1464. EBB to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 97–100.
[London]
Dec 21. 1843.
My dearest Georgie you speak the words of foolishness—but as that is only to be expected from your sex, I will not wonder or dwell upon it. In the first place however, I have not had “a cold for some weeks.” Some weeks ago I had a sore throat; which is no argument for or against my having a cough now,—I appeal to the gentlemen of the jury!– In the second place, being considerably better, it has not become necessary for me to call a consultation of physicians– I will put that off, so please you, until I am quite well—when, upon the showing of your own peculiar system of logic, the reasons will be stronger for it than ever now they are.
And then, again, I am angry with Henrietta, Arabel, & you, for saying, repeating, & believing that I have taken Miss Martineau’s dedication to myself, [1] —and I do beseech you, George, not to say in an aside to Mr Vennables or any other learned brother, that a sister of yours had any such atrocious vanity. Between you & me .. in entire confidence .. the idea did occur to me of the dedication being to me—& less because I considered it applicable, than because it breathed the same spirit which moved me to so much gratitude in Miss Martineau’s ms letters to me– But a passage in the body of the book,—where specific views in politics are attributed to the “fellow-sufferer,” which are neither mine nor cd be imagined into being mine,—quite fixed me in the conviction of my former mistake & of the book being by no means dedicated to me. I am certain it is not—absolutely certain that it is not. [2] Mr Kenyon came a few days ago & agreed with me that it was not [3] —“but” he added .. “that only proves how you & I are the most sensible people in the world—because everybody else in the world has determined on giving you the honor. Moxon when he sent me the book observed, that he was not in the secret of the dedication but believed it to be addressed to a relative of mine .. Miss Barrett– Other persons (whose name he mentioned) ‘could not doubt’ about it .. it is to Miss Barrett. And Mrs Reid’s last words to me just now, & after a long discussion on the subject, were .. ‘As sure as I sit on this chair, it is to Miss Barrett’”. So far, Mr Kenyon.
So take notice, George, that if for half a moment, my vanity grew dizzy & doubted, the rest of the world did not doubt merely, but speak determinately to the same end. You mistook about Moxon’s relative (you see) ‘claiming it’—it was Moxon who attributed it to ‘Mr Kenyon’s relative’. Mrs Reid too is Miss Martineau’s most intimate friend & has lately been spending some time with her. Only she (Mrs R) acknowledged that she was not in the secret .. she knew nothing—Miss Martineau had mentioned the book to her & only to her of all her friends—but there had been no specific mention of the dedication. Still I do not, any more, from the multiplication of these opinions, take the dedication to myself—the internal evidence being to me stronger against, than the testimony of any mere opinion can be for the attribution. What makes people think of me, is the circumstance of the person, dedicated to, being an invalid of a longer date than the dedicator, & being a sort of friend of hers & some hundred miles away from her .. & unseen, unheard, in face & voice. But still, all this may apply to some other person—and must I think—must, [4] I am very sure. As to your fancy about its being applicable & intended to apply to M or N, [5] .. to anybody or everybody, you will not think so upon consideration—there is too much truth & individuality & living heart-feeling through every line. It is a beautiful book—& full of exaltation. The very passing idea of my having any connection with it, affected me much .. almost too much—pass the honor & I would rather, I think, be unconnected with it—there are circumstances which are not painful, .. which are even pleasurable, & yet which oppress like pain.
Well—and Mr Kenyon asked a good deal about the new book (my own) & approved of the ultimatum about Moxon’s having it—& felt sure, he said, that I shd not lose even money by it. In the meantime I get on with Eve,—nearly to the end, & past the thousandth line. [6] But if, when it is written out, I dont like it,—perish Eve .. I wont make use of her, & am able to do without her. Tell me if you see Tennyson by a bird’s eye view—& that an owl’s. And know, my learned brother, that albeit I did unaware mention Tennyson next to a poem of mine, I put my head into the dust on recognition of that associative accident.
The Barretts are still uncertain as to the day of departure; & it seems more & more doubtful, .. from the fact of wolves & bears from Cumberland, howling up & down the streets, .. whether he will be able to go openly at all. I hear that he does not dare to move from his own door today & has sent for Papa to go to him. Messrs Bodington &c have, on the other hand, rejected his propositions, & given him “till Saturday” to reconsider theirs. It is a bad business—and if your advice had been taken at once, to propitiate the Bodingtons & consent to economize on the continent, the wisdom of the step wd be as apparent now as is the foolishness of the step away from it. [7]
I heard from Mr Hunter this morning—& he is about to remove with his pupil, on the suggestion of the pupil’s father, into London lodgings, & to endeavour to secure other pupils upon like terms. The prospect is gloomy—but the only thing to be seen,—&, if one’s window looked into a back yard, that wdnt be a good reason for shutting the shutters.
This letter goes to prove to you that I am not in articulo mortis [8] —& not much besides.
May God bless you my dearest George!–
Your attached Ba–
Give my love to all your hostesses at Barton Court– [9] I heard from Mrs Martin that she wd like to see you—the other day—& if she does see you, give her my love & my promise to write soon. Of these long silences, assure her that I do not consider myself guilty.
Write to me, George– A hundred briefs be with you!–
Address: George Goodin Moulton Barrett Esqr / Barton Court / near Ledbury / Herefordshire.
Publication: B-GB, pp. 111–115.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. The 9-page dedication, “To ________,” speaks of a “fellow-sufferer,” whom Miss Martineau had never met, and categorizes the book as “truly conversation” with that person. However, a letter from Mrs. Reid (SD1196) says that Miss Martineau is “really vexed” by the supposition that EBB was the dedicatee, as “quite another person” was intended.
2. Underscored three times.
4. Underscored three times.
5. “N” and “M” are used in The Book of Common Prayer to denote name/names (see letter 727, note 17).
6. Published as the first work in vol. I of Poems (1844), “A Drama of Exile” extended to 2,270 lines.
7. Samuel Goodin Barrett (1812–78) was in dispute with lawyers over the will of his uncle, Richard Barrett (1789–1839), EBB’s father’s first cousin. SD1202 speaks of his being arrested at the instigation of Messrs. Boddington & Co., and of EBB’s father giving shelter to Barrett’s wife and children for a period of two months.
8. “At the point of death” (Mark, 5:23).
9. The estate near Hope End, home of the Peytons.
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