1510. EBB to Angela Owen
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 171–172.
50 Wimpole Street
[26] Jan. 1844. [1]
My dearest Angela
You will not think it intrusive, I am sure, from one who knows what grief is & loves you truly, if I write to tell you of this affection & this sympathy, & ask you for one word of reply to say how you all are,—& especially how dearest Mrs Bayford is in health & composure. May God bless & comfort her & you all, my dear dear Angela. If you have lost much, still more has been found by him whom you lament; and you will be satisfied, .. having so learnt Christ & loved each other, .. with the gain which is another’s,—until you meet in the same faith in which you parted. [2] For the rest, this long past of tender, & at the actual moment, overwhelming recollections, will soon be as sweet as sad——and soon again, sweet & not sad at all. You know it well! May the wiper of tears [3] help you to feel it instantly.
I could say something of a remembrance touching to me, of kindness done to myself in old happy days .. but I would not thrust such thoughts upon you,—and indeed my sense of reverence for the departed Christian with his holy useful life, the finished course & the crown laid up, [4] is the strongest of my emotions [5] at this moment.
May God bless you—once again. Our united love & sympathy are with you!
Your ever affectionate Ba.
Address: Mrs Owen / Mrs Bayford / 6 Upper Hornton Villas / Kensington. Redirected: 8 Amelia Place / Fulham Road / Chelsea.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library and John Owen.
1. Day is provided by postmark.
2. Her father, John Bayford of Doctors’ Commons, had died on 12 January, aged 71.
3. Cf. Revelation, 21:4.
4. Cf. II Timothy, 4:7–8.
5. Written above the line over “thoughts” which has been crossed out.
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