369. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 239–240.
[Hope End]
[Docket: March 1830]
My dear Mr Boyd,
I am quite well now, & am going to see you very soon, perhaps on Saturday. I would say certainly on Saturday or on some previous day; but I heard from Papa today, & he wishes me not to pay you a visit till we have ascertained at what time the Worcester dentist will be at liberty to receive my companions. I know the parcel which you describe, & will bring it with me. It appears to me a short eternity since I saw you last, so that I shall have even more pleasure than usual in going to Malvern—tho’ that looks hyperbolical, to my eyes, while I am writing.
I was just thinking of dismissing the parcel of Mr Barker’s books, booked, when Papa’s intention of leaving us became known to me. By him I sent the parcel, but I was not well or in the humour to write, & therefore sent it without a letter. [1] I hope my letter written since, may overtake the parcel, or I shall be considered a Goth or Esquimeaux or one of the Antipodes to any & every kind of civilization. Of course I would not send the epistolary antiquity which was written last October.
With regard to the visibility of the manuscript you are so kindly interesting yourself about, I will answer for it in a little time. Papa should have taken the papers to London, if I had been as well as usual some time previous to his setting out,—& now they must follow him when they are in a state to do so.
Your objection to the other house, amused me. I should like to see (tho’ not to ascend) the number of steps which is too great for you to remember!!
Papa desires that Bro should go with us, as an escort to the Worcester party, & poor Bro has been in no state for anything of the kind today, but I hope he will be convalescent by Saturday. Otherwise, I must, you see, wait for him.
Believe me
Your ever sincere friend
E B Barrett.
Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr
Docket, in unidentified hand: March 1830.
Publication: EBB-HSB, p. 100.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Samuel Moulton-Barrett reported to Henrietta that their father arrived in London on the morning of 24 February (letter of 26 February 1830, SD717). According to this letter, EBB was suffering from a cold when he left Hope End. Sam writes: “Ba’s books are gone to Mr. Valpey’s.”
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