680. Robert Southey to Mary Barker, [started before and continued on] 28 May 1802 ⁠* 

Kingsdown. Bristol : Friday May 28. 1802

safely arrived after a warm journey of twenty four hours, which cost almost a shilling an hour, the fare being one pound three, & of course would have been as cheap again if the coach had been eight & forty hours upon the road, which would have made it a great bargain. Swineabell bore the journey well, better I think than Mrs Lovell. Bella [1]  was sick I am sorry to tell, we had two other decent peopell, poor I was sleepy, & to Bristol at last we all of us got filthy & tired & plaguely hot.

Some six months ago a Lady called & expressed prodigious delight at seeing Mrs. Danvers working the carpet, upon which the desk was to stand, whereon so many beautiful poems were to be written. & cannot you guess who this Lady of prophetic complaisance was? why who should it be but Miss Bunjy or Bungy or Benjy or Bengy, [2]  who doubtless remembers the game at Pope Joan, [3]  & views me now in her imagination “shorn of my beams.” [4] 

There was joy in store for me at Bristol − my dear & noble books − such folios of Saints! dull books enough for my patience to diet upon till all my flock be gathered together into one fold. but Where & When? of course I know as little as when we parted – or rather did not part − for that cursed Good bye − is a world I never pronounce if it mean more than a fortnights seperation. however I do see for about four months forward, & Edith is now looking out for a small − ready furnished house − lodgings would not now so well suit us − & do you Senhora instruct yourself in the Creed, the Lords Prayer & the Ten Commandments in the Vulgar tongue to qualify yourself for the office [5]  designed you by my Threetailship. [6] 

When I tell you that sixteen volumes of Spanish poetry are lying uncut in the room − & a large folio long in requisition & yet untasted lying at − yea actually jogging my elbow − you will allow that I sacrifice something in bescrawling this paper at this time. So fail not you to certify us of your safe arrival and well being in Staffordshire. There is a strangeness in the great quiet of this place − still more in missing at once a whole army of acquaintance, & those such remarkables as were used to frequent our rooms. But I shall do wonders − & if by the end of the year there be not much history [7]  done, & much Madoc, [8]  & Amadis [9]  in a parenthesis, & half a poem as good as [Kehema] [10]  Thalaba, [11]  why woe be to the little moveables on each side my head.

I am persuaded here by Danvers to settle near London − tho to be near him is the only reason that tempts me to settle here. however here we must tarry for a season − & if during that time any very desirable house were vacant − I feel a somewhat towards the country where I grew up − that would perhaps bird-lime me. We have some lovely scenes near, − within an easy walk − I should be content to live in the Strand if I could drop down these rocks & woods & river just upon St Gile’s or St James’s − (giving you know the inhabitants of the said parish warning to remove −) but that not being the case − you know what Mahommed did when the mountain [12]  would not come to him. − exactly what I must do just now with respect to the Post Office − So remember you all the remembrances that I always chuse to forget in my Epistolizations and know me

Yrs very truly

Robert Southey.