1753. Robert Southey to John Rickman, [6 March 1810] ⁠* 

Pedra branca [1]  is Portugueze

The catch word identification of the Chapters was <is> a blunder of the Printers – who ought to have inserted the whole argument of each, – the use of such a Table of Contents being, not to make one who has read the book remember it, but to give a sort of birds eye view of it to any person. I have been provoked with Poples tardiness, – however it is finished at last. The rest of the Contents he needs not send me, & I hope before March is over you will have the volume. [2] 

Fardel  [3]  is a Portugueze word. – & on turning to the Dict. I find it is Castillian also. But certainly I was familiar with its meaning long before I knew any thing of either language. Is there not such a Latin word as fardus? [4] 

I have not yet seen the M. Reviews account of K White, in which they defend their original condemnation of him, & as I am told quote in proof of its justice the verses written on being confined at school, – not noticing that they are the earliest of the whole Remains, & that they were not in the volume which they condemned. [5]  If I find that this is as it has been represented to me I shall annoy my new friend the Editor [6]  with a short letter in half a dozen magazines. [7]  About my own works I am a perfect Quaker, – but it is not amiss to let these sort of Gentlemen know that I am a very Tartar upon debatable xxxx ground.

I wish Burnett may get this Librarianship, [8]  – & still more that he may be fit for it – which I very much doubt. You designate him truly when you call him worthless; I never saw so melancholy an instance of the deleterious effects of vanity, idleness, & French metaphysics. – Nevertheless tho any thing is good enough for him I wish he may succeed, x in getting something more <better> than he deserves. As for wishing every man his deserts, – that would be little short of high Treason at this time.

I condole with Mrs Rickman upon the disgrace of the county of Sussex in the person of its Member. [9]  – the most amusing incident I ever recall remember in Panfurciferium if <like> D^r Solomon [10]  I may be allowed to compound a mongrel word.

RS.