3279. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 7 April 1819⁠* 

Keswick. 7 April. 1819

My dear Harry

The Machine [1]  arrived to-day, – but there is something contained in the bxxxxxx – I did not expect that it could be used while the hæmorrhoids were very bad, – but that hereafter its occasional, & perhaps frequent use, might remedy that state of the intestines which aggravates this cursed disease. – The tumour is still hard, but it is now clearly defined, & every day makes a little difference in it, as if it were coming to a head, tho there is no appearance on the surface of inflammation. Edmondson says he is xxx satisfied that it is a critical abscess, – the effect & he expects the end also of an xxxxxxxx <inflammatory> diathesis [2]  which has continued more than ten months. It is a great evil while it lasts. And tho he assures me there is no danger of its producing any fistulous wound, I very much fear it, from its situation. However we must hope the best, & she has luckily no apprehension of any such possible consequence.

This unfortunate business seems to put off my journey till an indefinite time, – for of course I shall not leave home till she is no longer in a state to occasion any anxiety. I hoped to have been with you the first week in May. – However I have yet much to do, – for so much time has been bestowed in fx upon the Brazil, [3]  which in one respect is unproductive labour, that I must do something for ways & means before I move, or Heaven knows when the Constable will come up with me. [4]  – Sir Domine, it is a very great pity that you & I have not ten thousand a year each, we should know so well how to use it & to enjoy it

God bless you

RS.

Poor Kotzebue! He has fallen a victim to a diseased state of public opinion which his own writings xxxx greatly contributed to produce. [5]