat 33. Vindicie Ecclesia Anglicanse. 1 vol. MurThose who divorce the murphies from the meat. ray, 1826. X * X * 34. History of the Peninsular War. 3 vols. 4to. Bring me no nectar, Hebe, now, Murray, 1822-1824-1832. Nor thou, boy Ganymede! 35. Lives of Uneducated Poets-Prefixed to VersHe said, and shook his smiling brow, es by John Jones. 1 vol. Murray, 1829. And bade the rock with porter flow- 36. All for Love and the Legend of a Cock and a The rock with porter flow'd. Hen. 1 vol. Longman, 1829. Not such as porter long hath been 37. Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of In these degenerate days, I ween; Society. 2 vols. Murray, 1829. But such as oft, in days of yore, 38. Life of John Bunyan, for an Edition of the PilDean of St. Peter's, in thy yard, grim's Progress. Murray and Major, 1830. Though doors were double lock'd and barr'd, 39. Select Works of British Poets, from Chaucer I quaff'd as I shall quaff no more; to Jonson, edited with Biographical Notices. 1 vol. Such as loyal Whitbread old, Longman, 1831. Father of the brewers bold, 40. Naval History of England. 4 vols. and part From his ample casks preferr'd of the 5th, in Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia. LongWhen he regaled the king, the good King George man, 1833-1840. the Third. 41. The Doctor, &c. 7 vols. Longman. Vols. 6 X - a and 7, edited by the Rev. J. Wood Warter, 1834Far more than silver or than gold 1847. The honest pewter pot he prized, 42. The Life and Works of Cowper. Edited. 15 And drank his porter galvanized. vols. Baldwin and Cradock, 1835-1837. X.,X 43. Collected Edition of his Poems. 10 vols. Teetotallers, avaunt, and ye who feed, Longman, 1837, 1838. Also complete in 1 volume. Teetotallers, avaunt, and ye who feed, 1847 Like grubs and snails, on root, or stem, or weed; 44. Common-place Book, 1st, 2d, and 3d Series. A -iThat by Nor tieank sc din *fourth is announced. Edited by the Rev. J. Wood That by such diet and such drinkWarter. Lougman. Britain should rule the main arter. Logan 45. Oliver Newman, and other Fragments. Edited by the Rev. H. Hill. 1 vol. Longman, 1845. APPENDIX. 577 Contributions to Periodical Literature. No. 8. Faro6 Islands. Articles communicated by Robert Southey to the first four -On the Evangelical Sects. olumesoftheAnnualeview. 11. Bell and Lancaster. Enlarged afterward, volumes of the Annual Reviewb. and published separately. VOL. I. (1802). 12. The Inquisition. Sauer's Account of Commodore Billing's Expedi- - Montgomery's Poems. tion to the Northern part of Russia. 13. Sir G. Mackenzie's Iceland. Mackenzie's Voyages from Montreal, &c. 14. French Revolutionists. Fischer's Travels in Spain. 15. Landor's Count Julian. Acerbi's Travels in Sweden. - D'Israeli's Calamities of Authors. Mrs. Guthrie's Travels in the Crimea. 16. On the Manufacturing System and the Poor. Pallas's Travels in the S. Provinces of Russia. 19. Bogue and Bennet's History of the DissentOlivier's Travels in Turkey. ers. Wrangham's Poems. 21. Nicobar Islands. Poetry by the Author of Gebir.* - Montgomery's World before the Flood. VOL. II. (1803). 22-23. Chalmers's British Poets. Burney's History of Discoveries in the South Sea. 23. Forbes's Oriental Memoirs. Clarke's Progress of Maritime Discovery. 24. Lewis and Clarke's Travels in North AmerCurtis's Travels in Bombay. ica. Grandpr6's Voyage to Bengal. - Remains of Barre Roberts. Davies's Travels in America.25. Miot's French Expedition to Egypt. Muirhead's Travels in the Low Countries. 26-27. Life of Wellington. New Military Journal. 28. Alfieri. Wittman's Travels in Turkey.29. Madame La Roche Jacquelin's Memoirs. Malthus on the Principles of Population. - On the Poor. Transactions of the Missionary Society. 30. Ali Bey's Travels in Morocco. Myle's History of the Methodists. - Foreign Travelers in England. Godwin's Life of Chaucer. 31. Parliamentary Reform. Ritson's Ancient English Romances. 32. Koster's Travels in Brazil. Mant's Life of J. Warter. - Rise and Progress of Disaffection. Hayley's Poems. 33. Mariner's Tonga Islands. Kirke White's Clifton Grove. 35. Lope de Vega. Lord Strangford's Camoens.39. Evelyn's Memoirs. Owen Cambridge's Works. - On the Means of improving the People. 