1233. EBB to Benjamin Robert Haydon

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 111–112.

[London]

[?5] [May 1843] [1]

<***> must of course be regulated by the individual character, .. by his degree of strength of mind & serenity,—& very carefully regulated in such cases as the actual one, where to keep the spirits free from all agitation is so necessary to recovery– Wd she not bear to hear that her lungs are considered delicate? Wd that frighten her?

I fear, this will be a dreadful anxiety to poor Mrs Haydon. She is your only daughter,—is she not? and very beautiful? .. like her mother? Has she been long ill?–

Try to take courage & hope! and may God bless you in His will!–

Ever faithfully yours

EBB–

Miss Mitford shall hear—I am none the worse except by a bad night, for my laborious day yesterday.

Publication: EBB-BRH, p. 117 (as about 20 June 1843).

Manuscript: Wellesley College.

1. Dated by the previous letter, as EBB appears to be responding to Haydon’s statement that his daughter has not been told the specifics of her condition.

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