1888. Robert Southey to Herbert Hill, 23 March 1811 ⁠* 

I got last night a tolerably rich parcel from Longman. Among its contents were the famous Liber Conformitatum, [1]  & an Augsbourg folio of which I had never heard till I saw its xx title in the catalogue. Synopsis Annalium Soc: Jes: in Lusitania, at An. 1540 usq. ad An. 1725. Authore R P. Antonio Franco Soc: ejus: Sac. [2]  It contained also Abella’s legacy of Spanish Gazettes, [3]  as many as will bind into six thick volumes, – a very curious, & to me a very important collection. Besides these he has procured for me an account of the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, printed at Cadiz, & with a written attestation of its accuracy by Josef Valcarcel, [4]  Deputy to the Cortes for the Province of Salamanca – a quien corresponde C. Rodrigo. [5]  And also an account of the Siege of Gerona, printed at Tarragona, [6]  – which I perceive has belonged to Lord Hollands friend Quintana. [7] 

Abella promises to xxx send over all the documents which appear, & I have no doubt he will keep his word. I shall take care to repay him by suitable exchanges. It is a great disappointment to me that he has left England before I could see him.

Koster has sent me his pamphlett, & no pamphlett <nothing> ever surprized me more. [8]  I knew how dearly he loved to differ from every body, but never suspected that this he was destined to establish a new principle in political oeconomy, & show that (as he has done the demonstration) that all this discussion about Bullion, with its endless intricacies, proceeds from the xxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <error> of xxxxxxx xxxxxx having fixed a standard price for gold. the real value of which xxxxx depends upon the quantity in the market. The mines produce less, the watchmakers consume more in a proportion which will surprize you. – & thus the whole problem is solved. I had gone to sleep over Huskissons pamphlett; [9]  xx the Quarterly Review of it had not kept me awake; & because I could not comprehend the matter I had very contentedly made up my mind to remain in ignorance, supposing it to be one of those things for which I had no aptitude of understanding. Koster however has made it perfectly clear. – He is xx wrong about money in the latter part of his reasonings

I have got down Dulan’s [10]  & Cuthells [11]  Catalogues & find something in both. In the latter is a copy of Jean De Lery [12]  in French for 5/ – which you may perhaps think it worth while to purchase when you find yourself in Holborn, – if it be not gone. I have a copy – it is a very good book, & the Latin version which is in no respect better is marked in xx <a> late catalogue at two guineas. – The number is 9467.

Ballantyne sent me the other day a fine quarto History of the Culdees, [13]  from which I expected a good deal, – having a more than ordinary interest in all matters of monkish monastic history. Never was there a worse book. It is literally nothing more than an overgrown presbyterian pamphlett. My Douay acquaintance at Durham [14]  will triumph over it & well he may.

Dulan marks Pietro della Valle, [15]  Coppendales old friend x at 15/. 3 vol. 18 mo. this ought to be Coppendales edition [16]  also, but it is so cheap that I am afraid to send for it without knowing whether it contains the whole of his Travels. I suspect not, for I possess the French translation & that extends to eight rather closely printed duodecimos. [17]  This is so good a book, & Pietro so great a coxcomb withal that I would fain have the original, but I cannot think that three small volumes can possibly contain the whole, unless they are like the Elzevir Livy. [18] 

You remember Dubois at Lisbon who brought two letters to me, one from a person who did not know me, the other from a person who did not know him. He is a man of great cleverness in the way of low wit & personality, & might have been capable of something better if he had not perpetually xx indulged a mischievous temper in the use of these weapons. There is a reviewal of Kehama by him in the last Monthly Mirror, [19]  courteous enough in the main, & fair enough xxx xxxx when his incapability of apprec understanding any thing like moral excellence is taken into the account. But the conclusion is curious, – he says many persons may think the poem this burlesque, as many persons may think it, is calculated to bring all the miracles & mysteries of our holy religion into contempt & ridicule. [20]  This is pure love of malice in Dubois, who has about as much religion himself as he has morality. The Eclectic Review was in sober earnest when it accused me of being a Sun-worshipper upon the strength of an hyperbole in one poem, & a line about xxxxx in Madoc. And of impiety for calling Madoc the Lord of Ocean. [21] 

The Register [22]  seems to grow under my hands & lengthen in prospect before me. Had 1809 not been fuller of events than the preceeding year my work would have been compleated before this. 352 are already printed, & as many as 150 <nearly 200> more are ready – still I am far from the conclusion & it will require close work to finish it by the end of April, if indeed it be possible. As soon as it is done I shall take wing for the South. Katharine is teething & has been very is continually ailing – the others go on well. Your namesake promises as well as possible for docility & disposition. How are his Welsh Uncles? [23]  – My love to my Aunt, – it is time I were better acquainted with her, & in the course of a few weeks I hope to be so.

God bless you

RS.

Keswick. March 23. 1811.