780. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 5 May [1803] ⁠* 

Thank you for your letter & Catalogue. I have the XL books of Garibay [1]  in four folios – the original & I believe only edition.

Among Ritsons books [2]  are two of which I should be very glad. 600 N^o 600. 3^rd days sale – Las Patrañas de Juan Timoneda. [3]  it is the first book of Novelas published in Spain, & perhaps Collectors may not know this. the other 1564 6^th day Canionero de Lopez Maldo Nado. [4] 

614. Les Obres de Ausias March [5]  – if they be the works of Ausias March indeed in his own Valencian dialect & not Las Obras translated into Spanish by George of Montemayor [6]  – would be a very valuable accession to my stock.

809. Cronica Geral de Gonçalo Hernandez de Cordova [7] 

1090. Ochoa de la Salde Vide de Carlos V [8]  I know nothing of either of them but would give six shillings for each at a venture.

The Romances I trust Heber will buy. he ought to buy 1077. Las Sergas de Esplandian. [9]  1083 Amadis de Grecia [10]  as sequels to his Amadis – the Sergas indeed are a second volume to Amadis which is quite incomplete without them.

In my preface to Amadis [11]  I have mentioned Heber as the possessor of the copy which I used – if this be ill-done tell me for it may be stopt xxx a month hence. but I conclude he will be rather pleasd than otherwise – I simply speak of his <valuable> collection – & his liberal use of it.

Leyden [12]  read certain sheets of Amadis to Ellis. I do not expect the book to sell well, tho I regarded such a possibility in my bargain & have 50£ contingent upon the edition – & half all after profits. Ellis can give a fashion to his own books, but he cannot make his own taste general enough to sell this of mine. I shall get some credit for it among men who can judge how very faithfully I have preserved the minutest parts of the story & all the traits of manner while I shortened the work. I can lose none – because the merits or demerits of the story are not mine. they print very slowly. perhaps if 120 sheets lie days together at Debretts [13]  for a chance frank – shall I direct them to be sent to you? if two a week will not intrench too much on your limited number. I have done my part these three week – Hebers book is necessary to refer to in correcting the proofs – he shall have it returned with its four young ones. My preface [14]  proves the author to have been Vasco Lobeira, [15]  & likewise how far he was author – to the middle of the fourth book – the marriage – & there I leave off. the remaining chapters belong to Esplandian. [16]  Some little I say of the remaining books & but little having read but few, & I throw out a good guess about the classical origin of Dragons Enchanted Armour & Fairies & Ladies of the Lake.

My publishers I see think proper to make me an Esq^r. [17]  I dare say they find their account in it. Whenever I publish a book under a nom de guerre I am determined it shall be a Sir something – John Williams – or John Smith Bart. the title will be worth half an edition.

I received a letter lately thrown into the Atlantic for me in a bottle by for my brother, which floated 656 miles & was found upon S^t Salvadores – [18] 

You will perhaps see me in London before summer be advanced & for this unlikely reason. I want great exercise & should be compelled to take it there. I am plagued with diabetes — & a manufactory of lime in my kidnies – my life is too sedentary & now <that> I am free from any immediate employment for the press I work double tides at history. [19]  for love of the employment – & to get sooner back to Portugal that I may ride jackasses – & take another journey thro deserts & over mountains.

By the by I see now certainly that the Portuguesa books are in the Kings Library [20]  – can I get permission to use them?

Mister Pratt has sent me a Copy of Verses upon Barkers Picture & my poem. [21]  they cost me a one penny to the postman. the trouble of writing him a letter, & the sin of telling him a lie.

God bless you –

yrs affectionately

R S.

May 5. Thursday