223. Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle [fragment], [14 June 1797?] ⁠* 

Christ Church, June 14, 1797.

* * * I am in a place I like: the awkwardness of introduction over, and the acquaintance I have made here pleasant. * * Your letter to Herbert Croft [1]  has made him some enemies here. I wish much to see you on that business. Bad as these times are for literature, a subscription might be opened now with great success, for Mrs Newton (Chatterton’s sister [2] ) and the whole statement of facts ought to be published in the prospectus.

Time gallops with me. I am at work now for the Monthly Magazine, upon Spanish poetry. If we are unsuccessful here (in suiting ourselves with a house) I purpose writing to Wordsworth, and asking him if we can get a place in his neighbourhood. [3]  If not, down we go to Dorsetshire. Oh, for a snug island in the farthest of all seas, surrounded by the highest of all rocks, where I and some ten or twelve more might lead the happiest of all possible lives, totally secluded from the worst of all possible monsters, man. * * *