1410. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 8.

[London]

Monday Mrg [Postmark: 23 October 1843]

Dear Miss Barrett. I am very glad indeed to see you take to the paper in question.

I forgot to say that perhaps in some measure we should make it a joint-stock, as I should add a few things here and there, if I see ‘room’ .. ‘Foliage’ did precede “Rimini[”] some years, I think. [1]

You will not forget the formal strength and didactico-critical dignity of Wordsworth’s prose—nor the charming instructiveness to the age of Leigh Hunt’s.

Lady Morgan and Mrs Hemans had portraits, in Chorley*—they will not have them therefore in the present work; nor substantive articles. But the names of all good spirits will be mentioned that can be recollected, or found space for.

There would be portraits of several—and there will not—because they are indisposed or have no portrait—or do not like ‘to sit.’ [2]

I am going to some public dinner, I expect, at Reading tomorrow– I shall see our friend Miss Mitford of course, and give your love.

Yours truly

RH.H.

*Leigh Hunt, & Harriet Martineau had not[.]

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

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Not so; Leigh Hunt’s volume of poetry, Foliage, was published in 1818, The Story of Rimini in 1816.

2. EBB, of course, being one of those who declined to provide a portrait.

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