Listings for Reader:
Robert Southey
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Guillaume de Saluste Dubartas : Dubartas his Second Weeke: Babylon. The Second Part of the Second Day of the II. Weeke
'Southey had certainly read Dubartas by 2 March 1815 ... '
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Lucy Hutchinson : Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson, Governor of Nottingham Castle and Town
'On 29 Dec. 1806 Southey asked John May: "Have you seen the 'Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson'? Very, very rarely has any book so greatly delighted me."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Samuel Richardson : The Correspondence of Samuel Richardson, a selection from the original manuscripts
'Robert Southey on "The Correspondence of Samuel Richardson" in letter to C. W. Williams Wynn, 27 November 1804: "Richardson's correspondence I should think worse than anything of any celebrity that ever was published ... The few letters of Klopstock's Wife must be excepted from this censure: they are ... very affecting; indeed the notice of her death, coming ... after that sweet letter in which she dwells upon her hopes of happiness from that child whose birth destroyed her, came upon me like an electric shock."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Roscoe : The Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth
' ... by 11 Jan. 1806 ... [Southey] was reading ... [Roscoe, "Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth"] a second time [having read it to review it in 1805]: "I am come to Roscoe," he told Henry Herbert Southey, "whose book rises much in my estimation upon a second perusal."'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Henry Kirke White : ["literary remains"]
Southey describes arrival of 'literary remains' of Henry Kirke White at Greta Hall in his preface to The Remains of Kirke White, of Nottingham (2 vols, 1807): 'Mr. Coleridge was present when I opened them, and was, as well as myself, equally affected and astonished at the proofs of industry which they displayed ... There were papers upon law, upon electricity, upon chemistry, upon the Latin and Greek languages ... upon history, chronology, divinity, the fathers, &c ... His poems were numerous.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Unknown
: The Works of the British Poets
"[in November 1803, when Coleridge was thirty-one] Wordsworth had been reading Shakespeare's sonnets in Coleridge's copy of a set of the Works of the British Poets, in which both he and Coleridge's brother-in-law Robert Southey had made manuscript notes."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jane Austen : unknown
'You mention Miss Austen; her novels are more true to nature, and have (for my sympathies) passages of finer feeling than any others of this age.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Mary Wollstonecraft : Original Stories from Real Life
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 10-11 December 1791: 'As I have nothing else to say take a story I read yesterday as a true one which strikes me as an instance of more refined barbarity than any in the annals of cruelty – a prisoner in the dreary cells of the Bastile had familiarized a spider the only tenant except himself of the miserable spot. to a man secluded thus from the light of day & every living creature this reptile was a kind of mournful companion. the Keeper at length took notice of it & told the Governor – the Governor commanded him to tread upon it.'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : [memorial verse]
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c.3 April 1792: '"A soul prepard needs no delays/ The summons come the Saint obey —/ Swift was his flight & short the road/ He closd his eyes & saw his God/ The flesh rests here till Jesus come/ And claim the treasure from the tomb." I studied this from the monument at Church & planned a paper upon Epitaps.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: monument
Laurence Sterne : Tristram Shandy
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 May 1792: 'You understand music. As I am ignorant of the tune I beg you will practise "Lillabullero" to teach me. You see I have been reading Tristram Shandy & I want that whistle as bad as ever Toby did. Watsons Chemical Essay are [sic] my present study & I hope to practice a little chemistry at Oxford when I get there.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Watson : Chemical Essay
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 May 1792: 'You understand music. as I am ignorant of the tune I beg you will practise "Lillabullero" to teach me. You see I have been reading Tristram Shandy & I want that whistle as bad as ever Toby did. Watsons Chemical Essay are [sic] my present study & I hope to practice a little chemistry at Oxford when I get there.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Homer : Odyssey
Robert Southey to Thomas Davis Lamb, c. 18 June 1792: 'To see the manners of different countries is certainly of the utmost utility & what no university can teach — Homer may tell us of the method to cut up an ox three thousand years ago, or give a specimen of Penelopes politesses when she calls her maid bitch — or Ulysses decency when he threatens to leave Thersites in the situation of the man who cut off his hairs — but Homer can give no information either of men or manners as they are now — knowledge of the world is unattainable from books you have made a judicious choice.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Homer : Iliad
Robert Southey to Thomas Davis Lamb, c. 18 June 1792: 'To see the manners of different countries is certainly of the utmost utility & what no university can teach — Homer may tell us of the method to cut up an ox three thousand years ago, or give a specimen of Penelopes politesses when she calls her maid bitch — or Ulysses decency when he threatens to leave Thersites in the situation of the man who cut off his hairs — but Homer can give no information either of men or manners as they are now — knowledge of the world is unattainable from books you have made a judicious choice.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Morning Post
Robert Southey to Thomas Davis Lamb, c. 18 June 1792: 'The bloody proceeding [a reference to a disturbance at Westminster School] I have seen no account of in the papers — the Morning Post had a very scurrilous paragraph respecting the general behaviour of the fellows which was answered the following day. One strange circumstance you have neglected to explain...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Newspaper
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : Ode
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 2 July 1792: '...& now in plain sober prose I am much obliged to you for your ode which I like very much. but why will you translate? It is a servile employment & not worthy of you. You want a metre you say for your next. You know Parnells Fairy tale? but I am the worst person to apply to as all my odes are irregular except Ignorance which you have. Gray's Spring & drownd cat are pretty I think — but I am not regular myself & detest regularity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Thomas Parnell : A Fairy Tale, in the Ancient English Style
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 2 July 1792: '...& now in plain sober prose I am much obliged to you for your ode which I like very much. but why will you translate? It is a servile employment & not worthy of you. You want a metre you say for your next. You know Parnells Fairy tale? but I am the worst person to apply to as all my odes are irregular except Ignorance which you have. Gray's Spring & drownd cat are pretty I think — but I am not regular myself & detest regularity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Thomas Gray Gray : Ode on the Spring
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 2 July 1792: '...& now in plain sober prose I am much obliged to you for your ode which I like very much. but why will you translate? It is a servile employment & not worthy of you. You want a metre you say for your next. You know Parnells Fairy tale? but I am the worst person to apply to as all my odes are irregular except Ignorance which you have. Gray's Spring & drownd cat are pretty I think — but I am not regular myself & detest regularity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Thomas Gray Gray : Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes’
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 2 July 1792: '...& now in plain sober prose I am much obliged to you for your ode which I like very much. but why will you translate? It is a servile employment & not worthy of you. You want a metre you say for your next. You know Parnells Fairy tale? but I am the worst person to apply to as all my odes are irregular except Ignorance which you have. Gray's Spring & drownd cat are pretty I think — but I am not regular myself & detest regularity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Rousseau : unknown
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. September 1792: 'I ought to be studying Euclid — (the Devil take that wretch & make draw triangles below) but Rousseau being more calculated for me the geometrician lies as stupid as he would make me.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Euclid : Elements
Robert Southey to Thomas Phillips Lamb, c. 26 September 1792: 'I have been attempting Euclid but without a master I could make no progress — perhaps disgust at the dry study contributed but I did not want perseverance — my brain was so confused with parallels horizontals triangles parallellograms & all the jargon of mathematical precision that after a fortnights hard study I fairly laid it on the shelf & took up my constant study Spenser.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene
Robert Southey to Thomas Phillips Lamb, c. 26 September 1792: 'I have been attempting Euclid but without a master I could make no progress — perhaps disgust at the dry study contributed but I did not want perseverance — my brain was so confused with parallels horizontals triangles parallellograms & all the jargon of mathematical precision that after a fortnights hard study I fairly laid it on the shelf & took up my constant study Spenser.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: The Reply of the Delegates of the Several Parishes, and of the Castle-Precincts, in the City of Bristol, to the Report of the Committee of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, in Answer to the Objections Delivered by the Delegates on the 4th of August
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 October 1792: 'Now I am upon the republic system I must tell you that Bristol seems preparing for it. A pamphlet proposes the abolition of the corporation as unconstitutional & arbitrary & hints the same to all other corporate towns it is very well written — these little attacks
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey
Tom Paine : The Rights of Man. Part the Second
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 October 1792: 'Now I am upon the republic system I must tell you that Bristol seems preparing for it. A pamphlet proposes the abolition of the corporation as unconstitutional & arbitrary & hints the same to all other corporate towns it is very well written — these little attacks
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey
Henry Evans Holder : Miscellaneous Poems
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 October 1792: 'Some poems have been lately printed here by the Revd. E Holder written between the age of 17 & 20. I only mention them as he happens to have translated two pieces one which you sent me & the other I think you have seen translated by your humble servant & an original by Bunbury & another of your own. Integer vitæ etc is the one. Gray on the grande Chartreuse the other. & seriously the printed ones are the worst of all.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Horace : Odes, 2:13
Robert Southey to Thomas Phillips Lamb, 28 October 1792: '"Ille & nefasto te posuit die,/ Quicumque primum, & sacrilega manu/ Produxit, arbos, in nepotum/ Perniciem." so said Horace to the tree that fell upon him — if you like to look at the original it is the 13th ode of the 2nd book.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Voltaire : Candide, ou l'Optimisme
Robert Southey to Thomas Phillips Lamb, 28 October 1792: 'If the Baron of Thundertentroncks castle had not been destroyd (said Dr Pangloss to Candidus) if Miss Cunegonda had not been ript up alive by the Bulgarian soldiers — if I had not been hung, if you had not killd an inquisitor & been burnt by the inquisition, we should not have been now eating pistachio nuts. alls for the best.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Tombstone epitaph
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16-17 November 1792: 'I send the epitaph which at present is inscribed upon one of the cankerd sides. Perhaps the production of some one of my forefathers who possessd more piety than poetry. Farewell this World With all Its Vanity Wee hope through Christ To live Eternally You have the exact orthography & this inscription will probably cover the remains of one who has written so much for others & must be content with so humble an epitaph himself, unless you will furnish him with one more characteristical.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: tomb
William Chamberlayne : Pharonnida, a Heroick Poem
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 4 December 1792: 'I have already said too much. I have an old poem of the heroic class before me. Pharonnida — one of the Cantos was finishd on the morning of the second battle of Newberry. [Quotes several lines of "Pharonnida"] This man would have written blank verse wonderfully well. he mistook his bent & in spite of an interesting story & a bold imagination Pharonnida is forgotten. you see he was a royalist...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : Translation of Horace, Odes, 2:14
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'I have been reading Eheu fugaces & your translation this moment together. the three last stanzas are certainly best but altogether it is in my opinion very good — tho ‘th’unpardoning God’ I do not like the epithet is rather prosaic — (you see I will point out what appears to me as faulty) a better may easily be found. & now as I have picked your bone take mine to pick cum notis Sancti Basilii.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Horace : Odes, 2:14
