1391. Robert Southey to John Rickman, [on or before 8 December 1807]*

My dear Rickman

My Uncle leaves town in a few days to go look after litigious parishioners in Herefordshire; – he therefore wishes me to delay my journey, – so you will not see me till the snowdrops & the unborn have made their appearance.¹

I have taken time about the Edinburgh proposal,² – not to think about it, for that were wasting time, – but to let the pros & cons find their level, – that being a safe way of proceeding. You see the advantage of engaging in it just in the right point of view, – but even that is not worth the sort of compromise which it would cost. I write therefore to Walter Scott, refusing, in terms of all courtesy to have bear any part in a journal with x which I do not hold any one opinion in common, & the conduct of which I thoroughly disapprove.³

You estimate Palmerin⁴ rightly, – it is even more inferior to Amadis⁵ than Virgil is to Homer. The only scene in it which at all affects one is that where the tombs of K Arban & old Grumedan xxxx <give> for a moment a sort of historical reality to the story.⁶ Yet the very difference between this romance & Amadis, the reputation of both being considered, made it worth while that both should be in our language. – The part which I have translated is as well done as Amadis, – the difference lies in the original. Moraes⁷ was for writing a fine style. The Cid⁸ you will find equal in this point to Amadis, the language being of the same character i–e – both being anterior to the age of fine style.

Prince Arthur is so lettered in green, on a gilt back. one of the small quartos.⁹ With this I have nothing to do but to write a preface & add notes, – in which I design to give the whole bibliology of the Round Table.¹⁰ Luxurious sort of reading, in which I think I should not afford to indulge were I not paid for it.

Espriellas secret is not worth any awkward attempt at evading the avowal.¹¹ Your friend Lady Holland has just sent me a present of Spanish plays, & asked me the question concerning it. This book is xxx likely to set me fairly afloat, a second edition¹² will clear me with Longman, & leave me the profits of all my other books to look on to for ways & means in the ensuing year; – enough it is to be hoped without touching the xxxxx produce of Brazil.¹³

Drop the inclosed note¹⁴ into the twopenny – it is to desire that the sheets of the Cid may be sent to you when my Uncle leaves town. I wish you to look them over before the additional notes be made up, that you may point out what may occur to you.

RS.