3591. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26 December 1820⁠* 

My dear G.

The mystery concerning the Peninsular War is explained at last. [1]  Yesterday I received four sheets of it, with a note from Murray. He says “I hope you will not think me very inconsistent if I entreat you not to press me about the printer. Both Longman & myself have formed connections in this line who are occasionally most importantly serviceable to us in our business, & therefore feel exceedingly hurt when a work so important as yours in every respect is taken from them. – Have the goodness to say that I had long ago promised the work to another printer, & had forgotten it, – it has been so long in preparation.”

He says more to the same purport which need not be transcribed. The matter is now plain, – he has been ashamed to xxy say that he did not mean to keep his promise, knowing in how uncomfortable a situation it would place me, – & so delayed it till it could be delayed no longer. – I can do no more, & am very sorry that the matter ends thus, & that your wishes & mine should thus be thwarted. Tell W^m Nicol this. – Who is printing it I do not yet know, – the proofs came under an Admiralty frank, & for want of any other direction I must send them back thro the same channel.

If it had not been for the vexation which thus accompanied it, the arrival of these first proofs would have been the most chearing event of this Christmas. When I am in so far in printers ink, the stimulus to go on is never wanting; – & the prospect of three volumes in which I am now fairly embarked has also the <has upon me> an encouraging & exhilarating effect.

The same post which brought the historical proofs, brought also the last & larger portion of the paper concerning the S.S. [2]  I have written to Gifford requesting him to send me a set of the proofs, telling him that I know he will put this production into his boot, [3]  & that I wish to have a copy of it in its entire state. It is a paper which will interest the Master of the Rolls, & which pleases me much better than some others have done that have taken far better with the public than this is likely to do.

My next proof will probably be of the Vision, [4]  which I shall like much to see in types. – I have the preface to write, – & I have called to mind in time that I have omitted to mention one of the greatest men of the last reign – Hogarth. [5]  Offence I doubt not will be given to some persons by the omission of Pitt; [6]  – I acknowledge his English spirit, I like the Union, I admire his courage, & for that quality wish he were alive again, – but I never can think him a statesman, & therefore cannot place his name among those which will stand high in the estimation of after ages.

God bless you. The mountains will probably be perrywigged when I rise tomorrow, for it is just now as cold as de-Kiggle, as windy as de-Wiggle, & as cloudy as de-Cliggle. – I have had a letter from the Czar. [7]  And I have sent you the reprint of the Carmen &c – where you will find a postscript to the Notes, tolerably well-seasoned. [8]  This is intended to form a volume with the Carmen Nuptiale, [9]  – but in binding it must be placed first.

RS.

Dec 26. 1820.