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<title type="main">The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part 1: 1791-1797 </title>
<title type="subordinate">A Romantic Circles Electronic Edition</title>
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<name>Southey, Robert, 1774-1843</name>
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<editor>Lynda Pratt</editor>
<sponsor>Romantic Circles</sponsor>
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<resp>General Editor, </resp>
<name>Neil Fraistat</name>
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<date>2009-03-15</date>
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<idno type="nines">rce65</idno>
<idno type="edition">letterEEd.26.65</idno>
<publisher>Romantic Circles, http://www.rc.umd.edu, University of Maryland</publisher>
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<date when="2009-02-20">March 15, 2009</date>
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<sourceDesc>
<p>British Library, Add MS 30,927.  Not previously published.</p>
<p>These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer</p>
<p>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
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											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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<div n="65" type="letter">
<head>65. Robert Southey to <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas Southey</ref> [brother], <date when="1793-10-31">[late October/early November –] 14 December [1793]</date>
<note place="foot" resp="editors" type="headnote">Address: Post Paid/ Thomas Southey Esqr / Venus Frigate/ <del rend="strikethrough">Plymouth</del> &lt;Plymouth&gt; [inserted in another hand]/ <del rend="strikethrough">Torbay</del> or elsewhere/ Single Sheet./ <del rend="strikethrough">xxxxxxx</del>
<lb/>Stamped: BATH<lb/>Endorsement: Letters Rec<hi rend="sup">d</hi>. in 1793<lb/>MS: British Library, Add MS 30,927<lb/>Unpublished.</note>
</head>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Tom</ref>. as I sat down to write a long letter</l>
<l rend="indent2">It struck me that scribbling in rhyme would be better</l>
<l rend="indent2">That if with success I should fill up the sheet</l>
<l rend="indent2">It might serve to amuse a dull hour in the fleet.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Soon thought — soon resolvd. I’ve a great deal to tell</l>
<l rend="indent2">And the rhymes run away very easy &amp; well.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Oh I have a mine of poetical riches</l>
<l rend="indent2">Snivels<note n="1" place="foot" resp="editors">Snivel was a dog owned by the Bedford family.</note> cough — a young pig washd &amp; M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bs breeches</l>
<l rend="indent2">A wasps nest discoverd &amp; taken &amp; slain</l>
<l rend="indent2">Gipsey washd in the suds &amp; the fleas on Bow Begum.<note n="2" place="foot" resp="editors">A dog owned by the Bedford family.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Myself turnd schoolmaster — but here is the tea come</l>
<l rend="indent2">So I’ll fancy my tea like Apollo’s strange spring<note n="3" place="foot" resp="editors">Apollo, in Greek mythology, the god of poetry. The Castalian Spring at Delphi, centre of a cult of Apollo, symbolised the well of poetic inspiration.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Gulp down a great cup full &amp; then try to sing</l>
<l rend="indent2">We thought my dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas</ref> that poor little Snivel</l>
<l rend="indent2">Was going with a tough cough post haste to the Devil</l>
<l rend="indent2">But say you, who is Snivel? why Snivel dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas</ref>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">Is a beautiful elegant terrier of promise</l>
<l rend="indent2">On whom Nature has all her best bounties bestowd</l>
<l rend="indent2">And I am just going to write a fine ode</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent5">		Alas poor SNIVEL</l>
<l rend="indent6">			The cough she had</l>
<l rend="indent7">				Was very bad</l>
<l rend="indent3">And made her hang her head &amp; droop &amp; drivel.</l>
<l rend="indent3">And then we met in consultation grave</l>
<l rend="indent3">To think what might poor Snivel save.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent5">		We met</l>
<l rend="indent3">A very very very mournful set</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Snivel! with a sigh I said.</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Snivel! echoed <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> &amp; he sighd.</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Snivel! <ref target="people.html#BedfordHoraceWalpole">Horace</ref> cried</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Snivel! M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford shook his head.</l>
<l rend="indent2">And Robert<note n="4" place="foot" resp="editors">Robert Southey.</note> said as grief did him bewitch</l>
<l rend="indent2">Poor dog — poor beast — poor Snivel &amp; poor bitch</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent5">		Tis a sad cough say I.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Tis no cough Robert says.</l>
<l rend="indent3">This cough says <ref target="people.html#BedfordHoraceWalpole">Horace</ref> soon will make her die</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> said it soon would end her days.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Sir, (Robert said) be my opinion known</l>
