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Bodleian Library, Eng. Lett. c. 24. Previously published: Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), III, pp. 167–168 [with omissions].
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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Had I been a single man I should long ere thus have found my way into Spain. I do not perceive any possibility of
my going now & for this plain reason; my pension would not support my family during my absence, – & there is no reason to
suppose that any salary which might be allowed me would be more than sufficient for my expences abroad. So much the better: for if
it were otherwise & the offer were made me, I believe I ought to accept it, & this could not be done without a great
sacrifice. Three children & a fourth in prospect are not easily left, & ought not to be left without unless
some important advantage were to be obtained from <by> leaving them. I am obliged to Gifford; – very much obliged to him; – it is likely that Frere, from his knowledge of my
Uncle, would be disposed to listen to him, but that enough could be obtained to render my acceptance of it
prudent, or even practicable seems out of the question.
Thank you for your offer. the old Letters
I stick in Toms manuscript
____
So far was written last night, immediately on the receipt of your letter – In matters of any import this is my way,
– to reply from the instantaneous feeling, – & then let the reply lie quietly for cooler judgement. You see what my thoughts
are upon the subject. I should accept an advantageous offer; xxx but am so certain of being desperately home-sick
during the whole time of absence, that <I am glad there is little> the improbability of any offer sufficiently
advantageous. xxx xxx Yet had I 500 £ to dispose of I would go in the first packet for Lisbon, expressly to purchase
books. The French have beyond all doubt sold off the convent libraries & perhaps the publick one, & such a collection may
now be made, as could never at any other time be within reach.
As for a history of the Spanish Revolution Landor is in the
country, & if he feels it & if he is disposed to do it, there never was that man upon earth who could do it
better.