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MS untraced; text is taken from Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850) . Previously published: Charles Cuthbert Southey (ed.), Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey, 6 vols (London, 1849–1850), V, pp. 56–58.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Ian Packer and Lynda Pratt
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It appears to me that whatever time you bestow upon the classics is
little better than time lost.
My dear Neville, it is a common infirmity with us to over-value what
we do not happen to possess. In your education you have learnt much which is not
acquired in schools and colleges, but which is of great practical utility, – more
probably than you would now find it if you had taken a wrangler’s degree, or ranked
as a medallist.
The time which classical studies would take may be much more profitably employed upon history and books of travels. The better you are read in both, the more you will prize the peculiar blessings which this country enjoys in its constitution of Church and State, and more especially in the former branch. I could write largely upon this theme. The greater part of the evil in the world, – that is, all the evil in it which is remediable (and which I take to be at least nine-tenths of the whole) – arises either from the want of institutions, as among savages; from imperfect ones, as among barbarians; or from bad ones, as in point of government among the oriental nations; and in point of religion among them also, and in the intolerant Catholic countries. In your own language you will find all you need, – scriptural illustrations, and stores of knowledge of every kind.
What you say concerning my correspondence, and the latitude which you allow me is both kind and considerate, as is always to be expected from Neville White. I do not, however, so easily forgive myself when a long interval of silence has been suffered to elapse. A letter is like a fresh billet of wood upon the fire, which, if it be not needed for immediate warmth, is always agreeable for its exhilarating effects. I who spend so many hours alone love to pass a portion of them in conversing thus with those whom I love.
You will be grieved to hear that I have lost my poor friend Nash, whom you saw with us in the autumn. He left us at the beginning of November, and is now in his grave! This has been a severe shock to me. I had a most sincere regard for him, and very many pleasant recollections are now so changed by his death, that they will never recur without pain. He was so thoroughly amiable, so sensible of any little kindness that was shown him, so kind in all his thoughts, words, and deeds; and withal bore his cross so patiently and meekly, that every body who knew him respected him and loved him. Very few circumstances could have affected me more deeply than his loss.
Remember me most kindly to your excellent mother, and to your
sisters.