2150. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 26 September 1812
2150. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 26 September 1812 *
Keswick. Sept 26. 1812.
My dear Harry
I direct to you at random, & write in haste, – in order that you may write to my Aunt Mary (Bishops Hull, Taunton) & tell her where she may find you. She is going to London, to inspect Mr T. Southeys will, suspecting roguery, – roguery sans doubt there has been, but I fear none of that kind which draws on a condemned hole, bread & water, psalm-singing, a halter & a night cap among its consequences. However there seems some chance of wresting something from Oliver, [1] as according to her account the Estate is given him for the purpose of paying the remainder of T.S’s bankrupt debts, [2] – & it there is a question whether this does not legally leave the remainder to the Heir at Law. – It will be a great satisfaction to my Aunt to find you in town, & you will go with her to Doctor Commons, [3] – where it is proper she should have some man to xxx accompany her. I have desired her to go to Sharon Turner for advice, being very apprehensive that his advice will be necessary to keep her from being engaged in expensive proceedings, – to which any rascally Lawyer might easily persuade her, in her present state of mind.
I owe Gooch a letter. Tell him he shall have it as soon as I feel a little at leisure. I hope very shortly to send him the Omniana. [4]
You disappointed me sadly. – Millman expressed a wish that you had arrived to see his father [5] – the Kings Physician, – as one who could & would gladly be useful to you.
God bless you
Yrs in haste
RS.
Notes
* Address: To/ Dr Southey/ with Dr Gooch/
Aldermanbury./ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, KESMG 1996.5.87. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] Possibly William Oliver (1775–1830) of Hope Corner, Taunton, a major beneficiary of Thomas Southey’s will. BACK
[2] Thomas Southey was formerly a linen draper in Bristol and had been declared bankrupt in 1791. BACK
[3] Doctors’ Commons in Paternoster Row, where lawyers who appeared before the ecclesiastical courts that dealt with wills were based. BACK
[5] Sir Francis Milman, 1st Baronet (1746–1821; DNB), physician-in-ordinary to the King since 1806. Milman had three sons: William George Milman (1781–1857); Lieutenant-General Francis Miles Milman (1783–1856); and the poet, historian and Dean of St Paul’s, Henry Hart Milman. Southey’s is probably referring to William George Milman, who spent about a year in Keswick at this time. BACK
