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MS untraced; previously in the collection of Sadie Spence Clephan, sold at Christie’s, London, 1 July 1970, purchaser unknown; text is taken from Kenneth Curry (ed.) New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (New York & London, 1965). Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.) New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (New York & London, 1965), pp. 183–186.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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Where are you my dear Edith? with people whom I know not and in a
place I know not, but wherever you are Edith you think of me, and wish for me I
am sure. Half the time of my town residence is thank God just over. Another
fortnight and we shall meet at Westbury. I forgot to say I had seen Betsy Thomas
Monday. When Grosvenor came from town this morning I lookd for a letter and felt disappointed at receiving none. It is not that you and I expect news from each other, but the mere sight of the handwriting creates a more substantial communication than mere thought. I am writing tho with nothing to communicate you see. There is such a sameness in my days work that one days history suffices for the whole. Here I have to versify for Stuart, to review, and books to read – and the standing employment to write to you – an employment Edith which I heartily wish I had done with – now if you are frowning at that remember why I say it and smile into good humour. When I go to town my time is fully employed in morning visits and hunting the book-stalls. Oh if I were behind Time how I would kick the lazy old loiterer! However Edith this day fortnight shall I be in the coach.
Carlisle is coming to Bristol – his business is with Beddoes – to talk with him upon a scheme which I may tell you but which you will not speak of till it be made public, lest any thing prevent it. It is a plan he has for knocking up the rascally exorbitance of physicians, surgeons and apothecaries – by combining with a physician of known skill to receive small fees, and a druggist to administer prescriptions pure and at a just price. His stay will of course be very short, and Beddoes and Mr Wedgewood will I suppose engross him – but I suppose he will bed with me.
Edith I am determined that no cursed moneysaving scheme shall ever again keep me a month from you. I save five guineas – and lose three weeks comfort – a vile bargain and I will make no more of them.
Mary Hayes I have not yet seen but
shall look for her tomorrow, and George
Dyer is going with me to visit Gilbert Wakefield
society
company is never wanted and not always welcome. But here to my misfortune I am
batchelorized, and understand what Godwin and Tobin
Here is a noble cat parading upon the table. I must cut his nails for the rogue quilts confoundedly thro my worsted pantaloons when he is pleased.
Wynn dined here a few days since.
After dinner we walked together in the garden, and for the first time, he spoke
of his disappointed attachment and the remembrance it had left. He had conceived
himself ill used – refused after a markd and obvious preference – but afterwards
he learnt that she had married only in obedience to her mother, to one she did
not love. I did not imagine this disappointment had left an impression so deep
and so little likely to be effaced. He saw my scene of Queen Mary
My reviewing will soon be done and I look on to a little respite
after clearing my hands of that work. Hamilton