“My friends leave Bristol on Monday next, on their way hither; you thus perceive how impossible it is that I can now accompany you to Edinburgh, as I should else willingly have done.
“The latter part of your letter requires a
confidential answer. I once wished to reside in Portugal, because the great
object of my literary life related to that country: I loved the country, and
had then an uncle settled there. Before Fox came into power this was told him by Charles Wynn, and, when he was in power, he was
asked by Wynn to send me there. It so happened that
John Allen wanted something which
was in Lord Grenville’s gift, and
this was given him on condition that Fox, in return,
provided for me. There were two things in Portugal which I could hold—the
consulship, or the secretaryship of legation. The former was twice given away,
but that Fox said was too good a thing for me; the latter
he promised if an opportunity occurred of promoting Lord Strangford, and that never took place. Grey was reminded of his predecessor’s
engagement, and expressed no disinclination to fulfil it. The party got turned
out; and one of the last things Lord Grenville did was to
give me a pension of 200l. Till that time, I had
received one of 160l. from Charles W.
Wynn, my oldest surviving friend. The exchange leaves me
something the poorer, as
| Ætat. 35. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 239 |
“You will see by this that I would willingly be
served, but it is not easy to serve me. Lisbon is too insecure a place to
remove to with a family, and nothing could repay me for going without them. I
have neither the habits nor talents for an official situation; nor, if I had,
could I live in London,—that is, I should soon die there. I have said to
Wynn that one thing would make me at
ease for life,—create for me the title of Royal Historiographer for
England (there is one for Scotland), with a salary of 400l.: the reduction would leave a net income of 278l.; with that I should be sure of all the decent comforts of life,
and, for everything beyond them, it would then be easy to supply myself. Of
course, my present pension would cease. Whether Mr.
Canning can do this, I know not; but, if this could be done, it
would be adequate to all I want, and beyond that my wishes have never extended.
I am sorry we are not to meet, but it would be unreasonable to expect it now;
and, at some more convenient season, I will find my way to you and to the
Advocate’s Library. You will hear from Bal-
| 240 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 35. |