<l rend="indent3">In Snivels throat there is a bone</l>
<l rend="indent3">And could she this throw off</l>
<l rend="indent3">She never more would cough</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Then Robert cut a stick with a great crook</l>
<l rend="indent3">And poked down Snivels throat to look</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Look there — look there —</l>
<l rend="indent4">	I see the bone I do declare.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Down the poor beasts red lane</l>
<l rend="indent4">	We look, but look in vain.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Tom</ref> you know M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Parsley.<note n="5" place="foot" resp="editors">His identity is uncertain, but he seems to have been someone employed by the Bedfords.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Imagine for the simile’s sake</l>
<l rend="indent4">	An Ass had the tooth ache</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And every thing prepard</l>
<l rend="indent4">	The ass was led into Doctor Parsleys yard.</l>
<l rend="indent3">Think you quite quiet would the Ass lay?</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Seated in the great chair</l>
<l rend="indent3">Do you think he would not make a riot</l>
<l rend="indent3">But sit as quiet </l>
<l rend="indent4">	As <ref target="people.html#WeeksShadrach">Shad</ref> sat there?</l>
<l rend="indent4">	I dare say</l>
<l rend="indent4">	The Ass would kick &amp; bray</l>
<l rend="indent3">Thus to the Doctor most uncivil</l>
<l rend="indent3">Kickd barkd bit howld the impatient patient Snivel.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent6">			And so</l>
<l rend="indent6">			Robert at last let go</l>
<l rend="indent3">And Snivel was so bad that once we thought</l>
<l rend="indent3">Twas best to have her shot.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Then was there lamentation heard at <ref target="places.html#Brixton">Brixton</ref>
</l>
<l rend="indent3">Since Death we thought the bitch had fixt on</l>
<l rend="indent3">And so again we met to save</l>
<l rend="indent3">Poor Snivel from the grave!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Some James’s powders<note n="6" place="foot" resp="editors">A patent medicine used for fevers and as a general pick-me-up, invented by Dr Robert James (c. 1703–1776; <title level="m">DNB</title>).</note> mixd in butter</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Poor Snivel took to make her squtter.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And this to follow up</l>
<l rend="indent4">	We gave a dose of jollup</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Then as you well may think</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Ensued a dismal stink.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	The cough survivd this trick</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And Snivel dislikd physic</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">So once again each sad Physician</l>
<l rend="indent4">	All sad &amp; sighing</l>
<l rend="indent4">	That the poor beast was dying</l>
<l rend="indent3">Met to consult upon her sad condition</l>
<l rend="indent3">And we agreed the Patient was so ill</l>
<l rend="indent3">That her disorder baffled human skill</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent6">			And so</l>
<l rend="indent6">			We let poor Snivel go</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And then — miraculous to tell</l>
<l rend="indent3">When the Doctors gave her up — the beast got well!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Misfortunes <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas</ref> never come alone</l>
<l rend="indent4">	As in my letter shall be shown.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And when you see come</l>
<l rend="indent4">	The sorrows of Bow Begum</l>
<l rend="indent2">And hear how Hyder<note n="7" place="foot" resp="editors">A dog owned by the Bedford family.</note> tore his masters breeches</l>
<l rend="indent2">Then you will think indeed that Fate each dog bewitches.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	When Gipsey<note n="8" place="foot" resp="editors">A dog owned by the Bedford family.</note> jumpd for joy mast high</l>
<l rend="indent5">		To see her daughter get well</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Then M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedfords careful eye</l>
<l rend="indent5">		Saw that Bow Begum was not well</l>
<l rend="indent5">		And soon he sees</l>
<l rend="indent5">		An hundred thousand million fleas</l>
<l rend="indent2">Deprived the poor unhappy beast of ease.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Again to counsel we come</l>
<l rend="indent3">To think of something to relieve Bow Begum.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	First M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford came</l>
<l rend="indent3">Then <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> grave physician stalkd along</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And <ref target="people.html#BedfordHoraceWalpole">Horace</ref> next of grave doctorial fame</l>
<l rend="indent3">And I too joind the throng</l>
<l rend="indent3">And then by schemes like these</l>
<l rend="indent3">We counselld what was best to kill the fleas</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Whether with poking head</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Intent to pick them out</l>
<l rend="indent3">Or wash with melting lead</l>
<l rend="indent4">	The fleaing rout</l>
