1629. EBB to Richard Hengist Horne

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 16–17.

[London]

[mid-June 1844] [1]

<***> “Now I am going to talk to you about how the New Spirit of the Age was concocted—for I have heard all about it.” [2]

Gods & goddesses, [3] how frightened I was! I have no more presence of mind than a child (as I confessed to you once) although I am not without fortitude—& as I felt his eyes .. very strong, capable eyes .. full in my face, … I felt also my two pale cheeks growing most præternaturally scarlet, & having no power in the world to help it. All I could do was, to push my head into the pillows as far as it wd go. Well—but it was a false alarm. He knew nothing in the world as to how “it was concocted”—at least nothing of certain elements in the concoction of certain segments of it. He told me a great deal about Mr Powell .. & how you were chained in both hands at the beginning of the work. True or not?

Now I cannot write any more. You entered a lion’s den, [4] in undertaking this work; & if nothing had been heard as a consequence, but a bleating of lambs, [5] it wd have been something greater than a miracle. It is satisfactory to observe that, wherever the prejudice or forgone conclusion of the critic is not obvious, you have passed by with a clapping of hands.

So do not mind—& take care not to splash up the hot water.

I am so glad that you are better in health.

Ever & truly yours

EBB.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. Dated by the following letter from Horne, in which he mentions Powell’s association with A New Spirit.

2. Doubtless from Kenyon, EBB’s principal source of literary gossip.

3. The Iliad, VIII, 5.

4. Cf. Daniel 6:7.

5. Cf. I Samuel 15:14.

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