“For some time I have been intending to thank you for your very kind intentions and exertions in my behalf, and to explain, more clearly than could be done in a hasty reply to my brother’s letter, the motives upon which my decision in that matter was formed. The event has proved that it was fortunate, but I wish you to be satisfied that it was rightly made,—I might say deliberately also, for though little expecting to be invited in such a manner, I have often said, and always felt, that no prospects of ambition or advantage should induce me to enter into public life.
| Ætat. 52. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 277 |
“In replying to my brother, I spoke only of unfitness for Parliament, and disinclination for it, which were in themselves sufficient reasons. I did not speak of the separation from my family for four or five months in the year, which would have been necessary, nor of the probable effect upon my health, nor of the interruption of pursuits which, from other causes, have been and are already too much interrupted.
“If I had taken a seat in Parliament when it was at my
option, the express condition was that of doing my duty there; and of this a
pretty regular attendance must have been an indispensable part. But early and
regular hours are necessary for my constitution, which is not strong, has
always been accustomed to this, and has been shaken. And though I have neither
the habits nor the feelings of a valetudinarian, some management is required to
keep me as well as I am, and the loss of sleep is what I could not bear.
Separate from my family I must have been during the session: this would have
interfered with the education of my little boy, would have been some loss to my
daughters, and would have still more depressed the spirits of my wife, which
are constitutionally low, and have received shocks from which I fear there is
little hope of their recovering. The motives, therefore, must be very strong
which could overpower these considerations: in these times I know of no public
duties which could be strong enough; nor is there anything on the score of
private advantage, which should lead me to change the whole system of my life.
It is very
| 278 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 52. |
“That my way of life has been directed by a merciful Providence, I feel and verily believe. I have been saved from all ill consequences of error and temerity, and by a perilous course have been led into paths of pleasantness and peace; a sufficient indication that I ought to remain in them. Throughout this whole business I have never felt any temptation to depart from this conviction. I may be wrong in many things, but not in the quiet confidence with which I know that I am in my proper place. Inveni portum; spes et fortuna valete; the only change to which I look forward is a possible migration to the south when my lease expires, if I should live so long. But there are so many obstacles in the way of this, that I may probably be spared from what to me would be a very painful and unwilling removal.
“This is an egotistic letter. I felt, however, that
some such exposition was due to you; lest I should
| Ætat. 52. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 279 |
“I must not forget that I have a favour to ask. An old friend, for whom I have a very high and well founded regard, is to be balloted for at the Athenaeum on the 9th of February. Kenyon is his name. Upon the list of members I see the names of Mr. Dealtry and Mr. H. S. Thornton. Will you say to them that I should be greatly obliged by their votes on this occasion, and that they could not be bestowed upon a man better qualified in all respects for the admission which he is seeking?”
