The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey
Robert Southey to Grosvenor C. Bedford, 8 December 1826
“Keswick, Friday, Dec. 8. 1826.
“Hear the second part of the history of my
parliamentary affairs:—
“On Wednesday, I received a note from Harry, saying that a plan had been formed for
purchasing a qualification for me; that Sir Robert
Inglis had just communicated this to him, and was then gone to
Lord R. to ask him to keep the borough
open: that he (Harry) doubted whether a sufficient
subscription could be raised, but supposed that under these circumstances I
should not refuse the seat; and desired my answer by return of post, that he
might be authorised to say I would sit in Parliament if they gave me an estate
of 300l. a-year!
“I rubbed my eyes to ascertain that I was awake, and
that this was no dream. I heard Cuthbert
his Greek lesson, and read his Dutch one with him. I corrected a proof sheet.
And then, the matter having had time to digest, I wrote in reply, as
follows:—
“My dear H.,
“An estate of 300l. a-year would
be a very agreeable thing for me, Robert Lackland, and I
would willingly change that name for it: the convenience, however, of having an
estate is not the question which I am called upon to determine. It is
(supposing the arrangement possible,—which I greatly ![]()
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doubt), whether I will enter into public life at an age when a wise man would
begin to think of retiring from it: whether I will place myself in a situation
for which neither my habits, nor talents, nor disposition are suited; and in
which I feel and know it to be impossible that I should fulfil the expectations
of those who would raise the subscription. Others ought to believe me, and you
will, when I declare that in any public assembly I should have no confidence in
myself, no promptitude, none of that presence of mind, without which no man can
produce any effect there. This ought to be believed, because I have them all
when acting in my proper station, and in my own way, and therefore cannot be
supposed to speak from timidity, nor with any affectation of humility.
Sir Robert Inglis and his friends
have the Protestant cause at heart, and imagine that I could serve it in
Parliament. I have it at heart also; deeply at heart; and will serve it to the
utmost of my power, ‘so help me God!’ But it is not by speaking in
public that I can serve it. It is by bringing forth the knowledge which so
large a part of my life has been passed in acquiring; by exposing the real
character and history of the Romish Church, systematically and irrefragably
(which I can and will do) in books which will be read now and hereafter; which
must make a part, hereafter, of every historical library; and which will live
and act when I am gone. If I felt that I could make an impression in
Parliament, even then I would not give up future utility for present effect. I
have too little ambition of one kind, and too much of another to ![]()
| Ætat. 52. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 275 |
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make the sacrifice. But I could make no impression there.
I should only disappoint those who had contributed to place me there; and in
this point of view it is a matter of prudence, as well as in all others, of
duty, to hold my first resolution, and remain contentedly in that station of
life to which it has pleased God to call me. If a seat in Parliament were made
compatible with my circumstances, it would not be so with my inclinations,
habits, and pursuits; and therefore I must remain Robert
Lackland.
“You will not suppose that I despise 300l. a-year, or should lightly refuse it. But I think you
will feel, upon reflection, that I have decided properly in refusing to sit in
Parliament under any circumstances.
R. S.
“To-day (Friday) Harry has received this letter from me; and I have received the
following one from him:—
“‘My dear Robert,
“‘Lord
R.’s answer to Sir Robert
Inglis is nearly in the following words:—“Mr.
—— was returned upon public grounds solely, without previous
communication, or even acquaintance. It has since been seen under his
handwriting that the situation was not to his taste, and did not accord with
his habits of life.”
“‘I believe these are the very words of
Lord
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| 276 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 52. |
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R.’s answer to an excellent letter
from Inglis. Thus ends your very
singular adventure. If you could have got an estate by it, the story would have
told better. As it is, the estimation in which you are held by many great and
good men, has been proved in the most satisfactory manner. Sir
Robert did not tell me the names of those who had expressed
their willingness to subscribe, nor with whom the scheme had originated (not
with himself), but he seemed sanguine of success.
H. H. S.’
“God bless you!
R. S.”
Grosvenor Charles Bedford (1773-1839)
The son of Horace Walpole's correspondent Charles Bedford; he was auditor of the
Exchequer and a friend of Robert Southey who contributed to several of Southey's
publications.
Jacob Bouverie, second earl of Radnor (1750-1828)
Son of the first earl (d. 1776); educated at Harrow and University College, Oxford; he
was MP for Salisbury before succeeding his father. He was lord-lieutenant of Berkshire
(1791).
Sir Robert Harry Inglis, second baronet (1786-1855)
The son of Sir Hugh Inglis, educated at Winchester, Christ Church, Oxford, and Lincoln's
Inn; he was a Tory MP for Dundalk (1824-26), Ripon (1828-29), and Oxford University
(1829-54), and president of the Literary Club.
Charles Cuthbert Southey (1819-1888)
Son of Robert Southey whose
Life and Correspondence (1849-1850) he
edited. Educated at Queen's College, Oxford, he was curate of Plumbland in Cumberland,
vicar of Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset (1855-79) and Askham, near Penrith (1885).
Henry Herbert Southey (1783-1865)
The younger brother of Robert Southey; educated at Edinburgh University, he was physician
to George IV, Gresham Professor of Medicine, and friend of Sir Walter Scott.
Robert Southey (1774-1843)
Poet laureate and man of letters whose contemporary reputation depended upon his prose
works, among them the
Life of Nelson, 2 vols (1813),
History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (1823-32) and
The Doctor, 7 vols (1834-47).
