“So long a time had elapsed without my hearing from you, or by any accident of you, that I began to fear what might have been the cause of this long silence, and was almost afraid to inquire. I am very sorry that Mr. Bush did not make use of your name when he was at Keswick last summer; he could have brought with him no better introduction, and I have always time to perform offices of attention and hospitality to those who are entitled to them. He left a good impression here as an excellent preacher; indeed, I have seldom or never heard a more judicious one. The account which he gave you of my way of life is not altogether correct. I have no allotted quantum of exercise, but, as at Oxford, sometimes go a long while without any, and sometimes take walks that would try the mettle of a younger man. And a great deal more of my time is employed in reading than in writing; if it were not, what I write would be of very little value. But that I am a close student is very true, and such I shall continue to be as long as my eyes and other faculties last.
“You must apply in time if you design to place your son
at Oriel; it is now no easy matter to obtain admission there, nor indeed at any
college which is in good reputation. I almost wonder that you do not give the
preference to old Balliol for the sake of old times, now that the college has
fairly
| Ætat. 45. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 343 |
“Believe me, my dear Lightfoot, yours affectionately as in old times,
