My dear Wynn
The Sarsar is the icy wind of death; &
its reservoir is in the centre of the earth. so say the
notes to Vathek [1] – I have neither the
book nor memorandum by me, & know not the authority
referred to. nor is the word in D’Herbelot. [2] with the Simoom [3] it has no
affinity – except its deadliness. the Simoom I have employed
with very great effect at the end of the second book. one of
the magicians has found Thalaba by means of his ring with
the bit of hell-fire set in it. at the hour of prayer when
Thalaba & the Bedouins with whom he dwells fall on their
faces in adoration – Abdaldar stands over him to strike. at
that instant comes the blast of the desert. This I think the
finest incident that I have ever conceived.
This mild weather favours me much, & the
difference I perceive is very great. hence, I conclude that
climate materially effects me – for I never suffered so much
as during the severe weather. I will come to London as soon
as I conveniently can & take the opportunity of keeping
a term. I want to talk with you respecting law, &
express the complete conviction I feel that the chancery
line [4] will suit me
best.
God bless you.
yrs R Southey.
Jany. 16.
1800.
Notes* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr/
Wynnstay/ near Wrexham/ Denbighshire
Stamped:
BRISTOL
Postmark: JAN 16 1800
MS: National
Library of Wales, MS
4811D
Unpublished. BACK [1]
Thalaba the Destroyer (1801), Book
1, lines 555–556. It is described as the ‘sansar’ in
William Beckford (1760–1844; DNB),
An Arabian Tale, From an Unpublished
Manuscript: With Notes Critical and
Explanatory (London, 1786), p. 207, but is
not mentioned in the notes. BACK [2] Barthelemy d’Herbelot
(1625–1695), Bibliotheque Orientale, ou
Dictionnaire Universel Contenant Generalement Tout
ce qui Regarde la Connoissance des Peuples de
l’Orient (1697). BACK [3]
Thalaba the
Destroyer (1801), Book 2, lines 393–401. The
Simoom is a hot, dry, dust-laden wind. BACK [4] Civil cases
heard before the Court of Chancery. BACK |
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