2219. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 10 February 1813 ⁠* 

Keswick. Feb^y 10. 1813

My dear Grosvenor

Thank you for the notes. [1] 

Your last letter noticed the arrival of the 3^d book of Roderick [2]  – which had been lying some ten days at Giffords, – & this you have no doubt x recollected ere this. The 7^th & 8^th I gave Lord Sunderlin this morning to take to Harry, thinking that as he will be about five days on the road they will meet their predecessors there, & save the trouble of one transfer. The latter of these will be new to you, – & by the time you get them I shall have transcribed & sent off to you the two following, – beyond which the poem has not yet proceeded, – except more than a few lines.

Whenever your comments arrive all due attention shall be paid to them. I myself anticipate little immediate success for the poem: – the mere accidental & temporary interest which it might have excited from its accommodation to passing events, will, most probably have past away before it is published; & it will have little of that novelish excitement which is what ordinary readers look for. I proceed it with it in a temper proof against disappointment hoping nothing as to its present reputation, but looking to its future rank in full faith. There will be a great deal to do in ornamenting, stiffening & stately-fying the parts where the author speaks, which ought to have a more elaborate character than such as are dramatic.

I will take the opportunity of writing to Herries when the life of Nelson [3]  is published. I have dedicated this book to Croker, with a secret notion that the compliment – tho unaccompanied by any complimentary language, [4]  may help Tom to a ship, – or to the next step, which would be the better thing of the two. It is unlucky that the Quarterly is precluded from giving it a lift which might have carried off half the edition, – but having originated in the Review it is impossible to notice it there.

I am hard at work upon the Register; – this day is employed in West Indian affairs & in writing to the honour & glory of blind Tobin. [5] 

Did I tell you that I had conceived of a work which would be well worthy of all the labour that could be bestowed upon it, – & xxx xx <for> which some of the best matter both in my Annual [6]  & Quarterly reviewals xxxx might serve to be worked in as materials? – A view of the revolutions in all parts & in all things which have taken place during the last half-century, – skimming the cream of histor events, – but laying their roots bare, – & looking on to their remotest consequences. The Age of George 3. [7]  the title: – the object a philosophers-eye view of the world. [8]  I must talk with Murray upon this scheme, which bids fair to supply ways & means in place of my engagements with Sir Shuffler. – Its extent might be not less than three octavos, not more than four. There would be a great fitness in it, because I should contrive to write a good deal of it first for the Quarterly, & so be paid in that shape. And as I feel no doubt whatever of making it a good book, I have very little of its being a succesful one.

I have a letter tonight from John W Knox [9]  – Deans Yard, requesting to know whether my name has been cut out in any part of the school – x x he is much more likely to know than I can be. – The stone which the builders rejected may perhaps become the capital of their column, – & I have pleasant recollections enough connected with Westminster to feel gratified that it should be so. I must write this youngster some civil answer which is all he wants.

Have you seen Coleridges play? [10]  – full of incongruities, but full of rich poetry & fine stage effect. He will if he writes more (as I hope & rather expect he will) write better dramas, – but his mind is not essentially dramatic.

RS.