<l rend="indent2">To boil the bitch or else to shave her</l>
<l rend="indent2">And then in good strong suds to lave her</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">One plan at last we fixt upon the which</l>
<l rend="indent3">Was to call in the Barber to the Bitch</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">The Barber comes &amp; now</l>
<l rend="indent3">First with his scissars does he shear the Bow</l>
<l rend="indent3">And now he has her</l>
<l rend="indent3">He takes his razor</l>
<l rend="indent2">A strong soap lather made he</l>
<l rend="indent3">With which</l>
<l rend="indent3">Whilst Robert held the Bitch</l>
<l rend="indent2">Most barbarously he shaved the Lady.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">As when — the skies <del rend="strikethrough">the</del> &lt;grew&gt; dark</l>
<l rend="indent3">And (like a maggot in a nut-shell)</l>
<l rend="indent2">Old Noah in his ark</l>
<l rend="indent3">With sons wife daughters birds &amp; beasts was put well</l>
<l rend="indent3">A dreadful trim in</l>
<l rend="indent3">Men &amp; Women</l>
<l rend="indent3">And children began swimming</l>
<l rend="indent3">Horses &amp; cows then tried to float</l>
<l rend="indent3">Each pig cut his own throat</l>
<l rend="indent2">But trying to escape was then no good</l>
<l rend="indent2">For every one was drownd in this sad flood</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Such ills as these</l>
<l rend="indent2">A deluge quite as unexpected</l>
<l rend="indent2">By Robert &amp; the Barbers hand directed</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Rushd on the fleas.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Then in this trim</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Each flea tried to swim.</l>
<l rend="indent5">		But ah! but oh!</l>
<l rend="indent5">		It would not do</l>
<l rend="indent2">For tho to swim in water they might hope</l>
<l rend="indent4">	As you dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Tom</ref> or I can do</l>
<l rend="indent2">Yet when they came to try in soap</l>
<l rend="indent4">	The lather stopt them. it is very true</l>
<l rend="indent2">For my dear Brother really I think</l>
<l rend="indent2">That you in soapsuds would most surely sink.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Then Bow Begum was scrubbd</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And then she was rubbd</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And in a towel wrapt to dry</l>
<l rend="indent2">Bow Begum thus compleated was laid by.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg>
<l rend="indent4">	And now (thus <ref target="people.html#BedfordGrosvenorCharles">Grosvenor</ref> said)</l>
<l rend="indent4">	I have a charming project in my head</l>
<l rend="indent2">Since we’ve begun to wash why not go thro?</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Tis an odd rig</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Yet — why not wash the pig?</l>
<l rend="indent2">Since the same suds will excellently do.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Soon thought &amp; soon resolvd. but yet</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Remaind one mighty job</l>
<l rend="indent3">The little pig to get</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Before we well could put him in the tub.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	But pig ran hard</l>
<l rend="indent4">	About the yard</l>
<l rend="indent2">Had you been there you would have laughd to see</l>
<l rend="indent2">How fast the pig ran round — &amp; here close followd we.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4">	Fast ran the pig but faster</l>
<l rend="indent4">	We followd little master</l>
<l rend="indent3">Then did he kick growl grunt &amp; squaul</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And never in my life did I</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Hear such a sad outcry.</l>
<l rend="indent3">But yet in vain was all.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	For Pig was caught</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Spite of his dreadful din</l>
<l rend="indent5">		On to the washing tub was brought</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And there thrown in.</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Sure such a sight was never seen</l>
<l rend="indent4">	A Pig quite clean!</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Thus <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas</ref> youve seen each disaster so evil</l>
<l rend="indent2">That befell to Bow Begum &amp; poor little Snivel</l>
<l rend="indent2">But these scenes my brother must shortly be over</l>
<l rend="indent2">And I must return to see Phillis &amp; Rover<note n="9" place="foot" resp="editors">Dogs owned by Southey’s family.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent2">But of this homeward journey we’ll now lay aside stir</l>
<l rend="indent2">And give you the story of breeches-break Hyder. </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">The evening drew nigh</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And bedarkend the plain</l>
<l rend="indent3">M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford would try</l>
<l rend="indent4">	To let loose Hyders chain.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">So when Hercules strove</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Pluto’s mastiff<note n="10" place="foot" resp="editors">In classical mythology, the twelfth labour of the hero Hercules was to kidnap Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the gates to Hades.</note> to bind</l>
