My dear friend
I have received your letter barely in time to
answer it by return of post. Mr
Coleman [1] has had more trouble than I
can thank him for. his advice about the beds is doubtless
the best – so let them be sold. [2] the
prints I would reserve – except the unhappy Ceyx [3]
which is spoilt – & therefore its companion Niobe [4] may go. the prints then – the
unfinished hearth carpet of Ediths work,
& the little mahogany machine for making fringe – are
all we wish reserved with the linen. the prints may go with
the books to Rickman. the carpet & machine in the chest –
the trunk of linen should accompany the chest.
I write in haste that no time may be lost.
Our election is just over & has ended very strangely –
the people were piqued at the manner in which a
stranger [5] was to be forced upon
them – & have chosen a merchant in the independent
interest [6] – to
the great surprize & satisfaction of himself & every
body else –. thank you for your friendly invitation – but
here we must stay awhile for reasons not to be removed – but
– if you come near Bristol – do not forget us – you will
make our remembrances to your Mother & Mr Coleman –
God bless you –
yrs truly
R Southey.
July 7. 1802.
Notes
* Address: To/ Charles Biddlecombe Esqr/ Burton/ near/
Ringwood
Stamped: [partial] 122/ BRIS
Watermark:
E & P/ 1801
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public
Library
Unpublished. BACK
[1] Unidentified; presumably an acquaintance of Southey
from his residence at Burton. BACK
[2] Southey was arranging for the disposal of
household items left behind at Burton. BACK
[3] See Publius Ovidius Naso (43
BC- 17/18 AD), Metamorphoses, Book 11.
Ceyx, King of Thracis, was drowned at sea and he and his
wife, Alcyone, were turned into kingfishers. BACK
[4] In Greek mythology,
Niobe boasted she had fourteen children, while the
goddess Leto had only two. In revenge, Leto sent her two
children, Artemis and Apollo, to kill all of Niobe’s
offspring. Famed for her tears, Niobe was a stock figure
of mourning. BACK
[5] Sir
Frederick Morton Eden, 2nd Baronet (1766-1809;
DNB), who initially stood as a
candidate for Bristol in the 1802 General Election, but
retired before the poll. BACK
[6] The Whig
plantation owner Evan Baillie (1741-1835). BACK
