Other communications have been promised to me which I shall take a future opportunity of acknowledging.
While, however, my materials from these sources have been most extensive, there must still be many individuals with whom I have not been able to communicate, who have corresponded with my father upon literary subjects; and, should this meet the eye of any of these gentlemen, they would confer a great obligation upon me by permitting me the use of any of his letters to them, which are likely sometimes to possess an interest different from those addressed to intimate friends and frequent correspondents.
I may say, in conclusion, that whatever defects these volumes may possess, I have the satisfaction of feeling that they will verify my father's own words,
words not uttered boastingly, but simply as the answer of a conscience void of offence both towards God and man," I have this conviction, that, die when I may, my memory is one of those which will smell sweet, and blossom in the dust."
CHARLES CUTHBERT SOUTHEY.