1340. Robert Southey to Charles Danvers, [June/July 1807]

1340. Robert Southey to Charles Danvers, [June/July 1807] ⁠* 

My dear Charles

I am afraid the inclosed draft will not reach you by the 29th – & shall be sorry if it does not. As for Burnett I cannot ask him for your money – because I know but too well the state of his finances. All his money for his books was spent while they were in the press. [1]  L & Rees advanced him 25 £ when he left town, & he since rather begged than borrowed ten more of them as in advance for what he is to write for them. What do you mean to do when this ten pound is gone, was the question I put to him, – & his very cool answer was perhaps Lloyd could lend him ten pounds to carry him to London. I told him not to think of that. Here however lodging at Portinscale & dining here is staying & will stay till be without a penny, – then he will beg or borrow where he can. I am out of all patience with him – he has got rid of all feelings of common honour, & almost of common decency.

My mind misgives me about several books. Brown [2]  I missed, but was not sure whether or not it was in London. Geddes’s Malabar [3]  I have found, having overlooked it. I miss certainly Barnards Isle of Man, [4]  a little religious allegory, printed by Edwards in Broad Street.

Already in haste I am now interrupted – only time to say we like the Tray much, I like it best of all. [5]  It is not so pretty as a round one, but the additional dishes make it more convenient.

God bless you

RS

Notes

* Endorsements: £32 –; Kirkewhite / Spanish books
MS: British Library, Add MS 47890. ALS; 1p.
Unpublished.
Dating note: This letter was written after Letter 1339, also dated ‘end of June 1807’, because it acknowledges receipt of the books and goods Southey mentions in the previous letter. BACK

[1] Burnett’s View of the Present State of Poland and Specimens of English Prose Writers, from the Early Times to the Close of the Seventeenth Century were both published in 1807. BACK

[2] Perhaps John ‘Estimate’ Brown, (1715–1766; DNB), An Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times (1757–1758). BACK

[3] Michael Geddes (c.1647–1713; DNB), The History of the Church of Malabar (1694). BACK

[4] Richard Barnard (1568–1640), The Isle of Man, or the Legal Proceeding in Manshire against Sin (1626). BACK

[5] A sandwich tray; see Southey to Charles Danvers, 3 June 1807, Letter 1329. BACK

Addressee

Danvers, Charles (c. 1764–1814)

People mentioned

Burnett, George (c. 1776–1811) (mentioned 1 time)
Longman, Thomas Norton (1771–1842) (mentioned 1 time)
Rees, Owen (1770–1837) (mentioned 1 time)
Lloyd, Charles (1775–1839) (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Three
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