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Bodleian Library, MS Eng. Lett. c. 23. Previously published: Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), II, pp. 8–9 [in part].
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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You ask me why the Devil rides on horseback –
“The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. & that would be
reason enough. but moreover the history doth aver that he
came on horseback for the Old Woman,I
understood his damnable majesty to be otherwise – that a
biped I say would walk clumsily upon cloven feet. neither
hath Apollyon wings according to the best representations
& indeed how should he? for were they of feathers like
the Angels – they would be burnt in the everlasting fire.
& were they of leather like a bats they would be
shrivelled. I conclude therefore that wings he hath not. yet
do we find from sundry reputable authors & divers
histories that he transporteth himself from place to place
with exceeding rapidity. now as he cannot walk fast or fly,
he must have some conveyance stage coaches to hell there are
none tho the road be much frequented. balloons would burst
at setting out, the air would be so xxx rarified by the heat. but
horses x he may have &
of a particular breed.
I am learned in Dæmonology & could say
more but this sufficeth. I should advise you not to copy the
ballad because the volume will soon be finished. I expect to
bring it with me on Ash Wednesday
I know not whether I should say any thing or
not upon the first part of your letter. it was never my
intention to give you pain. I saw you was offended by the
note that accompanied Berchtold’s book
I am better – but they tell me that constant
exercise is indispensable – & that at my age & with
my constitution I must either shake off the complaint now,
or it will stick to me for ever. Ediths health
requires care, our medical friend dreads the effect of
London upon both. when my time is out in our present house
(at Midsummer) we must go to the sea awhile. I thought I was
like a Scotch fir – could grow anywhere – but I am sadly
altered & my nerves in a vile state. I am almost ashamed
of my own feelings – but they depend not upon volition.
these things throw such a joy over the prospect of life! I
cannot see my way – it is time to be in an office – but the
confinement would be ruinous. you know not the alteration I
feel. I could once have slept with the seven sleeperss wakes me &
with alarm. however I am better.
I should like to pass a day with you when I come to town. Thursday Fr. & Sat. I dine at the inn. if you are in town Saturday I will walk over with you after dinner – & return with you Monday & to Bristol that night. otherwise I will leave town by Saturdays mail. let me know where you shall be then. is Duppa in town? –
I had almost forgot. do you know anything
of [MS torn] Alfred?
y 1799.