779. Robert Southey to [Samuel Jackson Pratt], 5 May 1803

779. Robert Southey to [Samuel Jackson Pratt], 5 May 1803 ⁠* 

Sir

I have to return you my thanks for a very elegant copy of verses in praise of an indifferent poem & the fine picture to which it has given rise. [1]  I am somewhat unwilling to send an unfranked letter of mere thanks – but that is better than to deserve an imputation of incivility.

I am Sir

yours very respectfully

Robert Southey.


May 5. 1803. Bristol.

Notes

* Endorsements: R Southey/ May 3; [later endorsement in a different hand] Dr Robert Southey/ Poet Laureate to/ W. IV. & Queen Victoria: author of the Book of the Church; & the rise of Dr. John Wesley,/ the pious & ilxxx & Xxxxed Relligionist
MS: Bodleian Library, MS Montagu d. 16. ALS; 1p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] Samuel Jackson Pratt, Gleanings in England (London, 1803), p. 638. Pratt’s poem was in praise of Southey’s ‘Mary’, Poems (Bristol, 1797), pp. 163-170, and the picture it inspired by Thomas Barker (1767-1847; DNB). BACK

Addressee

Pratt, Samuel Jackson [pseud. Courtney Melmoth] (1749–1814)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Two
About this Page