Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey | Page 6

and George Burnet, from Oxford, and
himself. "Well," I replied, "when do you set sail?" He answered, "Very
shortly. I soon expect my friends from the Universities, when all the
preliminaries will be adjusted, and we shall joyfully cross the blue
waves of the Atlantic." "But," said I "to freight a ship, and sail out in
the high style of gentlemen agriculturists, will require funds. How do
you manage this?" "We all contribute what we can," said he, "and I
shall introduce all my dear friends to you, immediately on their arrival
in Bristol."
Robert Lovell (though inexperienced, and constitutionally sanguine)
was a good specimen of the open frankness which characterizes the
well-informed members of the Society of Friends; and he excited in me
an additional interest, from a warmth of feeling, and an extent of
reading, above even the ordinary standard of the estimable class to
which he belonged. He now read me some of the MS. poems of his two
unknown friends, which at once established their genius in my
estimation.[2]
My leisure having been devoted for many years to reading and
composition, and having a small volume of Poems at that time in the

press, I anticipated great pleasure from an introduction to two poets,
who superadded to talents of a high order, all the advantages arising
from learning, and a consequent familiarity with the best models of
antiquity. Independently of which, they excited an interest, and
awakened a peculiar solicitude, from their being about so soon to leave
their father land, and to depart permanently for a foreign shore.
* * * * *
[Illustration: Portrait.]
* * * * *
One morning shortly after, Robert Lovell called on me, and introduced
Robert Southey. Never will the impression be effaced, produced on me
by this young man. Tall, dignified, possessing great suavity of manners;
an eye piercing, with a countenance full of genius, kindliness, and
intelligence, I gave him at once the right hand of fellowship, and to the
moment of his decease, that cordiality was never withdrawn. I had read
so much of poetry, and sympathized so much with poets in all their
eccentricities and vicissitudes, that, to see before me the realization of a
character, which in the abstract most absorbed my regards, gave me a
degree of satisfaction which it would be difficult to express.
I must now make a brief reference to George Burnet, who, in this
epidemic delusion, had given his sanction to, and embarked all his
prospects in life on this Pantisocratical scheme. He was a young man,
about the age of twenty; the son of a respectable Somersetshire farmer,
who had bestowed on him his portion, by giving him an University
education as an introduction to the Church, into which he would
probably have entered but for this his transatlantic pursuit of happiness.
His talents were not conspicuous, but his manners were unpresuming,
and honesty was depicted on his countenance. He possessed also that
habitual good temper, and those accommodating manners, which would
prove a desirable accession in any society; and it soon appeared,
without indicating any disrespect, that his was a subordinate part to act
in the new drama, and not the less valuable for its wanting splendour.
After some considerable delay, it was at length announced, that on the
coming morning Samuel Taylor Coleridge would arrive in Bristol, as
the nearest and most convenient port; and where he was to reside but a
short time before the favouring gales were to waft him and his friends
across the Atlantic. Robert Lovell at length introduced Mr. C. I

instantly descried his intellectual character; exhibiting as he did, an eye,
a brow, and a forehead, indicative of commanding genius. Interviews
succeeded, and these increased the impression of respect. Each of my
new friends read me his productions. Each accepted my invitations, and
gave me those repeated proofs of good opinion, ripening fast into
esteem, that I could not be insensible to the kindness of their manners,
which, it may truly be affirmed, infused into my heart a brotherly
feeling, that more than identified their interests with my own.
I introduced them to several intelligent friends, and their own merits
soon augmented the number, so that their acquaintance became
progressively extended, and their society coveted. Bristol was now
found a very pleasant residence; and though the ship was not engaged,
nor the least preparation made for so long a voyage, still the delights
and wide-spreading advantages of Pantisocracy formed one of their
everlasting themes of conversation; and, considering the barrenness of
the subject, it was in no common degree amusing, to hear these young
enthusiasts repel every objection to the practicability of their scheme,
and magnify the condition to which it was to introduce them; where
thorns and briars were, no doubt,