1943. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 4 August [1811]
1943. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 4 August [1811] *
Bristol. 58. College Street. Aug 4.
My dear Wynn
We shall leave this place on Monday the 12, & reach you either the 21 or 22d. Between this & the 12th there will be time for me to learn whether the probable death of the King [1] would take you to London, – for after I leave Bristol I shall be in the land of cross posts. – Our movements are to Lanthony, – to Ludlow, – then to Sir E. Littletons, – an awkward deviation from the straight line, – & then to you. A letter on the way would probably miss me, – but you can let me know what your intentions are, & then if we hear of the Kings demise on the way we can shape our course accordingly.
I received a note from Croker today, containing the welcome news of my brothers promotion, – obtained thro the various links of Grosvenor, – Herries, & Perceval. [2] Whether he will ever get a ship is very doubtful. He is at this time I suppose on his way home, & I dare say he will turn farmer, for which he has sufficient inclination, & the best opportunities in the world. I cannot express to you the pleasure this promotion has given me. While he remains on shore it gives him rank & an addition to his half pay, which little as it is is of importance to a man whose all is but little, – & if he ever gets employed, xx it will be with a fair prospect of making a fortune.
I long to be at home & at work. – the edition of Kehama is sold. [3]
God bless you
RS
Notes
* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr M.P./ Llangedwin/
Oswestry
Postmark: [partial] BRISTOL/ 5 AU/ 1811/ 12
MS: National Library of Wales, MS 4812D. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] The health of George III (1738–1820; King of the United Kingdom 1760–1820; DNB) had deteriorated rapidly and since October 1810 he had been incapable of conducting public business. BACK