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'I have been reading Eheu fugaces & your translation this moment together. the three last stanzas are certainly best but altogether it is in my opinion very good — tho ‘th’unpardoning God’ I do not like the epithet is rather prosaic — (you see I will point out what appears to me as faulty) a better may easily be found. & now as I have picked your bone take mine to pick cum notis Sancti Basilii.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Juvenal : Satires
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'I have read 12 Satires of Juvenal with a vast deal of pleasure — the 8th is the only one which my head (desirous of levelling all to my system) has imitated — but as I have no wish to fall under the inquisitorial jurisdiction of our new Star chamber — to lose my hand nose & ears like Lilburne or the Englishman whom Elizabeth punishd for writing against her intended marriage with Anjou — or to run away like Ridgeway — my poor imitation must lie in my desk.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Samuel Johnson : London
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'Juvenal is a grand nervous Satirist — your refined criticks prefer the sneering strokes of Horace — for me I think otherwise — Johnsons London & Vanity of Human Wishes are two of the noblest compositions in our language — the satire of the first is already become obsolete & some centuries hence posterity will believe the supple French Fop only a creation of some drunken Englishmans brain. the last will retain its original beauty even if 1600 years hence some future Bard should imitate Johnson in some future language.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Samuel Johnson : Vanity of Human Wishes
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'Juvenal is a grand nervous Satirist — your refined criticks prefer the sneering strokes of Horace — for me I think otherwise — Johnsons London & Vanity of Human Wishes are two of the noblest compositions in our language — the satire of the first is already become obsolete & some centuries hence posterity will believe the supple French Fop only a creation of some drunken Englishmans brain. the last will retain its original beauty even if 1600 years hence some future Bard should imitate Johnson in some future language.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Stéphanie Félicité Ducrest de St-Aubin (Madame de Genlis) : Theatre de l'Education
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 12-13 January 1793: 'Whether or not man has the stain of original sin I leave to theologians & metaphysicians. That education tends to give it him I do not even doubt. Rousseau's plan is too visionary — it supposes such unremitted attention in the tutor & such natural virtue in the pupil that I doubt its practability of this however when we read Emilius (an occupation I look forward to with pleasure) we will freely determine. Madame Brulerck (late Genlis) appears to me to have struck out a path equally new & excellent — the Emilius of L Homme de la Nature existed only in his imagination. but the two sons of Phillipe Egalitè are living proofs of her capacity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Jean Jacques Rousseau : Emile
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 12-13 January 1793: 'Whether or not man has the stain of original sin I leave to theologians & metaphysicians. That education tends to give it him I do not even doubt. Rousseau's plan is too visionary — it supposes such unremitted attention in the tutor & such natural virtue in the pupil that I doubt its practability of this however when we read Emilius (an occupation I look forward to with pleasure) we will freely determine. Madame Brulerck (late Genlis) appears to me to have struck out a path equally new & excellent — the Emilius of L Homme de la Nature existed only in his imagination. but the two sons of Phillipe Egalitè are living proofs of her capacity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Juvenal : Satires
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 12-13 January 1793: 'I have read all Juvenal with pleasure it is a manly stile more adapted to me than the sly sarcasms of Horace but I have no time for more church is ready & I go to hear a sermon very probably about right divine sedition & impiety which last are always linked together in the pulpit.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Horace : Odes
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 12-13 January 1793: 'I have read all Juvenal with pleasure it is a manly stile more adapted to me than the sly sarcasms of Horace but I have no time for more church is ready & I go to hear a sermon very probably about right divine sedition & impiety which last are always linked together in the pulpit.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : Ode
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16-21 January 1793: 'Of your ode a few words before I set to transcribing. Before I read the last half sheet I wished you to lengthen it for only three authors are mentioned & only Shakespear of the first rank — Nature had so little to do with Dryden that I wonder at your ranking him with the Swan of Avon — Milton Spenser — Pope — Akenside Collins — Churchill — Beaumont — Fletcher would each afford a fine scope for your fancy & will you refuse one stanza to deck the unnoted grave of Chatterton? When this fault is noticed I have noticed all. If however (as I hope) you mean to lengthen it I would not wish you to fetter yourself in the chains of precedent — regular lyrics are like despotic monarchies they look stately but lose all the energy of freedom.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Horace : Odes 4:4
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16-21 January 1793: 'This day has been a most unpleasant one all except the earlier part of the morning when I read your favourite Horace. That beginning Qualem ministrum fulminis alitem struck me as well adapted to the present times & I think I shall attempt it this week — certain of falling as much short of Horace as his subject will be inferior to mine. notwithstanding the admiration with which I read his works there is a something in the character of the little fat parasite which sullies it very much.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Edward Gibbon : The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 16-21 January 1793: 'I do not know in the annals of history & barbarity any character which I so much abhor as that of the vain the vile Augustus — the death of Cicero the banishment of Ovid — the black boys & the incestuous daughter the total suppression of liberty these are blots which all the art of Flattery cannot hide from the eye of Reason. “With the same hand & probably with the same frame of mind did he sign the proscription of Cicero & the pardon of Cinna” — you remember Gibbons remark upon Augustuss appearance at the banquet in that very elegant piece of the virtuous Julian.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tacitus : unknown
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 January - 8 February 1793: 'Over the pages of the philosophic Tacitus the hours of study pass rapidly as even those which are devoted to my friends & I have not found as yet one hour which I could wish to have employed otherwise this is saying very much in praise of a collegiate life — but remember that a mind disposed to be happy will find happiness everywhere & why we should not be happy is beyond my philosophy to account for — Heraclitus certainly was a fool & what is much more rare an unhappy one.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Heraclitus :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 January - 8 February 1793: 'Over the pages of the philosophic Tacitus the hours of study pass rapidly as even those which are devoted to my friends & I have not found as yet one hour which I could wish to have employed otherwise this is saying very much in praise of a collegiate life — but remember that a mind disposed to be happy will find happiness everywhere & why we should not be happy is beyond my philosophy to account for — Heraclitus certainly was a fool & what is much more rare an unhappy one.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
George Richards : Songs of the Aboriginal Bards of Britain
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 January - 8 February 1793: 'The man who gaind the last English verse prize in Oxford has since published two odes which he calls Songs of the Aboriginal Britains — of these the Review speaks very well & yet to me who as you know have written upon the same plan these odes appear ill planned & ill executed — some metaphors are good but young Wynns observation is just that he should have mistaken the odes for burlesque.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Milton : Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 31 March 1793: 'On Wednesday morning about eight o clock we sallied forth. my travelling equipage consisting of my diary — writing book, pen & ink silk handkerchief & Miltons defence. We reached Woodstock to breakfast where I was delighted with reading the Nottingham address for peace...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Address to the major of Nottingham
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 31 March 1793: 'On Wednesday morning about eight o clock we sallied forth. my travelling equipage consisting of my diary — writing book, pen & ink silk handkerchief & Miltons defence. We reached Woodstock to breakfast where I was delighted with reading the Nottingham address for peace...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Handbill
Henry Mackenzie : The Man of Feeling
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 4-20 April 1793: 'I have lately read the Man of Feeling — if you have never yet read it — do now from my recommendation — few books have ever pleasd me so painfully or so much — it is very strange that man should be delighted with the highest pain that can be produced — I even begin to think that both pain & pleasure exist only in idea but this must not be affirmed, the first twitch of the toothache or retrospective glance will undeceive me with a vengeance. It is Mackenzies writing if I am not mistaken the author of Julia de Roubigne & La Roche & Louisa Venoni in the Mirror.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Jacques Rousseau : Confessions, Book 12
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 July - 6 August 1793: 'I have just met with a passage in Rousseau which expresses some of my religious opinions better than I could do it myself. "Je ne trouve point de plus doux hommage a la divinite, que l’admiration enuette qu’excite la contemplation de ses œuvres. Je ne puis comprendre comment des campagnards, et sur-tout des solitaires, peuvent ne pas avoir de foi; comment leur ame ne s’eleve pas cent fois le jour avec extase a l’auteur des merveilles qui les frappent. Dans ma chambre je prie plus rarement & séchement, mais a l’aspect d’un beau paysage, je me sens emu. Une vielle femme, pour toute priere, ne savoit dire que ô! L’eveque lui dit: Bonne femme continuez de prier ainsi, votre priere vaut mieux que les notres. — cette meilleure priere est aussi la mienne." — '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tobias Smollett : The Adventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 14-18 October 1793: 'I proceeded on sad & solitary to Hounslow & there gave one shilling for Sir Launcelot Greaves to amuse me on the road.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tobias Smollett : The Adventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 14-18 October 1793: 'In the interim you shall have the remarks that occurrd upon reading Sir Launcelot Greaves on the road. Broad coarse humour seems to be the chief excellence of Smollet incidents almost too gross to please & too strange to be probable happen at every inn his heroes stop at & we are sure to find the sailors dialect & the clowns broad Scotch or broad Yorkshire in the place of humour. When he gets upon those subjects which perhaps none but Rousseau knew how to treat he rhapsodizes about charms angels & Hymens & thinks passion & nonsense mean the same. Some strange discovery of birth comes in at the end & all the dramatis personæ are tacked together at the altar. Yet with all these faults you are not soon tired of Smollets novels. They insensibly lead you on & if they do not come near the heart certainly play round the head. Humphrey Clinker strikes me as his best — the characters are less outrè & of course more natural. perhaps the epistolary form of it kept him in some bounds.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tobias Smollett : The Adventures of Humphry Clinker
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 14-18 October 1793: 'In the interim you shall have the remarks that occurrd upon reading Sir Launcelot Greaves on the road. Broad coarse humour seems to be the chief excellence of Smollet incidents almost too gross to please & too strange to be probable happen at every inn his heroes stop at & we are sure to find the sailors dialect & the clowns broad Scotch or broad Yorkshire in the place of humour. When he gets upon those subjects which perhaps none but Rousseau knew how to treat he rhapsodizes about charms angels & Hymens & thinks passion & nonsense mean the same. Some strange discovery of birth comes in at the end & all the dramatis personæ are tacked together at the altar. Yet with all these faults you are not soon tired of Smollets novels. They insensibly lead you on & if they do not come near the heart certainly play round the head. Humphrey Clinker strikes me as his best — the characters are less outrè & of course more natural. perhaps the epistolary form of it kept him in some bounds.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : [lines at the Hospital in Reading]
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 14-18 October 1793: 'I copied these four lines from the hospital at Reading {Aye whose hours exempt from sorrow flow {Behold the seat of Pain of Want & Woe {Think whilst your hands the intreated alms extend {That what to us ye give to God ye lend.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Plato : Republic
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Aristotle : on Logic
