1962. Robert Southey to Walter Savage Landor, 10 October 1811 ⁠* 

Keswick. Oct. 10. 1811

The reply of George Taylor [1]  from Durham was that he wished such an opportunity might offer to him five years hence, (– so much of his present lease remaining unexpired) – but that he thought it might suit M^r Thomas Hutchinson. [2]  M^r. H. is the brother of Wordsworths wife, – thro Wordsworth therefore, I have sent him the necessary information, & W. thinks that if he should feel himself settled where it is, still the opportunity is likely to fall in with the plans of a relation of his. Thomas Hutchinson is at present rents a farm not very far from you, being on the edge of Radnorshire, near Kington: – he is an illiterate man, but a very worthy one, & a thorough bred farmer, – & he has money at command, having lately had about 10,000 £ left him by an Uncle. It is very likely that he, or his kinsman (whom I suppose to be a M^r Monkhouse) [3]  will apply to you, either by letter or in person, & in either case they will probably mention my name. Of Monkhouse I know less than of Hutchinson, but he is a respectable man, & likely, I should guess, to be assisted with his cousins skill & capital, if he stands in need of either. – So much for this matter, – of which I shall perhaps hear more speedily, as I am in daily expectation of seeing some of the Wordsworths. [4] 

When your letter arrived, both the Latin & English Gebirs [5]  were on the table. I put them into the hands of Dr Gooch, which is sufficiently saying what my opinion of him is, as it is a maxim with me never to throw pearls before swine, – except in the unavoidable way of publication. One of the last things he said at leaving me this afternoon, was to entreat me that I would entreat you to write another poem. – That no time may be lost about the tragedy [6]  I write by this post to Murray, the publisher of the Quarterly.

You would have had a book of Pelayo [7]  ere this, had not Gooch very unconsciously prevented me. He happens like myself to rise about seven, & found his way into my library, as early as I did. Now poetry is the only thing which I cannot compose if any person be present, – because my voice, gesture & eyes require a freedom, which the sense of any human presence would restrain. What has been written since my return, if it be not good deceives me grievously, for I never produced any thing under the influence of deeper feeling.

I quarrel with our climate because I like the fruits of the South, & feel a positive pleasure in breathing the pure air of Portugal. Its moral effects however are in the main, as you say. Its physical ones very grievous to the poor, – but that is the fault of our imperfect state of society, – & in spite of all the evils which we have seen in our times, & still see, – there never was any age in which held out to us such hopes for poor humanity. I am a good hoper, & am doing my utmost to persuade the ministry & the public to agree with me. My history of 1809 [8]  is full of <this> spirit, – I am told that the Edinburgh Review in a note recommends it for prosecution, as a libel upon that white-livered Whitbread. [9] 

Wakefield, who is about a statistic account of Ireland has been here. [10]  He tells me that when a Methodist gets up to preach to the people, the Catholic priest comes with a horsewhip & lays about him till he puts the congregation to flight. This he has twice been an eye witness of. The Bishop of Meath [11]  also who is lodging here, tells me that when a school had been established in his neighbourhood upon Lancasters sneaking system of xxxxxxxx all do teaching no peculiar religion, the Priest used to way lay the children with the horse whip, & thus literally prevented <kept> the little catholicks by away by main force, when he could not operate upon the minds of their parents. The system of priest-tyranny is carried to its utmost height in that country, – & these are the fellows who clamour for Emancipation!

Our love to Mrs L.

God bless you

RS.