1206. Robert Southey to Richard Duppa, 5 August 1806*

Tuesday August 5 – 1806My dear Duppa

The reason why I have not written to you before, since my return from London, is a very simple one – I beseech you let it also be satisfactory. You gave me a splendid copy of your Life of Michel Angelo.¹ This book I did not take home with me – because it was a heavy book to bring here, & to take back again early in the next Spring, – I had rapidly read it at Rickmans, & should get a copy from King Arthur for special purposes of half the weight – he having to pay its carriage back. Now this other copy from the King is not yet arrived.² Come it will, for I have not only spoken for it in town, but written for it since, & it shall pass thro nobodys hands but my own. I did not like to write to you till I could have sent you a letter critical, in which I had pointed out every thing which appeared to me capable of amendment; & this as soon as the book comes I will do, – or if you be preparing for another edition, will do it sooner, by sending to Grasmere for Wordsworths. Meantime conscience has been dunning pins into me every day – & I now submit to you the plain case, which will certainly account for a long & unfit silence – & I trust excuse it.

The Printer goes on slowly with Espriella, nor do I hurry him.³ but we both are getting on. One of your letters is printed with certain interpolations, it is that about shopping &c.⁴ That concerning Westminster Abbey goes to the press in the next exportation⁵ – I have added to it some catholick falsehoods respecting the history of the church, & some little else. At your leisure, give me an account of the Exhibition in 1803.⁶ a few general remarks will do as to the thing itself – what I most wish is to have said what good the Academy does; if any –; what merit is due the King &c. The merits of Mr Alderman Boydell & the history of his Shakespeare is also another subject which you will handle far better than I – or to speak truly – which I could not handle at all.⁷ And <for> any thing else which occurs to your recollection, be sure that I shall easily find fit place.

My brother Tom arrived yesterday – from sea, & my spirits have not yet recovered their usual temperate tone. – for it disjects me to see him looking prematurely old – to think that in fourteen years he has only been nine months on shore – & that we three brothers who are now in one house have never been together till now during the whole of that time, – & very possibly when we separate again – as in a few weeks we must – never may meet again together again. Family ties, when they are good for anything, grow stronger as we grow older, & as fewer are left us. We then feel how different they are from other friendships, be those friendships never so sincere, – I will never breed up a child either to the navy or army – nor send one to the East Indies. It is very well for birds, whose love is only instinct, to part be turned adrift as soon as they leave the nest, – but it as an evil thing for a family to be scattered.

I was very desirous of getting some live land-crabs for Carlisle – & Tom took on board a fine cargo, – but in spite of all possible care the last died when they were off the Isle of Wight.⁸

We have the measles in the house – & my daughter is expected to sicken in about a week. Till it is over I shall be more uneasy than is quite reasonable upon the doctrine of chances: – the disorder is <something fatal> & I remember losing a sister to it. In about [MS torn] months I expect an addition to my family – of which I am very glad.⁹ In the spring I hope to effect my renewal to Portugal, bag & baggage – There [MS torn] remain some three or four years. The climate will be of service to me, & perhaps lengthen the lease I have of this body of mine, – a lease which seems to stand in need of a renewal. Nor tho I most truly do hope, trust & believe that whenever the lease be out I shall get into a better tenement, I would yet willingly keep the present one as long as I can.

Tom called on Rickman & was told he was too ill to see him – I rather suspect it must have been Mrs R that was ill¹⁰ – & in either case am very – very – sorry of the intelligence.

You have probably heard that an Uncle of mine is dead, who if he had made no will, must have left me a rich man. Certainly rather than xx have been born rich, I would always continue poor; but if wealth had fallen in my way now I think it would have done me no harm. However it was no disappointment as I expected nothing.

This is my idle season; tho it must be a short one – for I cannot afford much idleness. I am finishing Espriella, & making a very curious book called The Chronicle of the Cid,¹¹ – very curious it will be – but I fear it will get me more credit than money, – & I stand more in need of pudding than of praise. – Thalaba has been published piece-meal in the American newspapers;¹² – so long a poem was I believe never xxxx before printed in so singular a way. Remember me at Stockwell.¹³ I mean to review Clarksons Book upon the Quakers this year.¹⁴ – Remember me also at Brixton. I am afraid that family will soon be broken up, & do not like to think so, because I shall never remember old Mr Bedford without remembering many pleasant hours days & weeks which I have past under his roof. God bless you. Do not follow my example, but put me to shame by a letter. Edith & her sister desired to be remembered. The Colonel and Mrs P. enquire for you. Harry & I xxxx on the top of Great Gable¹⁵ last week – & he would have sent a sigh toward the Isle of xxxxx Man – to Miss Scriggen¹⁶ – only unluckily the wind happened to be the wrong way.