2740. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 18 March 1816
2740. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 18 March 1816*
My dear R.
Here is part of a story which is very characteristic, & upon which volumes & volumes have been written. [1] My next chapter brings Vieyra the Jesuit upon the stage, – I have scarcely ever derived so much amusement from any book as from the fourteen volumes of his sermons; [2] they are r richer in historical matter than Latimers, quainter than that good old Bishop himself, [3] – & with a power of language which certainly never was surpassed by any writer in any age or country
RS.
18 March. 1816.Notes
* Address: John Rickman Esqre// St Stephens Court/ New Palace Yard/
Westminster
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Endorsement: 18 March 1816
MS:
Huntington Library, RS 274. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] Southey was sending Rickman part of the second volume of his History of Brazil, 3 vols (London, 1810–1819). Chapter 25 (II, pp. 381–448) dealt with conflicts in Paraguay between the State, Church authorities and the Jesuits in the 1640s. BACK
[2] Antonio Vieira (1608–1697), Brazilian-born Jesuit, preacher and statesman. Southey introduced his activities in History of Brazil, 3 vols (London, 1810–1819), II, pp. 456–500. Vieira’s Sermõens varios, e Tratados (1679–1748) was no. 3771 in the sale catalogue of Southey’s library. They are still regarded as the supreme achievement of Portuguese prose. BACK
