3283. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 19 April 1819⁠* 

My dear Grosvenor

Sara Coleridge has just received a letter from Hartley announcing that he is elected Fellow of Oriel, [1]  – you need not be told the importance of this intelligence to all his family

I fear my intended journey must be put off sine die. [2]  This tardy abscess [3]  continues in the same state, it is more than three weeks since it began to appear, & it is impossible to guess when it may end. This is very unfortunate in every way. And in spite of all exertions it is as you may well suppose a heavy weight upon my spirits, – which God knows, needed no <additional> burden to depress them, – for no man has a larger lot of xxxx cares in reversion.

You run away wildly from my meaning about the Westminster meeting, [4]  as if I had meant to undervalue my Westminster friends, – whereas what I meant was that it would be no pleasure to me to meet a number of men, most of whom I never saw, many of whom I did not care a straw for, & some of whom, if I rememberd them at all, it would only be with dislike, – for tho I have a proper love for the very walls of Westminster, it by no means follows that I should have a regard for all who have Westminster men, some of whom were great beasts in the Westminster sense of the word. [5]  I have been more than usually fortunate in retaining two lasting friendships from the intimacies found there, [6]  – xx there are perhaps two or three more which might ripen into something more than <familiar> acquaintance if opportunity offerd, – - but only one which would ever be again become a friendship. I think if Strachey were in my neighbourhood we should draw together by attraction – as we did thirty years ago.

I have sent off something to Gifford this evening for the lucre of gain. [7] 

Herries must be much gratified by the honours which have been shown to his fathers memory. [8]  He has been a fortunate man in having both parents live to a good old age. I hope his children may <all> be equally favoured, – & this is the best wish that I can form for him & for them. [9] 

Your godson thrives surprizingly, – more so than any of his predecessors. Poor child, I did not wish for him, – but he is welcome now he is here, – & will I doubt not be well provided for in this world, or in the next. Go when I may he will find friends, even if I should be called away before I have made a fair provision for him. – Yesterday I received a circular letter desiring me to subscribe to a monument for Burns at Edinburgh. [10]  I must be paid better as a living poet before I subscribe to build monuments for dead ones. And were I overflowing with wealth I would never contribute to such a purpose while any deserving man of letters was in distress

I had nearly forgotten to request you to pay Osiris for a certain machine [11]  which I commissioned him to send me down. – We must trouble Murraylemagne with no inclosures for his parcels in future. He is too great a man to be made use of for such purpose, – & that greatness is communicated to his people, – they throw such things aside & forget them. However I have had nothing from him since Feb^y. 4. [12]  The discovery which he has made of my disposition I think may be explained thus; – he learnt, I believe, that I had expressed a strong disapprobation of the system of Blackwoods Magazine, & wrote rather warmly (not angrily) to ask why I would not assist him in it: I told him in reply [13]  how I abhorred the use of such personalities as that Magazine abounded with, – Murraylemagne was very shortly involved in some scrapes by the very fault which I had objected to, – & glad to get rid of his share in the concern. [14]  And I dare say, he likes me the less for having been right when I differed from him in opinion about it.

I hope Henry is recovered. – Thank you for the trouble you have taken about Landors obdurate verses. [15]  His Latin is marvellously difficult.

God bless you

RS.

Keswick 19 Ap. 1819.