1485. EBB to Thomas Westwood

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 133.

50 Wimpole Street

Jan 2. 1843 [sic, for 1844]. [1]

Thank you my dear Mr Westwood for all your kindness– I do not hesitate to do myself pleasure by accepting the book; [2] & when it comes, I shall gladly associate it with other expressions of your kind feeling for me–

If this is written very briefly, it is that I cannot wait for the sake of being able to write at large– I have received Melvill, [3] —& the verbena leaves .. how full of fragrance! Thank you much!–

How much I am touched by your cordial words, it is hard to say—but you & your friends must try to believe the fact of it: while Poetry stands over for another day–

Your obliged & faithful

Elizabeth B Barrett.

I hope the book may have reached you before this letter does– [4]

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: British Library.

1. This letter was included in vol. 6 (as no. 1111), but it is now apparent that it is a response to letter 1484, and was misdated by EBB.

2. Beads from a Rosary (1843), which was included in Browning Collections (see Reconstruction, A2445).

3. The sermons promised by Westwood in letter 1473. As previously noted (letter 991, note 3), “Melvill of the Golden Mouth” was the author of numerous published sermons; it is not possible to deduce which of his works EBB refers to.

4. The volume of Horne’s tragedies, acknowledged by Westwood in letter 1501.

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