2838. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 10 September [1816]⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

The letter which accompanies this you & Herries may do what you please with. [1]  And if you still think it ne adviseable that I should hasten to London, I will obey your summons (however reluctantly) as soon as possible. I cannot think it necessary; & it would be hugely inconvenient with such tremendous arrears of business as are now upon my hands.

I have just been informed of the existence of a Club at in Keswick here, – of what description think you? – nothing less than a Club of Atheists who meet <met used to meet> twice a week at an alehouse to enjoy the pleasures of free opinion in congenial society! The mistress of the alehouse was ‘of the same way of thinking”,– – but one of the members having married the daughter of another alewife the society has split, – perhaps there may be two clubs instead of one. A Clerk of M^r Fryers [2]  is president, – & some of the Crossthwates [3]  (the tanners) are members.

This is in great measure the fault of our Reverend Porpoise; [4]  – who if he cannot (for lack of natural gifts) do any other good as a Priest than what might be performed by a marrying & christening machine, ought at least to do his duty as a magistrate, & interfere with the public houses

RS.

10 Sep^t.