3286. Robert Southey to Herbert Hill, 24 April 1819⁠* 

Keswick. 24 April. 1819.

I have had a dismal house for the last four or five weeks. Edith was laid up with what it was supposed would prove an abscess, – & this prostrated her till the child became so much affected with a cough & cold, that she forgot her own ailments. We hope the child is better, – no fever has attended the complaint, & probably a change of weather will prove more efficacious than any medicines could do. A bitter East wind has been prevailing for the last five days. Ediths tumour is still in the same state, large as an egg & hard, but it would give her no pain were it xx not in a part which makes sitting xxx more inconvenient than any other posture. I am not the better for the uneasiness which all this has given me.

My third volume [1]  will be thicker than I could wish. The Longmen however will price it accordingly & I will not leave any thing undone which it is in my power to do. I have sent off two portions of the concluding chapter, which is a view of the whole country at the time when the history ends. [2]  It will be very long, but very interesting. Perhaps you knew the ABishop of Braga, D Fr. Caetaño Brandam, his Diario das Visitas Kastorzes when he was Bp. of Para is of great use to me. It is printed in the Jornal de Coimbra. [3]  From thence, & from your transcript of the Ouvidor Ribeiros visita, [4]  with the help of Cazals Corografia [5]  I have made out a good account of the Captaincy of Rio Negro. [6]  This chapter gives me an opportunity of inserting many things which were overlooked in their proper place. But I need not acknowledge this. – An Index Maker is at work, – one of Longmans establishment of poor authors. [7]  – I laid the work aside for the last six days to finish off a paper for the QR. [8]  – induced by the only reason which ever has, or ever will make me misemploy pen & paper for such a purpose. Pople however has still about seven sheets of manuscript in his hands, & I shall presently be ready with a fresh supply.

There is a curious blunder in Arrowsmiths great map, – S^t Ives for Silves. [9] 

It will vex me if I should be too late to find you at Worting, – for I should like to breathe a little Hampshire air. The work before me will occupy a full month, – so grievously has it grown under my hands. But I cannot calculate upon my movements, – as they must needs depend upon the state of Ediths health. I hope however, & begin to think, that by the time my work is done, I shall be able to leave her without anxiety

What a pleasure it will be to feel myself relieved of one burden, – tho it will only be to take up another, – almost of equal weight.

Tom was here this morning with three of his children. [10] 

Love to my Aunt & the children

God bless you

RS.

I have the 84^th proof sheet on my desk. 672 pages.