132. Mary Moulton-Barrett to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 129–130.
[Hope End]
[ca. June 1821] [1]
My dear Elizth
That you may not be disappointed of your daily despatch, I must blot this unhappy half sheet– would it were to have a better fate than to be the bearer of the ignoble productions of a pen under the soporific dominion of a wet day, & sick room!– the good tidings from thence however will be a sure passport to your favor for all my dullness, as I can so comfortably confirm the good report I made an hour or two ago of our beloved Addles to Papa– She is going on very well, with Minny patting her, which she seems to consider an absolute essential, to a sick bed; there never was such a little cozy coaxing invalid; She is very uneasy lest you should think her unkind not to write, but I venture to answer for you! Indeed my beloved girl, I was grieved to hear you have been at last obliged to submit to Cupping, of which you had such a dread, but a dread no longer I trust, if it has been of the use to you which I pray it may– Never did any thing try my patience more, than the perversity of this post, taking as long a time to bring a letter from G[loucester]. as from London! Yes, this poor little stock of patience of mine is still more tried by being this long time without seeing you tho’ so near, but necessity speaks in the imperative mood & the mind somehow, finds obedience– If I have only the blessing to see my Elizth better, it will be tenfold compensation for every anxious minute.– Great joy has been diffused over every countenance by the news that the poney is sent for to bring dear Bro to pay us a visit, for such it must be, while his dearer Ba is at G. & a short one too I suppose—there has been great alacrity at lessons to have less to do tomorrow, & Stormy has been fagging to complete his verbs, before the joyful arrival of the paragon of learning. You must not expect to hear for a day or two from Hentta as she is so covered with measles from top to toe that it will be impossible for her to put her hands out of bed– her cough is a great deal better, & she is going on very well—but yesterday she had many troubles which your pleasant little visit of measles did not exhibit– Minny, amongst her other perfections, turns out to be an excellent French Cook as Hentta pronounces, after eating the other day, some potatoes à Maitre d’Hotel which she insisted on her preparing for her– Not so well does she like the barley water, & other measles diet, which she terribly scorns, & sometimes scolds us, before she will condescend to touch it– I cannot say my beloved Ba how grievously I am disappointed not to have a line today, as I conclude Papa is not coming by the moneys being sent for only today. Love to all Woodyatt [2] is on the wing, & I can only wish my beloved Elizth good night!—
Tuesday
How much I should thank Frost if she would enquire of your hostess at Dowlings [3] or elsewhere, whether there is a chance of getting places for two young girls, who rather than not go out, would for the first year, be contented almost without wages; In some of the tradesmens families in your gay city, such places might be heard of– they are both strong & willing enough to work, & can also work neatly at their needle—they are Betsey Willis, [4] & one of the Browns; that poor widow [5] has five daughters at home, & is unable to maintain them.
Address, on integral page: S. M Barrett Esqr MP– / Spa Hotel / Gloucester.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Reference to Henrietta’s having caught measles from EBB places this letter early during the latter’s removal to Gloucester.
2. William Woodyatt lived at Home-End, Ledbury, and in this instance was obviously being used as a courier.
3. Mr. Dowling was the proprietor of a hotel in Gloucester. In a letter of 24 August 1821 to Henrietta (SD400), Mary Moulton-Barrett speaks of a visit to Gloucester by the King, when “the Mayor & Aldermen, the Dean & Prebendaries all arrayed in their robes, were assembled at Dowlings, all the richest fare that time allowed spread out, the inhabitants crowding the Streets & bells ringing. When lo & behold his Majesty had the cruelty to drive as fast as his horses would carry him thro’ the Town, without taking notice of any body in it. The Aldermen tried to comfort themselves for the affront by Eating up the Royal Collation, & the disappointed crowd by Abuse. Dear Bro was of the latter Class.”
4. Thought to be the Betsy who earlier worked in the Hope End nursery (see letter 73).
5. Mrs. Brown was the tenant of Cummins Farm, about a mile east of Hope End.
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