3371. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 26 October 1819⁠* 

Keswick. 26 Oct. 1819

My dear Harry

I am very glad to hear that Louisa is safe in bed. [1]  Concerning the name which you have chosen, I who have a poets ears, always upon the alert on such occasions, feel a great objection to two names in sequence when the one ends & the other begins with S. This objection would be removed by putting another name between them – & the there would be good reason either for Gonne, or Hill. Gonne might prove luckier than Cannon has done, [2]  – but as for changing the luck, you & I (two out of the four [3] ) have not much reason to complain.

– Have you an extract from Cannon Southeys will? [4]  I cannot, after much search, find one, which I obtained several years ago, & which Turner submitted to Mr Bell [5]  for his opinion. The opinion was that I then <had> reasonable ground for a – suit in chancery. Lord Somervilles death must certainly have altered the question. And moreover there is a material difference between disputing for a contingent remainder, – & for the remainder when that contingency has taken place. If I understand the case rightly, Lord S. has sold the unexpired term part of a lease of 99 years, which was entailed upon me in case of his dying without issue. Whether it be worth claiming by course of law is what I must now ascertain. The course I believe would be to bring an ejectment against the present possessor; – & he has his remedy against the representatives of Lord S.

You will not see me till about the end of January, – that is, – till I shall have finished Wesley, [6]  & made up my ways & means in the Q.R. – which said ways & means press upon me pretty closely just now. I can do for myself – but I cannot assist Tom, as I have done while the sale of Roderick [7]  supported me & if the temporary deprivation of that assistance makes him look at the probability of being wholly cut off from it, in case of my death, – or of any illness which might disable me, – he will have cause enough for unhappiness in the prospect. He & his wife however both grow fat – & I have never heard a single hint of apprehension from either as to what is to become of their children [8] 

I have been passing three days on a visit to Ld Lonsdale at Whitehaven a place which I had never seen before. I am now sufficiently acquainted with that family to feel quite at ease there. They had invited me to meet Prince Leopold if I had returned from Scotland in time. [9] 

M^rs Gonne I think will remember enough of Mishis Gilpin (now Lady Gilpin) [10]  to enjoy a recent instance of her absence of mind. Having written a letter to Lady Ouseley, [11]  this comical woman actually directed it to Cardinal Wolsey & sent it to the post office.

Do you know anything of Bedford – whom I have not heard of since I went into Scotland. [12]  – Or any thing of my third volume [13] 

I hope Kenyon is coming to see me.

Edith’s love to Louisa & her mother. We are going on tolerably, – save that I cannot reason myself out of some uneasiness respecting Isabel. She is changing her teeth, & has a feverish tongue every morning, – without any fever which can be detected in the pulse, – but what makes me apprehensive is that [MS torn] a constant head ache, – not enough to disable her or destroy her spirits, – but it is plain that she always feels it, when she is not occupied or amused. The others are apparently in good health, – & Cuthbert very stout. My head is healed at last, – the sore has left a little hole, – which matters not.

God bless you

RS.