1029. Robert Southey to Henry Herbert Southey, 26 January 1805*

Dear Harry

I need not say that your letter vexed me. you have by this time learnt from mine¹ that John May so far from witholding my Uncles money – advances his own. the fault is with Dr Thomas. 140 £ he expends upon Edward. 50 £ more upon the same account Miss Tyler made my Uncle send her for his first fitting out – when by the living God she did not expend fifteen upon him. There was 190 in one year bestowed upon a boy, upon whom four pence would have been thrown away if given in any other shape than that of a halter. – I have written to John May & desired him to remit you 20 £ which with the last ten & the ten he sent in November will be 40 for the quarter² – Wm Taylors remittance of 25 with the regular 10 will make 35 for the next. – 75 for the half year – the regular sum. John May is as desirous that your supply should be regular as I am, & we are doing all in our power to secure regular returns from Herefordshire. What trouble I take in these affairs is wholly on your account as I receive nothing from my Uncle myself. Things unless we very much deceive xourselves will certainly be settled speedily, now that they are in a lawyers hands.

Your volume of Fourcroy³ is found – if it be the 9th

The printers delay is very tiresome & not a little injurious.⁴ The season is passing by. My volume from the Anthology is advertised⁵ – & has variety enough to make it sell – but publication is a mere lottery

Do not lose sight of the Crusades.⁶ You are young enough to learn Arabic with a view that way. half an hour [before] daily, won by rising half an hour <earlier> every morning, would set you upon your legs in the language in the course of twelvemonths. Three fourths of Madoc were written in hours so won from sleep, & I shall practice the same oeconomy of time this spring – or my finances will fall wofully short at the years end.

God bless you R.S.

Sunday 26 Jany 1805.