I will not let another post go out, without conveying to you my thanks for your very kind letter last night received. It will gratify you to know that its contents (the copy of the critique included), aroused and fixed Mr. Southey’s attention more than anything that has occurred for months past—gratifying him, I believe, far more than anything more immediately concerning himself could have done. “Tell Murray,” he said, “I am very much obliged to him.” It is long since he has sent a message to friend or relation.
Now let me say for myself that I am very thankful to you—very thankful to my indulgent
reviewer—and that if I could yet feel interest about anything of my own
writing, I should be pleased and encouraged by his encomium—as well as
grateful for it. But if it did not sound thanklessly,
| 504 | MEMOIRS OF JOHN MURRAY |
But he did take interest in it, at least for a few moments, and so it was not quite too late; and (doing as I know he would have me), I shall act upon your most kind and friendly advice, and transmit it to Blackwood, who will, I doubt not, be willingly guided by it.
It was one of my husband’s pleasant visions before our marriage, and his favourite prospect, to publish a volume of poetry conjointly with me, not weighing the disproportion of talent.
I must tell you that immediately on receiving the Review, I should have written to express my sense of your kindness, and of the flattering nature of the critique; but happening to tell Miss Southey and her brother that you had sent it me, as I believed, as an obliging personal attention, they assured me I was mistaken, and that the numbers were only intended for “their set.” Fearing, therefore, to arrogate to myself more than was designed for me, I kept silence; and now expose my simplicity rather than leave myself open to the imputation of unthankfulness. Mr. Southey desires to be very kindly remembered to you, and I am, my dear Sir,
P.S.—I had almost forgotten to thank you for so kindly offering to send the Review to any friends of mine, I may wish to gratify. I will accept the proffered favour, and ask you to send one addressed to Miss Burnard, Shirley, Southampton, Hants. The other members of my family and most of my friends take the Q. R., or are sure of seeing it. This last number is an excellent one.
