1524. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 194–195.
[London]
Feby 8/44
Here they are—the combustibles—packed in fire-work paper. The three divisions are for the more compact security—and if you read No 1. first, and seal that up before you open No 2; and again seal up 2 before you tear into 3, there will be no dangers flying about your room. The majority, you have seen already.
Write any comments in the margin that strike you, for proposed revision– Correct anything you think wrong.
I have never yet read through any one of these revises. So, the errors, will not always be mine.
All the reverses of the half-titles will have mottoes—expressive of the men, <and women,> [1] or the tone taken concerning them. Some are not yet found. Some found, might be much better.
Help me in this, where you can, and I shall be so much obliged. But on no account hunt for mottoes; the good ones will most likely rise spontaneously. They should be in English (or easy Continental) and not from Shakspere—if it can be helped. The very first is, and the third. But it could not be helped.
If you like to get rid of the fire-work packets out of the house you can send them away when you please; but I shall return in about a week. Surely they will not blow up in that time.
Yours truly
H.
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Horne added “and women,” above the line, as an afterthought.
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