420. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 310–311.
Hope End.
Monday. [30 May 1831] [1]
I have just sent a poem of mine on the King, to the Times newspaper,—and if they put it in, I will send it to you in company with my prophecy that you wont like it. [2] But its loyalty will at any rate be worthy of your notice,—& I never wrote anything half so historical in all my life. I have seen Mr Curzon, & delivered your message, before Papa. Mr Curzon looked surprised on hearing of your “whereabouts”,—but his only remark was, “Well—I must contrive to pay Mr Boyd a visit, in spite of my engagements, before I go to London”—or something to that effect. He has to attend several Bible meetings next week, & goes to London the week after. So you will probably see him in the course of the present week,—but he dines here on Thursday.
They have been changing clergymen at Craddley. [3] The Dean of St Asaph [4] wished to nominate one, & the congregation was anxious about another,—so anxious, that they sent up a petition to the Dean praying him to yield the point to them. The Dean threw down the petition, & said Pooh. “Mr Dean” observed the bearer of it—“that is not the way in which King William treats petitions!” The Dean not only read, but granted, what he had thrown down a moment before!! Papa asked the teller of this story, why Mr Davis was the popular candidate. “Why Sir” was the answer, “ye see the other parson does not speak well. He draps his voice at the end of his sentiments.” (sentences)
Have you heard that Mr Knowles is elected after all … by Miss Emma Pocock, to whom he was married a few days ago? [5] It was in our newspaper yesterday.
We are going to send the carriage to Ledbury today,—& if it can be mended in time, & if it does not snow, we shall be at Ruby Cottage tomorrow. Last night Papa talked of nobody & nothing but you & Ruby Cottage. They are waiting for my note,—so I must drap my pen at the end of this sentiment. I drapped the ink before!– My love to Mrs Boyd & Annie who I hope received a letter from Hope End, tho’ two days after the post for which it was intended—but that was not my fault.
Yours affectionately
E B Barrett.
Publication: EBB-HSB, pp. 138–139.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Dated by the marriage announcement, carried in The Times on 28 May.
2. Her poem, “Kings,” was printed in The Times on 31 May.
3. Cradley, about 4 miles N.E. of Hope End.
4. Charles Scott Luxmoore (1794?–1854), eldest son of John Luxmoore (1756–1830), Bishop of Hereford 1808–15.
5. Entry 352 of the Marriage Register of St. George’s, Hanover Square, London, records the marriage on 26 May 1831 of Francis Charles Knowles to Emma Pocock, fourth daughter of Sir George Pocock, Bt.
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