3702. Robert Southey to [Bernard Barton], 9 July 1821⁠* 

My dear Sir

I had not leisure to reply to your former letter when it arrived; – a full reply to it, indeed, would require xxxx a dissertation rather than a letter. The Influence of the Holy Spirit is believed by all Christians, except the Ultra-Socinians, – the more pious Socinians would admit it, tho under a different name. [1]  But the question what is, & what is not, the effect of that Influence, is precisely asking where, in religious cases, reason ends, & insanity begins. In all communities of Christians there have been, & are persons, who mistake their own imaginations for inspiration; & that this was done in some cases by the early Quakers, the present members of that Society would not deny.

It is always my custom to have a work long in my thoughts before it is taken actually in hand: & to collect materials & let the plan digest while my main occupation is upon some other subject – which has undergone the same slow but necessary process. At present I am printing the History of the Peninsular War, [2]  – a great work, – & it is probable that this is not the only work which I shall bring out, before the Life of George Fox becomes my immediate business. [3]  One great advantage arising from this practise is, that much in the meantime is collected in the course of other pursuits which would not have been found by a direct search: – facts & observations of great importance frequently occurring where the most diligent investigator would never think of looking for them. The habit of noting & arranging such memoranda I did not acquire till is acquired gradually; & can hardly be learnt otherwise than by experience.

So Buonaparte is now as dead as Caesar & Alexander! [4]  I did not read the tidings of his death without a mournful feeling, – which I am sure you also must have experienced, & which I think you are likely as well as able to express in verse. It will is an event which will give birth to many poems, but I know no one so likely as yourself to touch the right strings. [5] 

Farewell

& believe me yours very truly

Robert Southey.

Keswick 9 July. 1821.

I do not remember whether I told you that Thomas Wilkinson, who is a collector of autographs, [6]  shewed me a specimen of George Fox’s handwriting, & told me it bore a remarkable resemblance to Mirabeau’s, [7]  – than whom it would not be possible to find a man more unlike him in every thing else.