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Bristol Reference Library, B20870. Previously published: Joseph Cottle, Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey (London, 1847), pp. 203–204 [in part]; Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), I, pp. 305–307 [in part].
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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Southey's spelling has not been regularized.
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I have not yet seen Hunter, the Murderer of Saint Pierre.
Perhaps you will be surprized to hear that of all the Lions or Literati that I have seen here, there is not <one> whose countenance has not some unpleasant trait. Mary Imlay’s is the best — infinitely the best. the only fault in it is an expression somewhat similar to what the prints of Horne Tookers Barbauld
When I was with George Dyer one morning last week Mary Hayeses writes in the M. Magazine under the signature M.H. & sometimes writes nonsense about Helvetius there.xxx xxxx in what light to consider that sectarian title. as for Godwin himself, he has large noble eyes, & a nose — oh most abominable nose! language is not vituperative enough to express the effect of its downward elongation. he loves London — literary society, & talks nonsense about the collision of mind, & Mary Hays echos him.
But Miss Christall. have you seen her Poems?xxxx define its explain its French meaning. her heart is alive. she loves Poetry — she loves retirement — she loves the country. her verses are very incorrect, & the Literary Circle say she has no genius. but she has Genius, Joseph Cottle! or there is no truth in physiognomy. Gilbert Wakefieldwe I was disputing with Mary Hays upon the moral effects of Towns. he has a most Critic-like voice — as if he had snarled himself hoarse.
You see I like the Women better than the Men. indeed they are better animals in general — perhaps because more is left to Nature in their education. nature is very good — but God knows there is very little of it left!
Remember me to Robert. I wish you were within a mornings walk — but I am always persecuted by Time & Space. Robert Southey & Law & Poetry make up an odd kind of tri-union. we jog on easily together, & I advance with sufficient rapidity in Blackstone
God bless you.
Ediths love. she is finishing a letter to your sister.
let Danvers know you are about to send me a parcel — that he may write. & keep one of the fine copies for him.
I have no place for my books here — our apartments are small & dear. we must remove. of course my poor books must still intrude upon you for lodging.
Of Chattertons Sister