3311. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 10 June 1819⁠* 

My Dear G.

To your wish – I must put off my southwards, – but for more than a month. – I had to chuse between this prorogation, & giving up an engagement which for three years had been put off year by year, from different causes (last year because of the Queens illness) [1]  to meet Rickman in Scotland, & accompanying him to the Highlands Canal. [2]  His journey cannot be delayed another year – & so I alter my arrangements accordingly. This is in some respects unlucky, – but it suits well with Wesley [3] , & with my finances, which will be recruited by this respite.

M^rs Hemans is certainly no common writer. Her last volume is on the lathe. [4]  By all means review it if you can, – for it will be of great service to her, & I believe she is in circumstances which will render such service very acceptable to her. I had a letter from her some years ago.

Gifford has cut out the only good thing in my paper – about Christian in the P Progress & M^r Legality & M^r By-ends. [5]  I have a letter to day from his friend Davison, [6]  saying he shall call upon me soon.

So I shall come to town in November

God bless you

RS.

June 10. 1819