41. Copy-right Act. VOL. III. (1804). 42. Cemeteries and Catacombs of Paris. Barrow's Travels. 43. Monastic Institutions. Barrow's China. 45. Coxe's Life of Marlborough. Froissart's Chronicles. 46. New Churches. Address from the Society for the Suppression of 48. Life of W. Huntington, S. S. Vice. 50. Life of Cromwell. Seward's Life of Darwin. 52. Dobrizhoffer. Scott's Sir Tristram. 53. Camoens. Cupid turned Volunteer. 55. Gregoire's History of Religious Sects. Falconer's Shipwreck. 56. Gregoire's History of Theophilanthropists. Churchill's Poems. 57. Burnet's Own Times. Crowe's Lewesdon Hill. 58. Dwight's Travels in New England. Transactions of the Missionary Society. 61. New Churches. VOL. IV. (1805). 62. Life of Hayley. Bruce's Travels to the Source of the Nile. - Mrs. Baillie's Lisbon. Clarke's Naufragia. 63. Church Missionary Society. Present State of Peru. 64. Life of Bayard. Griffith's Travels. 65. Roman Catholic Church and WValdenses. Roscoe's Life of Leo X. 66. Soeur Nativite. Cayley's Life of Sir Walter Raleigh. 67. Sumatra. Tisbault's Anecdotes of Frederic the Great. 68. Britton's Cathedral Antiquities. Greswell's Memoirs of Angelus Politianus. 69. Dr. Sayers's Poems. Ellis's Specimens of Early Metrical Romances. - Head's Journey across the Pampas. Todd's Spenser. 72. Butler's Reply concerning Scour Nativit6. Bowles's Spirit of Discovery. 73. Hallam's Constitutional History of England. Hayley's Ballads. 74. Emigration Report. Boyd's Penance of Hugo. 75. Ledyard's Travels. Report on the Poems of Ossian. - Chronological History of the West Indies. 76. Roman Catholic Question and Ireland. The Historical part of the Edinburgh Annual Reg- 7. Roman Catholic Question, and the new Colleges ister for 1808, 1809, and 1810. 77. Elementary Education, and the new Colleges ister for 1808, 1809, and 1810. in London. in London. Articles contributed to the Quarterly Review from 1808 78. Surtees's History of Durham. to 1838; viz.: 81. State of Portugal. No. 1. Baptist Mission in India. 82. Poems by Lucretia Davidson. 2. Portuguese Literature. - Smyth's Life of Captain Beaver. 3. South Sea Missionaries. 83. Head's Forest Scenes in Canada. - Lord Valencia's Travels. 85. Ellis's Polynesian Researches. 4. Holmes's American Annuals. 86. Negro New Testament. 5. Life of Nelson. Enlarged afterward, and 87. Dymond's Essays on Morality. published separately. - Moral and Political State of the Nation, 6. Veeson's Residence at Tongataboo.88. Life of oberlin. - Graham's Georgics. 89. Babcuf's Conspiracy. 7. Observador Portuguez. On the French Oc- 90. Doctrine de St. Simon. cupation of Portugal. 91. Life and Death of Lord E. Fitzgerald. _______________________ 93. Mary Colling. * My father reviewed Gebir in the Critical Review. I 94. Lord Nugent's Life of Hampden. regret that I can not obtain a list of his contributions to 95. Prince Polignac and the Three Days. that periodical-ED. 97. Life of Felix Neff. 578 APPENDIX. No. 113. Mawe's Voyage down the Amazon, and qu'ont-ils fait le 29 Juillet, 1830, apres que les faCaptain Smyth. meuses ordonnances furent retires par Charles X.? 118. Mrs. Bray's Tamar and Tavy, and Sir Geo. ils briserent la charte toute entiere; ils d6tr6onrent Head's Home Tour. le souverain la qui ils avaient pr6t6 serment de fide123. Barrow's Life of Lord Howe. lit6, qui, d'apres cette charte, etait irresponsable, et 126. Life of Telford. dont la personne devait etre inviolable; ou bien, ils In the Foreign Quarterly Review. lne cherchaient alors qu'un pretexte pour d6truire la charte qu'ils invoquaient et pour renverser le tr6ne Barantes's History of the Dukes of Burgundy. qu'ils entouraient de leurs serments; et, dans ce cas, On the Spanish Moors. il y avait hypocrisie de leur part, ou bien les reproLife of Ignatius Loyola. ches qu'ils dirigent aujourd'hui contre les ministres de Charles X. doivent retomber sur eux; car, en supposant que les ministres de ce monarque aient PRINCE POLIGNAC TO R. SOUTHEY, ESQ. fait une fausse interpretation de l'article 14, leurs "Ham, ce 14 7bre, 1832. accusateurs out fait plus, ils ont brise une charte et "MoNSIEUR,-J'ai appris, par l'intenrmdiare d'un une couronne. ami A qui je suis tendrement attachb, que vous vous "D'autres, par leurs aveux, justifient d'une maoccupiez en ce moment d'un travail relatif aux cir- niere plus eclatante encore les ordonnances de constances qui ont accompagne la lutte que le trdne Charles X. Ils declarent qu'il y a eu, sous la redes Bourbons a eu a soutenir dans les derniers jours stauration, une conspiration permanente contre les de Juillet, 1830, vous proposant pour but, dans ce Bourbons; ils en nomment les chefs, ils en indiquent travail, de rectifier les erreurs qu'une calomnie vic.