286. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 24[-26] January 1798 ⁠* 

Wednesday Jan^y. 24. 98

12. Lambs Conduit Street.

My dear Tom

Some few days since I learnt from Bath that M^rs Cookman [1]  was coming to town on business for a day – & we were desired to get her a bed in, or near the house of our abode. this morning she arrived – & with her – my mother – who has taken this trip to please herself – & us as you may well imagine. It is some time since I have been astonished, & I believe nothing less than the skies falling could astonish me – but after travelling all night – & being seasick on the way, she arrived here in good spirits, health as good as when you left her – & so we are all going to the play to night to see Blue beard [2]  –

& now Tom if a hurricane would drive you up to London bridge I should have nobody to wish for.

She has brought me two likenesses of herself taken by Robert Hancock [3]  – but they are not like my mother. I have my choice of them – I growl at it – & yet am glad it is here.

Harry wrote to me – this morning, from Norwich, where he has been for a few days. he writes in high spirits, & well he may, for I cannot wish him a better situation. on his way to Norwich, a Lady in the Coach asked him if he had ever read my poems – & added there was a Mr Southey in Yarmouth, brother, she believed, to me, whom she very much wished to see.

Peggy made you understand more than was strictly the case, when she said there was a coolness between Lloyd & me. Our living together was unpleasant, & we seperated at his proposal. true it is that I do not find in Charles Lloyd, what a man must have before I can think him my friend, a steady & consistent character; in whatever is of importance, he will, I believe, always be <the> same, & I should be much surprized at any wrong – or immoral action in him – but for little contemp<t>ible frivolities, for those ficklenesses that I despize – he is full of them. I do not respect him, & I cannot love, where I cannot respect. but if any exertion of mine could serve him, if a leg or an arm would be of use – I should be ready always to proffer myself to assist him. My dear Tom I have long since ceased to estimate men according to their genius. I want men who will act with me, not talk with me.

Friday. These good visitors of mine came in & interrupted my letter. I escorted them to the play; yesterday they gadded about all day, & to night I go to Covent Garden with them.

You are to have one of the drawings of my mother. this have I insisted upon – for M^rs Hancock [4]  put in her claim.

They leave me tomorrow I believe.

I was surprized this morning in looking at the large play bills, to see a grand ballet announced as in preparation called Joan of Arc – or the Maid of Orleans. [5]  methinks they should send me a ticket of admittance. be this said ballet good, bad, or indifferent, it will be an excellent advertisement for my book. [6]  but when that book will be out, as I have no telescope view of futurity, it is not possible for me to guess.

You naval men may amuse yourselves in speculating upon <guns-> gun-boats – rafts, & all the curious inventions that keep London in alarm. [7] 

Lloyd goes to Birmingham tomorrow I fear his brother [8]  is in a very dangerous state, or the old father would not have called him home. I do not like that old man. he is too civil – too fawning – too oily. [9] 

God bless you.

yrs affectionately

R Southey