1149. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 319–320.
London
Feb. 9th 1843
Dearest Friend,
I am delighted you & your Cousin [1] are pleased—I believe it to be one of my most Successful Conceptions, & executions– Oh for 20 years Health, Sight & Brain my dear Miss Barrett!–
I have had some letters from Sir Samuel Meyrick, he says Chaucer was 17—& Gower 27—as Chaucer said when under examination as a Witness he was 40 years old 1386 [2] —this is very interesting—Gower shall go in but I fear I must put them both looking at the Sight in a balcony as they would not be in a crowd– [3] Can you lend me Chaucer’s works?—what is there of Gower to read—I am ignorant of my own Country in these points having dwelt more on Greek & Roman–
There is not enough of the Naked for me– It is all Costume & armour, & fleurs de lis & heraldic Lions– The faces & expressions & incidents are fine, but the Climate destroys the figure by Cloaks & Coifs, & Wimples, & hoods—the Naked Majesty of Nature is ruined–
I know Chaucer & think him an exquisite Genius—full of Nature fresh—pure, vigorous & simple.
Sir Samuel Meyrick seems brimming full of Knowledge in most Matters, and very Kind–
Where can I get a likeness of Gower in what Monumental Effigies?
If your Cousin or any of your Friends would like to see my Cartoons any Sunday from 2 till 4—I need not say how happy I shall be—— I have done the Prince’s Pony[.] [4] I met a beauty in St James St black & full of blood, & got the address– I have half done– The Trumpeter’s horse in the Blues [5] is to be the King John[’]s—that I go for to-morrow– I feel wings in my right hand!– I wish I was loose in St Paul’s Dome– Oh you dear Invisible Friend, I should soon make you come out! Shall I send you down a Port folio of Studies, Sketches & all sorts of things? Shall I send you my early book of Anatomical studies, which Eastlake the Landseers, & Lance [6] & all my Pupils [used] and which really has been the basis of a reform?—all this will amuse you & you may keep each 3 days–
Tell me, I never see your Sisters, any Sunday I shall be most happy, or any of your family—a Friend–
Ever Thine faithfully
B R Haydon
Miss B. Barrett
Address: Miss B. Barrett, / 50 Wimpole St
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 30–31.
Manuscript: University of Vermont.
1. In letter 1147, EBB had told Haydon Kenyon’s opinion of “Curtius Leaping into the Gulf.”
2. Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick (1783–1848), antiquary, was the author of A Critical Inquiry into Antient Armour (1824). His letter concerning the ages of Chaucer and Gower, together with others advising Haydon on details of clothing, armour, etc., can be found in Benjamin Robert Haydon: Correspondence and Table-Talk, ed. Frederic Wordsworth Haydon (1876, I, 435–439).
3. Haydon did include Chaucer and Gower as spectators in “The Black Prince Entering London” (see the sketch in letter 1171).
4. After defeating and capturing the King of France, Edward, Prince of Wales (1330–76), entered London with his captive on 24 May 1357; “the king, his prisoner, rode a fine white charger, while he was mounted on a little black hackney” (DNB).
5. The Royal Horseguards (The Blues) were so named because of their blue uniform, dating from 1661.
6. Haydon’s pupils included Charles Lock Eastlake (1793–1865), Thomas Landseer (1795–1880) and his brothers Charles (1799–1879) and Edwin (1802–73), and George Lance (1802–64).
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