2617. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 17 June 1815

2617. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 17 June 1815 *
My dear Grosvenor
I have made Ballantyne hunt up some more of the MS [1] for you; & this no doubt is all that will be recovered. – The other MS. [2] you will either give the Docstor, unless you are disposed to visit Streatham. It is the last portion I shall trouble you with, – for by writing in smaller books I can make them passable in Rickmans franks.
They have made me member of another Academy in Spain. The R A. of History; [3] this would be very useful to me were I to visit that country. My Titulo [4] is a most exquisite specimen of writing upon vellum.
Was it you who sent me a Courier the other day? – I have the Courier regularly. The paper in question was f inclosed like a letter, & therefore chargeable for <as> “not open at the sides.”
Longman was to send you the Minor Poems. [5] If any body asks you why I have not affixed my official designation to them, the answer is that it had no business there, – there being but two pieces in the book written as by the Laureate. [6]
I wish Murray would engage me to turn the Egyptian article into a history of the Expedition in one volume – like Nelson. [7] But this is between ourselves. The wish must come from him. It would make a fine insulated story. I have not returned the documents, – in a half sort of hope that this may come into his head.
God bless you
RS.
17 June 1815.
Notes
[2] A MS of the History of Brazil; Southey was working on the second and third volumes, which appeared in 1817 and 1819 respectively. BACK