London. Copy of Mr Romilly's opinion on Boylston's will (v. 294?). Reconciliation of Pitt and Addington. Items of gossip. PE has remitted to John the last portion of the family estate. The family has, however, a sixth interest in a new edition of Chambaud's dictionary (perhaps from his bookseller uncle Peter, d. 1802?)
Asks PE to buy Ritson's Songs, vellum or Morocco - a present for a lady - together with last three volumes of Madame (de) Genlis' Petits Romans. Southey's brother dismissed from his ship by court martial - but officer who replaced him lost his life in action.
Uses compasses (v.398) as excuse for not writing sooner, but in truth has been busy with 'the infernal defence of the country.' Abortive visit to Hafod (Uchtryd), arranged by his elder brother, to visit Thomas Johnes and the house, and to see the Froissart ms. (Johnes' translation?) - saw no more than the outside of the larder and library. Four days at Keswick with Southey - mornings spent scrambling among mountains and waterfalls, evenings reading Madoc and Portuguese History (NB latter never finished only Part 1 published, The History of Brazil). Miss (2nd daughter Edith?) promises to be 'a finer child than her predecessor' (Margaret, died aged 1 in 1803?).
Request for PE to buy a pair of oval compasses for Mr Wingfield (cf.391?). Regrets that the paths of literature and politics keep them apart. Suggestion to visit Southey at Keswick in August.
Asks for two copies of PEW's Sophocles (one for him, one for his uncle Tom). C Burney has been to dinner - talk of mss., one supposedly the 1st act of Sophocles' Clytemnestra, but probably a composition of the time of Gregory Nazianzen, and the other a ninth century Plato containing nothing new, but which might confirm some readings. PE needs good corrector - he does not possess attention enough to proofread.