2243. Robert Southey to John Murray, 9 April 1813 ⁠* 

My dear Sir

You can have no conception of the difficulty which it has cost me to lick this clumsy compliment into shape, – & after all <see> what a bears birth it is! [2]  – In this respect my nature is an unlucky one, that from a fear of being thought to express more than I feel, I am perpetually expressing less. – What is written above is equally sincere & awkward; but no time & no dogged labour would avail to mend it. – If you like it better than the former, – send it to the printer, [3]  & let it be struck off; – without stop delaying the publication for the sake of sending the proof here. I am perfectly conscious that Mr C. has a claim upon me for any mark of respect which it is in my power to offer. I must rely upon your kindness to see that the proper form of address is preserved, – for of this I am entirely ignorant, & have put the &cs because I know no better.

I have been thinking to better purpose about the Cosmography, [4]  (a name merely used till a good one is found.) & with the map before me have traced out the line of march. Egypt is clearly the point from where to set out, then the Scripture-Country, & the countries connected with Scripture history & earliest civilization. Here the account should come in of the Jews, who tho they have no local habitation, must have a place somewhere in the work, & this will be the best. And here, I think, it would be desirable to give a sketch of the various eastern systems of <ancient> mythology, which have more or less, leavened xx still-existing superstitions; the system of Zerdusht or Zoroaster, & Manes [5]  would form delightful chapters, & with the Rabbinical matter contained in the chapter upon the Jews fitly introduce the general account of the all-swallowing system of xx xx xx Mahommedxxx. – You will observe that the system is what is here spoken of, the varieties of belief, with the rites & ceremonies will come in in their geographical place. Then come Arabia, Persia, Hindostan, the Burman Empire – Thibit – China – Japan; back by the Philippines & the larger islands to the Maldives – then to the East African Islands – Madagascar – the African shore of the Red Sea. Abyssinia & the surrounding nations barbarous & savage. Round by E Africa to the Cape & on to Senegal. Then the interior – lastly Morocco & the Piratical states.

Turkey next. Greece – Albania. Italy. Spain – France. England. & so up to the remotest North, then Sweden Germany, the Slavonic countries. Russia tho barbarous some Xtians between the Suxine & Caspian. Tartary. Lastly the New World, & the Austral Countries.

Smollets book [6]  never fell in my way. – You know I am insatiable in my desire of materials, – thinking indeed that nothing is done while any thing remains undone in the way of research; & much of the first repute of the work must depend on its bearing with it the proofs <of this> as well as the reality xxx xxxx Most of the books being required only for single chapters, may be borrowed as they are wanted & soon returned; but there are some collections which would be in constant requisition. I have <Grynaeus> [7]  Hakluyt, [8]  Churchill, [9]  & Pinkerton, [10]  Ramusio, [11]  Purchas [12]  & Thevenot [13]  would be wanted; perhaps Harris. [14]  I have two volumes of De Bry. [15]  The others, with Thevet [16]  & some of the rarer & otherwise unattainable books, might be consulted at the Museum. Purchas’s Pilgrimage I have, – not his Pilgrims. [17]  Is the republication of his great work abandoned?

Should this plan take effect, I will not begin seriously upon it, till the B of the Church, [18]  & the hist. of Brazil [19]  are finished; To both of which I shall put in apply tooth & nail, as soon as the Register [20]  gives me breathing time. But I would make notes, & begin to collect & sort materials without delay, – so that every thing would go on rapidly when it was time to weigh anchor & hoist sail.

As the publication of Nelson [21]  will not now be long delayed I will take this opportunity of giving directions for concerning the presentation copies. They are so many debts of friendship, or civility. – Our friend Turner, Duppa, Rickman, Williams Wynn (Duke Street Westminster) Elmsley, Bedford, Capt Burney, Dr Bell, Lord Radstock, [22]  Coleridge (71 Berners Street) John May (Stert & May 2. New Burlington Street). Neville White 8. Wood Street Cheapside. – Mr Herries, the Commissary General, – Mr Gifford & Mr Croker. D. Manuel Abella &c &c &c Cadiz to the care of the Spanish Consul General D Juan Alonso Ortiz 7 Salisbury Street. My brother Dr Southey 28 Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, & my Uncle the Rev. H. Hill, Streatham. – Wade Browne Esqr Ludlow. Charles Danvers E – Corn Street, Bristol (2 copies) – Wm Taylor Junr Norwich. Walter Scott. – My brother Capt S, – & please to send with his copy the volumes of the Quarterly subsequent to those which were sent him a year ago – I forget to what number they went down, – but it may be seen by referring to my account. – Finally six copies here, by coach, – & the last review may come with them.

– I am rejoiced to find that my brother can discover no blunder in the book of sufficient consequence to require notice in an erratum.

A critical account of the best books of Travels would be a proper appendix to the Cosmography. – I expect to carry the B. of the Church thro the Press in the course of the autumn, & to get Brazil into it xxx in six weeks after the Register is concluded. Once in the press, – & it never stops for me. – Whatever form you decide upon for the work, you will probably rather publish a volume at a time, than wait till the whole is compleated.

Yrs very truly

Robert Southey

Keswick. April 9. 1813