1434. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 46.
38 Finsbury Sqr
Tuesday– [14 November 1843] [1]
My dear Miss Barrett, are we sufficiently cooled down to turn over the leaves of the enclosed? They are, for the most part, scarce, little known—and I believe some of them were never published.
As we both admire their author, I should be glad if you would—on a page or two of note paper (written on one side only) give me your opinion of them—saying all you can of them conscientiously that is good. No sort of analysis wanted—but a poet and scholar’s opinion of a Brother. Anything else of Landor’s other works, and his genius, which occurs to your pen, put it down by all means. I shall supply the rest. [2]
How shall I reward the good faith of your silence in the recent smoke raised by people making “guesses”—or how make amends for any doubts of your trustworthy dumbness? Shall I now and then let you see a most secret proof. But if I do, it must be solely for your sole eye. Swear!
I am going out of town for a few days.
Yours truly
R.H.H.
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. This letter falls between no. 1425 ([6 November]), the most recent of the letters exchanged on the subject of the alleged disclosure of EBB’s part in A New Spirit of the Age, and no. 1437 ([20 November]), in which Horne says he has received EBB’s comments on Landor. Horne’s reference to being “sufficiently cooled down” (after EBB’s indignation at his thinking her responsible for making known her co-operation) suggests this date.
2. Fragments of EBB’s contribution on Landor, with Horne’s additions and alterations, are listed in Reconstruction (D1310–13).
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