824. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 19 August [1803] ⁠* 

I have hardly heart to write to you Tom. my poor child is going after our poor mother. & I should be truly miserable without the full faith & conviction that she is going to her & that I also shall one day join them. there is no possibility of her recovery. the disease is water on the brain. thank God she is quite insensible. by the time this reaches you you may conclude that all is over.

We set off without delay for Keswick. I will write on our arrival or sooner. Edith is almost heart broken. I am recovering & resigned – but it is the heaviest blow that has alxxx ever fallen upon me.

God bless you my dear Tom

R S.

Edward is going to the Suffisante. tho Capt H.  [1]  cannot immediately rate him. but that he tells me is no consequence as his time will go just the same.

Friday Aug. 19.