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Pythagoras :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Antisthenes :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Zeno :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Epicurus :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Pyrrho :
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26-27 October 1793: 'You must not be surprized at nonsense for I have been reading the history of Philosophy — the ideas of Plato — the logic of Aristotle & the heterogeneous dogmas of Pythogoras Antisthenes Zeno Epicurus & Pyrrho till I have metaphysicized away all my senses & so you are the better for it. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Gillies : The History of Ancient Greece
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29-30 October 1793: 'I have laid down Gillies to write to you the third letter in one fortnight. thank yourself for the intrusion — had my casette arrived I should have been otherwise employed, so to your negligence my industry must be attributed...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Enfield : History of Philosophy, From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Present Century
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 30 October -7 November 1793: 'In this interval however my baggage has arrived & no poor devil at the foot of the gallows was more overjoyd at a reprieve than I was at the recovery. I have begun to transcribe Joan of Arc — read Enfield History of Philosophy, Gillies History of Greece V.2nd & begun Adam Smith since my return so you see Bristol does not make me idle. I may not form a taste here but I can increase a stock of useful knowledge and you know the prettiest nosegays are formed of various flowers.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Gillies : The History of Ancient Greece
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 30 October -7 November 1793: 'In this interval however my baggage has arrived & no poor devil at the foot of the gallows was more overjoyd at a reprieve than I was at the recovery. I have begun to transcribe Joan of Arc — read Enfield History of Philosophy, Gillies History of Greece V.2nd & begun Adam Smith since my return so you see Bristol does not make me idle. I may not form a taste here but I can increase a stock of useful knowledge and you know the prettiest nosegays are formed of various flowers.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Adam Smith : An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Robert Southey to Charles Collins, 30 October -7 November 1793: 'In this interval however my baggage has arrived & no poor devil at the foot of the gallows was more overjoyd at a reprieve than I was at the recovery. I have begun to transcribe Joan of Arc — read Enfield History of Philosophy, Gillies History of Greece V.2nd & begun Adam Smith since my return so you see Bristol does not make me idle. I may not form a taste here but I can increase a stock of useful knowledge and you know the prettiest nosegays are formed of various flowers.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Adam Smith : An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 3-4 November 1793: 'I am reading Adam Smith on the Wealth of Nations.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Jacques Rousseau : Julie, ou la nouvelle Heloise
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6-8 November 1793: 'Were men what they ought to be — Rousseau would be canonized for a greater saint than any in the calendar. Read his Julia & tell me whence may we learn the most instructive lesson from the mistress of St Preux or the temptation of St Anthony. My comparison of the Man of Nature with Richardson would have been branded with the epithets of immoral atheistical & licentious. Clodius accuset moechos! Xtianity is less understood & less practised in this country than in the desarts of Arabia! Let him who is innocent cast the first stone was the judgement of the most moral of philosophers, to use no superior title.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Courtney Melmoth [pseud.] : Liberal Opinions, upon Animals, Man, and Providence
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 12-15 November 1793: 'I have been reading Courtney Melmoths Liberal Opinions to-day. I know not if you have ever read the book — but it contains the history of Benignus — some parts of which pleasd me much. a young man sets out in life with this principle. To be good is to be happy. of course he becomes miserable by practising or rather by attempting to practise theoretical principles of universal benevolence. Men of feeling (I hate to use the word but no other expresses the meaning) men of feeling are exposed to a thousand pangs which the fool escapes because his faculties are too gross to comprehend them.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Voltaire : Candide, ou l'Optimisme
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 22 November - 2 December 1793: 'Do not imagine that I am vindicating the stile of Candide when I differ with you in judgement. no book perhaps is more subversive of morality — but has not the poignant ridicule many advantages? were ever the pride of birth & of heroism better held up to the contempt they merit? against these vices that have so long infected society ridicule is the best weapon. had Voltaires heart been equal to his head such a man might have reformd the world. to argue against the arrogance of hereditary honors — or the glory of military atchievements is labor lost. their absurdity & injustice are evident as noon-day light — ridicule shews them in their strongest colours. when you laugh at the Baron of Thundertentroach & Candides heroism do you
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Martin Scriblerus [pseud.] : Memoirs of Martin Scriblerus
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 22 November - 2 December 1793: 'Your plan of a general satire I am ready to partake when you please. Pope Swift & Atterbury you know once attempted it but malevolence intruded into the design & Martinus Scriblerus bore too strong a resemblance to Dr Woodward. Swifts part is more levelld at follies than at vice. establish the empire of Justice & folly & vice will be annihilated together. draw out your plan & send it me — if you have resolution for so arduous a task.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Horace Walpole Bedford : MS verses
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 11 December 1793: 'Let me turn to more chearful subjects. your verses were particularly good — & they have the additional merit of novelty in manner & metre. write more. fame is a very late consideration — but let us remember that Pope acquired independance by his Homer. let me say Horace that Popes abilities were not above comparison. undertake some great work. it will take up your attention certainly — you certainly have abilities for any work. chuse either epic or a metrical romance. & in the intervals exercise yourself in the lower ranks for with us lyrics are very subordinate.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
William Godwin : Enquiry concerning Political Justice
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12-15 December 1793: 'I would recommend you to read Godwins enquiry concerning Political Justice — but the work is large & I might act culpably in wishing to influence your sentiments. observe my meaning. to consider you as HW Bedford with respect to your family I should act wrongly. as a man justice would dictate otherwise.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Lucan : unknown
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12-15 December 1793: 'Lucan & Beccaria dei delitti & delle pene are my pocket companions. the republican Bard & the philosopher of humanity. Lucan pleases me more than any author in despite of his numerous faults. his ninth book is wonderful & when I say that he has not fallen short of Cato in his character of that illustrious stoic panegyric can go no farther. the character of Erictho is wonderfully imagined. how would Lucan have excelled himself in the death of Cato & of Caesar! I will venture to assert that had he finishd his Pharsalia — it would have been the noblest monument of human genius. Mays supplement disappointed me. I expected more from his abilities — forgetting that the sycophant of a Stuart was ill qualified to handle the pen of Lucan. Beccaria pleases me much. I had long been self-convinced that the punishment of death was as improper as inhuman. Godwin carries this idea farther. so far I agree with him that society makes the crime & then punishes it.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Cesare Marquis of Beccaria-Bonesana : Dei Delitti e Delle Pene (On Crimes and Punishments)
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12-15 December 1793: 'Lucan & Beccaria dei delitti & delle pene are my pocket companions. the republican Bard & the philosopher of humanity. Lucan pleases me more than any author in despite of his numerous faults. his ninth book is wonderful & when I say that he has not fallen short of Cato in his character of that illustrious stoic panegyric can go no farther. the character of Erictho is wonderfully imagined. how would Lucan have excelled himself in the death of Cato & of Caesar! I will venture to assert that had he finishd his Pharsalia — it would have been the noblest monument of human genius. Mays supplement disappointed me. I expected more from his abilities — forgetting that the sycophant of a Stuart was ill qualified to handle the pen of Lucan. Beccaria pleases me much. I had long been self-convinced that the punishment of death was as improper as inhuman. Godwin carries this idea farther. so far I agree with him that society makes the crime & then punishes it.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas May : continuation of Lucan's Pharsalia
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12-15 December 1793: 'Lucan & Beccaria dei delitti & delle pene are my pocket companions. the republican Bard & the philosopher of humanity. Lucan pleases me more than any author in despite of his numerous faults. his ninth book is wonderful & when I say that he has not fallen short of Cato in his character of that illustrious stoic panegyric can go no farther. the character of Erictho is wonderfully imagined. how would Lucan have excelled himself in the death of Cato & of Caesar! I will venture to assert that had he finishd his Pharsalia — it would have been the noblest monument of human genius. Mays supplement disappointed me. I expected more from his abilities — forgetting that the sycophant of a Stuart was ill qualified to handle the pen of Lucan. Beccaria pleases me much. I had long been self-convinced that the punishment of death was as improper as inhuman. Godwin carries this idea farther. so far I agree with him that society makes the crime & then punishes it.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Phineas Fletcher : The Purple Island, or, the Isle of Man
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 22-24 December 1793: 'Monday morning. of last nights verses I have two things to say. the metre is that of Ph. Fletchers purple island. the specimens of the poem in Headleys selection & Warton are beautiful — you promised me some information relative to a late edition. the other remark is that two more letters will probably grow out of this. the last stanza has given birth to a train of thoughts which wait your next for maturity. your last letter I found on my return from Bath — I had prolonged my stay there to enjoy Lovells company. you know the no-ceremony I stand upon when I wish to make a friend — it may be singular but I am sure to me singularly fortunate. as a poet in some walks I do not know his equal — in the plaintive & soft kinds — elegy & sonnet for instance but this is not his only merit — epistles & various other species he has handled with peculiar delicacy. I do not scruple to say that for elegance & simplicity of versification I know no Author in our language that surpasses him. most probably we shall soon publish together.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Henry Headley : Select Beauties of Ancient English poetry
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 22-24 December 1793: 'Monday morning. of last nights verses I have two things to say. the metre is that of Ph. Fletchers purple island. the specimens of the poem in Headleys selection & Warton are beautiful — you promised me some information relative to a late edition. the other remark is that two more letters will probably grow out of this. the last stanza has given birth to a train of thoughts which wait your next for maturity. your last letter I found on my return from Bath — I had prolonged my stay there to enjoy Lovells company. you know the no-ceremony I stand upon when I wish to make a friend — it may be singular but I am sure to me singularly fortunate. as a poet in some walks I do not know his equal — in the plaintive & soft kinds — elegy & sonnet for instance but this is not his only merit — epistles & various other species he has handled with peculiar delicacy. I do not scruple to say that for elegance & simplicity of versification I know no Author in our language that surpasses him. most probably we shall soon publish together.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Robert Lovell : verses
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 22-24 December 1793: 'Monday morning. of last nights verses I have two things to say. the metre is that of Ph. Fletchers purple island. the specimens of the poem in Headleys selection & Warton are beautiful — you promised me some information relative to a late edition. the other remark is that two more letters will probably grow out of this. the last stanza has given birth to a train of thoughts which wait your next for maturity. your last letter I found on my return from Bath — I had prolonged my stay there to enjoy Lovells company. you know the no-ceremony I stand upon when I wish to make a friend — it may be singular but I am sure to me singularly fortunate. as a poet in some walks I do not know his equal — in the plaintive & soft kinds — elegy & sonnet for instance but this is not his only merit — epistles & various other species he has handled with peculiar delicacy. I do not scruple to say that for elegance & simplicity of versification I know no Author in our language that surpasses him. most probably we shall soon publish together.'
