THE LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. RESIDENCE CHAPTER VI. AT WESTBURY. DRAMATIC PLANS.-ILL-HEALTH. - GOES TO LONDON TO KEEP THE TERM AT GRAY'S INN. MADOC COMPLETED. EXCURSION INTO DEVONSHIRE. LETTERS FROM THENCE. GOES AGAIN TO RESIDE AT BURTON. -SEVERE ILLNESS. -RETURNS TO BRISTOL. THALABA. PROJECT OF ESTABLISHING BEGUINAGES. POEM IN HEXA METERS, ON HEALTH. 1799, 1800. MOHAMMED, COMMENCED. CONTINUED ILL MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR GOING TO LISBON. THE commencement of the year 1799 found my father still at Westbury, and still employed at some one or other of his many literary avocations. I have not thought it needful to notice particularly the reception which his writings had hitherto met with from the public, because it was not of that peculiarly marked character which materially influences an author's career. He had, however, been gradually "working his way up the hill," and the booksellers VOL. II. 74 B 1 were ready enough to find him abundant periodical employment, which, though it "frittered away his time,” and was but indifferently remunerated, he still found more profitable than any other way in which he could employ his pen. I cannot but regret that no list of his many contributions to magazines and reviews, and other periodicals, during his early life, can be found. Although the articles themselves might not be worth preservation, still, could the number of them be added to the rest of his works, especially taking into account his very numerous writings in the Annual and Quarterly Reviews, he would unquestionably be found to have been one of the most voluminous writers of any age or of any country. The following letters will give some idea of his untiring industry : "My dear Tom, To Thomas Southey. "Ever since you one job to another. of books when you "Jan. 5. 1799. left us have I been hurried from You know I expected a parcel went away. They came, and I had immediately to kill off one detachment; that was but just done, when down came a bundle of French books, to be returned with all possible speed. This was not only unexpected work, but double work, because all extracts were to be translated. Well; that I did, and by that time the end of the month came round, and I am now busy upon English books |