1462. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 94–95.
[London]
Dec 16. 1843
When I was a little girl & taken to a child’s party, my gratitude weighed so heavily on me that struggling under its awfully apprehended necessity through the depths of my shyness, & blushing scarlet red, I made my way up to my hostess & said gaspingly over my curtsey, “I thank you for this pleasant evening”. My grave agony under her smile, I remember unpleasantly to this moment—but you, my dearest friend, will let me thank you for a pleasant fragment of a morning which your letter visited with pleasure,—& smile kindly or not at all! Such a long letter .. which is to do for ‘three’ you say—but I hope you may relent on that head! Because if it is worth three of the letters of people in general,—according to Flushie’s & my ‘arithmetic,’ it is’nt quite worth three of yours!–
Strange of Mrs Niven, never to mention to you her continental scheme—strange! But I see that it would not have suited you to go with her—& also that you wd rather stay at home than go with any person. Do understand that my imagination never meditated your going abroad without Flushie. Without Flushie? I shd think not. When I go to Germany to smoke & take a master’s degree in mysticism, believe me that I shall never go without my Flushie. If I were to travel round the world, he shd go with me. In fact, my Flush has a decided taste for travelling; & you cannot know to the contrary of its ‘running in the family.’ My Flush leaps into the carriage with a zest which wd make you smile, & settles himself at the inns just like a confirmed traveller .. or philosopher. I should never think, I assure you, of either you or me leaving our Flushies behind us. [1]
Mr Kenyon returned home three days ago & left me the book of Mr Moxon’s prophecy. It is ‘Life in the sickroom—essays by an invalid[’]; & altho’ published anonymously, the author is Miss Martineau. [2] A little book, .. the effluence of a great mind—a beautiful & noble book,—full of the exaltation & serenity of Christian martyrdom. The interest both general & personal of it, is great—& its popularity will secure its usefulness. I certainly admire her more & more. The book it appears, has been a secret—mentioned to not one of her friends until she named it in a letter to Mrs Reid two days since. [3] At the same time nobody could read it for five minutes & retain a doubt upon the authorship. It is full of personal detail & noble application. To draw such a lesson for the world & all time from our infirmities, is a privelege beyond that of health & ordinary genius, & most worthy of reverence.
My dearest friend, I send in a little cardbox to you today, the long promised frock for K’s child.
Your rheumatism still haunts you I fear. Do mention it more particularly when you write.
Dear Mr Kenyon came to see me yesterday, & I was delighted to have him back again even for a few days—only a few days, as he is on the verge of setting out for Devonshire again where however he will not remain very long. He met, the day before yesterday I think, Mrs Southey at dinner at Longman’s, [4] & seemed pleased with the sensibility he perceived in her. Her immediate object in coming to town, is said to be Mr Lough’s bust of her husband, which Lough is at work on now—it is called fine & resembling .. & she was content. [5]
I mean to write again very soon.
Forgive me any more today. I wrote only to tell you of the frock.
May God bless you.
Ever your affectionate
EBB.
In regard to the too interesting & unnameable subject, I know nothing about the publishers you mention—but, wd not Mr Horne be likely to know?
Address: Miss Mitford / Three Mile Cross / Near Reading.
Publication: EBB-MRM, II, 361–363.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Flush did, of course, travel to and from France and Italy with EBB and RB during their married years.
2. See letter 1448 for “Mr. Moxon’s prophecy.”
3. Miss Martineau’s particular friend (see letter 1345, note 3).
4. It is not clear whether this was Thomas Longman (1804–79) or his brother William (1813–77); both were associated with the family publishing business.
5. See the previous letter.
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