Correspondence

1158.  Hugh Stuart Boyd to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 6, 335–336.

Wednesday Evening– [22 February 1843] [1]

My very dear Friend,

I should most probably have written to you yesterday evening, but a young friend whom I expected, did not come. I am quite sure, that you wish me to say exactly what I think, about your five Poems. I tell you candidly, that they do not please me. With respect to the Cry of the Human, I ought to state, that I do not understand it; unless perhaps, a few words near the beginning. There is a good deal in the Sonnets, that I do not understand. I think that the following passage in one of the Sonnets, is fine. God did anoint Thee with His odorous oil; To wrestle, not to reign. [2] From hence, to the end of the Sonnet, it appears to me to be fine, in the language and versification; but I certainly do not understand its meaning. I liked very much, the Review of Miss Barrett. [3] As far as I remember; it gives a more correct and complete account of her genius and learning, than any which I have read. She well knows what I think of her on the whole. I trust, that she will merely despise, and not be annoyed by what must appear to her, extraordinary stupidity. I assure you upon my honor, that you are quite mistaken, when you suppose I do not like Ossian, as much as I did a short time ago– I think I told you, that I liked Carrick-thura [4] less than the other Poems which I had been reading. I have gone through it again, and I think it much finer than before. But I hope to write again about Ossian.

Kind love [to] Arabel

Ever yours affectionately

H.S. Boyd.

Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett / 50. Wimpole Street / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. This letter is postmarked 24 February 1843, a Friday.

2. Lines 5 and 6 of “What are we set on earth for?” (titled “Work” when reprinted in Poems, 1844).

3. In Graham’s Magazine; for the text of the review, see pp. 379–380.

4. Sic, for “Carric-thura.”

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