1601. Robert Southey to [Charles Danvers] [fragment], 15 March 1809*

Wither¹ a man of some consequence [MS missing] his signing the requisition at the late Ele county Election. he is of the family of old George Wither the Poet.²

My next letter I hope will tell you of the arrival of the unborn³ & I shall be sorry if the name of Danvers should again be to be laid aside for another opportunity. About a month ago Edith was seriously & alarmingly ill, – & we all expected that premature labour would have [MS missing]

I need not tell you with what pleasure we look on to your coming at Midsummer, when you & I shall once more travel over the mountains & ride & tie in the cork-waistcoat. We have a good story for you about that piece of cloathing – how it served for a straight waistcoat for Count Burnetski, – who certainly seemed to stand in need of it –

God bless you yrs affectionately R Southey.

March 15. 1809. Keswick.