3032. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 October 1817⁠* 

Wednesday Keswick 29 Oct. 1817

You are a vile fellow Grosvenor, – & really made me uneasy by your silence, – for I could not help thinking you were ill. I have been hard at work since you departed, & have got thro (as you may perhaps have seen) a paper for Gifford, [1]  which, quoad [2]  the trouble it cost, will not be overpaid by any thing which may be given for it in the form of sweet remuneration. Since this was dispatched I have been recreating myself alternately with Brazilian history [3]  – & the introduction to the peninsular war; [4]  – in this <latter> I have done with the moral picture of Spain & Portugal, & shall probably have compleated that of France before this will reach you. the chapter is to conclude with England & in this part I shall draw for posterity the true picture of an English opposition. As soon as this is done (& I shall not lay it aside, till it be done) it goes to press without delay: – when I am once under weigh, stop me who can, – I can answer for myself. [5] 

Some time ago Coleridge desired that Derwent might be sent up to him, – preparations have been made accordingly, & I was desirous that he should go, in hopes that the father when he felt the weight upon his own shoulders might bestir himself: C. is fortunate in making friends & noways delicate in soliciting favours from them: on this occasion there was great cause for any assistance which he could obtain. Today however his wife has received a letter from M^rs Gillman, [6]  saying that M^r C is not well enough at present to receive his son; – that his illness is chiefly occasioned by his having engaged to write the introduction to the New Cyclopeadia [7]  which he now repents of having undertaken, finding it cannot be done in time &c &c – The truth is that instead of taking his son, he had laid a plan for quartering himself here also: – to this as you may well suppose I have just & insuperable objections, it may suffice to mention one, – I know that he is exceedingly in debt, & I know also that to pay off the debts which he must needs have paid before he could leave the Gillmans, he was endeavouring to obtain money from Curtis (of the Cyclopaedia) – upon condition of engaging totis viribus [8]  in the his service: his coming here would have been a breach of those conditions (in reality the money would have been obtained upon false pretences,) & he would have been arrested in consequence. Whenever he is arrested, which sooner or later he must be, it had better take place any where else than here.

Without affecting any love for Derwent, I feel much compassion for him: it is a truly pitiable situation; for his father not only does nothing for him, but stands in the way of having any thing done, because there is not that claim upon his relations to bestir themselves, which there would be if he were an orphan. I can contribute nothing toward placing him at college, if such a scheme were set on foot, because there are nearer much nearer claims [9]  which take from me all I can spare x which x are likely to grow heavier, & which will continue as long as I live. I wish it were as certain that my own means would increase in equal proportion. – By the bye you may purchase for me a sixteenth: [10]  – let lotteries be as bad as they may, this is a loss which I cannot feel, – & xx xxxx there is a possibility of very essential advantage from it.

Have you heard nothing of my books? I am uneasy about the box from Milan, [11]  – & wish those from Brussels were arrived, because the season is now coming on when the voyage xx of <has> more risque than should be mine without necessity.

Nash is visiting Senhouse at Netherhall. Westall is downstairs, with D^r Bell & M^rs Crothers & the Senhora. The snow is on the fells, – but the country still beautiful, – indeed I have never seen grander effects than what Shedaw called upon me to look at this afternoon.

The Grand Murrays letter has not yet arrived, – it will probably come with the Q. [12]  proofs, of which I am in daily expectation. You are perfectly right in your opinion upon Jeffreys essay. [13]  Whether it deserve criticism is xxxx <a> question for others, not for me, – this I am certain that & no essay upon beauty can be worth my reading: – upon such subjects I have never bestowed a thought, nor ever shall: [MS missing] is enough for me to know when things are sublime beautiful, or sublime, just as I know whether things are sweet, or sour, – xx without enquiring or caring why they are so. But if the Grand Murray will let me take Coleridges Biographia for a text, [14]  & under that text, make a direct personal attack upon Jeffrey & Hazlitt, I will give these <scoundrels> a Williamsmithiad which shall answer his purpose effectually as well as mine. [15]  There are no usages of parliament to stand in my way, – & may this right hand forget its cunning, [16]  if it does not do me justice & inflict due punishment.

God bless you. Remember me to Miss Page & your brother, & lay your plans for bringing him with you next year to the Lakes

RS.

The kitten is named Pulcheria. If Narses [17]  understood the fitness of his own name, he would admire this also. She is daughter to Madame Bianchi, & granddaughter to Bona Fidelia; niece to the late Catalani, & related in many ways to Lord Nelson – deceased.