- et la marche et le but, lequel 6tait, disent ils, de rentorieuse a cherchle a propager dans le public. verser a la fois et le trdne et la charte; ils se van"Personne mieux que vous, monsieur, ne peut ac- tent d'avoir, dans les derniers temps du regne des complir si noble tache, et avec plus d'espoir de suc- Bourbons, rendu tout gouvernemenot impossible; ces; votre talent bien connu, vos principes, vos sen- c'est ainsi, qu'en rdevlant leur anciens projets, qui, timents genereux feront obtenir a la veritd ce tri- au reste, etaient bien connus du gouvernement en omphe que la force et les passions du moment ont 1830, ils disculpent le souverain qu'ils ont ddtrone, pu seules lui arracher. puisqu'ils prouvent qu'il n'a agi que dans un but de " Quant a moi, dont le nom se trouve ndcessaire- defense personnelle et pour repousser des attaques ment associe au drame revolutionnaire dont la lmal- qui menacoient le trone et la tranquillite publique. heureuse France a offert le spectacle a l Europe, il "1 suffirait done aujourd'hui, pour justifier Charles me serait impossible de vous peindre tous les elans X. et ses conseillers, d'enregistrer les aveux qui de ma reconnaissance; ceux-la seuls peuvent en remplissent les colonnes des journaux Francais. mesurer l'etendue qui, habitues a etudier le ccur L'histoire impartiale se charg'era sans doute de ce humain, comprendront ce que l i mien a du souffrir soin. en me voyant, en face d'un peuple egare et irrite, "Dans une brochure que j'ai publiee au comforce de garder le silence. J'ai dfi accepter-ainsi lmencement de cette annee, et que je prie la perque je le mandais ea un de rmes amis, a une epoque sonne qui a la bonte de vous transmettre cette letpen eloignee de celle oi nous sommes-j'ai dfu ac- tre, de vouloir bien vous faire passer, j'ai prouve la cepter tous les genres d'accusation qu'on a vonlu legalitd des ordonnances du 27 Juillet, 1830; j'ai entasser sur ma tete. Je me suis considder comme meme prouv6 que les adversaires de la couronne le chef d'un vaisseau, au moment d'un grand nau- avaient, soit dans leurs discours ea la tribune parlefrage; le vaisseau, c'etait la Royaute exilee qu'on mentaire, soit dans leurs dcrits, interprete le sens cherchait encore a. atteindre en me frappant; j'ai de l'article 14 de l'ancienne charte de la mmem magarde pour moi les coups qu'on lui reservait; l'dqui- niere que l'avait interprete la couronne en 1830. Or, page, c'etait mes collegues: un devoir impdrieux que disait cet article? que le -oi pourrait faire des m'imposait lobligation de ne pas compromettre leur ordonnances pour la surete de l' eta. Qui oserait sisret6; je me suis tfi lorsque cette stiret6 pourait dire aujourd'hui que l'etat n'itait pas alors en danetre compromise. L'histoire, j'ose le dire, ne retrace ger? qui pourrait nier que le trone ne fut, 8a cetto pas une situation plus compliquee que celle dans la- epoque, minr de tous c6tls, et qu'une revolution ne quelle je me suis trouve; jamais plus de sentimens menacAt la France? mais les passions frappent et de diverse nature fioisses et brises, n'ont torture le ne raisonnent pas. oceur d'un homme; jamais l'honneur ne desarma " Vous excuserez, monsieur, la longueur des ddmieux sa victime. tails dans lesquels je suis entre; j'ai cru devoir vous " Ces moments cruels sont passes sans doute; le les sounettre, sachant que votre judicieux discernetemps est venu calmer l'irritation des esprits; les ment et votre impartialite vous portent a ne pas juevenements qui se sont succedes ont pu ddsiller bien ger des causes seulement par leurs effets, ni a vous des yeux, desabuser bien des esprits, et l'on pour- laisser sidnire par des apparences