144. Edward Moulton-Barrett (brother) to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 141–142.
[Hope End]
December 27th 1821.
My ever dearest Ba
I sit down to give you a short account of last nights gaieties, (but it must be but a short one as I am very busily engaged in preparing the birthday ode for Stormy [1] which is tomorrow.) When we started from her<e> I rode my poney and Papa his horse it sno<wed> a little and I was well wrapt up with a pair of Papa’s gaters on as over-alls[.] we sat a little in the drawing room When dinner was anounced and after dinner Master Payton [2] brought out an elegant collection of mine<rals> and shells, tea soon after arrived with plenty of cake which I know will be very interesting to you to hear[.] after tea Mr Watts, [3] Papa, Mr Payton and Mrs Griffiths played a game at whist and Miss Glasco [4] and I played a[t] chess, supper then came in so that upon the whole I think I did very well. we did not get home till one o’clock in consequence of a hard frost the rodes [sic] were so slippery that Papa slid nearly the whole way however I suppose in consequence of my poney’s being ruff [sic] shod I did not slip once. Good bye my dearest Ba I must go and invoke my Muse
Ever believe me
your devotedly attache[d]
Bro—
Address, on integral page: S M Barrett Esqr M P. / Spa Hotel / Gloucester.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Edward R. Moulton-Barrett.
1. SD413.
2. Reynolds Peyton (1815–61), eldest son of Nicholson and Eliza (née Griffith) Peyton.
3. Probably the Rev. James Watts, Vicar of Ledbury since 1810.
4. A member of the Barton Court household, probably in the office of companion to Mrs. Peyton or Mrs. Griffith, or as governess for the Peyton children.
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