Edith thanked you, in my name, for your valuable present of the ‘Peninsular War.’  I have read it with great delight:  it is beautifully written, and a most interesting story.  I did not notice a single sentiment or opinion that I could have wished away but one—­where you support the notion that, if the Duke of Wellington had not lived and commanded, Buonaparte must have continued the master of Europe.  I do not object to this from any dislike I have to the Duke, but from a conviction—­I trust, a philosophic one—­that Providence would not allow the upsetting of so diabolical a system as Buonaparte’s to depend upon the existence of any individual.  Justly was it observed by Lord Wellesley, that Buonaparte was of an order of minds that created for themselves great reverses.  He might have gone further, and said that it is of the nature of tyranny to work to its own destruction.[71]

[69] ‘The Excursion,’ published 1814.

[70] Memoirs, ii 10-11.

[71] As has been said by Demosthenes.

The sentence of yours which occasioned these loose remarks is, as I said, the only one I objected to, while I met with a thousand things to admire.  Your sympathy with the great cause is every where energetically and feelingly expressed.  What fine fellows were Alvarez and Albuquerque; and how deeply interesting the siege of Gerona!

I have not yet mentioned dear Sir George Beaumont.[72] His illness was not long; and he was prepared by habitually thinking on his latter end.  But it is impossible not to grieve for ourselves, for his loss cannot be supplied.  Let dear Edith stay as long as you can; and when she must go, pray come for her, and stay a few days with us.  Farewell.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W——.[73]

[72] Who died Feb. 7, 1827.

[73] Memoirs, ii. 20-1.

43._Of the Writings of Southey_.

LETTER TO G. HUNTLY GORDON, ESQ. 
                    Rydal Mount, May 14. 1829.

Mr. Southey means to present me (as usual) his ‘Colloquies,’ &c.  There is, perhaps, not a page of them that he did not read me in MS.; and several of the Dialogues are upon subjects which we have often discussed.  I am greatly interested with much of the book; but upon its effect as a whole I can yet form no opinion, as it was read to me as it happened to be written.  I need scarcely say that Mr. Southey ranks very highly, in my opinion, as a prose writer.  His style is eminently clear, lively, and unencumbered, and his information unbounded; and there is a moral ardour about his compositions which nobly distinguishes them from the trading and factious authorship of the present day.  He may not improbably be our companion in Wales next year.  At the end of this month he goes, with his family, to the Isle of Man for sea-air; and said, if I would accompany him, and put off the Welsh tour for another year, he would join our party.  Notwithstanding the inducement, I could not bring myself to consent; but as things now are, I shall remind him of the hope he held out.