1788. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 27 June 1810 ⁠* 

Keswick. June 27. 1810.

My dear Grosvenor

This evening there came a letter franked by that noble franker the first Lord, [1]  – I opened it eagerly thinking to have certain tidings of your movements, & behold it contained nothing except a blank stamp, – not a receipt as usual, but a mere stamp, so that why it came, or what it is for, unless you can inform me I am likely never to know.

Will you contrive to have the sum of £3– 5^s/ paid for me to M^r George Ridout [2]  in Paternoster Row, – his father is a surgeon I believe, [3]  – but the Row is not very long, & is probably one of those places in which the inhabitants know who <are> their neighbours. I owe him this money for some books which he purchased for me in Spain, whither he went with Jacob the M.P. [4]  whom Whitbread [5]  cross-examined in his character for of Council for Buonaparte. [6]  & as I have no acquaintance with Ridout, & really feel much indebted to him for his xxx civility; I shall <be glad> to have the money part of the obligation settled as soon as convenient. You will not for a moment suppose that I am wishing you, an invalid, to perform this commission in any other way, than by sending him the money in a note, & requesting, if he be not at home when the messenger arrives, that he would acknowledge it by the twopenny post. Will you also let Miss Betham know that you are coming hither, – Colonel Peachy has left some little trinket for Edith in her hands, – as a memorial of his wife.

My cruel summer cold has taken up the quarters with me as usual, & my eyes & nose are suffering severely. I look anxiously for a line for you that I may secure your lodgings –

God bless you Grosvenor

Yrs very affectionately

Robert Southey