“My estimate of human life is more favourable than
yours. If death were the termination of our existence, then, indeed, I should
wish rather to have been born a beast, or never to have been born at all; but
considering nothing more certain than that this life is preparatory to a higher
state of being, I am thankful for the happiness I have enjoyed, for the
blessings which are left me, and for those to which I look with sure and
certain hope. With me the enjoyments of life have more than counterbalanced its
| Ætat. 42. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 181 |
“I have employed myself with more than ordinary diligence. You will receive portions of my History in quick succession. I find abundant materials for a third volume, and have therefore determined not to injure a work, which has cost me so much labour, by attempting to compress it because the public would prefer two volumes to three. . . . . You will see that the story of Cardenas* is not an episode: it is the beginning of the great struggle with the Jesuits. This volume will bring the narrative down to the beginning of the last century, and conclude with the account of the manners of Brazil at that time, and the state of the country, as far as my documents enable me to give it. . . . .
“You see I have not been idle; indeed, at present there is more danger of my employing myself too much than too little. . . . .
“God bless you!
