1785. EBB to Anna Brownell Jameson

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 276.

50 Wimpole Street

Friday. [13 December 1844] [1]

My dear Mrs Jameson

It is a disappointment to me to be forced to deny myself the pleasure you offer me. I am very tolerably well, but the cold has caused my voice to vanish away into such a whisper (not an unusual affection with me) that I do not dare to venture on any conversation. The intense cold cannot last, & I bear up boldly on the whole, & hope to be audible again with the thaw– The worst is, .. to lose you today. But to consent to the loss, is wise perhaps .. as all particularly disagreeable things are apt to be.

Only .. may I say .. do not give me up for this—& let me retain the hope of seeing you again before long. I am sorry that you shd have suffered from the sudden, severe change of weather—but cannot wonder at it.

I had a beautiful note from Miss Martineau yesterday– She says, (in relation to the painful publicity thrust upon her) that she thinks of Godiva. She is a noble creature, & worthy of thinking of Godiva—is she not?

I remain, dear Mrs Jameson,

most truly yours,—with a

grateful sense of your kindness,—

Elizabeth B Barrett

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by reference to Miss Martineau’s letter of 10 December (no. 1781).

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