<l rend="indent3">And drag him above — </l>
<l rend="indent4">	He would stay behind.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">He tost &amp; he tore</l>
<l rend="indent4">	His rage mixing cries in</l>
<l rend="indent3">And then with a roar</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Belchd a gallon of poison </l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">But whats very strange</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Tho exceedingly true</l>
<l rend="indent3">To loose Hyders chains</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Made this dreadful ado</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">For Robert no more</l>
<l rend="indent4">	To unchain him could dare,</l>
<l rend="indent3">His breeches before</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Having met with a tear</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">And Cooling<note n="11" place="foot" resp="editors">Unidentified.</note> too dreads</l>
<l rend="indent4">	This beast most unkind</l>
<l rend="indent3">Who had bit all to shreds</l>
<l rend="indent4">	His breeches behind.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">For me I thought best</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Since the beast was so rum</l>
<l rend="indent3">Tother side of the gate</l>
<l rend="indent4">	To take care of my b-m.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">Safe &amp; snug there I staid</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And of course without fear.</l>
<l rend="indent3">When by no means afraid</l>
<l rend="indent4">	M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Bedford drew near.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">He let loose the chain</l>
<l rend="indent4">	‘Good dog Hyder come’</l>
<l rend="indent3">Eer he spake it again</l>
<l rend="indent4">	Hyder leapt at his bum.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3">To tear it he meant</l>
<l rend="indent4">	But the beast was mistaken</l>
<l rend="indent3">M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> B aside bent</l>
<l rend="indent4">	And so saved his bacon.</l>
<l rend="indent2">But oh of all vexations worst vexation</l>
<l rend="indent2">Thro the torn breeches hung the flag of abomination</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">No longer at <ref target="places.html#Brixton">Brixton</ref> such sports wear away</l>
<l rend="indent2">In innocent folly an hour of the day</l>
<l rend="indent2">At Bristol I write to conclude this so long</l>
<l rend="indent2">This tiresome ridiculous whimsical song.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2">Far away lie our lots in the voyage of [MS torn]</l>
<l rend="indent2">As under thus borne on the ocean of strife.</l>
<l rend="indent2">Yet remember each peril &amp; wintry hour past</l>
<l rend="indent2">Our voyage must end in the same port at last</l>
<l rend="indent2">What tho the winds whistle — clouds mantle the sky</l>
<l rend="indent2">The deep thunders roll &amp; the billows beat high</l>
<l rend="indent2">Anon the rough rage of the tempest shall cease</l>
<l rend="indent2">The sun shine again &amp; the sea sink to peace</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5">	——————</p>
<p>My dear <ref target="people.html#SoutheyTom">Thomas</ref> there is nonsense enough for one letter &amp; I can only say that if it amuses you you shall have more &amp; better — at least more serious. the length of this may apologize for the lateness — in fact it was begun immediately upon the receipt of yours.</p>
<p rend="indent1">
<ref target="people.html#WeeksShadrach">Shad</ref> desires to be rememberd to you. I write this at the table with him. he is recovering apace from a violent cold — for me you know nought is never in danger — we are all well.</p>
<p rend="indent1">	should you see Madge<note n="12" place="foot" resp="editors">His identity is uncertain, but he seems to have been a childhood friend of Southey’s in Bath or Bristol — possibly they attended school together or lived near one another.</note> again remember me kindly to him — he was one of my earliest friends &amp; long as we have been estranged I still feel a great regard for him.</p>
<p rend="indent1">	I send this to Bath that <ref target="people.html#SoutheyMargaret">my Mother</ref> may say what she pleases</p>
<closer>
<salute rend="indent3">yours most affectionately</salute>
<signed rend="indent5">Robt Southey.</signed>
</closer>
<postscript>
<p>I shall remain here till January.</p>
<lb/>
<p>
<date when="1793-12-14">Dec 14</date>. <ref target="people.html#SoutheyMargaret">My mother</ref> has kept this letter six weeks. this evening we received your letter. you shall have some money very sent. send your direction for the shirts &amp; the money shall come with them. I am over here for a few days. we are all talking about you Miss Monk<note n="13" place="foot" resp="editors">A member of Southey’s circle of family and friends in Bath or Bristol. Her full name is unknown.</note> &amp; <ref target="people.html#FrickerEdith">Miss E Fricker</ref> &amp; me &amp; <ref target="people.html#SoutheyMargaret">Mamma</ref>. &amp; M<hi rend="sup">r</hi> Daguilar<note n="14" place="foot" resp="editors">A member of Southey’s circle of family and friends in Bath or Bristol. His full name is unknown.</note> has been just here &amp; my pen is very bad &amp; I want you to mend it send your direction &amp; you shall have all the money can be sent</p>
<p rend="indent4">			your affectionate brother</p>
<p rend="indent5">				R Southey.</p>
<p>how much prize money?</p>
<p>ha ha ha </p>
</postscript>
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