1392. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 351–352.

38 Finsbury Sq.

Octr 4/43

My dear Miss Barrett– I am in the field again—a Publisher has betted money on my hand! [1]

Any biographical sketch of yourself with which you would entrust me, I sh’d be glad to have—confidentially, of course, and shall thus say no more on that point than you wished. Also the list of your works, and their dates of publication. [2]

I heard that you had lost your pet, the other day—but soon, I heard, had recovered him. [3] Did you idealize the event in verse? I shd like to see.

Yours truly

R.H.H.

P.S. Oh I had nearly forgotten. Have you a good portrait of yourself which you (or any of your family) would allow to be engraved by the artists of this new work. [4] You will be in ‘good company’ you know—or I shd never ask you—but I do, and much wish it.

P.S. 2nd Is Mr Kenyon in town? I believe he is intimate with Macaulay, (Honble T. B.) is he not? I want Macaulay’s portrait. I greatly admire him.

P.S. Would you “sit” or “recline” to Miss M. Gillies, if the Publishers agree to engage this lady to paint you?

Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St / Cavendish Sq.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Horne enclosed a small broadside announcing A New Spirit of the Age in preparation. The publisher was given as George Smith of Cornhill.

2. See letter 1393 for EBB’s response to these requests.

3. See letters 1378–1380.

4. EBB declined to provide a likeness of herself (see letter 1393).

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