1808. Robert Southey to Walter Savage Landor, 23–26 [September 1810] ⁠* 

Keswick. Sep^t. 23. 1801 [1] 

The last proof of Kehama, [2]  which is, as you know, in due order of printing the first sheet, has arrived this evening. It will probably be six weeks before it is published, – a journey or a voyage from Leith to London, with the ordinary delays of hot presses, folders, stitchers &c will occasion this delay. Meantime let me know where I shall have a copy directed to you. – I have dedicated the poem to you, – believing that but for you it would never have been finished, – & in that case I should never have had resolution to begin another poem while this remained incompleat. [3]  The preface, more meo, [4]  is short & explicit, giving the reader all necessary information, & entering into nothing farther. [5]  The notes are copious & sufficiently dull, – I give the ore them as a specimen of the ore, that the skill of the refiner may be understood.

My Uncle has resigned Staunton & removed to Streatham in Surry, – which the D of Bedford has given him. [6]  It is six miles from London, & there I purpose visiting him as early as possible in the coming spring. Perhaps we may meet in town, or somewhere on the road, for many widely-distant parts of England may be made in the way from Keswick to London.

I am at work upon the history of 1809 for the Edinburgh Annual Register. [7]  This occupation, as long as I continue p it, places me in comparative affluence. I have 400 £ a year – for it, & have vested 209 £ of the first years payment in a twelfth share of the concern, which will bring me xx nearly 40 per cent. If you see the first volume [8]  you will pleased with the freedom with which it is written. This is a pleasant employment, there is some satisfaction in keeping up the heart of the country, of <in> acquitting oneself of any participation in national guilt or national folly, in writing of the existing powers as faithfully as if they were not my contemporaries, above all in speaking of Buonaparte as befits xx a republican. The Spanish history I have given as fully as all the documents within my reach enabled me. & Spain will prove Buonapartes ruin. He never can subdue the Spaniards. Even tho he should make himself master of every city in the Peninsula the country & the people would still be unsubdued, – the result, sooner or later will be a free government in Spain, & a military nation who will revenge the cause of Europe upon France.

Your conception of Count Julian is very fine & original – my plan imputes no grandeur of mind to him, but a great deal to his daughter, who bears him mortally wounded into Rodericks cell to be by him reconciled to the Church. [9]  The hermit having done this makes himself known & in his turn entreats forgiveness – the hour of repentance & death however have not has not sufficiently subdued Julian to his say that he forgives him, – he only at least repeats forgive us our trespasses &c – unable to address Roderick – or even to pronounce his name. [10]  – I dispose of Roderick thus, – after having been the first in acclaiming Pelayo xxxxxxx xxxx with in the last battle he bears a part, carrying in one hand the crucifix in the other the sword, – in the heat of the battle he charges the Moorish leader – & hurried away by the xxxxxxxx feeling of the moment, sets up his own war cry & decides the fate of the day, – & disappears in the pursuit. His horse & arms are to be found at a distance from the field – as after the battle [MS missing] Guadalete, [11]  – but he himself is heard of no more till three centuries afterwards his tomb is discovered at Viseu. [12]  – I have finished the second section which you shall see ere long. It is good in its way.

Had it not been for that execrable affair of Copenhagen [13]  we should at this time find allies in the North, – Denmark would make common cause with Sweden. – & Even as it is I do not think the Swedes will quietly submit to King Bernadotte, [14]  the peasantry are the best of the Scandinavians a fine, brave, uncorrupted people. It is the privilege of the Dalecarlians [15]  that every man may shake hands with the King. Russia is now of no other importance in Europe than as it keeps down the spirit of independence in Sweden, – which will break out as soon as Alexander [16]  shifts his colours.

God bless you

RS.

Aug 26. [17]