1417. Robert Southey to John Rickman, [15 January 1808]*

Jany. 15.My dear Rickman

I have just laid hold of a book printed in Portugueze & so printed as to be almost unintelligible, – evidently from a P. manuscript which neither printer nor editor could read. It relates to the Inquisition & is ascribed in the title page of to Vieyra – the famous Jesuit; – but it is evidently <certainly> not his; & tho said to be printed at Venice is as evidently in English types.¹ The preface proves that a Jew published it. I shall like to talk to D Israeli² about it, – if that fish knows anything out of the French anas,³ it ought to be about his own sect. & I xxx am curious to know for whom such a book could possibly be printed, – for where could it be read out of Portugal; & in Portugal whoever had it in his possession would have been ipso facto convicted of Judaism. The date is 1750 – not so long ago but that the editor may well be remembered. I have a good deal to say about the Jews in my history, & have been long looking in catalogues for the work of Basnage⁴ without success.

Can the Capitaneus introduce me to Mr Dalrymples⁵ library? he purchased those books which I sent a commission for to Elmsley. Tell that said Capitaneus that I hope to shake hands with him in the course of a month & in the course of a year to begin putting quartos upon his shelves in fair exchange.

Old poets in all the modern languages always describe beauties with light eyes & golden hair: they painted of course from the nobles & higher classes – & this is proof that the races of the conquerors & the conquered were not yet intermingled in those classes. We dark men must have Roman blood in us. – The inclosed contains the copy of a chart of Bahia for my Uncle – who is returned to town –

God bless you RS.