3678. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 April 1821⁠* 

My dear G.

Giffords enquiry of Murray reminded the latter that my draft had been inclosed, – & then forgotten. [1]  I did not write to you for money, while I was reckoning upon this, – & moreover I knew not whether what was in your hands had xxxx been transferred to the Stocks. I have in de Stokes 100£ besides the sum which you bought in for me, with the money recovered from Ballantyne. [2]  Upon the first hundred no dividend has been received since November 1815 – never any upon the other. There was no inconvenience in letting so inconsiderable a sum lie. The irons which I have in the fire will, I trust, enable me to increase it, so as to make it worth while regularly to receive the dividends. – John May is one of the Directors of the Office in which my life is insured, [3]  – he regularly pays the premium for me when it becomes due, – to which, as you know, the whole proceeds of the Laureateship go, – &, as you may not know, something short of 40£ more. – If you continue to receive your own Dividends the trouble of receiving mine will be little in addition, tho it may have some weight as a motive for going to receive both. If you do not, – why let the matter rest, & I will make arrangements when next I xxx may be in London.

I wish you would come out of London, with as little delay as possible leave your sciatica behind you, & take a course of moutaineering with me. The fine season has begun a fortnight earlier than usual, & had you been here, we should ere this have been on the summit of Skiddaw. You will do me good by coming, – & yourself no harm.

I admire your solution of the Zombis notturno. [4]  Alas he has gone beyond Space once more, – & has never returned. He has vanished, – without a hope of his reappearance, or a vestige of him remaining. We are promised to succeed him a black Tomling, whom I have named Prester John, [5]  – that Hierarch being the most xxx remarkable black Potentate whom I could call to mind. Long live Prester John, & may be more fortunate than his predecessors Othello & Pulcheria.

Have you had the sheets of the Peninsular War [6]  from Murray, – whom I desired some time ago to send them to me thro you?

All tolerably well. Cupn was introduced last week to a caravan of wild beasts, & admired the Lions greatly. There were four cubs of a year old, whom he calls Cupns, Cupn with him signifying any thing young, or little.

Thank you for the seeds. – Tell me in your next that you are coming, – & let that next be soon. I was on the point of writing a letter to Grosvenor Dumbee [7]  when yours of yesterday arrived.

God bless you

RS.

29 Apr. 1821. Keswick.