Correspondence

514.  EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 155.

74 Gloucester Place.

[December 1835] [1]

My dear Mr Boyd,

As George is going to do what I am afraid I shall not be able to do today,—namely to visit you,—he must take with him a few lines from Porsonia greeting, to say how glad I am to feel myself again at only a short distance from you, & how still gladder I shall be when the same room holds both of us. Dont be angry because I have not visited you immediately. You know,—or you will know if you consider,—I cannot open the window, and fly.

Papa & I were very much obliged to you for the poison [2] —& are ready to smile upon you whenever you give us the opportunity, as graciously as Socrates did upon his executioner. How much you will have to say to me about the Greeks,—unless you begin first to abuse me about the Romans,—& if you begin that, the peroration will be a very pathetic one, in my being turned out of your doors!—— Such is my prophecy!—

Papa has been telling me of your abusing my stanzas on Mrs Hemans’s death. [3] I had a presentiment that you would,—and behold, why I said nothing to you of them!—— Of course I maintain, versus both you & Papa, that they are very much to be admired,—as well as everything else proceeding from or belonging to me. [4] Upon which principle, I hope you will admire George particularly.

Believe me, dear Mr Boyd,

Your affectionate friend

E B Barrett.

Arabel’s & my love to Annie. Wont she come to see us?——

Address, on integral page: H S Boyd Esqr, / 3. Circus Road, / St. John’s Wood.

Publication: LEBB, I, 32–33.

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. EBB moved to London early in December.

2. A gift of tea.

3. “Stanzas Addressed to Miss Landon, and Suggested by Her ‘Stanzas on the Death of Mrs. Hemans’.”

4. Underscored three times.

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