1726. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 30 December 1809 ⁠* 

My dear Harry

I have disappointed in Maimbourgs Hist. des Croisades, [1]  – the book was sold, – which I did not expect, – as it is of no reputation, tho it would have been of some use. The same Catalogue however supplied me with the Mem. du Ch. D’Arvieux, [2]  who resided & travelled in your parts about x 1660, six thick duodecimos, – I am travelling thro them & my land marks may save you the trouble of doing the same. The time may be worth saving, but the book is a good one, & well repays perusal. It is of considerable authority, & contains much information to your purpose. [3]  It Indeed your subject has this singular advantage, that there are <have been> good travellers in the Holy Land at every age from the Crusades down to the present times.

You have perhaps heard that my Uncle resigns Staunton & removes to Streatham, where he expects to establish himself next summer. Streatham is six miles from London, the Surry side, – about two miles from Mrs Gonnes. He himself does not much like the change, & my advice to him, as far as it could be called advice, was dissuasory, – agreeing with his own opinion, – but his London friends thought it advantageous, & he yielded to their judgement. It is a more accessible place than Staunton, & so far more convenient for me. I shall probably visit him about the fall of the leaf, – that is if we neither of us fall before the leaves, – & no other circumstance prevents me. With the same feeling of unforeseen contingencies, I purpose attending the Long Main. [4]  It will be the first time that Edith has been out of sight of the mountains since she came among them. But of this three months hence.

My first volume is provokingly retarded by the Printer, who has had the concluding chapter more than three months in his hands. [5]  One more sheet will finish them, – the extent of the notes I cannot guess xx <nearer than> from 50 – to 100 pages, he has as many of them as I can arrange till the remainder of the printed sheets are before me. More meo  [6]  they are of all sorts, & will annoy those who are serious over much. – I wish I could have half an hours conversation with George Sealy concerning Bahia. [7]  Perhaps Mary can obtain from him an answer to three plain questions, – Are there any natives in the neighbourhood of S^t Salvador, [8]  – what situation are they in, – & is the Portugueze spoken there corrupted by a mixture of the native tongue? – I have sent sundry queries to William May [9]  at S^t Sebastian, [10]  & put him to look for one or two books there which we could <not> find at Lisbon.

Kehama is finished & in Ballantynes hands. [11]  I daily expect the first proof, – which is matter you know Doctor Sir Domine of great joy.

Our monkish historians will supply you with our part in the crusades. They must certainly be in your libraries. Others which are not there will be included in the republication of Thomas Hearnes labours, – to the whole series of which I have subscribed. [12]  If you <will> send me th a list of any books which you x want & cannot find I will write to Heber for them.

Did you fall in with one of my odd acquaintance who has been marrying among yours, – Northmore? [13]  – a man who has more Greek in his head than any body wo can see in his face, & who has more the appearance of a fool than any person I ever saw who is actually not one. Northmore has a good property in the neighbourhood of Exeter. Coleridge who has no great respect for the honour of his family says what all his brothers would be very much ashamed to hear him say, that his grand father was a bastard of Northmores, & took his name from the hundred in which he was dropt, – upon the strength of which piece of family history he claims kin with Northmore. [14]  Be that as it may he gave us some very pleasant dinners at his seat near Exeter, & in spite of his oystery eyes, is a thoroughly worthy man. I have not seen his epic, [15]  – beyond all doubt it must be bad enough.

Lord Mulgrave [16]  tells Sir G Beaumont there will be no new promotion for the Lyra, [17]  a Commander already on the list is appointed x to her. These dreadful words have long made me wish that Tom were safe out of her. I hope they will supersede him, without giving him another appointment, so that he may have a home ashore.

I have the huge Life of Nelson to review, & am to have twenty guineas a sheet for my work. [18]  It is such a book in size, that I literally mean to weigh it at Miss Crosthwaites, [19]  & then calculate its faults by the pound, – or perhaps by the stone. Dry Measure for the author.

Marys kisses were duly delivered to the children, & they have consigned some to my care in my return. I know of no other way of remitting them than by a draft upon you, – be pleased therefore to pay half a dozen at sight, on account of your eldest niece & your nephew, Bertha not being yet arrived at the kissable age – with her it is according to the Colonels old joke, neck or nothing. [20]  Our love.

God bless you

RS.

Dec. 30. 1809.