UnknownCentury: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey
John Milton : ‘The Fifth Ode of Horace. Lib. I’
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa &c. it is since used most elegantly by Collins Mrs Barbauld — in the gent. of Devon & Cornwalls poems — & by my favourite Dr Sayers — so here I have strong authority.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Collins : Ode to Evening
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa &c. it is since used most elegantly by Collins Mrs Barbauld — in the gent. of Devon & Cornwalls poems — & by my favourite Dr Sayers — so here I have strong authority.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Anna Laetitia Barbauld : Ode to Spring
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa &c. it is since used most elegantly by Collins Mrs Barbauld — in the gent. of Devon & Cornwalls poems — & by my favourite Dr Sayers — so here I have strong authority.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
various : Poems Chiefly by Gentlemen of Devonshire and Cornwall
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa &c. it is since used most elegantly by Collins Mrs Barbauld — in the gent. of Devon & Cornwalls poems — & by my favourite Dr Sayers — so here I have strong authority.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Frank Sayers : Ode to Aurora
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'I take Milton to have introduced this kind of alcaics into the English language in his translation of Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa &c. it is since used most elegantly by Collins Mrs Barbauld — in the gent. of Devon & Cornwalls poems — & by my favourite Dr Sayers — so here I have strong authority.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : ['sixpenny history of England']
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c 26 December 1793: 'Forgive egotism if I mention one circumstance which happened above twelve years ago. I was struck with the apparent falshood in “I believe in the holy catholic church” when my sixpenny history of England taught me I was a protestant. I mentioned it & was severely reprimanded for impiety, but the passage was never explained & I was silenced instead of convinced till Greek gave the information.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Cowper : The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, Translated into English Blank Verse
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 30-31 December 1793: '1/2 past 4. I have been reading Cowpers Homer & much satisfaction has the perusal afforded me. a quotation I had occasion to make gave me an opportunity of discovering how unlike Homer is Popes version.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Mark Akenside : Pleasures of the Imagination
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 30-31 December 1793: 'Akenside & Lucan are my pocket companions. you would be astonishd at the number of volumes I have read in this manner. it is very seldom that I am without a book in my pocket. & the half & quarters of hours wasted so often in waiting amount to a great deal in the year. ten to one but I read all the way to Bath & should the sun shine it makes glad the heart of man spout vociferously to the edification of all the stage coachmen. this however only happens in abstraction.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Lucan : Works
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 30-31 December 1793: 'Akenside & Lucan are my pocket companions. you would be astonishd at the number of volumes I have read in this manner. it is very seldom that I am without a book in my pocket. & the half & quarters of hours wasted so often in waiting amount to a great deal in the year. ten to one but I read all the way to Bath & should the sun shine it makes glad the heart of man spout vociferously to the edification of all the stage coachmen. this however only happens in abstraction.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Johann Wilhelm von Goethe : The Sorrows of Young Werther
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 24 January - 18 February 1794: 'I need not tell you with what pleasure my frequent perusals of Werter have been attended. for six months I was never without it in my pocket — the character is natural. at least it appeared so when tried by the touch-stone of my own heart. yet there are some minds upon which this would operate differently. to use a vulgar proverb “what's one man's meet [sic] is another man's poison". I consider suicide as a crime — as heinous as irrevocable. if you can suppose a man without connections friends or relations, still suicide would not be justifiable. while there is a possibility that life can be of service to society it is criminal to die.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Richard Glover : Boadicia
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 24 January - 18 February 1794: '& now to literary subjects. Glover has written the two Tragedies of Boadicea & Medea. in the first I see but one fault it is that the Romans are treated too respectfully — the remark has been made by abler critics & will be confirmd by every one who reads the drama. in Medea he has introduced blank lyric but confined them to Iambics & Trochaics. I speak from memory but think it is right. this is all that I have seen of Glovers.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Richard Glover : Medea
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 24 January - 18 February 1794: '& now to literary subjects. Glover has written the two Tragedies of Boadicea & Medea. in the first I see but one fault it is that the Romans are treated too respectfully — the remark has been made by abler critics & will be confirmd by every one who reads the drama. in Medea he has introduced blank lyric but confined them to Iambics & Trochaics. I speak from memory but think it is right. this is all that I have seen of Glovers.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Richard Glover : Leonidas
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 24 January - 18 February 1794: 'The Leonidas is a very fine poem in my opinion. J. Warton says it is written with the simplicity of an antient; when Glover wrote that simplicity of diction was the fashion — a more vitiated taste prevails at present, since Johnson sonorized our prose & the imitators of Collins & Gray loaded our poetry with awkard imagery & cumbrous metaphor. into this meretricious stile I know myself frequently to have fallen & am pleased to see myself daily reclaiming. simplicity is all in all. you will read the epics of Glover with renewed pleasure upon every perusal.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Review of Joseph Priestley, The Present State of Europe Compared with Antient Prophecies; A Sermon, Preached at the Gravel Pit Meeting in Hackney, February 28, 1794
Robert Southey to Robert Lovell, 5-6 April 1794: 'I have not yet seen Priestleys reasons for quitting this country. from the review I collect that he compares the present state of Europe with ancient prophecies & foretells the most dismal scenes of devastation. “Oh I could prophesy” says Hotspur & so say I but to prophecy no good evil is melancholy — & good impossible, when indeed after evil. Belsham is elected Pastor in his place & by the little I know of this man he is more qualified to succeed, Joseph Priestley than the generality of dissenting preachers. he is the author of one or two very good works —thoughts on parliamentary reform & Memoirs of the house of Brunswick—Lunenburg. my knowledge of this is from the reviews.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
anon : Reviews of William Belsham's Remarks on the Nature and Necessity of a Parliamentary Reform (1793) and Memoirs of the Kings of Great Britain of the House of Brunswic-Lunenberg (1793).
Robert Southey to Robert Lovell, 5-6 April 1794: 'I have not yet seen Priestleys reasons for quitting this country. from the review I collect that he compares the present state of Europe with ancient prophecies & foretells the most dismal scenes of devastation. “Oh I could prophesy” says Hotspur & so say I but to prophecy no good evil is melancholy — & good impossible, when indeed after evil. Belsham is elected Pastor in his place & by the little I know of this man he is more qualified to succeed, Joseph Priestley than the generality of dissenting preachers. he is the author of one or two very good works —thoughts on parliamentary reform & Memoirs of the house of Brunswick—Lunenburg. my knowledge of this is from the reviews.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
William Lisle Bowles : Fourteen Sonnets, Elegiac and Descriptive. Written During a Tour
Robert Southey to Robert Lovell, 5-6 April 1794: 'Have you ever seen Bowles’s poems & more particularly his sonnets? tho he be an Oxford man,[MS torn] name is little known here; & tho [MS torn] first poet the University can now boast. Allen has lent a [MS torn] copy of his sonnets, for he printed but few copies & they are a[MS torn] to be obtained. they pleasd me so much that I shall trans[|MS torn] your opinion.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
unknown : [works on science]
Robert Southey to Robert Lovell, 5-6 April 1794: 'My silence on natural history & natural philosophy, arose from ignorance. they are subjects upon which till lately I knew nothing, & now but little. it is not however my nature to sit down contented with ignorance. The study claims my attention; anatomy chymistry & botany will be my chief studies. how much truth is there in the old adage Life is short—Science is long! I experience the truth every day. one book leads on another one study demonstrates the necessity of another, & so we proceed from year to year till Death—compresses all our acquisition into a clod of the valley!'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Hawkesworth : The Adventurer
Robert Southey to John Horseman, 16-20 April 1794: 'Hawkesworth argues very strongly against indulging in these fantastical pleasures — they enervate the mind & by accustoming it to the dreams of fancy render it totally unfit for serious contemplation & abstract reasoning — they have likewise a worse effect even than this — they tend to render society odious & the world contemptible, till the dreamer possesses all the austerity of a Cynic without the sublimity of his virtues.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Donne : Satyre II
Robert Southey to John Horseman, 16-20 April 1794: 'How like you the gallant city of London? is it not an overgrown monster devouring its own children? a large sink of folly dissipation & iniquity? "Sir I do thank God for it, I do hate Most righteously the town" so said old Donne. & thank God I join with him heartily. four years residence there gave me experience. & I had rather dwell in the poorest hovel to which Monarchy & Aristocracy have condemnd honest labour, than in the proud palaces of London.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Dell : The Doctrine of Baptisms
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26- c.29 April 1794: 'Saturday last the day I began this letter I was at Downing at old Robert Lovells. the most primitive of Quakers but withall an affable intelligent pleasant man. he was pleasd with me & in a manner which interested me very much, offerd to lend me a good book written by William Dell. the offer was so made that if I could I would not have refused him. & in fact I am reading a large octavo full of mysticism. tis but a few hours stole from rhyming — it gives him pleasure & I shall get a little knowledge of John Huss Jerome of Prague & Martin Luther. Nullus est alius antichristus in mundo, neque venturus quam sacerdotes. Jo. Huss. you may see the tenor of the book from these quotations in it) however the followers of Aristotle (who certainly is dead & as Luther says damned if the imprecations of those he has puzzled take effect) may ridicule the idea of tragicomedy I am myself partial to that stile of writing. look at Hamlet. who would feel half the pleasure at seeing it represented if it were all upon the stills of tragedy.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tacitus : Annals
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 26- c.29 April 1794: 'I have ventured upon the drama at last. & chosen for my subject that memorable passage in Tacitus which struck me so powerfully on the first perusal & which I pointed out to you at Brixton. possibly you may have forgotten it. if so turn to the fourteenth annal & read the murder of Pedanius Secundus & the execution of four hundred slaves. tis a bloody tale. with what success I manage it you will judge hereafter.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : translations and verses
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 11-18 May 1794: 'Your Anacreon & Æschylus please me much — unluckily I have neither the one nor the other in the original — & let me add do not want them with such spirited translations. I will however read them as you desire. in your lines ‘Harder than the pointed spear’ the word harder strike me as inappropriate. does the Greek signify the same? something like resistless as the pointed spear, would be more consonant to the intended meaning — your ode Quique pii vates is with me but would be unfair to fill up my letter with transcribing your verses.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Horace Walpole Bedford : Ode to Indolence
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 7 June 1794: 'In return for your ode to Indolence I know nothing better than these strains to her eldest born. they immortalize a man who is the ne plus ultra of folly.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Robert Allen : Ludi Scenici (unpublished)
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 20-21 July 1794: 'When Coleridges work is published you will see a Latin Poem of Allens which did not gain the praise. the subject Ludi Scenici. of the execution you will judge for my own part I will not scruple to pronounce it very excellent. Coleridge means to translate it. he won the Greek Ode at Cambridge & I have promisd to translate it for his work, so you will have some memorial of us all.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Samuel Taylor Coleridge : Ode on the slave trade
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 20-21 July 1794: 'When Coleridges work is published you will see a Latin Poem of Allens which did not gain the praise. the subject Ludi Scenici. of the execution you will judge for my own part I will not scruple to pronounce it very excellent. Coleridge means to translate it. he won the Greek Ode at Cambridge & I have promisd to translate it for his work, so you will have some memorial of us all.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : Ode
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 August 1794: 'When your ode reachd me it reminded me of neglect & I blushed as I read.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Robert Southey (ed.) : The Flagellant
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 8-9 February 1795: 'I have been reading the four first numbers of the Flagellant — they are all I possess — my dearest Grosvenor they have recalled past times forcibly to my mind...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
John Dryden : Of Dramatick Poesie, an Essay
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 12 July 1795, 'Drydens denunciation of Time & Space is by no means so ridiculous as Critics have pretended — I cry out against them most heartily.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Erasmus Darwin : Zoonomia, or, the Laws of Organic Life
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 12 July 1795, 'How wonderfully must the brain be organized to form all these sensations in a twentieth part of the time I wrote them in. how can motion be thought? & yet how can thought be any thing else? is it not as difficult to conceive colour as nothing but motion — & this is demonstrated by Darwin. — & what consequence is it what it is! all useful knowledge is easily acquired.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Proverbs, 13:12
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 1 September 1795, '"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick". said Solomon. Statius says "quâ non gravior mortalibus addita cura Spes ubi longa venit" Grosvenor when you have lived upon that cameleon fare so long as I have done — you will acknowledge the wisdom of Solomon & feel the poetry of Statius.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Publius Papinius Statius : Thebaid
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 1 September 1795, '"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick". said Solomon. Statius says "quâ non gravior mortalibus addita cura Spes ubi longa venit" Grosvenor when you have lived upon that cameleon fare so long as I have done — you will acknowledge the wisdom of Solomon & feel the poetry of Statius.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
James Jennings : Sonnets on Metaphor and Personification
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 1 September 1795, 'Grosvenor I have a curiosity for you. two sonnets by James Jennings — seriously intended. upon Metaphor & Personification. he had personified a Catastrophe once & upon my noticing it as bold introduced it here.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Unknown
Sir Philip Sidney : The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1 October 1795, 'A good phrase of Sir P Sidneys for looking foolish. "he lookd like an Ape that had newly taken a purgation".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jeanne Marie Roland de la Platiere : Appel a L’Impartiale Postérité
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1 October 1795, 'Of Citoyenne Rolands appeal I have read the first
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Helen Maria Williams : Letters from France
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1 October 1795, 'Of Citoyenne Rolands appeal I have read the first
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Godwin : Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'Experience never wasted her lesson on a less fit pupil — yet Bedford my mind is considerably expanded — my opinions are better grounded & frequent self-conviction of error has taught me a sufficient degree of scepticism upon all subjects to prevent confidence. the frequent & careful study of Godwin was of essential service — I read & all but worshipped — I have since seen his fundamental error — that he theorizes for another state — not for the rule of conduct in the present — I despise the man — I can confute his principles. but all the good he has done me remains. tis a book I should one day like to read with you for our mutual improvement, — when we have been neighbours six months our opinions will accord. a bold prophecy — but it will be fulfilled.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Robert Nares : Review of work by Southey
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'I am obliged to Nares for a very handsome review. it is my intention next year to write a tragedy. the subject from the Observer. the Portuguese accused before the Inquisition of incest & muder. read the story.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Richard Cumberland : The Observer
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'I am obliged to Nares for a very handsome review. it is my intention next year to write a tragedy. the subject from the Observer. the Portuguese accused before the Inquisition of incest & muder. read the story.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne : Essais
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'I have got an old translation of Montaignes essays & hugely delighted am I with this honest egotism! buy Cottles poems for the mans sake — I love him so well that I would have you love whatever comes from him — read nothing but the monody — omne ignotum pro magnifico — & you will think him a first rate poet. it is a most masterly composition.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Joseph Cottle : Poems
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'I have got an old translation of Montaignes essays & hugely delighted am I with this honest egotism! buy Cottles poems for the mans sake — I love him so well that I would have you love whatever comes from him — read nothing but the monody — omne ignotum pro magnifico — & you will think him a first rate poet. it is a most masterly composition.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : "alchemical receipt"
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'Curious beginning of an alchemistical receipt. “In the name of God! take an urinal".'
