(to PE in Rome.) Impending marriage of elder brother to Lady Harriet (Henrietta) Clive - should wean his brother from unsuitable pursuits. News of Southey's literary activities. Reform and revolution in the air, a consequence of the peace. Perhaps PE can buy him some books and alabaster lamps - but he cannot afford a great deal, so talks of ways of reducing the value entered at the Custom House. A number of politicians apparently to remain in Italy on health grounds, but are needed at home because of 'the present distress and popular outcry in London.' Concerned that PE might remain a second year abroad - a reference to the Bampton Lecture (PE never did this), and what PE owes to his profession and reputation. His own financial difficulties - his income derives from land, and farmers are in a bad way - a farm let last year for
(To PE in Florence.) PE has apparently been having difficulties in getting cooperation in Naples - William (Richard) Hamilton, Sir William a Court and Lord Spencer have tried to improve this. Gossip about the recent elections. Sudden death in Oxford of wife's younger brother. The convictions of Francis Burdett and Henry Hunt (re Peterloo massacre). As laureate Southey has been writing a carmen funebre in English hexameters - he is pleased with it, but 'fortunately has some hesitation about publishing it.' Success of Scott's Ivanhoe - comments on its defects, but five different dramatisations appeared simultaneously on the London stage within six weeks of its publication. Monastery, however, which has just been published, is much inferior. Wife has just avoided a threatened miscarriage (? - has frequently miscarried before). Subscription for William Page's widow and family (OW and HM - died 20th September, 1819), though confined to OWW, has raised
(To PE in Florence.) Wife weak after a premature confinement. Brother Henry has just seen two carriages in Lyons said to belong to the Queen, but actually to the servants of Lady Bute; the Queen is probably pretending to journey to England in order to get a better settlement. Government weak -only kept in power by dislike and fear felt for their opponents.
Is concerned about Bedford's reaction to the death of his brother (v.329-331), and asks PE to give him spiritual guidance; he fears that Bedford is a sceptic in matters of religion (he has been reading Voltaire for years, and has a vain and weak mind). Now off for ten days soldiering.
Cannot now accompany PE to Scotland, apparently because his unit of militia is going on duty early - hope that Napoleon will be so terrified by this that normal touring may be resumed within a year.
Cannot answer a query of PE's, but Sir William Drummond (of the Society of Dilettanti) is in London and might help. The Society has given up a project to buy a house in which to deposit its collection. Has written a speech on Leicester's proposal for substituting trial by impeachment for trial by information in the case of Lord Melville - adds PE to reduce the length, for publication in Cobbett (Political Register?). Vaguely propose a trip to Scotland with PE and Southey.
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.
