1250. EBB to Hugh Stuart Boyd
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 135–136.
[London]
May 18. 1843–
My very dear friend, yes, you have surprised me!–
I always have thought of you, and I always think & say, that you are truthful & candid in a supreme degree—and therefore it is not your candour about Wordsworth, which surprises me–
He had the kindness to send me the poem upon Grace Darling when it first appeared: and with a curious mixture of feelings (for I was much gratified by his attention in sending it) I yet read it with so much pain from the nature of the subject, [1] that my judgment was scarcely free to consider the poetry,—I could scarcely determine to myself what I thought of it from feeling too much.
But ... I do confess to you my dear friend, that I suspect, .. through the mist of my sensations, .. the poem in question to be very inferior to his former poems– I confess that the impression left on my mind is, of its decided inferiority .. and I have heard that the poet’s friends & critics (all except one!) are mourning over its appearance,—sighing inwardly, “Wordsworth is old.”
One thing is clear to me however, and over that, I rejoice & triumph greatly! If you can esteem this poem of “Grace Darling”, you must be susceptible to the grandeur & beauty of the poems which preceded it,—and the cause of your past reluctance, to recognize the poet’s power, must be, as I have always suspected, from your having given a very partial attention & consideration to his poetry– You were partial in your attention—I perhaps, was injudicious in my extracts! but with your truth & his genius, I cannot doubt but that the time will come for your mutual amity!– Oh! that I could stand as a herald of peace, with my wool-twisted fillet! [2] I do not understand the Greek metres as well as you do, but I understand Wordsworth’s genius better! and do you forgive that it should console me!
I will ask about his collegian extraction– [3] Such a question never occurred to me! Apollo taught him under the laurels, while all the Muses looked through the boughs.
Your very affectionate
Elizabeth B Barrett.
Oh yes! it delights me that you shd be nearer! Of course you know that Wordsworth is laureate.
Address: H S Boyd Esqr / 21 Downshire Hill / Hampstead.
Publication: LEBB, I, 141–142.
Manuscript: Wellesley College.
1. Dealing with the rescue of people after a shipwreck, the poem would have reminded EBB of Bro’s loss at sea.
2. The vitta, a woollen band sometimes knotted with ribbons, was worn by priests and sacrificial victims or as a sign of supplication.
3. Wordsworth had attended St. John’s, Cambridge in 1787–89.
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