1451. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 29 April 1808 ⁠* 

My dear Rickman

I trouble you with something beyond a two-ouncer – for Gebir. Extraordinary as that poem [1]  is the author is still more so. I never saw so ungoverned a mind, – perhaps never so ungovernable a one; – nor did I ever see a man of more commanding powers. He & I scarcely found one subject on which we differed (Copenhagen excepted [2] ) & yet it is scarcely possible to xxx imagine two men more unlike.

My books had an excellent passage [3]  – the Burton tea chest was just falling to pieces when it arrived, & I am not sure that one volume of the Chinese novel [4]  had not dropt out of it, – for one is missing – But I am about to write to Biddlecombe concerning the desiderata. [5] 

I miss also two books which perhaps Capt Burney may have, as I remember sending them to him from Bristol. A Spanish history of the military orders which contained at the end something of <about> Sir Fr. Drake, [6]  – & a black letter art of navigation. [7] 

At present my house is in doleful confusion, littered every where with books. The carpenter not having yet appeared with the shelves – He is daily expected & then I shall soon know where to lay my hand upon any single xx volume in the dark. You will be well-pleased to see your old acquaintance in good order & at home. The unpacking was joyful work, & the chests were much sooner emptied than filled. Happy man is my dole, – to have such a collection of books, & nothing to do but to make use of them.

Remember me to Mrs R. Edith thanks her for the – I do’nt know what to call them, – glass stands, – she wishes to thank her in person. –

God bless you

RS.

April 29. 1808.