2711. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 9 February 1816⁠* 

My dear R.

Thank you for the plan of the Battle. [1]  I should judge the scale too small, – or the positions incorrect. It makes the breadth of the battle, from Hougoumont to Papelote two miles, – my legs made it <nearly> three. [2]  At a four miles-an-hour pace I was an hour & half walking from one place to the other & back, – minuting the time for the sake purpose of estimating the distance.

Thank you also for the Mendicity Report, [3]  – inclosed in which came a profile which I suppose to be little Annes. [4] 

I write in the next Quarterly (not that <with> which ofxxxx the press is [MS torn] in gestation) upon the Poor, – or rather upon what has been do[MS torn] is doing, & remains to be done for improving their condition, & lessening the sum of evil that exists among them – a paper upon real practicable reform – versus the reformers. The poor laws I leave alone, respectfully in ignorance. But when your time is come, to attack them I shall comprehend your views will serve a battery for you with all zeal & diligence. [5] 

God bless you

RS.