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Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas, Austin. Previously published: Charles Ramos, The Letters of Robert Southey to John May: 1797–1838 (Austin, Texas, 1976), pp. 150–151; Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), IV, pp. 140–141.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer
For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge; Haverford College, Connecticut; the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the Hornby Library, Liverpool Libraries and Information Services; the Houghton Library, Harvard University; the John Rylands Library, Manchester; the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas; Luton Museum (Bedfordshire County Council); Massachusetts Historical Society; McGill University Library; the National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.
A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the English Department of Nottingham Trent University.
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Southey’s spelling has not been regularized.
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& has been used for the ampersand sign.
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You will be glad to hear that we arrived here safely this day, after a less uncomfortable journey than might have been
apprehended from the season of the year; we found all well, God be thanked; – & Edith who complained a little the first day got better daily as we drew nearer home – she complains of head ache now, – but
this is the natural effect of over excitement on seeing her brother &
sisters
We reached Wordsworths yesterday evening about 7 o clock: Three hours more would have brought us home, but I preferred passing the night at his house, for had we proceeded we should have found the children in bed, & a return home under fortunate circumstances has something the character of a triumph, & requires day light. Never I believe was there seen a happier household than this when the chaise drew up to the door.
I find so many letters to answer that tomorrow will be fully employed in clearing them off. Remember us to Mrs May. The only thing I have to regret during our journey, is that Edith & your goddaughter were
prevented from visiting Richmond. However I trust we shall meet all meet here the summer after next.