327. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 175–176.
Hope End.
Saturday. [ca. November 1828] [1]
My dear friend,
Whenever you think that your letters can, under any circumstances, be otherwise than welcome to me, do let it occur to you that you are thinking wrong. Circumstances cannot change the nature—& unless my nature should be materially changed, it must continue to give me pleasure to read, whatever your time & inclination may enable you to write.
My father is, thank God, well & composed—& so are we all. I will prove to you how much better I am, by telling you that I have been reading in your Gregory this morning. I never can lose again what I have lost—& I never can forget what I have lost. Her voice is still sounding in my ears—her image is in my heart—& they are to be loved, however unreal they may be! But my Father’s fortitude has assisted mine. After all, his is the great affliction; & he has taught me to use exertion,—& God has enabled me to do so successfully.
I was going to answer Mr Barker’s letter when this change came, since which I have received another letter from him. [2] I am afraid that my silence may appear a want of attention,—and yet I really cannot, just now, force myself to write letters upon subjects & to persons, respecting which & whom, my mind with its present feelings—cannot help being indifferent– If you should be writing to him soon, will you mention to him, the cause of my silence?– I dare say he will forgive my not writing for some time longer, when he knows the cause.
You should have had a longer reply to your note,—but I have been interupted by Papa,—& obliged to talk instead of write. Now I will not venture upon detaining your messenger, who, I hope, did not bring back the books before you had done with them entirely.
Give my kind regards to Mrs Boyd—& always
believe me
Your sincere friend
E B Barrett.
Address, on integral page: Hugh Stuart Boyd Esqr / Malvern.
Publication: EBB-HSB, p. 63.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. This letter obviously was written not long after the death of Mary Moulton-Barrett. Its tone indicates placement between preceding and following letters.
2. Barker wrote a letter to EBB dated 8 September 1828 (MS with Harlan) which would be the first mentioned here. The next extant letter is dated 4 February 1829 (MS with Harlan).
___________________
