A LUCRATIVE OFFER.

209

ment, it stated, would be considerable; and the influence which he would possess in the political world extensive. This offer he knew to originate in Mr. Walter, of the "Times;" and it was intended that Southey should write the leading article for the journal, and exercise, perhaps, some general authority over the whole paper. The salary would have been 20007. a-year, with such a share in the profits of the business as would have led to an easy and speedy independence. This offer was, however, declined. The associations which bound Southey to Keswick were too strong, and there appeared to be no consideration that could allure him from its scenes.

The habits which Southey had contracted ever since his first literary engagements were hostile to his enjoyment of perfect health, and the intensity with which he had lately applied himself to writing, and kept his pen incessantly employed, had further debilitated his constitution, and increased symptoms which began to alarm his friends. For several months of the year there was no society at Keswick which could induce him to relax his labours, and the routine he pursued was continual, close, and unbroken. It was therefore thought necessary to divert his mind from intercourse with books and dead authors, by inducing him to mingle with the living mankind. A tour on the Continent was accordingly planned, as being likely to supply the most

P

striking objects of attraction, and exciting an exercise which was equally requisite for his recovery.

The party which accompanied him consisted of his friends, Mr. Senhouse, and Nash the artist. Their route lay across France to Switzerland, and from thence through Cisalpine Gaul, back again to Switzerland into Belgium.

The early part of this journey through the French territory was, with a few exceptions, flat and uninteresting; but as the gigantic Alps rose upon his view, all the excitement of the poet and the tourist awoke within him. At Neufchâtel, Southey took up his temporary abode in a house upon the shore of the lake. In some parts of his journey, especially in his passage over the Jura, Southey was reminded so forcibly of scenes in Cumberland, that he could easily have imagined himself within an hour's walk of his own home. From Neufchâtel, he proceeded to Yverdun, although it was not in his direct road, to visit the celebrated Pestalozzi. Here he remained long enough to acquire the principal features of the new system, and examine the scenery around. Lausanne and Ferney were his next stages,shrines which the literary pilgrim could not slightingly pass by,-spots beautiful beyond description, memoried by names

"Who sought and found, by dangerous roads,
A path to perpetuity of fame;"

AN OLD FRIEND IN A STRANGE COUNTRY. 211

where Voltaire and Gibbon composed their most celebrated works. From Geneva, our traveller passed across Mount Cenis into Lombardy, but turned aside from Chamberry to visit the Convent of the Grand Chartreuse, the sublime scenery of which was, in his opinion, the most splendid of any he had yet seen during his tour. Having visited Milan, where, in addition to viewing its attractions, he bought some valuable books, he went to Como, and was gratified by finding there his friend W. S. Landor, with whom he remained three days. At Lugano, so delighted was he with the situation, the character of the scenery, and the softness of the climate, that he felt, were there no other causes of exception, it was there he would like to pitch his tent for the remainder of his days. Having crossed the lake, he entered the Simplon road. A glorious Alpine descent brought him into the Valais, the land of goîtres and crétins, which he found more numerous here than in the Maurienne. At Martigny a halt was made, in order to enable him and his party to cross over to Chamouny, where they had a full view of Mont Blanc in its most solitary and majestic glory.

Returning by the Tête Noir, which they passed on their road to Chamouny, and passing by Vevey and Lausanne, the travellers rested at Echichens for three days; then they went to Berne, and from thence struck into the Oberland, and travelled by land and water ten days, slept on the Rhigi, and halted at

212

GROSVENOR BEDFORD AT KESWICK.

Zürich. They made for home through the Black Forest, Frankfort, and Mentz, down the left bank of the Rhine to Cologne, and on to Brussels. Here Southey could not resist making large purchases of books, and amongst others the "Acta Sanctorum." From the capital of Belgium to England and Keswick the transit was easy and short.

Upon his return, Southey found the Lakers again around him, and he was compelled to continue the " idleness" which his tour had commenced. Among the company who visited the mountains and waters of Cumberland this year was his old friend and schoolfellow Grosvenor Bedford, who made a stay of some weeks at Keswick. For a short time his hearth had also been enlivened by the presence of John Rickman. These friends could seldom make it practicable to reach so far as Greta Hall during their annual excursions, and this gave to their hurried and occasional visits, when they did occur, a peculiar charm, and called into exercise the warmest feelings of mutual estimation and regard.

A REJECTED OFFER.

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CHAPTER XVII.

Offer of Librarianship of the Advocates' Library, EdinburghHis present Powers, his future Prospects-Birth of a SonMethod of Study-History of Brazil-Visit to ScotlandJohn Morgan-Bequest of a Lunatic-Biographical HoaxLife of Wesley-Visit to Wales-Degree of LL. D.-Literary Labours-Shelley-Life of George Fox-Death of Nash the Artist-Roderic, dernier Roi des Goths-Death of Miss Tyler.

IN the spring of 1818, a situation, with a salary of 400l. per annum, was offered to Southey, which seems at first adapted to his previous habits and known desires. This was the office of Librarian to the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh, with the labour of making a catalogue alone attached to it. His refusal to accept so advantageous a post-a post that in the earlier part of his life he would have considered adequate to his largest ambition-shows how firmly rooted all his associations for Keswick had become. He was also reluctant to remove further from his friends; and the remuneration he received for his labours-and there was no lack of employment was as fair as he could expect.