My dear Harry
Your shirts are at last finished & will
immediately be forwarded. they will probably reach you at
the same time with this.
You are now Harry placed in a more favourable
situation than we could reasonably have expected or hoped. I
trust you will see the necessity of profiting by it to the
utmost. On the subject of your studies I am about to write
to Mr Maurice. it is my particular wish that
you should apply yourself to mathematics, as without a
knowledge of them you will find it impossible to make any
proficiency in the sciences hereafter. If when you leave
school you are well grounded in mathematics & have a
good knowledge of Latin & Greek, every thing will be
easy & pleasurable to you. In the profession of surgery
or medicine every thing may be accomplished by talents; as
far as this will be in my
power you shall have every advantage in pursuing your
studies, & if you do not attain to eminence it will be
your own fault. the profession itself is of all others the
most useful, & I know enough of medical studies to be
assured that they are the most interesting.
About your dancing Harry. we are not in a
situation to allow of any expence that can be avoided. it is
only by unremitting labour (to a degree indeed that has
injured my health) that I can supply the wants of a large
family, nor could you be supported in your present situation
without the assistance of a friend. this is saying enough.
nor is it of any importance whether you ever learn or no. If
there be any opportunity of your learning French, I should
wish you to profit by it. for tho you may at any time teach
yourself to read the language, the power of speaking in it
can only be acquired in youth. this I shall mention to Mr Maurice.
How are you employed? what books do you
read?
I shall in the course of next week send a
volume of my Poems [1] for you,
in a parcel to Burnett. you will I hope occasionally write to
him, & remember always your obligations to his
friendship.
Edward was
with me nearly a fortnight, recovering from the hooping
cough. my
mother has caught a severe cold. she is at present
in Bristol. your sister Edith, &
Peggy join
me in love.
yrs affectionately
Robert Southey.
Wednesday. 12. Feby. 1799.
