“Mine is a strong spirit, and I am very desirous that
you should not suppose it to be more severely tried than it is. The temporary
inconvenience which I feel is solely produced by unavoidable expenses in
settling myself, which will not occur again; and if Espriella slides into a good sale,
or if one edition of our deplorable Specimens should go off, I shall be
floated into smooth water. Bear this in mind, also, that I can command an
income, fully equivalent to all my wants, whenever I choose to write for money,
and for nothing else. Our Fathers in the Row would find me task-work, to any
amount which I might wish to undertake, and I could assuredly make 300l.
| Ætat. 33. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 119 |
“Old John Southey dealt unjustly by me,—but it was what I expected, and his brother will, without doubt, do just the same. In case of Lord Somerville’s death without a son, a considerable property devolves to me or my representatives—encumbered, however, with a lawsuit to recover it; and, as I should be compelled to enter into this, I have only to hope his Lordship will have the goodness to live as long as I do, and save me from the disquietude which this would occasion. I used to think that the reputation which I should establish would ultimately turn to marketable account, and that my books would sell as well as if they were seasoned with slander or obscenity. In time they will; it will not be in my time. I have, however, an easy means of securing some part of the advantage to my family, by forbearing to publish any more corrected editions during my lifetime, and leaving such corrections as will avail to give a second lease of copyright, and make any bookseller’s editions of no value. As for my family, I have no fears for them; they would find friends enough when I am gone; and having this confidence, you may be sure that there is not a lighter-hearted man in the world than myself.
“Basta,—or, as we say in Latin, Ohe jam
satis est. My eyes are better, which I attribute to an old velvet
bonnet of Edith’s, converted
without alteration into a most venerable studying cap for my worship; it keeps
| 120 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 33. |
“We had an interesting guest here a few evenings ago, who came to visit Tom,—Captain Guillem, Nelson’s first lieutenant at Trafalgar, a sailor of the old Blake and Dampier breed, who has risen from before the mast, was in Duncan’s action, and at Copenhagen, &c. He told us more of Nelson than I can find time to write. . . . . .
“God bless you!
