494. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 28 February 1800

494. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 28 February 1800 ⁠* 

My dear Wynn

Your letter arrived too late to be answered by return of post. our post leaving Bristol at 4 – & the letters not being delivered in this part of the town till half after five. to Strachey therefore I must delay my intended letter.

The Review of Antenors Travels [1]  is not mine – nor have I seen it. nor should I have praised such a book as you describe it to be. to indecency I am ever unsparingly hostile. to irreligion a candid enemy. & the mingle-mangel of French taste is my utter abhorrence.

Where shall I find you at Gloucester – & when – for I will endeavour to meet you there. direct to me No 10 Stokes Croft – Bristol.

If it be not too late, I know Lewis may have William Taylors translation of Lenora [2]  by asking for it. his direction is Surry Street. Norwich. my balladling of Bishop Hatto [3]  he is very welcome to – if it be worth having. it will be published in the Anthology in about four weeks – if he wishes it sooner I will copy it for him.

God bless you.

yrs affectionately

R Southey.

Friday. 28 Feby. 1800


Notes

* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr/ 5. Stone Buildings/ Lincolns Inn/ London
Postmarks: BRISTOL/ FEB 28 1800; B/ MAR 1/ 1800
Endorsement: Feb 28 1800
MS: National Library of Wales, MS 4811D. ALS; 4p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Etienne-Francois de Lantier, The Travels of Antenor in Greece and Asia, 3 vols (1799), favourably noticed in Critical Review, 27 (December 1799), [361]–376. Wynn had suggested Southey authored this review. BACK

[2] Taylor’s translation of ‘Lenora’, first published anonymously in the Monthly Magazine, 1 (March 1796), 135–137, was used by Lewis in Tales of Wonder, 2 vols (London, 1801), II, pp. 469–482. BACK

[3] ‘God’s Judgement On A Bishop’, Morning Post, 27 November 1799; reprinted in Annual Anthology (Bristol, 1800), pp. 258–263. BACK

People mentioned

Strachey, George (1776–1849) (mentioned 1 time)
Taylor, William (1765–1836) (mentioned 1 time)

Places mentioned

Stokes Croft (mentioned 1 time)