1587. Robert Southey to John Rickman, 22 February 1809*

Feby. 22. 1809My dear Rickman

We must make our map hold as much as it can,¹ – upon the scale you mention it is likely to be imperfect along the coast, but in the interior every thing may be put in. What I would have is the whole outline of South America, having all within my limits ( – that is between the Orellana & the Plata, with Paraguay in the interior)² as full as possible, marking in the rest only the chief places & the natural Geography. I should like this done as soon as it conveniently can be, – that xmy Uncle & myself may each have a proof at hand in which to insert whatever we may chance to discover in going thro our documents. And I think it will be best not to publish the map with the first volume, because most of our manuscript materials relate to the second, & will not be begun upon till they come in their due order, – all those who for instance which relate to the Mines & which are very numerous, & my Uncle tells me very important.³

Has the Capitaneus interest enough to get a reviewal of the Cid with the Monthly?⁴ – If he can bespeak a place for one of them, Bedford shall write it. You know why I want to be praised, a favourable review is like a bank note; – intrinsically fit only paper intrinsically worthless, & fit only for base purposes, but it has a current value. There are fifty book societies in England who will order the book if the Monthly praises it, & whose law it is not to order a book that the Reviews, & that in particular, may happen to condemn.

You will see Gebir⁵ next month – Edith has been very ill, & the illness has left a wearying wearing nervous fever behind.

God bless you RS.