118. EBB to Charles John Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 113–114.
[Hope End]
[ca. March 1821] [1]
My dearest Sir,
Neglect you? not for worlds! but at the same time let me tell you that I accuse you of shameful dereliction (tell Puppy to explain that long word) from your political principles! “How is that pray Ba”? you will exclaim with your ugly little nose cocked up and your eyes on fire with indignation! Why Mr Storm I will tell you how that comes to pass! Because Sir you have not obeyed my positive commands. For this half hour have I been employed in examining the list of prisoners in the newspapers and have been reading with a penetrating eye the names of those condemned to the gallows! Of course I expected to see “Master Charles John Barrett aged 6 years” at the head of them! But no! you were not even mentioned in the papers as being taken up for a slight riot—for a triffling row—or even for breaking my Lord Castlereaghs kitchen window!– Pray Sir what is the use of singing Wallace till you are hoarse [2] —what is the use of professing radical principles if you do not act up to them? A sudden thought has struck me!! I really believe that you are afraid of being hanged! If you are, let me tell you Sir that you are unworthy of the cause! Nothing is more pleasant than that little tickling sensation about the throat caused by the friction of a rope! And then such a delightful view from the top of Newgate! [3] I hope this consideration will have some weight with you if you are not influenced by any nobler sentiment and I trust that I shall ere long read this paragraph in the newspapers!
“This morning Master Storm Barrett a young man of prepossessing appearance was launched into eternity! He was remarkable by the air degageè [4] with which he stepped his head into the noose”–
Adieu my dear Fellow
Your affecte Ba——
Address, on integral page: Master Storm Barrett–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Storm reached age six on 28 December 1820. He apparently was in London at the time of this letter, and letter 125 shows that he was there in March 1821.
2. From the context of the letter, it is assumed that the reference here is to Thomas Wallace (1768–1844), Member of Parliament 1790–1827, an advocate of various reforms.
3. The infamous prison of the City of London, finally abandoned in 1880 and demolished in 1902.
4. “Off-hand manner.”
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