3703. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16 July 1821⁠* 

My dear G.

I have received the half notes & much admire Charles the fifths clasp knife for the beauty of the blade & the inconvenience of the handle which whether most to be discommended for the shape or the material I know not. The improvement in smell as well as in taste is so great in our days, that if it were part of the coronation ceremony <for the King> to cut bread & cheese with a brass-handled knife, I dare say his most gracious M. would rather dispense with the solemnity than perform that part of it.

The clothes arrived yesterday, & the coat is actually fit for a Dandy! If poor Hyde [1]  were to see me in it he would hardly believe his own eyes.

Gifford told me that M. would send me the 100£ for O.C. [2]  The last case of a delayed article [3]  made me doubt this, & my doubt has been confirmed. It matters not now, for I have drawn both upon the Row & you.

But this second proof that I cannot rely upon the Q.R. for my Ways & Means, xxx where comes strongly in aid of the intention which you know I have so often entertained of withdrawing from it & bestowing the time upon worthier employments. G. wrote me a justification of the manner in which he deals with all my papers, – it was very civil, but written as if he were hurt at knowing that I had been hurt by his unwarrantable liberty. He said what might be very true, that he could not always print what I could write, (which would <hold> good in about one case of 100) & that he xxxx could not always have done wrong the growing success of the review being good proof of good management. – He xxx took no notice of his repeated promises to make no alteration without my assent. – I have not answered his note; but it is more than likely than one article more will be the last that I shall ever contribute to the Q.R. [4]  You need not say this; – there is no occasion to give warning before I leave this servitude. I can be better paid for finishing the Tale of Paraguay & Oliver Newman. [5]  & certainly better employed.

Alas, alas! I meant to have written you a strange account how it was found proper to exchange the title of Prester John for – Pope Joan: [6]  – but alas alas, there is a fatality which renders upon this house! no kitten can be reared here, no cat kept, the poor Pope strayed down the garden into the street & neither by enquiry <&> search nor offered rewards could we ever recover xx her.

Let me tell you that Edith May makes a ginger beer which is better than perry. – Today she is brewing elder-flower wine. I long to have you here, – & I have a vocabulary of M^rs Cs peculiar language to show you, which is worth coming to see. [7]  Besides I have a hundred things to talk about, & schemes for going here there & every where, wherever carts, horses & boat can carry us.

God bless you

RS.