“The motives which induced me to propose selling an edition of the Cid may be very soon explained. I have been settling myself here in a permanent place of abode, and in consequence many unavoidable expenses have been incurred. Among others, that of removing from Bristol a much larger library than perhaps any other man living, whose means are so scanty, is possessed of. I thank you for the manner in which you have objected to purchasing it, and am more gratified by it than I should have been by your acceptance. The sale of this book cannot be so doubtful as that of a poem. A part of it shall be sent up in a few days, and the sooner it is put to press the better. If it suit you, I should much like to let Pople print it. He has not made all the haste he could with Palmerin, but he has taken great pains with it; for never had printer a more perplexed copy to follow, and he has been surprisingly correct.
“I do not know what the state of my account with you
is. Mr. Aikin has sent me no returns
either for this year’s reviewing or the last. I suppose, however, that
the edition of Espriella will about balance it; and if I may look to you for about
150l. between this and the end of the year, my
exigencies will be supplied. Meantime I am desirous that my exertions should be
proportionate to my wants. The old edition of Don Quixote, if carefully collated and
corrected, will, I believe, be very superior to any
| Ætat. 33. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 107 |
“The ‘Catalogue Raisonné’ cannot be executed by a single person. I could do great part of it,—probably all except the legal and scientific departments. Upon this matter I will think, and write to you in a few days.
“What is this History of South America which I am told is announced? I am getting on with my own Brazil and the River Plata, and it is not possible that any man in England can have one-tenth part of the materials which I possess for such a work. Were you to see the manuscripts which I possess, you would be fully convinced of this; and without seeing them you can hardly form an estimate of their value and importance. . . . .
