351. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 210–212.
[Hope End]
Wednesday. [30 September 1829] [1]
My dear Mr Boyd,
I received your letter yesterday, & acknowledged it by a few lines which I thought I had an opportunity of sending to Malvern; but before they were finished, the opportunity went away in the shape of Mr Trant’s gig—and now I shall begin again. Even now I can write only a few lines. I wished to go thro’ the orations to which you referred me, & to look over the Treatise On reading the works of the Gentiles, [2] before post time, that I might be able to write about them to you. I find it to be in vain—the post is going,—so I am forced to delay writing about them, tho’ I cannot delay writing on other subjects.
You have probably heard that before my last letter to you was written, it was all over at Foxley—Sir Uvedale Price was no more. They knew about it here, but put off telling me what was likely to give so much pain,—and on this account I did not hear till my letter to you was gone. His very advanced age, & the little probability there could have been of his retaining, with life, those faculties which make life worth regard, are consoling circumstances. There is indeed much that calls for consolation. Literature and his literary & personal friends have lost much—his poor daughter has lost everything. I had a letter from her & from his son yesterday, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that they are as resigned as human nature can be under such a blow. Among my many causes of deep regret, is the thought, that I can now no longer hope to make you known to each other. I think you would have liked him,—& I know that he would have liked you. But upon this, there is no use dwelling.
Somebody has just interrupted me by announcing a second opportunity of sending to Malvern, & thro’ Mr Trant again—so I will conclude abruptly. I must tell you, tho’, of Papa’s coming home suddenly & unexpectedly last Sunday. Can you imagine a part of the surprise & happiness? He has brought your coins which I have in my possession. [3] As it is some time, since you told me to keep them for you, you may have changed your mind about it,—in which case, let me know,—that I may deliver them up to you immediately.
With regard to our visitor, your word endure was surely a misprint for indulge. I have been indulged instead of being enduring,—& I think that, in your heart, you cannot do otherwise than know this. Even if there were nothing to like & love abstractedly, there would be relatively,—& besides you cannot think how much good she does me in offering an irresistible inducement for staying down stairs & walking out. What a scribble this is, & what a hurry it is scribbled in!
Give my love to Mrs Boyd—& believe me dear Mr Boyd
Your ever sincere friend—
E B Barrett.
Address, on integral page: H. S. Boyd Esqr / Gt Malvern.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 80–81.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Dated by reference to Price’s death, 14 September 1829, and the arrival of EBB’s father from London the previous Sunday, the 27th. The latter date is confirmed by a letter from Samuel to Henrietta dated 30 September 1829 (SD708).
2. MPG, 31, 563–590.
3. Edward Moulton-Barrett wrote Henrietta, 31 July 1829, (SD703): “Tell Ba, I have in possession the parcel from Mrs. Mathews for Mr. Boyd. I found the lady agreeable & decidedly very pious, but clearly not so alarmingly advanced in years, as to fear her immediate departure from length of days; she appears to be about 50.”
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