799. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, [21 June 1803]

799. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, [21 June 1803] *
Dear Tom
Edward has just told me that it is settled between his Aunt & Uncle that he should go to sea. now tho he is somewhat too old – yet is this better than staying on shore for him. How do you suppose his mad Aunt has been disposing of him – she sent him down to visit a gentleman in Herefordshire [1] – whom he had never seen. where he staid seven weeks – & after that a fortnight at an Inn at Kington waiting for money to return for which after all he was obliged to apply to Dr Thomas. Zounds I could swear for pure anger & vexation. – damnation – but to the point – can you get the boy a Royal Reefers [2] birth – of course on board any ship but your own? if you can do it with as little loss of time as possible – & if you cannot – tell me. that I may try & bestir myself – but I suppose you will find no difficulty. Poor boy I am always angry with him, & then angry with myself for feeling so – & yet it is enough to anger me to see such a sad whelp – to know what abilities he has, & who was his mother – & yet to see such a lamentable & shameless coxcomb.
Your letters & mine always cross. your shoes & gaiters shall be sent as soon as Amadis [3] is ready. tell me how to direct them.
I am vexed that you should be so idly at Spithead. however this war [4] will last long enough – & you may yet be out in time for the first harvest of Spanish prizes. we are in a scrape & all Europe will be against us – Amen! So be it! & if Old England do not make them sore & sick of their envious enmity – . that shutting up the ports is an evil that affects themselves as well as us. the products of the East & West Indies are become part of the necessaries of life throughout Europe. if they shut their ports against us – we close them against all other commerce – & even if we did not – whence are they to get sugar, if not from England by some conveyance or other.
What do you think? Mr Tafis [5] writes to say I may have Maes Gwyn & the outhouse by way of kitchen for ten pounds a year. I have just returned for answer that if Mr Williams [6] will make it into a kitchen for me & accommodate me with the heavy furniture I will give him twenty – & at the twelvemonths end – if the situation suits me upon trial – take the furniture at a fair valuation. huzza! if I should have it after all!
I go to London on Sunday next with Danvers, where I shall stay not longer than a fortnight. direct to me with John Rickman Esq. St Stephen’s Court. New Palace Yard. Westminster. but you will probably write to me sooner respecting Edward. – Margery goes on well – she is a very different animal from what you left her & more alive & kicking than ever.
God bless you – yours in haste –
R Southey.
Tuesday.
What is become of Grove? [7] – Joe [8] breakfasted at home this morning. he & Cupid [9] both desire to be remembered.
Notes
* Address: To/ Lieutenant Southey/ H. M. S. Galatea/ Spithead./ Single
Stamped:
[partial] BRISTOL
MS: British Library, Add MS 47890. ALS; 3p.
Previously published: Kenneth Curry (ed.), New Letters of Robert
Southey, 2 vols (London and New York, 1965), I, pp. 295-96 [misdated December 1802].
Dating note: Probably written on
Tuesday 21 June 1803, by which time Tom Southey was based at Spithead, and Southey was planning a trip to London ‘next
Sunday’. BACK