116. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey [brother], 1 December [1794]

116. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey [brother], 1 December [1794] ⁠* 

Dear Tom

Draw on my Mother for five guineas but give her as much time after sight as you can.

she wrote sometime back desiring you to draw for three guineas.

it is my opinion that you should immediately get your discharge but my mother thinks otherwise. she is afraid of their high mightinesses in the boarding parlour & hopes you chuses you to remain because they would dislike your removal.

Dinner is ready quite unexpectedly at two o clock.

health & brotherhood

and more after dinner.

but little more for I have little to say

Aunt Maria sends her best wishes & her blessings.

Cousin Margaret sends her loves hoping soon to see you.

I your brother send — this letter.

& more over.

Two Books.

Ca ira. [1] 

Bath. December the 1st.

your birth day.

the two last acts of Robespierre are my writing. [2] 


I send this by the post to advertise you that the books go carriage paid by the next coach.

<your good health & many>

God bless you.  [3] 

<returns & happy ones.>

And no more at present


so commending you to God the allmighty father & the cherubims & the seraphims & the thrones dominations virtues & powers & beseeching that the old dragon. — the devouring Lion — the old serpent — the deceiver — the prince of darkness — the lord of the bottomless pit — the devouring Abaddon [4]  — the son of the Morning — old Nick — Davy Jones — Apollyon [5]  — the merciless deceiver — the tempter the Devil — Satan — the fallen angel — the prince of hell — the King of Kings — the author of monarchy who was chained to the bottom of the bottomless pit —

beseeching I say that Beelzebub may have no power over thee thro the grace of everlasting goodness & the communion of saints — & the forgiveness of sins — & the eternal hallelujahs — & the archangels

I remain

in true godliness

your affectionate brother

RS

My Mother desires me to tell you that our plan is going on. I think it equally necessary to tell you that I am alive.

my mother sends her love. likewise Miss E.F.

fare thee well [6] 

Harrys remembrances  [7] 

Notes

* Address: Thomas Southey./ Aquilon Frigate/ St Helens/ Post paid./[in another hand] 20 — 8/4 —16d
Stamped: BATH
MS: British Library, Add MS 47890. ALS; 4p.
Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), I, pp. 88–89. BACK

[1] Written in larger lettering. The title of a French revolutionary song. BACK

[2] The Fall of Robespierre. An Historic Drama (1794) had originated as a collaboration, with Southey, Lovell and Coleridge each writing one act. Lovell’s act was quickly dropped and replaced by a new one written by Southey. BACK

[3] Written in in larger lettering. BACK

[4] Revelation 9: 11: ‘They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon’. BACK

[5] See Revelation 9: 11. BACK

[6] My Mother ... well: Written at top of fol. 1 r. BACK

[7] Harrys remembrances: Written below the address on fol. 2 r. BACK

Addressee

Southey, Thomas (‘Tom’) [brother] (1777–1838)

People mentioned

Southey, Margaret (1752–1802) (mentioned 4 times)
Southey, Mary (1750–1838) (mentioned 1 time)
Hill, Margaret (known as ‘Peggy’ and, occasionally, ‘Margery’) (d. 1801) (mentioned 1 time)
Fricker, Edith (1774–1837) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Henry Herbert (1784–1865) (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part One
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