1308. EBB to Benjamin Robert Haydon
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 216–217.
[London]
July 2. 1843.
My dear friend I return your letter according to your desire––but I see through my fears, .. & do beseech you to pause & consider the circumstances, before you give your heart to the public or indicate it by a gesture, on the present occasion. It will be said of you,––“Because he is a disappointed man, he speaks as an angry man”.– You will have less influence; & a dishonor will be done, beyond what an enemy cd effect alone, upon the dignity of your position. [1]
Forgive me! It is my interest for you that is insolent in my words to you!– If you can “cheer in the Hall”, [2] ... cheer to be a Spartan in your exultation!—but a kiss or a sneer from your lips at the actual moment, may be caught up & retorted.
Ever faithfully yours
Elizabeth B Barrett.
Do tell me exactly what you think of the cartoons. I shall be impatient to hear. Did you return to me the third volume of Wilkie? I think not. Have you done with it—& may I have it?
Publication: EBB-BRH, pp. 120–121.
Manuscript: W.B. Pope.
1. From the context, it seems probable that Haydon had sent EBB a draft of a letter regarding the judges’ decision. Haydon recorded in his diary on 30 June that William Richard Hamilton had suggested that he write to Peel (Pope, V, 294).
2. We have not located the source of this quotation.
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