635. Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, [3 December 1801]*

I am quite uneasy about you Grosvenor – Saturday I wrote to you – no answer yet! – I could not then come for we were hourly expecting my mother – who did not arrive till Monday night. she is far advanced in consumption. yesterday & today my own head is too prevents all exertion. do let me have a line – from Horace if you yourself are unable. Carlisle could tell me nothing. he has himself been wholly occupied with his wife1 who is but just out of danger –

Grosvenor you are haunting me – & tomorrow Corry [MS obscured] me with his son2 to Walkers Lecture3 – so that then I cannot come – pray let me know something about you.

R. S. Thursday morning.

Notes

Address: To/ G. C. Bedford Esqr/ Brixton Causey
Postmark: [partial] 4 oClock
MS: Bodleian Library, Eng. Lett. c. 27. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished.
Dating note: The letter is dated from Southey’s description of his mother’s arrival, which happened on the night of Monday, 30 November 1801. This letter was sent the following Thursday. Back

1.  Carlisle married Martha (dates unknown), daughter of John Symmons, on 23 August 1800. Her ill health may have been due to pregnancy. Back

2.  William Corry (c. 1786-1853). Back

3.  Probably given by Adam Walker (1730/1-1821; DNB), who was especially famed for his lectures on astronomy. Back