London.
Saturday 25 May.
My dear friend
Your letter has followed me here & reachd
me only this evening. I thank you truly for the trouble you
have taken. I remember the house you point out, it is if my
memory does not deceive me near the cross, & opposite
the pond where the road bends like the letter S. from your
account it seems to suit us perfectly, & if there be bed
rooms for a servant, my mother,
ourselves, & a spare room for a friend, I think there
can be no hesitation about it. this appears to be the case,
as xx it is divided into two
tenements you say, & of course the sitting room of one
can hold a bed in case of need.
It gives me great pleasure that there is this
prospect of our settling near you. we shall always spend the
summer months there & as much more as we can. I feel
attached to the country & shall look upon it as my
home.
I am term-keeping but leave town tomorrow
night & hope to be home on Monday. from your letter I
guess that you must be in town now, if I knew where or how
to trace you. as this is impossible my only way is to direct
to Burton.
I should prefer taking it from year to year
to having a term. but this you must regulate according to
circumstances.
It gives me great pleasure to hear your
little girl [1] continues well, doubly dear as she
must be to you. if we be not disappointed in this business I
shall see her at Midsummer.
believe me yours thankfully &
truly
Robert Southey.
If I were at home the paper should not travel so empty.
but I am visiting & thoroughly fatigued with a
compleat days labour in London.
