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.