712. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 1 September 1802*

Dear Tom

I write you my first letter of annunciation. Yesterday evening you had a niece born. she will be christened Margaret Edith – I cannot spare either of the names. Edith is as well as possible – the child fat & quiet – properly disposed to eating & feeding & sleeping.

And now the way is clear before me & I can calculate upon my movements. Cumberland will be my best home. you do not seem quite to understand the cause why I & Mr Corry have seperated. my situation was only necess necessary during war – & the peace happily broke out just after I had accepted it.¹ he wished to keep me as tutor to his son² – that situation office was one which I did not think it would be either proper or prudent to accept. because I have the hope of getting a situation in some embassy one of these days – & withal that employment would rather have retarded than forwarded – & because I know my time & my powers ought to be more honourably deployed.

I am now ready to accompany you into Wales. – If it be agreable to my Uncle I should wish to pay my respects to him before my departure from this part of England. tell him so – & then – if he pleases I will join you at Taunton – & we may cross from Minehead or Watchett –

God bless you – yr affectionate brother Robert Southey.

Do’nt you hear the child? said Mary³ yesterday just after its xxx birth – I listened – & it was Mr Fox’s parrot⁴ calling father.

Sept 1. 1802.

Joe⁵ is not troublesome. he has received a great accession of names lately – I have found out that he is worth six & thirty shillings.