3253. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 24 February 1819 ⁠* 

My dear Wynn

You are one of the few persons to whom I must always communicate whatever of good or of evil befalls me in this chequered life. It has pleased God to give me a son. – Whether this be for good or for evil time alone can show, – but one means for rendering it a blessing, is to receive it as such. Few things could have been more unexpected, than that after an interval of six years, [1]  & in the forty fifth we should have another child, the mother, like myself, being in her forty fifth year. And when the expectation began, I looked to this event as a thing rather as one to be prepared for, than to be wished. – Matter of contentment at least, if not as yet of joy, it has become; – & the more so because the mother was in no small danger, & the child had nearly perished in the birth. Twelve hours have elapsed, & all things are going on well, – God be thanked.

It will be a great satisfaction to me if you & Grosvenor, who are my two oldest friends, will stand in the same relation to this boy, that you did to his brother. [2] 

God bless you my dear Wynn

yrs most affectionately

Robert Southey.

Keswick. 24 Feb^y. 1819.