1261. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 152.
36 New Broad St
May 26 / 43
My dear Miss Barrett, I think I am a note in your debt. I should have written in reply to your last word—but have been vexatiously unwell. I went to see my mother [1] at Brighton, and could not get away. As the mail train is only 2 hours in making the journey, I might have written when there, I know, but I did not. And that is why you have never received a note. So you see how it is.
Perhaps I might have added, this besides being unwell, I have also been hard at work. My last original is just out of hand. I got tired of criticism—and lo! I have done a thing myself. You will see an advertis[e]ment in the Athenæum, Lity Gazztte, or Examiner, tomorrow evening which will give you a novel sensation. [2] At first you will not believe your eyes. After making speculations, you will perhaps recollect that America declared me not to be in an accessible form. Now, you shall see what America will say? There, many will say ‘Horne has gone mad’—with some other pleasant assertions and opinions, for which I am prepared. The problem must solve itself.
Your Own Miss Barrett
R.H.H.
P.S. But what can have become of the volume of poems you were going to publish? No sooner did you find a publisher, and discover that you were not obliged to lose money, than you withdrew with an air of offended dignity– Where are those poems? You can throw the same amount of money away, all the same, you know? Any publisher will receive it if you insist upon it.
P.S. Have you sent your Volume to America to be published?
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St / Cavendish Sq.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Maria Horne (née Partridge, 1784–1847) was widowed in 1810.
2. The Examiner of 27 May (p. 336) advertised “On Monday next, Orion, an Epic Poem, in Three Books. By R.H. Horne … Price One Farthing.” The Athenæum, The Literary Gazette, and other magazines carried a similar notice.
___________________
