233. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 11 July [1797] ⁠* 

11^th. July. Burton near Ringwood.

My dear Wynn

I have an anecdote of Kosciuskos [1]  reception at Bristol which will amuse & please you. an old confectioner by name Burge [2]  was determined to make him some present, & he resolved to make him <it should be> a cake of the very best materials. he did this himself, inscribed it in coloured carroways “to the gallant Kosciusko, & set off with this, as much as he could carry, to the American Consuls where he was. his determined perseverance conquerd the servants refusal, & up he went with his cake following the servant & repeating his set speech. But when he saw Kosciusko lying on a couch — so emaciated — so pale — the poor fellow burst into tears, put down his cake, & ran out of the room without speaking a word.

I have this minute received a cargo from Lisbon among in which are 25 views taken by my Uncle on our road. some of these I must have engraved for a second edition, & very beautiful they will be.

I told you my brothers adventures, but at that time did not know the whole of the matter. his capture probably saved his life. for the mast was gone & every pump at work in the vessel which his Captain [3]  ordered him to carry into port, at the time when he was sent on board it, & they expected to founder when the privateer took them. now Captain Barlow wrote word to my Mother that the ship was quite new & sound! — but the French captain who behaved so kindly to Tom, is now himself a prisoner at Plymouth; he wrote to my brother begging him if he could to get him exchanged or enlarged upon parole; this letter came to me; & I have procured some letters to Plymouth people to do what they can for this man who deserves every return from me.  [4] 

This business of poor Chattertons sister [5]  is in a fair train — & I hope, with little trouble, to make the rest of her days comfortable. did I tell you Herbert Crofts villainy? [6]  he has not yet answered Cottles letter; [7]  Cottle has informed him that unless he makes a satisfactory reply by a certain day, the whole business shall be made public; & a blacker scene of treachery was never yet laid open.

You cannot conceive how my happiness is increased by being in the co[MS obscured] it is a new existence. every old enjoyment is increased & [MS obscured] find a thousand new ones. Edith is much better than when we left town. here is fine pickling & I take advantage of it. there is but one plague here (bating the forest flies which I do not feel because I never ride) & that is the old Lady Strathmore [8]  who annoys me with invitations. a very good-for-nothing old woman with a toothless tone half unintelligible.

Lloyds poems [9]  are published now with Coleridges & Lambs in one volume,  [10]  & that awkward folio now makes a few pocket-sized pages.

God bless you. When you come down to be chaired Bedford & I will get a sedan for you & eke out out constituents so that you may have enough to carry you. we shall find out the place by getting the exact latitude & steering by the compass.

however I can have a proof sheet twice a week, when Joan of Arc is printing, enclosed to you. xxxx tis an ill wind &c.

You ought to have been Sancho & then Dapple might have gone in character [11]  — I have a large paper copy printing for you of the [MS obscured] would it be civil to send Richards [12]  one? or is it a civility better left alone?

yrs affectionately

Robert Southey