UnknownCentury: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : verses on Hope
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'Your stanza on Hope may be made excellent. your translation I have not yet compared with the Greek — when I have you shall have my remarks. you should study Pope & Dryden more for your versification.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: BookManuscript: Sheet
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : The Loves of Hero and Leander
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1-10 October 1795, 'If you print your Musæus print the Greek likewise. for my own part — I think the poem of too immoral a nature ever to advise its circulation — & this fault no excellence of diction or splendor of imagination can ever atone for...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
William Gifford : The Mæviad
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 23 October 1795, 'Have you seen the Mæviad? the poem is not equal to the former production of the same author — but the spirit of panegyric is more agreable than that of satire & I love the man for his lines to his own friends. there is an imitation of Otium Divos very eminently beautiful. Merry has been satyrized enough too much & praised too much — his taste is debauched but he is a man of Genius.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Samuel Johnson : A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 21-22 November 1795, 'This is a foul country. the tinners inhabit the most agreable part of it for they live underground. above it is most dreary — desolate. my Sans Culotte like Johnsons in Scotland becomes a valuable piece of timber — & I — as most dull & sullenly silent fellow. such effects has place!'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Lope Felix de Vega Carpio : La Hermosura de Angelica
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, December 1795, 'I read the two languages [Spanish and Portuguese] with facility, & am now abridging the Angelica of Lope de Vega & extracting from it — the same with a most curious Portuguese poem — all this you will see if I escape that horrible Bay of Biscay. in the interim take these two fables from the Spanish of Yriarte'. [here follow some verses beginning 'Judge gentle reader as you will...']
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Pedro de Azevedo Tojal : Carlos Reduzido, Inglaterra Illustrada
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, December 1795, 'I read the two languages [Spanish and Portuguese] with facility, & am now abridging the Angelica of Lope de Vega & extracting from it — the same with a most curious Portuguese poem — all this you will see if I escape that horrible Bay of Biscay. in the interim take these two fables from the Spanish of Yriarte'. [here follow some verses beginning 'Judge gentle reader as you will...']
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Tomás de Iriarte : Fábulas Literarias
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, December 1795, 'I read the two languages [Spanish and Portuguese] with facility, & am now abridging the Angelica of Lope de Vega & extracting from it — the same with a most curious Portuguese poem — all this you will see if I escape that horrible Bay of Biscay. in the interim take these two fables from the Spanish of Yriarte'. [here follow some verses beginning 'Judge gentle reader as you will...']
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Alexander Jardine : Letters from Barbary, France, Spain, Portugal &c.
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 29 January 1796, 'We remained five days at Coruña — the only place where I met with the society I wished. Jardine is Consul there — you have probably waded thro his travels — a book that conveys much thought in a most uninteresting manner. such at least was the opinion I formed of it three years ago. he behaved to me with that degree of attention that soon produces intimacy — my time at Coruna was chiefly spent at his house & he gave
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Leopold Graf von Berchtold : An Essay to Direct and Extend the Inquiries of Patriotic Travellers
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, February 1796, 'Count Leopold Berchtold. - this man (foster-brother of the Emperor Joseph) is one of those rare travellers characters who spend their lives in doing good. it is his custom in every country he visits to publish books in its language on some use subject of practical utility — these he gave away. I have now lying before me the two which he printed in Lisbon. the one is an Essay on the means of preserving life in the various dangers to which men are daily exposed. the other — an Essay on extending the limits of benevolence not only towards men but animals. his age was about 25 — his person fine, & his manners the most polished....'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Leopold Graf von Berchtold : Ensaio Sobre a Extensão dos Limites da Beneficiencia a Respeito, Assim dos Homens Como dos Mesmos Animaes
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, February 1796, 'Count Leopold Berchtold. - this man (foster-brother of the Emperor Joseph) is one of those rare travellers characters who spend their lives in doing good. it is his custom in every country he visits to publish books in its language on some use subject of practical utility — these he gave away. I have now lying before me the two which he printed in Lisbon. the one is an Essay on the means of preserving life in the various dangers to which men are daily exposed. the other — an Essay on extending the limits of benevolence not only towards men but animals. his age was about 25 — his person fine, & his manners the most polished....'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Monthly Review
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, February 1796, 'I have so much to read & lose so much time in this detestable visiting. I have seen the Monthly Rev. they speak well of Fawcetts poem — but abuse Joel Barlow'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
: British Critic
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, February 1796, 'I have seen the B. Critic. stupid hounds not to prefer the Monody! however our friends there behave very well.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Bartolomè Leonardo de Argensola : sonnet
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 February - 2 March 1796 'Take a sonnet for the Ladies imitated from the Spanish of Bartolomè Leonardo, in which I have given the author at least as many ideas as he has given me. Nay cleanse this filthy mixture from thy hair And give the untrickd tresses to the gale!...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Timothy Dwight : The Conquest of Canaan
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 February - 2 March 1796 'Timothy Dwight an American publishd an heroic poem on the Conquest of Canaan in 1785. I had heard of it & long wishd to read it in vain — but now the American minister — (a good humourd man whose poetry is worse than any thing except his criticisms) has lent me the book. there certainly is some merit in the poem — but when Colonel Humphreys speaks of it he will not allow me to put in a word in defence of John Milton. if I had written upon this subject I should have been terribly tempted to take part with the Canaanites, for whom I cannot help feeling a kind of brotherly compassion.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
David Humphreys : verses
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 February - 2 March 1796 'Timothy Dwight an American publishd an heroic poem on the Conquest of Canaan in 1785. I had heard of it & long wishd to read it in vain — but now the American minister — (a good humourd man whose poetry is worse than any thing except his criticisms) has lent me the book. there certainly is some merit in the poem — but when Colonel Humphreys speaks of it he will not allow me to put in a word in defence of John Milton. if I had written upon this subject I should have been terribly tempted to take part with the Canaanites, for whom I cannot help feeling a kind of brotherly compassion.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Thomas Burnett : The Sacred Theory of the Earth
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 February - 2 March 1796 'When we meet I will shew you a most elegant piece of latin on the eternity of future punishment extracted from Thomas Burnett — Author of The Theory of Earth a book which equals Milton in sublimity, & which for ingenuity never perhaps was equalled.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Thomas Burnett : De Statu Mortuorum
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 24 February - 2 March 1796 'When we meet I will shew you a most elegant piece of latin on the eternity of future punishment extracted from Thomas Burnett — Author of The Theory of Earth a book which equals Milton in sublimity, & which for ingenuity never perhaps was equalled.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Luis Vaz de Camoëns : The Lusiad
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 23-27 April, 1796 'The Poetry of Spain & Portugal wants taste, & generally, feeling. I should have thought Camoens deficient in feelings if I had only read his Lusiad — but the Sonnets of Camoens are very beautiful. those given by Hayley in his notes to the Essay on Epic P. tho among the best are but a wretched specimen to the English reader. the translations are detestable — & the originals so printed as to be unintelligible. I bought some ballads in Spain in remembrance of Rio Verde — but they prove bad enough. but six months after my return I will tell you more.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Luis Vaz de Camoëns : Sonnets
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 23-27 April, 1796 'The Poetry of Spain & Portugal wants taste, & generally, feeling. I should have thought Camoens deficient in feelings if I had only read his Lusiad — but the Sonnets of Camoens are very beautiful. those given by Hayley in his notes to the Essay on Epic P. tho among the best are but a wretched specimen to the English reader. the translations are detestable — & the originals so printed as to be unintelligible. I bought some ballads in Spain in remembrance of Rio Verde — but they prove bad enough. but six months after my return I will tell you more.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Hayley : An Essay on Epic Poetry
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 23-27 April, 1796 'The Poetry of Spain & Portugal wants taste, & generally, feeling. I should have thought Camoens deficient in feelings if I had only read his Lusiad — but the Sonnets of Camoens are very beautiful. those given by Hayley in his notes to the Essay on Epic P. tho among the best are but a wretched specimen to the English reader. the translations are detestable — & the originals so printed as to be unintelligible. I bought some ballads in Spain in remembrance of Rio Verde — but they prove bad enough. but six months after my return I will tell you more.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Spanish Ballads
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 23-27 April, 1796 'The Poetry of Spain & Portugal wants taste, & generally, feeling. I should have thought Camoens deficient in feelings if I had only read his Lusiad — but the Sonnets of Camoens are very beautiful. those given by Hayley in his notes to the Essay on Epic P. tho among the best are but a wretched specimen to the English reader. the translations are detestable — & the originals so printed as to be unintelligible. I bought some ballads in Spain in remembrance of Rio Verde — but they prove bad enough. but six months after my return I will tell you more.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Virgil : Aeneid
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 24 May, 1796: 'The reliance that I can place on my own application renders me little anxious for the future — & for the present I can live like a silkworm by spinning my own brains. have I published too hastily? — remember that Virgil in the spirit of poetical prophecy gives to Fames the epithet of malesuada.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Joseph Fawcett : The Art of War
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 12 June 1796: 'Have you read Fawcetts Art of War? with all the faults of Young it possesses more beauties — & is in many parts — in my opinion — excellent.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Edward Young : The Complaint, or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 12 June 1796: 'Have you read Fawcetts Art of War? with all the faults of Young it possesses more beauties — & is in many parts — in my opinion — excellent.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Warburton : 'A Dissertation on the Sixth Book of Virgil’s Aeneis’
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12 June 1796: 'Warburton has said that the Epic is arrived at perfection & consequently incapable of improvement — for Homer is possessed of the province of Morality Virgil of politics & Milton of Religion. all this I deny. the morality of Homers heroes is as savage as the age they lived in — as for politics they are yet in their infancy — & the tale of Paradise Lost is the fatal source of all the corruptions of Xtianity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas Holcroft : Anna St Ives
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12 June 1796: 'Lewis’s Monk I have not seen — [material scored out] Such publications may be made the vehicles of much truth & utility — yet have I hitherto seen very few that really are so. in his Anna St Ives Holcroft has succeeded — but his Hugh Trevor is outrageously caricatured. Things as they are — is likewise a very faulty novel, & one which shews William Godwin to be little acquainted with human characters. I have planned a work to delineate existing systems & their consequent vices & misery, & hope to do some good by it if I have ever leisure to fill up the outlines.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas Holcroft : The Adventures of Hugh Trevor