trompeuses. Je rait se demander, si le momlenst ne serait pas enfin terlminerai cette lettre par quelques observations sur arrive de reveler les mystdres du passe et de prd- la note que vous avez entre les mains, intitulee Note senter quelques explications devenues n6cessaires sur quzelques circonstances relatives aux evenements pour ma justification. de Juillet, 1830. "Je pourrais faire a cette question une rdponse " De graves erreurs, a ce qu'il me semble, se sont affirmative; mais j'ajouterai que je ne saurais etre propagees concernant le nombre de troupes confides la personne chargee d'une semblable tache; ma prd- au Marechal Due de Raguse, lors des troubles qui sence dans la lice rdveillerait des amours propres, 6claterent.a Paris vers la fin de Juillet, 1830. Vous raviverait des ressentiments presque 6teints; elle pouvez maintenant juger corlbien sont erronnees les pourrait troubler ce repos momentaire que la lassi- bruits qu'on s'est plu a repandre a ce sujet. Une tude du mal entraine souvent aprds lui. I1 est des simple observation suffit pour en ddmnontrer la fauscirconstances ou le bon citoyen doit mdme savoir ac- sete. N'est-il pas dvident, en effet, que, si le Duc cepter les effets de la calomnie par amour pour la de Raguse n'eut eu a sa disposition que cinq a six paix. La postdritd, ou peut-dtre de nmon temps en- umille hommnes, comme on la prdtendu, il y eut eu, de core, la plume de quelque main amie expliquera mon sa part, une coupable imperitie a adopter le plan silence; il sera compris par l'homme de bien. qu'il suivit le 28 Juillet, au moment ou l'insurrection "D'ailleurs, le langage et les actes de ceux qui avait acquis son plus haut degr6 d'intensitd. Ce plan se sont faits mes accusateurs ont ddja commence ma consistait, comme on le sait, a diviser ses troupes en justification, et celle-la, au moins, n'a aucun des in- trois colonnes, lesquelles devaient traverser Paris convdnients que je viens de signaler. dans sa plus grande longueur, puis se rdpandre dans "En effet, quelques-uns d'entr'eux reprochent aux les rues nombreuses de la capitale. L'exdcution ministres de Charles X. d'avoir viole la charte de de ce plan me parut mdmeU audacieux; les resultats 1814, en faisant une fausse application de l'article n'en furent point heureux; la plus grande partie des 14 renferm6 dans cette meme charte; mais eux, troupes, ainsi divisees en petits corps 6pars dans des APPENDIX 579 rues 6troites, eurent beaucoup de peine a revenir tradictoires en apparence, ne le sont cependant pas. sur leurs pas, et a surmonter les obstacles et les I1 suffit, pour s'en assurer, de reflechir a quelle dangers qui s'opposaient 2 leur retour. Quoiqu'il 6poque se rapportent les mouvements militaires en soit, on ne peut, sans faire injure aux talents auxquels lune et l'autre de ces assertions fait allumilitaires, ou aux sentiments de loyaut6 et de fide- sion. La premiere 6poque se rapporte a un temps lit6 du Marechal Duc de Rtaguse, supposer que, dans qui precedait ]es evenements de Juillet, auquel l'etat de fermentation gendrale dans laquelle se trou- temps il etait important de ne pas 6veiller lattenvait alors la capitale, il efit os6 tenter l'execution tion publique, ni celle des journaux, sur des d6placed'un semblable plan avec cinq, huit, et mdme dix ments de troupes que le gouvernement n'efit pu exmille hommes; cependant il la tenta; done, il crut pliquer, et qui efit pu faire naltre des soupcons sur que les forces qu'il commandait etaient suffisantes la nature des mesures qu'on voulait adopter; la sepour en assurer la reussite. conde 6poque se rapporte, au contraire, a un temps "Ce n'est point tout, apres la journee du 28 la subs6quent l'inisurrection de Paris. Toutes les preseule, on peut le dire, dans laquelle les rues de Paris cautions indiquees ci-dessus devenaient alors inufurent le theatre d'une lutte sanglante, puisque le tiles: a la premiere epoque, les mouvements de lendemain matin la capitale fut evacuee, le Due de troupes devaient se combiner avec la sfret6 de Raguse, malgre la resistance opiniatre qu'il avait quelques localites importantes qui exigeaient une rencontree, dit hautement a mes collegues, a moi- surveillance spdciale, telles