769. Robert Southey to Thomas Smith, 29 March 1803*

Kingsdown. March 29. 1803.My dear Sir

The Life of Cowper¹ with your very friendly letter reached me last night, so long after the date of the parcel (March 12) that I fear you must have suspected me of uncivil neglect in acknowledging it.

I wish I had nothing more to communicate than the sense which I feel of your kindness. Danvers has at length lost his Mother. this epidemic disease² seized her, & she died yesterday morning. the loss of so excellent a woman will be severely felt by all who were intimate with her. – but to Charles it is a heavy & almost a heart-breaking blow. there was more than the parental tie between them. for years she has been his constant companion, the object of all his thoughts & solicitudes; xxx his perpetual watchfulness of attention prolonged her life, & made it happy to the very last.

I have not forgotten Mrs Smiths Autographs,³ but will not swell a letter with inclosing any, which will probably take a long circuit before it reaches you. I hope however it will not find you in London. you should not venture there until the influenza has ceased.

believe me dear Sir very thankfully & truly yours Robert Southey.