1955. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 13[–14] September 1811 ⁠* 

Keswick. Sept. 13. 1811.

My dear Grosvenor

I know not how it happened that you were not among the first persons whom I wrote to you after my return. Here we have been twelve days, great part of which have been employed in unpacking books, arranging them, disarranging others to make room for new comers, playing with Lunus, & enjoying the feeling of being once more at home.

Croker enclosed me no note from Perceval, – but Perceval wrote me a very civil note himself, enclosing Yorkes [1]  to him, – (for which by the by I paid postage, an ignorant Clerk at the Post Office charging it because it was not dated, & as I was leaving Bristol there was not time for me to write to Mr Freeling, & instruct the Clerk in the nature of Treasury privileges) I wrote a letter of thanks to Mr Perceval, [2]  & another to Mr Croker, as it was incumbent on me to do, – the latter enquiry seems to imply that the letter never reached him, – it is however far more likely that he has forgotten it, than that it should have miscarried, – & I am sorry for this, because it seems to make him suspect me of inattention. [3]  As for Tom it is no excuse for his slighting you, that he hurried out of town without even letting his Uncle know he was about to depart.

I take shame to my self for not having written to make my acknowledgements to Herries. The only reason was that I waited to ask you under what cover I should direct to him.

I shall go up Skiddaw as soon as James White (poor H Kirkes brother) arrives. we expected him Tuesday or Thursday – tomorrow is the next coach day, & he will certainly be here, if he could find a place. The first fine day after his arrival I shall take him up Skiddaw, & then you may expect enough stags-horn for all your friends & acquaintance. I will pack up with it two small volumes which I want to convey to Turner; take them to him, – for being acquainted with one of the best & wisest men in the world, you ought to lose no opportunity of keeping up your intercourse with him.

This leads me to remember that my Uncle made an expedition to call on you which proved unsuccesful. He only knew that you lived somewhere near Buckingham Gate. & thinking Capt Burney would know where, called upon him, – but the Capitaneus was from home, & so the attempt failed.

About the bust [4]  I will make enquiry – You had better ask Wynn, & if you see my Uncle you had better tell him of it also.

___

Saturday

James White is arrived, so you may look for the club moss in four or five days. there will be an ample supply for the Glendoveers [5]  godmothers & all your other friends into the bargain. We have been dining at the head of the Lake, where we wanted you, for this reason among others, that the potatoes might have been better boiled. Remember me to your father & mother – Miss Page & the Master of the Rolls. Gifford knows that I am at work for him. x He will have Bell & Lancaster in this number, – a heavy blow for the Edinburgh. [6]  For the next I hope to provide more than one article, – having this cogent reason for exerting myself to that end that I am at present brevis pecuniæ, [7]  – a sort of brevity M^r Bedford into which the most long winded author may sometimes happen to fall.

God bless you. we are all right glad to hear of your continued well-doing.

RS.