702. Robert Southey to Charles Biddlecombe, 3 August 1802
702. Robert Southey to Charles Biddlecombe, 3 August 1802 *
My dear friend
Your letter inclosing the Bills [1] has just arrived – & I write in haste to acknowledge & thank you & Mr Coleman [2] – for this – & a thousand other acts of kindness
I do not know where the lines [3] you enquire about are to be found. perhaps among Butlers Remains [4] – that is likely enough – perhaps a scrap designed for some unwritten book of Hudibras. [5] more likely still that they may be a proverb – a common sense truism in doggerel rhyme.
Sir Francis Burdetts [6] is indeed an important success. it was the test of public opinion in the most important part of the kingdom.
My brother Tom is onshore. he is at Taunton at present – or he would join in remembrances with Edith & myself. we are both well – & what is better – in a few weeks I have the prospect of an increase in family. [7]
believe me
yours thankfully & truly
Robert Southey.
Tuesday August 3. 1802.Notes
* Address: To/ Charles Biddlecombe Esqr/ Burton/ Ringwood/
Postmark: [partial] 122/ BRISTOL/ AUG
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK
[6] Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet (1770-1844; DNB), had been elected as an MP for Middlesex on 13 July 1802. He was the most outspoken radical in the House of Commons, and his election for a constituency with such a large electorate was taken as a sign of public discontent with the government. BACK
[7] Margaret Edith Southey was born on 31 August 1802. BACK
