229. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, [c. 30 June 1797] ⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

Will you be good enough to buy for me the two three following books at Whites — Fleet Street. [1]  they are in his catalogue for 1796 — & probably still unsold as not being in general requisition.

you or your brother have my direction — & if you will send them by the Poole Mail which goes from the Bell & Crown — Holborn — near Grays Inn — they will reach me safely. & you & your brother may write by the parcel. when the Member for Old Sarum takes his seat we shall a different mode of franking.

It is no small proof of self denial Grosvenor that I am now writing to you. I received yesterday Chapelains Pucelle from John May — & have as yet read only five books of the twelve. I will not make any remarks upon it. I shall draw out such an account of it as I have done of La Hermosura de Angelica [5]  & prefix to the next edition of my Joan of Arc,  [6]  for which I shall now prepare without farther delay. I would not begin before I had read Chapelain. it was probable that many historical facts might be found in him which had escaped me, born 150 years after the publication of his book in a foreign country. this I do not find the case. but you shall see my Analysis & extracts & judge for yourself of the merits of Chapelain. he has no x notes. an inexcusable fault.

I called on the old Lady Strathmore [7]  Tuesday last. the old woman is not that learned lady she is imagined. she sets up for a good Spanish & Italian scholar, & has gained credit for it — I am told she speaks both languages fluently — but of the literature of either people she knows very little indeed — your boarding school picks up as much from her Italian Master. her house is finely situated & looks over a fine sweep of land & water richly intermingled.

I slept little in the Mail — tis too rough a cradle to be rocked in. my walk from Ringwood was 8 miles — a long way for one with stiff knees swoln feet & blistered heels. every thing here is very quiet — I am very happy — & want only time. if I could but study Law while I am asleep now — oh for some blessed Mail Coach way of travelling that blackguard road! — however I know something about it now — & perhaps ten years hence Grosvenor — we may throw some little light upon the Law. — you know how we will officiate in our robes at the sacrifice — & then burn them too.

Still foul weather — I love England daily less & less. Eutopia must have a better climate Grosvenor — & we must drink Claret from our own vineyards in our own orange gardens. but when! —

I thought to have written to Horace this morning but Biddlecombe has been with me thi delayed yours & left no time. I shall write to him tomorrow. tell him this & tell him likewise to write that his letter may come with the books.

Danvers has seen Kosciusko. [8]  he called upon him — & Kosciusko appeared highly gratified with the visit — he was drawing & observed “you spend time & I endeavour to kill it!” Sam Reed [9]  went with Danvers. when they took leave of him he seemd affected & loth to part with them pressing them by the hand with no common earnestness. you know not how I envy them this.

God bless you Grosvenor.

Yrs affectionately

Robert Southey.