3104. Robert Southey to Daniel Stuart, 25 March 1818 ⁠* 

Keswick. 25th March. 1818

My dear Sir

The Courier which you have been friendly enough to send us for so many years, for about six weeks past has always come a day later than it ought, & very much worn at the folds as if it had been carried in the pockets: it has wholly failed several times, & never arrived when it ought. Rather than trouble you upon the subject we wrote to Mr. Freeling; & I inclose to you the result of his investigation at the Post Office. [1]  – It comes always in the regular wrapper.

I have not seen Wordsworth since his return from London. My time is indeed fully employed at my desk & among my books. You will probably see in the next Q Review a plan proposal (in a paper upon the Poor Laws) for organizing an efficient civil force, by which any disturbances to be excited upon that ground may speedily be suppressed. [2] Xxxxxx xxxx xxxx <Do not hint at> me xxxxxxxxx as the author of this paper, do not hint at it in The Courier; – from its matter & manner I am not likely to be suspected, & I have desired that it may be kept secret, having no desire to draw upon myself any cut-throat libels upon that subject. The Suspension [3]  & the last harvest [4]  & the effect of time in opening new channels for capital to employ itself, have done much for us: – but another unfavourable season would throw us back into confusion, nor can any Government be safe which suffers itself to be continually libelled with impunity. Oh that it were as easy to counteract the mischief which the Opposition are effecting out of door, as it is to expose their folly & their falsehood, & to trample upon it in argument.

M^rs S. & her sisters [5]  beg their remembrances to M^rs Stuart. [6] 

Believe me, my dear Sir

yrs very truly

Robert Southey.