“My lease expires in the spring of 1831. So long, if I
should live so long, I shall certainly remain where I am, and, indeed, at this
time the house is undergoing some alterations to render it more habitable in
its worst parts, and to afford more accommodation for my books, the last cargo
from Verbeyst’s being on the way. The obstacles to a
removal afterwards are so great on the score of inclination, inconvenience, and
expense, that among all possible chances,
| 320 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 53. |
“I hardly think you would be sorry if I produced another such volume of controversy as the Vindiciæ of which historical and philosophical disquisition would be the meat, and controversy only the seasoning. For the form of a second volume is what I should choose, having, in fact, begun one sixteen months ago, and made abundant notes for it.
“It is very certain that when two sets of cut-throats
played their favourite game against each other during the Peninsular War, my
wishes were always with the Spanish party, though they might have been just as
great ruffians as the other. But, surely, I have neither dissembled nor
extenuated the cruelties of the Spaniards; and it is upon the leaders of the
French army that my reproach falls, who had their full share in Bonaparte’s guilt. I have not relied
rashly upon Spanish and Portuguese authorities, but the scale on which I have
related events in which the British army had no share is not what
—— likes. . . . . I take my side, and that warmly, but
my desire is to be just, and so far strictly impartial. Now, when I add, that
in proceeding with my third volume I shall bear your observations in mind, you
will not do me the injustice to suppose
| Ætat. 53. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 321 |
“It would have been well for me, if I had always had friends as able and as willing to stand forward in my defence as you are. But I have had back-friends instead, as well as enemies. They have done me some injury, as far as regards the sale of my books; other harm it has been out of their power to do. My character is not mistaken by those who know me; and for the world at large (the world! that little portion of it I mean which concerns itself with such things), it may safely be left to the sure decision of time. Under more favourable circumstances I might have accomplished more and better things. But when the grave-digger has put me to bed, and covered me up, it will not be long before it will be perceived and acknowledged that there are few who have done so much. . . . .
“God bless you!