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12 June 1796: 'Lewis’s Monk I have not seen — [material scored out] Such publications may be made the vehicles of much truth & utility — yet have I hitherto seen very few that really are so. in his Anna St Ives Holcroft has succeeded — but his Hugh Trevor is outrageously caricatured. Things as they are — is likewise a very faulty novel, & one which shews William Godwin to be little acquainted with human characters. I have planned a work to delineate existing systems & their consequent vices & misery, & hope to do some good by it if I have ever leisure to fill up the outlines.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Godwin : Things as They Are: or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 12 June 1796: 'Lewis’s Monk I have not seen — [material scored out] Such publications may be made the vehicles of much truth & utility — yet have I hitherto seen very few that really are so. in his Anna St Ives Holcroft has succeeded — but his Hugh Trevor is outrageously caricatured. Things as they are — is likewise a very faulty novel, & one which shews William Godwin to be little acquainted with human characters. I have planned a work to delineate existing systems & their consequent vices & misery, & hope to do some good by it if I have ever leisure to fill up the outlines.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Cambridge Intelligencer
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 26 June 1796: 'The Cambridge Intelligencer has this day informed me that George Strachey has won the Greek Ode.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Newspaper
John Bunyan : Pilgrim's Progress
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 26 June 1796: 'Christian went a long way to fling off his burden in the Pilgrims Progress. I doubt only my lungs. I find my breath affected when I read aloud. but exercise may strengthen these.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Monthly Magazine
Robert Southey to the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, 28 June 1796: 'THE story of the Mysterious Mother is of an earlier date than the noble author imagined: it may be found in a work of bishop Hall entitled Resolutions and Decisions of divers Practical Cases of Conscience, in continual Use amongst Men; of which the second edition, dated 1650, is now lying before me. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Joseph Hall : Resolutions and Decisions of divers Practical Cases of Conscience, in continual Use amongst Men
Robert Southey to the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, 28 June 1796: 'THE story of the Mysterious Mother is of an earlier date than the noble author imagined: it may be found in a work of bishop Hall entitled Resolutions and Decisions of divers Practical Cases of Conscience, in continual Use amongst Men; of which the second edition, dated 1650, is now lying before me. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Wisdom of Solomon 2:23
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 July-2 August 1796: 'In the second chapter of the Wisdom of Solomon & at the 23rd verse are these words: For GOD created man to be immortal, & made him to be an image of his own eternity....'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Taylor : Lenora
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 July-2 August 1796: 'But the other ballad of Bürger in the M. Magazine is most excellent. I know no commendation equal to its merit. read it again Grosvenor & read it aloud. the man who wrote that should have been ashamed of Lenora.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller : Cabal and Love
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 31 July-2 August 1796: 'Have you read Cabal & Love? in spite of a translation for which the translator deserves hanging — the fifth act is dreadfully affecting.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Charles Collins : On Hastings Castle
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 29 August- 7 September 1796: 'Charles Collins wrote a Sonnet upon Hastings Castle — which Horace once showed me — it was ——— fourteen lines.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Sheet
Matthew ("Monk") Lewis : The Monk
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 29-30 August 1796: 'I have now read the Monk — & admire the delicacy of Lewis in criticising the Bible. there is genius in the book — but no good can possibly be produced by it. I would not have men distrust themselves...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller : The Ghost Seer
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 29-30 August 1796: '[Matthew] Lewis's poetry is contemptible — except the Water King — & Alonzo & Imogine — of which the story is bad — & the most striking part very inferior to what appears to me its original the Franciscan monk at the marriage of Lorenzo in the Ghost-Seer of Frederick Schiller. an author compared to whom the sublimity of Eschylus & Shakespere is little have you read Fiesco? Stodhard of Christ Church is one of the translators. you may hear something of him from Collins — if you still retain his acquaintance: with friendship I believe him totally unacquainted.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller : Fiesco; or the Genoese Conspiracy: A Tragedy
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 29-30 August 1796: '[Matthew] Lewis's poetry is contemptible — except the Water King — & Alonzo & Imogine — of which the story is bad — & the most striking part very inferior to what appears to me its original the Franciscan monk at the marriage of Lorenzo in the Ghost-Seer of Frederick Schiller. an author compared to whom the sublimity of Eschylus & Shakespere is little have you read Fiesco? Stodhard of Christ Church is one of the translators. you may hear something of him from Collins — if you still retain his acquaintance: with friendship I believe him totally unacquainted.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Henry Tresham : The Sea-Sick Minstrel; or, Maritime Sorrows. A Poem, in Six Cantos
Robert Southey to Horace Walpole Bedford, 29-30 August 1796: 'Somebody (a painter I believe — Tresham?) has [MS torn] a poem called the Sea Sick Minstrel lately. tis a villainous subject.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: Monthly Magazine (June 1796)
Robert Southey to the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, 2 September 1796: 'IN your Magazine for June, a Correspondent, who signs himself M.H. has defended the system of Helvetius, and asserted that “nothing can be more monstrous and hypothetical, than the notion of a child (whose mind having received no impression, is a total blank, without a single idea) being born with a power of discrimination, a correct judgment, &c.”'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Frances Sheridan : Memoirs of Miss Sydney Biddulph
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 September - 14 October, 1796: 'I have been reading Sidney Biddulph. Grosvenor what a mass of misery do prejudices occasion? the distress of many novels turns upon the discovery of incest — where is the crime if a brother & sister should marry unknowingly? or knowingly? — here again is a young woman must not marry the man she loves because he is a Bastard forsooth: the very reason says Mr Shandy why she should: & there was wisdom in all his systems.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Donne : Satyre II
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 September - 14 October, 1796: 'I wish I could give you a satisfactory answer to a very interesting question. I ardently wish for children — yet if God should bless me with any I shall be unhappy to see them poisoned by the air of London. "Sir I do thank God for it, I do hate Most heartily that city." so said John Donne. tis a favorite quotation of mine — my spirits always sunk when I approachd it. green fields are my delight — I am not only better in health, but even in heart in the country — a fine day exhilarates my heart — if it rains I behold the grass assume a richer verdure as it drinks the moisture — every thing that I behold is “very good" except Man — & in London I see nothing but Man & his works.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre : Paul et Virginie
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 September - 14 October, 1796: 'Have you read St Pierre? if not, read that most delightful work & you will love the author as much as I do.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre : Etudes de la Nature
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 September - 14 October, 1796: 'Have you read St Pierre? if not, read that most delightful work & you will love the author as much as I do.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Joseph Dacre Carlyle : Specimens of Arabian Poetry, From the Earliest Time to the Extinction of the Kaliphat, with some Account of the Authors
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 8 December, 1796: 'I have just read Carlyles Arabic Translations — Zounds what stuff is called Poetry!'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Luis Vaz de Camoëns : ‘Babylon and Sion’
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 1-7 January, 1797: '...the view is bounded by the accursed smoke of London. methinks like Camoens I could dub it Babylon & write lamentations for the “Sion” of my birth place, having like him no reason to regret the past [words scored out] except that it is not the present. it is the country I want. a field thistle is to me worth all the flowers of Covent Garden.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Lisle Bowles : Hope, An Allegorical Sketch on Recovering Slowly from Sickness
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 16 January 1797: 'I begin to think that our opinions upon poetry are not consonant. I am no friend to the harmony with which we have been cloyed since the days of Pope. Churchill is too rough: but there is a medium, & I am on the side of Bowles versus Reviewers: who by the by are in general a set of stupid fellows.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Review of Hope, An Allegorical Sketch on Recovering Slowly from Sickness
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 16 January 1797: 'I begin to think that our opinions upon poetry are not consonant. I am no friend to the harmony with which we have been cloyed since the days of Pope. Churchill is too rough: but there is a medium, & I am on the side of Bowles versus Reviewers: who by the by are in general a set of stupid fellows.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
anon : Review of Hope, An Allegorical Sketch on Recovering Slowly from Sickness
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 16 January 1797: 'I begin to think that our opinions upon poetry are not consonant. I am no friend to the harmony with which we have been cloyed since the days of Pope. Churchill is too rough: but there is a medium, & I am on the side of Bowles versus Reviewers: who by the by are in general a set of stupid fellows.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
William Gilbert : The Hurricane
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 16 January 1797: 'I wish Bob would insert a review of my writing in the British Critic. it is upon a strange poem with still stranger notes, written by a man of brilliant genius & polishd manners who is deranged. it is easy to imply this without doing it in such terms as would wound his feelings. the book is “the Hurricane a Theosophical & Western Eclogue by William Gilbert.”'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : The Loves of Hero and Leander
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 29 January 1797: 'I have received Bedfords book this morning — he has much amended it since I saw the manuscript.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Mary Hays : articles in the Monthly Magazine
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 13 March 1797: 'When I was with George Dyer one morning last week Mary Hayes & Miss Christall entered, & the ceremony of introduction followed. Mary Hayes writes in the M. Magazine under the signature M.H. & sometimes writes nonsense about Helvetius there. she has lately published a novel — Emma Courtney — a book much praised & much abused; I have not seen it myself. but the severe censures passed upon it by persons of narrow mind, have made be curious, & convinced me that it is at least an uncommon work. Mary Hays is an agreable woman — & a Godwinite.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Ann Batten Cristall : Poetical Sketches
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 13 March 1797: 'But Miss Christall. have you seen her Poems? — a fine, artless sensible girl, now Cottle that word sensible must not be construed here in its dictionary acceptation. ask a Frenchman what it means & he will understand it, tho perhaps
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Sir William Blackstone : Commentaries on the Laws of England
Robert Southey to John James Morgan, 6 March, 1797: 'Blackstone & I agree better than perhaps you imagine. true it is that I should like to write Commentaries upon his Commentaries — but mine would be an illegal book. the study fixes my attention sufficiently, when my attention begins to flag, I relieve myself by employing half an hour differently, & then set to again with fresh spirits. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : German Grammar
Robert Southey to John James Morgan, 6 March, 1797: 'My mornings are devoted to Law; I allow the evening for pleasanter employments & divide it between the German Grammar & [writing] Madoc. with both of which I am getting forwards. I am fond of learning languages. nothing exercises a mans ingenuity more, he sees the progress he makes, & this at once gratifies & encourages. it is my intention to learn Welsh.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Law books
Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 16 March, 1797: 'We have been here now nearly a month. I read much Law — & find time to write. for company I have neither leisu[re or MS torn] inclination, & therefore confine myself to a very fe[MS torn] friends.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Prior Estlin : The Nature and Causes of Atheism, Pointed Out in a Discourse, Delivered at the Chapel in Lewin’s-Mead, Bristol. To Which Are Added, Remarks on a Work, Entitled Origine de Tous Les Cultes, ou Religion Universelle. Par Dupuis, Citoyen François
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 9 April, 1797: 'Mr Estlin has sent me his sermon — a most superb copy — tho not I have not the one he sent — for Johnsons man could not find it & so he gave me another. it is I think the best paper I ever saw. I wrote to day to thank him — & make a few remarks upon his book, freely & respectfully — therefore properly.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
George Dyer : The Poet’s Fate, a Poetical Dialogue
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 9 April, 1797: 'George Dyer gave me what he calls his “crotchet” & what I call an indifferent poem. “I could not bring in Wordsworth & Lloyd & Lamb in the poem (said he to me) but I put them in in a note —.” that man is all benevolence — he even shows it in notes to his dedication.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas Baynton : Descriptive Account of a New Method of Treating Old Ulcers of the Legs
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 9 April, 1797: 'I have seen Bayntons Book. it is vilely written. but the theory seems good, & the practise appears to have been successful. my friend Carlisle means to try it at the Westminster Hospital. I was somewhat amused at seeing a treatise on sore legs printed on wove paper & hot-pressed.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas Park : Sonnets, and Other Small Poems
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 26 April, 1797: 'Some Mr T Park sent me a volume of his poems last week, with a note; its praises too gross for one who is no fowl-feeder. I read his book it was not above mediocrity; he seems very fond of poetry, & even to a superstitious reverence for Thomsons old table & Miss Sewards manuscripts which he “rescued” from the printers. I called on him to thank him & was not sorry to find that he was not at home. But the next day a note arrives with more praise — he wishes my personal acquaintance & “trusts I shall excuse the frankness that avows that it would gratify his feelings to receive a copy of Joan of Arc from the Author.” now I thought this, to speak tenderly, not very modest.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark
Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 28 April, 1797: 'Have you ever met with Mary Wollstonecrafts letters from Sweden & Norway? she has made me in love with a cold climate & frost & snow, with a Northern moonlight.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Henderson : Treatise upon Miracles
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 2 May, 1797: 'I have a treasure in store for you. a little treatise in old English, very short, upon miracles — written by John Henderson for Coleridges brother — & given me by a pupil of his — John May — a Lisbon acquaintance — & a very valuable one. '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
John Gisborne : The Vales of Wever, a Loco-Descriptive Poem
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 25 May, 1797: 'This New Forest is very lovely. I should like to have a house in it — & dispeople the rest like William the Conqueror. of all land objects a forest is the finest. Gisborne has written a feeble poem upon the subject.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Robert Robinson : Ecclesiastical Researches
Robert Southey to John May, 4 June, 1797: 'The books with me are more than I wish when moving, & fewer than I want when settled. whilst I was packing them up, a friend brought me Robinsons Ecclesiastical Researches. he has as much wit as Jortin & yet never ceases to be serious, & with erudition at least equal to Mosheim, possesses a candour & discrimination which Mosheim wanted. have you read George Dyers life of Robert Robinson? it is the history of a very extraordinary man told with infinite simplicity by one as extraordinary as himself.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
George Dyer : Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Robert Robinson
Robert Southey to John May, 4 June, 1797: 'The books with me are more than I wish when moving, & fewer than I want when settled. whilst I was packing them up, a friend brought me Robinsons Ecclesiastical Researches. he has as much wit as Jortin & yet never ceases to be serious, & with erudition at least equal to Mosheim, possesses a candour & discrimination which Mosheim wanted. have you read George Dyers life of Robert Robinson? it is the history of a very extraordinary man told with infinite simplicity by one as extraordinary as himself.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Grosvenor Charles Bedford : The Rhedycenian Barbers
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, c. 25 June, 1797: '“The Rhedycenian Barbers” is Grosvenor Bedfords — & a most incomparable parody it is.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon : unknown
Robert Southey to John May, 26 June, 1797: '...the French never can have a good epic poem till they have republicanized their language; it appears to me a thing impossible in their metres; & for the prose of Fenelon Florian & Bitaubè — I find it peculiarly unpleasant. I have sometimes read the works of Florian aloud; his stories are very interesting & well conducted, but in reading them I have been felt obliged to simplify as I read & omit most of the similes & apostrophes. they disgusted me & I felt ashamed to pronounce them. Ossian is the only book bearable in this stile, there is a melancholy obscurity in the history of Ossian & of almost
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian : unknown
Robert Southey to John May, 26 June, 1797: '...the French never can have a good epic poem till they have republicanized their language; it appears to me a thing impossible in their metres; & for the prose of Fenelon Florian & Bitaubè — I find it peculiarly unpleasant. I have sometimes read the works of Florian aloud; his stories are very interesting & well conducted, but in reading them I have been felt obliged to simplify as I read & omit most of the similes & apostrophes. they disgusted me & I felt ashamed to pronounce them. Ossian is the only book bearable in this stile, there is a melancholy obscurity in the history of Ossian & of almost
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Paul Jérémie Bitaubè : unknown
Robert Southey to John May, 26 June, 1797: '...the French never can have a good epic poem till they have republicanized their language; it appears to me a thing impossible in their metres; & for the prose of Fenelon Florian & Bitaubè — I find it peculiarly unpleasant. I have sometimes read the works of Florian aloud; his stories are very interesting & well conducted, but in reading them I have been felt obliged to simplify as I read & omit most of the similes & apostrophes. they disgusted me & I felt ashamed to pronounce them. Ossian is the only book bearable in this stile, there is a melancholy obscurity in the history of Ossian & of almost
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Ossian [James Macpherson] : Poems
Robert Southey to John May, 26 June, 1797: '...the French never can have a good epic poem till they have republicanized their language; it appears to me a thing impossible in their metres; & for the prose of Fenelon Florian & Bitaubè — I find it peculiarly unpleasant. I have sometimes read the works of Florian aloud; his stories are very interesting & well conducted, but in reading them I have been felt obliged to simplify as I read & omit most of the similes & apostrophes. they disgusted me & I felt ashamed to pronounce them. Ossian is the only book bearable in this stile, there is a melancholy obscurity in the history of Ossian & of almost
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Marie-Jeanne Roland de la Platiere : Appel a l’Impartiale Posteritè
Robert Southey to John May, 26 June, 1797: 'Have you seen Madame Rolands Appel a l’impartiale Posteritè? it is one of those books that makes me love individuals & yet dread detest & despise mankind in a mass.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Chapelain : La Pucelle ou la France Délivrée
Robert Southey to John May, 11 July, 1797: 'I thank you for Chapelain. I read his poem with the hope of finding something
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
S.T. Coleridge : Poems, by S. T. Coleridge, Second Edition. To Which are Now Added Poems by Charles Lamb, and Charles Lloyd
Robert Southey to John May, 11 July, 1797: 'Cottle brought with him the new edition of Coleridges poems, they are dedicated to his brothe[MS torn] George, in one of the most beautiful poems I ever read. [MS torn] know S T Coleridge better than any existing being, & yet great part of his conduct is utterly inexplicable to me. last night I wrote to him, requesting some thing for insertion in Chattertons works that his name might appear in the proposals. I then told him that his brother had not known where he was till he learnt it from you. You will be delighted with his new edition, it contains all the poems of Lloyd & Lamb, & I know no volume that can be compared to it.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Bernando Tasso : Amadis of Gaul
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 19 July 1797: 'The old Lady Strathmore has some curious books. I hope to get from her library the Amadigi of Tassos father.if he had been a very bad poet Tasso would never have published his works — & I love every thing belonging to Amadis & Galaor.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Isabel Godin des Odonais : Lettre Contenant la Relation des Madame Godin (par le Fleuve des Amazons)
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 19 July 1797: 'If you can get me any poetical information about the River of Amazons I shall be glad — but I must have no Amazons as Madoc was buried long before Orellana learnt to tell lies. Did you ever see Madame Godines melancholy account? I shall allude to it by & by.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Pierre Le Moyne : Saint Louis
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 28 July 1797: 'Since you left me I have been reading the Saint Louis of Le Moyne: an epic poem in 18 books. Le Moyne had genius — but he has introduced the most incredibly ridiculous thing in his poem. Louis is wounded with a poisoned arrow, for which there is no earthly cure, but he is healed by the waters of a fountain in which the Virgin Mary had, on the way to Egypt, washed her little boys clouts!'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Epictetus : Encheiridion
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 3 August 1797: 'I think you would derive more good from Epictetus than from studying yourself. there is a very proud independance in the Stoic philosophy which has always much pleased me; you would find certain sentences in the Enchiridion which would occur to the mind when such maxims were wanted & operate as motives. besides when you are examining yourself you ought to have a certain standard by which to measure yourself: & however far an old Stoic may be from perfection, he is almost a God when compared to the present race who libel that nature which appeared with such exceeding lustre in Athens in Lacedæmon & in Rome. I could send you to a better system than that of the bondsman Epictetus, where you would find a better model on which to form your conduct. but the mind should have arrived at a certain stage to profit properly by that book, which few have attained. it should be cool & confirmed.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Thomas James Mathias : The Pursuits of Literature, or What You Will. A Satirical Poem in Dialogue. With Notes. Part the Second
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 9 August 1797: 'I have only seen the former parts of the Pursuits of Literature. the author appeared to me to have the malevolence of Gifford without his wit. the lines on Darwin were however uncommonly good. if he has wiped me with civility he will serve the book, & the advertisement makes amends for the censure.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Sir William Blackstone : Commentaries on the Laws of England
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 9 August 1797: 'I have now gone thro Blackstone often & attentively, so repeatedly reperusing the more important parts, that I think I know the book well. nor does farther study of it now appear necessary or useful.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Joshua Barnes : The History of That Most Victorious Monarch Edward III
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 9 August 1797: 'I have got learnt much military knowledge from a history of Edward 3rd. by old Joshua Barnes, who, Bentley said, knew as much Greek as an Athenian cobbler. did you ever see the book? it is a large folio, so minute as almost to make me amends for the want of Froissard: & I expect to be very accurate in my costume, but if this merit be not pointed out by explanatory notes it will be lost, for the Reviews did not discover my blunders...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Epictetus : Encheiridion
Robert Southey to John May, 15 August 1797: 'I am fond of great part of the Stoical system, & there are few characters that I contemplate with more reverence than the slave Epictetus. his book was
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Edmund Howes : The Annales, or Generalle Chronicle of England, Begun First by Maister John Stow, and After Him Continued and Augmented with Matters Forreine and Domesticall unto the End of Yeare 1610, by E. H.
