1186. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 19–20.
City (—in the Copper.) [1]
[Postmark: 24 March 1843]
I can’t tell you how very glad I am at what you tell me concerning Miss Mitford, and also to find that the Litry Fund has behaved as it ought. [2] But only to think of your proposing me a large audience in America! To write poetry for America—and to be paid for writing poetry!
The eye of man hath not heard, his ear imagined, nor his nose calculated anything so unexpected as this dream! Besides it even looks real—for you name the pay! Lastly, to think of my making some money through your agency—and that we should be associated in money-making—and by Poetry—and just what poems we please—and forthwith! O! Yes—(I have wiped my forehead—) Yes—I will write poetry for America. But perhaps they will not have me! I quite forgot that. They want you. It is quite another thing your proposing a friend, also. Shall I send you copies of any of my doings to send them? Look! perhaps they really know not my name—nor care to know. I am recovering my senses.
What would the ‘Gentlemen of the Court’ who are just gone and left me alone ‘at the Board’ (in the Copper) think of me as a Director could they but have seen my recent state of anticipation. By the by, Elliot [3] told me to day that they had got 1800£ for Miss Mitford—I understood him to say that sum. What joy. As for the Church Quarterly do not reprove me for attempting to introduce Christianity among them– [4]
Yours ever
H.
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St / Cavendish Sq.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Horne’s references to his being a Director and to the “Gentlemen of the Court” suggest that he was writing from the offices of the Governor and Company of the Copper Miners of England in Old Broad Street, although we have found no other specific evidence of this being one of his professional interests; EBB’s mention of his being a director of a South American mine company (letter 1292) might be relevant.
2. i.e., in making a contribution to Miss Mitford’s subscription.
3. G.H. Elliott was one of the signatories of the subscription appeal.
4. This suggests that Horne was the author of the unsigned article, “The Principles of Christian Reviewing,” in The Church of England Quarterly Review (January 1843, pp. 137–153).
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