Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey | Page 8

some
seasons were plunged deep in the waters of adversity, but halcyon days
awaited them: and even those sons of merit and misfortune whose
pecuniary troubles were more permanent, in the dimness of
retrospection, only stand out invested in softer hues.
Cervantes is not the less read, because the acclamations of praise were
heard by him in his abode of penury. Butler, Otway, Collins, Chatterton,
and Burns, and men like them, instead of suffering in public estimation
from the difficulties they encountered, absolutely challenge in every
generous mind an excess of interest from the very circumstances that
darkened the complexion of their earthly prospects.
In corroboration of this remark, in our own day, the son of Crabbe, who
must have cherished the deepest solicitude for his father's reputation,
has laid bare to general inspection his parent's early perplexities, by
which impartial disclosures we behold the individual in his deepest
depressions; worth enriched by trial, and greatness, by a refining
process, struggling successfully with adversity. Does the example of
such a man nobly bearing up against the pressures that surrounded him
inflict obduracy on our hearts? On the contrary, while we feelingly
sympathize with the poet, and deplore the tardy hand of deliverance, we
pause only to transfer a reflex portion of praise to him whose
magnanimous conduct has furnished so ample a scope for the tenderest

emotions of our nature. This reflection will induce me not to withhold
from false delicacy, occurrences, the disclosure of which none but the
inconsiderate will condemn; and by which all the features of Mr.
Coleridge's character will be exhibited to the inspection of the
inquisitive and philosophical mind.
I proceed, therefore, to state that the solicitude I felt lest these young
and ardent geniuses should in a disastrous hour, and in their mistaken
apprehensions, commit themselves in this their desperate undertaking,
was happily dissipated by Mr. Coleridge applying for the loan of a little
cash,--to pay the voyager's freight? or passage? No,--LODGINGS.
They all lodged, at this time, at No. 48, College-Street. Never did I lend
money with such unmingled pleasure, for now I ceased to be haunted
day and night with the spectre of the ship! the ship! which was to effect
such incalculable mischief! The form of the request was the following:
My dear Sir,
Can you conveniently lend me five pounds, as we want a little more
than four pounds to make up our lodging bill, which is indeed much
higher than we expected; seven weeks, and Burnet's lodging for twelve
weeks, amounting to eleven pounds.
Yours, affectionately,
S. T. COLERIDGE.
Till this time, not knowing what the resources of my young friends
were, I could not wholly divest myself of fear; but now an effectual
barrier manifestly interposed to save them from destruction. And
though their romantic plan might linger in their minds, it was
impossible not to be assured that their strong good sense would
eventually dissipate their delusions.
Finding now that there was a deficiency in that material, deemed of the
first consequence in all civilized states, and remembering Burgh's
feeling lamentation over the improvidence, or rather the indifference
with which many men of genius regard the low thoughts that are
merely of a pecuniary nature, I began to revolve on the means by which
the two poets might advantageously apply their talents.
Soon after, finding Mr. Coleridge in rather a desponding mood, I urged
him to keep up his spirits, and recommended him to publish a volume
of his poems. "Oh," he replied, "that is a useless expedient." He
continued: "I offered a volume of my poems to different booksellers in

London, who would not even look at them! The reply being, 'Sir, the
article will not do.' At length, one, more accommodating than the rest,
condescended to receive my MS. poems, and, after a deliberate
inspection, offered me for the copy-right, six guineas, which sum, poor
as I was, I refused to accept." "Well," said I, "to encourage you, I will
give you twenty guineas." It was very pleasant to observe the joy that
instantly diffused itself over his countenance. "Nay," I continued,
"others publish for themselves, I will chiefly remember you. Instead of
giving you twenty guineas, I will extend it to thirty, and without
waiting for the completion of the work, to make you easy you may
have the money as your occasions require." The silence and the grasped
hand, showed that at that moment one person was happy.
Every incident connected with the lives of literary men, especially at
the commencement of their career, always excites interest. I have been,
therefore, the more particular in detailing this circumstance, (except for
its connexion, of no consequence) and proceed further to state, that now,
meeting Mr. Southey, I said to him, "I have engaged to give Mr.