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 16 August 1797: 'Our Edwards were tolerable considering the day they lived in. I have never thought so highly as our historians of the Black Princes waiting at supper upon the captive King, it was an ill judged condescension & must have been painful to John. he should have supped with him. but Henry after the battle of Agincourt made the his prisoners wait upon him. I find this in an old Chronicler whose name seems almost to have perished. Edmond Howes. he wrote under Elizabeth James & in the earlier years of Charles & expresses obligations to Sir Edward Coke & Master Camden.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Anna Seward : 'Written by Anna Seward, After Reading Southey’s Joan of Arc’
Robert Southey to John May, 24 August 1797: 'Have you seen a poem addressed to me by Miss Anna Seward? if not I can much amuse you by it. she applies to my poetry what Milton says of the Pandæmonium chorists.calls me an unnatural boy, a beardless parricide, & dark of heart; says I cry like a crocodile & bids me laugh like a hyena. — & laugh I did most heartily — & so I think will you at perusing this very delectable poem.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Newspaper
Robert Loveday : Cléopâtre
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 24 August 1797: '...tis in the translation of the huge romance Cleopatra by a Robert Loveday, who from the recommendatory verses prefixd to his book seems to have possessed more celebrity than diffidence.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Godwin : The Enquirer. Reflections on Education, Manners and Literature in a Series of Essays
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 September 1797: 'Nothing disgusts me so much as the affectation of fine language. Godwins Enquirer is a sad example. if a writer has a plain thing to express let him express it plainly, & if he ought to write at all the ideas will elevate the language — he may rest assured that his language will not elevate the idea.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Francis Quarles : Argalus and Parthenia
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 September 1797: 'I doubted not that you would agree with me in thinking very highly of quaint old Quarles. you shall see his Argalus & Parthenia when we meet, it is more ridiculous than his Emblems, but often very fine & never tame.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Palmerin of England
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 September 1797: 'I much want the latter books of Amadis, subsequent to those which Tressan has abridged & prior to Amadis of Greece: you know my great attachment to the old romances. I know the Portugueze Palmerin. it has fine parts but deserves not the praise of Cervantes.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Froissart : Le Premier (-Quart) Volume De Messire Jehan Froissart Lequel Traicte de Choses Vingts de Memoire Advenues Tant es Pays de France, Angleterre, Flandres, Espaigne que Escoce, ets Aus Tres Lieux Circonvoisins
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: 'I have been reading old Froissart. after Sir Walter Manny & about a dozen Knights with three hundred archers had sallied out & broken an engine than annoyed them — the Countess of Montford met them in the on their return, & she kissed them all three or four times, like a noble & valiant Lady. I have a great love for this plain quaintness of speech — it is often ludicrous, but it as often beautiful — & one who wishes to write good poetry now should read old prose.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Jacques Rousseau : La Lévite d’Ephraim
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: 'Do you know Rousseaus Levite of Ephraim? if not — you will find a poem that has not a word too much.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
anon : Review of William Rough, Lorenzini di Medici
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: 'I see Roughs Lorenzino reviewed. I had not expected much.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Anna Letitia Barbauld : ‘To S. T. Coleridge, 1797’
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: 'Mrs Barbauld has written some lines to Coleridge advising him to abandon metaphysics. the poem is not good. if however you are inclined to see it I will copy it for you.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
S.T. Coleridge : Osorio
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: 'Coleridge has written a tragedy — by request of Sheridan. it is uncommonly fine — tho every character appears to me to possess qualities which can not possibly exist in the same mind.'
UnknownCentury: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey
William Wordsworth : The Borderers
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 22 September 1797: '...but there is a man, whose name is not known in the world — Wordsworth — who has written great part of a tragedy, upon a very strange & unpleasant subject — but [MS obscured] is equal to any dramatic pieces, [MS obscured] I have ever seen.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Manuscript: Unknown
William Shakespeare : [history plays, particularly Henry VI, Parts I and II]
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 30 September 1797: '... this took a strange turn when I was about nine years old. I had been reading the historical plays of Shakespere — concluded that there must be civil war in my own time & resolved to be a very great man, like the Earl of Warwick.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean de Serres : Histoire de France
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 20 October 1797: 'I have procured an old translation of De Serres. but I am told the best account of the Maid [of Orleans] is in the Histoire de l’Eglise Gallican par Berthier,a book I have sought for in vain. in Weys book from Le Grand there is a note from the Journal of Paris at that period, relating to her, which furnished me with subject for some of my best lines — they relate to a place she frequented in Lorraine called the Fountain of the Fairies. do you know either of these books?'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Gregory Lewis Way : Fabliaux or Tales, Abridged from French Manuscripts of the XIIth and XIIIth Centuries by M. Le Grand, Selected and Translated into English Verse
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 20 October 1797: 'I have procured an old translation of De Serres. but I am told the best account of the Maid [of Orleans] is in the Histoire de l’Eglise Gallican par Berthier,a book I have sought for in vain. in Weys book from Le Grand there is a note from the Journal of Paris at that period, relating to her, which furnished me with subject for some of my best lines — they relate to a place she frequented in Lorraine called the Fountain of the Fairies. do you know either of these books?'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Geoffrey Chaucer : Canterbury Tales
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 20 October 1797: 'In Chaucer I for ever find the ribible — but nothing else & no explanation of that. now tho I have used one word which nobody understands. the jazerent of double mail — I shall not take the same liberty with another. jazerina often occurs in the Guerras Civiles de Granada.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Gines Perez de Hita : Guerras Civiles de Granada
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 20 October 1797: 'In Chaucer I for ever find the ribible — but nothing else & no explanation of that. now tho I have used one word which nobody understands. the jazerent of double mail — I shall not take the same liberty with another. jazerina often occurs in the Guerras Civiles de Granada.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
: account of death of William Buller
Robert Southey to John May, 2 November 1797: 'I saw Bullers death in the news-paper. — it surprized me. we are accustomed to think it dreadful for a young man to die during when his conduct is wrong. — perhaps tho a natural feeling this is a mistaken one. two young men live in wickedness. the one dies unreclaimed in his youth. the other grows old & repents. so might the first, but for the accident of death. may we not then expect the process of amendment to be carried on in the next state of existence? else — can we expect the same work to be performed in a week or in a month? ...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Newspaper
: Monthly Magazine
Robert Southey to John May, 2 November 1797: 'We have had a dreadful suicide here. the whole is in the Monthly Magazine.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Serial / periodical
Amos Simon Cottle : Icelandic Poetry, or the Edda of Saemund Translated into English Verse
Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 11 November 1797: 'Amos Cottles translation of the Edda is published, & I have brought over a copy for you. you know it was my intention to write him some lines that might be prefixed, & perhaps sell some half dozen copies among my friends. you will find them there. the book itself will not interest you. it is only calculated for those who study mythology in general, the antiquities of the north, or who read to collect images for poetry. it happens to suit me in all these points.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
William Cowper : poem [unidentified]
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 November 1797: 'You will be surprized perhaps at hearing that Cowpers poem does not at all please me. you must have heard it in some moment when your mind was predisposed to be pleased, & the first impression has remained. indeed I think it — not above mediocrity — I cannot trace the Author of the Task in one line.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Unknown
Charles Lamb : 'Written Soon after the Preceding Poem’
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 November 1797: 'I know that our tastes differ much in poetry. & yet I think you must like these lines by Charles Lamb. I believe you know his history — & the dreadful death of his mother'. Southey then quotes several lines beginning: 'Thou shouldst have longer lived, & to the grave...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Johannes Ravisius Textor : De Memorabilibus et Claris Mulieribus: Aliquot Diversorum Scriptorum Opera
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 14 December 1797: 'Your parcel & its contents arrived safe. I found it on my return from a library belonging to the dissenters — in Redcross Street; from which, by permission of Dr Towers one of the Trustees, I brought back books of great importance for my Maid of Orleans. a hackney coach horse turned into a field of grass falls not more eagerly to a breakfast which lasts the whole day, than I attacked the old folios so respectably covered with dust. I begin to like dirty rotten binding, & whenever I get among books pass by the gilt coxcombs & yet disturb the spiders. — But you shall hear what I have got. a Latin poem in four long books upon Joan of Arc. very bad — but it gives me a quaint note or two — & Valerandus Valerius is a fine name for a quotation. a small quarto of the Life of the Maid, chiefly extracts from forgotten authors, printed at Paris. 1612. with a print of her on horseback, & another on foot in the same dress & attitude as the one I have. A sketch of her life, by Jacobus Philippus Bergomensis — bless the length of his erudite name! — this is short but the most valuable of all, inasmuch as I have his authority for her prediction of her
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Jean Masson : Histoire Memorable de la Vie de Jeanne d’Arc, Appelée la Pucelle d’Orleans
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 14 December 1797: 'Your parcel & its contents arrived safe. I found it on my return from a library belonging to the dissenters — in Redcross Street; from which, by permission of Dr Towers one of the Trustees, I brought back books of great importance for my Maid of Orleans. a hackney coach horse turned into a field of grass falls not more eagerly to a breakfast which lasts the whole day, than I attacked the old folios so respectably covered with dust. I begin to like dirty rotten binding, & whenever I get among books pass by the gilt coxcombs & yet disturb the spiders. — But you shall hear what I have got. a Latin poem in four long books upon Joan of Arc. very bad — but it gives me a quaint note or two — & Valerandus Valerius is a fine name for a quotation. a small quarto of the Life of the Maid, chiefly extracts from forgotten authors, printed at Paris. 1612. with a print of her on horseback, & another on foot in the same dress & attitude as the one I have. A sketch of her life, by Jacobus Philippus Bergomensis — bless the length of his erudite name! — this is short but the most valuable of all, inasmuch as I have his authority for her prediction of her
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Giacomo Filippo Foresti da Bergamo : De Claris Mulieribus
Robert Southey to Joseph Cottle, 14 December 1797: 'Your parcel & its contents arrived safe. I found it on my return from a library belonging to the dissenters — in Redcross Street; from which, by permission of Dr Towers one of the Trustees, I brought back books of great importance for my Maid of Orleans. a hackney coach horse turned into a field of grass falls not more eagerly to a breakfast which lasts the whole day, than I attacked the old folios so respectably covered with dust. I begin to like dirty rotten binding, & whenever I get among books pass by the gilt coxcombs & yet disturb the spiders. — But you shall hear what I have got. a Latin poem in four long books upon Joan of Arc. very bad — but it gives me a quaint note or two — & Valerandus Valerius is a fine name for a quotation. a small quarto of the Life of the Maid, chiefly extracts from forgotten authors, printed at Paris. 1612. with a print of her on horseback, & another on foot in the same dress & attitude as the one I have. A sketch of her life, by Jacobus Philippus Bergomensis — bless the length of his erudite name! — this is short but the most valuable of all, inasmuch as I have his authority for her prediction of her
