1178. Robert Southey to John Rickman, [c. 12 May 1806]*

Monday eveningMy dear Rickman

I arrived at home safe & sound after four & forty hours travelling, less fatigued than I had expected to be. What by taking off much dirt, putting in some substantials, & casting my whole exuviae, or slough to speak in plain English I certainly do not feel as if the last bed in which I slept was three hundred miles distant. Tomorrow I have arrears of letters to pay off, & to reduce my disjointed papers into order – the next day for the ordinary course of life. To you & Mrs R. I have now only to express my hearty thanks for making London as comfortable to me as any place not my home possibly could be.

God bless you R Southey.

Edith desires to be remembered. my daughter is eating some of George the firsts barley sugar