3759. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 10 December 1821

3759. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 10 December 1821⁠* 

My dear Harry

I have written to Bedford desiring him to transfer to John May the sum total of my disposable means, – to wit 625£ in the three per cents. And in the spring he shall have the 100£ which I should at all events then have remitted him, [1]  & as much more as I may at that time be able to command from Albemarle Street. [2]  – It is not often that I wish for riches, – but at these times I should be xxx glad indeed if I possessed them.

You judge very rightly concerning Edward.

I hear, but can hardly believe, that Tom has had the boldness (to use a very gentle word) to require more for Miss W.’s [3] board, – & that he has obtained it. This seems, on all accounts incredible – & so you would think if you saw their manner of living. – How glad should I have been of such a boarder fifteen years ago!

God bless you

RS.

Keswick 10 Dec. 1821.

Notes

* MS: Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, KESMG 1996.5.119. ALS; 1p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] The sum to pay for Southey’s life assurance policy with the Equitable Life Assurance Company, of which John May was a Director. BACK

[2] Money Southey could raise by writing for John Murray’s firm (based in Albemarle Street), either by completing the History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832) or by producing articles for the Quarterly Review. BACK

[3] Mary Laetitia Wilbraham (b. 1799), daughter of Randle Wilbraham (1773–1861) of Rode Hall in Cheshire. She later married Joseph-Harrison Tryer (b. 1797) of Whitley House, Northumberland; she was Tom Southey’s lodger. BACK

Addressee

Southey, Henry Herbert (1784–1865)

People mentioned

Bedford, Grosvenor Charles (1773–1839) (mentioned 1 time)
May, John (1775–1856) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Edward (1788–1847) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Thomas (‘Tom’) [brother] (1777–1838) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

Keswick (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Six
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