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Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas, Austin. Previously published: Charles Ramos, The Letters of Robert Southey to John May: 1797–1838 (Austin, Texas, 1976), pp. 53–54.
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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I have received no letter yet from Lisbon, −
an unpleasant delay, which prevents me from making any
arrangement. the more leisurely I consider every thing, the
more my inclination increases towards the Lisbon plan. I
could indeed obtain an English passport for the South of
France, but it might be difficult to obtain the French one −
& indeed go where I will, except to Lisbon, it will be
an very disagreable to
take Edith
intirely among strangers, without any companion of her own
sex. little as I like the sea I am half inclined to take
ship for Leghorn to avoid this embarrassment upon the
journey.
Herbert Croft’s
letter.his the stile of his letter,
to request that no party dislike towards me, might hinder the success of the subscription.
He complains of no private intimation
being given him: − Cottle twice wrote to him in 1796 & 1797. he
complains that the attack was made in his absence, when the
frost blockd up the Elbe: − he has been for the last six
months in lodgings at Yarmouth. of this I have received
certain intelligence from Yarmouth − & the address to
his lodgings.
The subject of female employment I well knew
would interest you.must be made
into a volume, that it may be visible – for all pamphlets
die away from their size. but it shall be as small a volume
as possible. of present good resulting from it I have little
expectation – but feel the certainty that it will be a seed
that must bud forth at last – a leaven which must ultimately
ferment & purify society. you see how the subject
naturally proceeds – state of females in society, & the
evils thereon attendant: benefits deduceable from their
increased utility & independance: & then the mode of
obtaining this desirable end. If a few leading women could
be proselyted, much might now be done; if they would but
discountenance the men-tradesmen who occupy female
situations half the work would be accomplished.
My brother Tom is superseded
in the Sylph, & removed to the Bellona of 80 guns – Capt
Sir James Thomson.Bellona was a ship of the line, it
would be more likely to be used in engaging the French
fleet than capturing prizes.
Thomas of
Hereford, has been very ill – but his illness has
produced very good effects. you know I believe that he was
attached to one of his cousins, & that their marriage
was delayed only by a the
refusal of their parents to provide for them, as they were
both able to do. this cousin upon learning his danger
immediately went to nurse him, & was the means of saving
his life by her unwearied attentions. old Thomas was affected
− & immediately gave his son 1300 pounds – besides a
handsome sum for the expences of his illness & her
father also has done his part. so that the marriage will
soon take place.
I have seen this young woman.
Tomorrow I go to Gloucester to meet Wynn who is on the circuit. he is anxious to ship me off for a better climate − & I also am anxious to be gone. Edith desires to be remembered.