3737. Robert Southey to [James Hogg], 19 October 1821
3737. Robert Southey to [James Hogg], 19 October 1821*
Dear Shepherd
Feldborg tells me he shall see you on his way to Edinburgh. I take the opportunity which this offers to tell you that I am glad you are married glad to hear that you have a child, [1] & that I heartily wish you long life, & continued happiness.
A writer in Blackwoods Magazine says the Lake Poets sneer at every body. [2] He lies. – I sneer at no one – except Mr Jeffrey. What I say of any man, I would just as readily say to him. And what I say of the Ettrick Shepherd ever since I have known him & his writings, is that I admire & esteem & like him.
If I ever come to your Lake, or you to mine, [3] – or wherever else we may meet again (as I hope we shall do) it will give me great pleasure to shake you by the hand.
God bless you & yours.
Robert Southey.
Keswick. 19 Oct. 1821.
Notes
* Address: To/ The Ettrick
Shepherd
MS: National Library of Scotland, MS 2245. ALS; 2p.
Previously
published: Mary Garden, Memorials of James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd
(Paisley, 1844), pp. 194–195. BACK
[1] Hogg had married Margaret Phillips (c. 1799–1870) on 28 April 1820; their first child, James Robert Hogg (1821–1894), was born on 18 March 1821. BACK