1291. Benjamin Robert Haydon to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 192–193.
London
June 18 1843
My sweet Unseen /
I daresay you will be very angry at such a liberty—but consider if after six months writing I am not entitled to the distinction of being allowed it.
What are you about?, & when am I to see you? The Weather is settled, & every thing contributing to render your recovery secure–
On dit, there [are] 170 Cartoons! [1] a Commissioner told me about 30, were an honor to the Country—that the Prince was astonished, at the Genius & power of historical composition displayed.
Have I not always said so? Give them a higher demand & you will have works equal to it–
Most of these productions have been executed by young Men who have been getting a scanty living by doing any thing for any body, & perhaps instead of being encouraged to persevere will be allowed to sink back again to do any thing for any body, that they may not starve—— I hope not– If properly wielded, into a road for regular devellopement the Genius of England will come forth in majesty & power—but if frittered away, in a parcel of disjointed Efforts without plan or principle I foresee the result. The curse of the Nation is a hatred of any superiority– Wealth, rank, Genius or Monarch–
My dear Child is varying but no cough– What a dear sweet girl!—do you know when I pray for her recovery it sticks in my throat– [2] I felt in that dreary but positive hour (the interval hour between midnight & day break) as if she was too pure to be allowed to remain!—God knows– I could not pray, with the ardor I always do for my Ambition!
We go to Harrow today to see Byrons Tombstone [3] & autograph [4] —& to amuse her, as she reads him with such interest–
Harrow I went [to] at my marriage—& it has many of my earlier associations–
God bless you
B R Haydon
What do you think of putting Journal in as appendix—altogether[?]
Miss B B–
Address: Miss B Barrett / 50 Wimpole St.
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 113–114.
Manuscript: University of Vermont.
1. The exhibition catalogue listed a total of 140 entries.
2. Cf. Macbeth, II, 2, 30.
3. “Again I behold where for hours I have ponder’d, / As reclining, at eve, on yon Tombstone I lay” (Byron, “On a Distant View of the Village and School of Harrow on the Hill, 1806,” lines 13–14). The grave was that of John Pechey or Peachey (1655–1716) but was called by the boys of Harrow School Byron’s tomb, because of his fondness for the spot.
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