que Lyon, Rouen, m6me et a d'autres officiers presens, qu'il se main- Nates, Bordeaux, &c., qu'on ne pouvait laisser detiendrait un mois dans la position qu'il occupait alors; pourvues de forces militaires. On jugea m1me prucette position dtait le Louvre, ]es Tuileries, les deux dent d'augmenter, dans le courant de Juillet, le nomquais de la riviere et les Boulevards: il ajouta bre de troupes qui etaient alors en garnison dans qu'elle etait ine.xpTgnable, et insista pour que j'en quelques-unes des villes que je viens de citer. A donnasse connaissance au roi, ce que je fis aussitot. l'autre epoque, au contraire, tout devait coder dell est done hors de doute, qu'a cette epoque, le Duc vant la necessitd de sauver la capitale. On pouvait, de Raguse avait encore la ferme conviction, que ses on devait m6me negliger la suret6 de quelques points forces 6taient suffisantes pour s'opposer aux efforts moins importans. Enfin, a la premiere epoque, les e l'insurrection, bien que toutes les troupes, qui des mouvements de troupes ne pouvoient s'op6rer que divers points de la division militaire place sous son regulierement, dtapes par etapes, ce qui les rendaicommandement se dirigeaient sur Paris, n l'eussent ent difficiles et lents, tandis, qu'a l'autre epoque, la point encore rejoint. rapidite de ces mouvements en faisait seule le ed" Ainsi voila deux faits averes, incontestables, l'un rite: lordre etait donnd aux troupes de s'avancer a desquels s'est passe avant laction et l'autre apres marches forcces; les dtapes dtoient doublees; on I'action, qui, sans autre commentaire, prouvent lab- eilt pu mdme, au besoin, transporter les troupes en surdite des bruits que des journaux Francais et chariots. dtrangers se sont plus a accrediter relativement a " J'ai cru, monsieur, devoir vous donner ces explilinsuffisance des forces qui furent confiees au Due cations, qui furent devenues inutiles si le redacteur de Raguse, au mois de Juillet, 1830. de la note que vous avez entre les mains eit mieux "Le 29 Juillet, au matin, Paris fut tout-a-coup exprime sa pensee; les d6tails qu'elle contient seevacue, presque sans coup ferir; je cessai d'etre ront rapportes avec plus de ddveloppement dans un,ninistre, et de prendre par consequent part aux travail qui se pr6pare, mais dont la publication doit dvenements qui se sont succedes: qu'elles furent etre encore ajournee; et c'est a vous, monsieur, que les causes de cette retraite pr6cipit6e, qui livra la je serai redevable du premier essai qui aura etd capitale aux insurgds et la monarchie a ses enne- tent6 d'dclairer le public sur des circonstances peu mis, c'est a l'histoire qu'il appartient de les appro- connues des uns et calomnieusement interpr6tees fondir: quant a moi je les ignore encore. par les autres: une semblable tache ne pouvait etre " I n'est peut-etre pas inutile, monsieur, que je entreprise par une plume plus eloquente, plus habile, prdvienne une objection qui pourrait etre faite a ni qui fit mieux presager le succes. deux assertions contenues dans la note qui vous a "C'est avec regret, monsieur, que je me suis vn ete transmise, et qui, au premier abord, semblent se force d'emprunter une main etrangere pour tracer contredire. II y est dit, au commencement de la les lignes que j'ai l'honneur de vous addresser; mais 2me page, que, dans le court delai de trois semaines la faiblesse de mes yeux et d'autres incommodites qui s'ecoula depuis le moment ou le principe des or- inherentes a la position dans laquelle je me trouve donnances fut arrete, et celui ou elles furent sig- en ce moment, m'en ont fait une necessit6. Je n'ai nees, tout mouveonent considerable de troupes deve- pas, cependant, voulu terminer ma lettre sans charnait impossible: plus loin, a-peu-pres a la septieme ger moi-meme de vous r6it6rer l'expressions de ma page, il est dit, au contraire, que dans l'espace de vive r6connaisance, ni sans vous prier d'agreer ici hueit ou dix jors, uneforce d'environ cinquantc-cinq lassurance de mes sentimens d'estime et de haute,s soixante iblle hommnes se serait trouvde sous les consideration. LE PRINCE DE POLIGNAC. murSs de Paris. Ces deux assertions, quoique con-' To Dr. SOUTHEY, &C,, &C., &C." THE END.