3316. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 13 June 1819

3316. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 13 June 1819⁠* 

My dear Harry

I must put off my journey till the fall of the leaf, – because it would not be possible for me to return from it in time to accomplish an expedition which has been projected several years & every year postponed, till postponement is no longer possible. – It is to join Rickman in his visit to the Caledonian Canal, which he & Telford are going to look at before the final Report is drawn up. [1] 

We are going on not altogether without anxiety. Cuthbert has a bilious attack, – I hope it will prove a slight one, & that it is going off. Edith is much better, but has still a fullness & uneasiness in one of her breasts. I was on Saddleback yesterday with Wordsworth & Calvert. You will be pleased with W.s. Waggoner, [2]  – having so often tramped the road. It was poor Jackson’s waggon, – out of which came the money where with this domus was erected <which paid for this domus>, – “the house that Jackson built.” [3] 

Love to Louisa & Mrs Gonne

God bless you

RS.

Keswick 13 June. 1819.


Notes

* Address: To/ Dr Southey/ Queen Anne Street/ Cavendish Square/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: E/ 15 JU 15/ 1819
MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, KESMG 1996.5.101. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Rickman was Secretary to the Commission responsible for building the Caledonian Canal 1803–1822, while Telford was responsible for overseeing the works. Annual Reports continued to be issued regularly even after the (partially finished) canal opened in 1822. BACK

[2] Wordsworth’s The Waggoner. A Poem. To Which are Added Sonnets (1819). BACK

[3] A play on the title of the nursery rhyme, ‘This is the House that Jack Built’. BACK

People mentioned

Places mentioned

Greta Hall/ Greeta Hall (mentioned 1 time)
Keswick (mentioned 1 time)