“The Ministry—by this time, perhaps, no longer a
Ministry—have made a very pretty kettle of fish of it; which phrase, by
the by, would look well in literal translation into any other language. Perhaps
you will be surprised to hear that on the Catholic Question I am as stiffly
against them as his Majesty himself. Of all my friends Coleridge is perhaps the only one who thinks
with me upon this subject; but I am clear in ray own mind. I am, however, sorry
for the business,—more to think what a rabble must come in, than for any
respect for those who are going out—though the Limited
Service and the Abolishment of the Slave Trade are great things. As
for any effect upon my own possible fortunes, you need not be told how little
any such possibilities ever enter into my feelings: they
have entered into my calculations just enough to keep me unsettled, and nothing
more. And here I am now planting garden-enclosures, rose-bushes, currants,
gooseberries, and resolute to become a mountaineer—perhaps for
ever—unless I should remove for final settlement at Lisbon. My study is
to be finished—my books gathered together; and if you do not come down
again, the very first summer you are not otherwise engaged, why—you may
stay and be smoke-dried in London for your good-for-nothingness. I have a man
called Willy, who is my Juniper in
this business.
| Ætat. 33. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 69 |
“The reason of all this is, that some arrangements of
Coleridge’s made it necessary
that I should either resolve upon removing speedily, or remaining in the house.
The one I could not do, and was, not unwillingly, forced to the other. Indeed,
the sense of being unsettled was the only uneasiness I had; and these little
arrangements for future comfort give me, I am sure, more solid satisfaction and
true enjoyment than his great Howickship can
possibly have felt upon getting into that Downing Street, from whence he will
so reluctantly get out,—like a dog on a wet day out of the kitchen,
growling as he goes, with his tail between his legs, and showing the teeth with
which he dares not bite. Jackson—God
| 70 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 33. |
“Sir, it would surprise you to see how I dig in the garden. I am going to buy the ‘Complete Gardener;’ and we do hope to attain one day to the luxuries of currant wine, and such like things, which I hope will meet your approbation, after you and I have been up Causey Pike again, and over the Fells to Blea Tarn,—expeditions to the repetition of which I know you look on with great pleasure.
“I shall miss Harry this summer,—an excellent boatman, and a companion whose good spirits and good humour never failed. If T. Grenville would make Tom a Captain, and send him down to grass for the summer, he would do a better thing than he has done yet since he went to the Admiralty. Wynn did mention my brother to him; but we had no borough interest to back us, and fourteen years’ hard service go for nothing, with wounds, blowing up, honourable mention, and excellent good conduct. Still I have a sort of faith (God willing) that he will be an Admiral yet.
“I am hurrying my printer with Espriella, for fear another
translation should appear before mine, which, you know, would be very unlucky.
Ten sheets of the second volume are done. I much wish it were out, having
better hopes of its sale than the fate of better books will perhaps warrant.
But this
| Ætat. 33. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 71 |
“God bless you!
