My dear friend
You will probably be surprized at the
contents of this letter. you were however I believe aware
that the when & where of my departure from England were
to be determined by advice from Lisbon, whither I had
written stating to my Uncle the
nature of my disorder, & the advice which had been
uniformly given with regard to its remedy. My Uncles
reply leaves me no choice, even if I were desirous of
deferring my embarkation – for he has engaged a house for me
& arranged every thing as to furniture &
establishment – so that we are now in all the hurry of
preparation. designing if possible to set out for Falmouth
on this day fortnight.
We have two trunks at Burton which I shall
be obliged to you to forward by Joy, [1] directed to me
No 10. Stokes Croft.
Bristol. they are I believe under the tent bed-stead. both
of black leather. the one small, & once neat – with
brass nails & a brass-nail S on the top. the other large
& shabby with no brass nails – of a coarser black
leather & wagon-worn.
Our cottage will not remain untenanted – my mother I
apprehend will pass her summer there, with some friend.
I design to employ myself in Portugal with
collecting materials & information for the compleat
History of that kingdom. [2] a history fertile in magnificent
actions. no country was ever more splendid in its rise, or
more instructive in its decline. this will be a work of much
labour, but of the execution
will interest me, & the end be important.
Portugal is so small a country, that a few
easy journies will make me well acquainted with it, &
enable me to understand every field of battle, & every
siege; an important advantage, not easily attainable in any
other country. how I go on in health, & in occupations
you shall of course from time to time be acquainted
with.
It is very satisfactory to me to have my
destination settled, & also that it is settled in this
way. I left Lisbon with enough regret – & with enough
attachment to place & persons, to render the return
there an object of much pleasant anticipation. besides, tho
xx my tongue be not – my
ears are ready at the language, & a little serious
application in the country will make me no despicable
Portugueze. & I can already talk a very understandable
lingo. the voyage is the most unpleasant business – I
anticipate high wind & low spirits – & my inside –
with the very recollection of past sickness, threatens me,
& omens intestinal insurrections.
This morning I am going with Rickman to ramble
all over Redcliff church [3] – a huge & magnificent building. you
will easily imagine that the arrangement of my papers, &
all worldly concerns, occupies me very much. Rickman has been
my amanuensis, & saved me some trouble – still I have
much to do.
My Mother
& Edith
desire to be remembered. God bless you. I could have wished
to shake you by the hand before my departure, if it were
possible.
yours affectionately
Robert Southey.
Monday. March 24. 1800.
