Correspondence

1024.  EBB to Mary Russell Mitford

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 104.

[London]

Oct. 14– 1842.

Is it clear at last? I am clear that I am born never to be understood. But send it back again my beloved friend, I beseech you, in the case of your hesitating a moment as to the meaning or any other quality. I speak of the verse enclosed. [1] I would beat my brains—‘cudgel’ them, as Shakespeare says, [2] —if it wd do them any good. A pretty ‘poet’ indeed,—to be called by that name, or praised by any!–

Dearest friend, how I do grieve for you! It is a hard, hard trial! Do not, I beseech you do not, throw your health away unavailingly, by watching close to him when he sleeps & cannot be sensible of your presence. Trust K_____—and when she is weary—why not leave it to Marianne, with another person to watch her? [3] With two persons left in the room, though one of them be not trustworthy, there can be no wise reason for anxiety: and the mere nervous reason, my beloved friend will have force of mind to resist.

Did you ever try chloride of lime [4] —which is used in cases of infection, & sometimes of house-painting,—to overcome one smell with another which is not agreeable? Ask Mr May. I sent Crow to enquire among the chemists what is the best overcomer of smells, & the most potent,—and the answer is lavender water which of course you have, or these enclosed pastiles. [5] And so, you must tell me if the pastiles answer, & I will send you more instantly. Will you accept from me besides, some good lavender water, or eau de Cologne? wd either be of any use? Because I cd send them with the grapes, in a day or two. Answer me dearest Miss Mitford! and love

Your ever attached &

sympathizing

EBB–

Publication: EBB-MRM, II, 47.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. No verse remains with the letter. It was probably another attempt on either Rogers or Döbler, as revised versions of both exist in EBB’s notebook in the Berg Collection (see Reconstruction, D336 and D817).

2. Hamlet, V, 1, 56.

3. EBB has apparently gained the impression that it was Marianne who had taken to drink and required watching, but this is not supported by Miss Mitford’s report to Miss Harrison (see letter 1022, note 16); there she says the drinker was a “servant who, for seven years, has attended my poor, dear father”; Marianne had only recently joined the household.

4. Used as a disinfectant and fumigant.

5. A pellet of aromatic paste, burned as a disinfectant or deodorizer (OED).

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