1548. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 228.
[London]
Friday. [23 February 1844] [1]
All thanks, my dear Miss Barrett, I don’t know yet what I can use.
But you do not seem aware that several brief mottoes can be put to each paper—so that opposite characteristics can be ‘hit.’
Mrs Shelley—and her rout of inventives–
Banim—and his natives are not yet suited.
Yes—one quote today will suit Banim—his of the native gentilesse. [2]
But he wants more—and also the rest about the fun—and the bulls to be hinted at.
Try, ever more O, Brain! Yours, I mean—for mine is nearly burnt out. I have to work all night—that is till 3’o’clock in the morning in order to be quite done with the printers by Monday. That is my last possible day, they tell me; and if lost, all the huge batch “ordered” for America––I can say no more. The next thing will be I shall resent the position—and refuse to work––but not till I see that it can’t be done.
On Monday morning I wish to send you a very important proof. To me highly so—as you will see. I greatly need your reading. It will want the knowledge, courage, honesty, and devotion to the highest class of Poetry, which so few possess, in order to judge of thoroughly. If I am wrong in that paper—I am lost.
Yours truly
H.
P.S. I shall send it by hand—to save time—on Monday. The boy to leave it, and call again for it in two hours. So keep bright, pray. I will try and let you know beforehand, at what hour he is likely to be at your door.
How you will laugh at some pages in this work—for reasons which nobody but yourself will guess at. For instance—after certain things being said about a man with graphic vigour—to which you made a marginal objection, you will sometimes find the same things with the word not or no quietly inserted—or the man’s name changed to another name. Well—so that we get the Truth at last.
I have also interpolated a small compliment to you from one of the notes of Mr Reade. [3] —one of his better notes.
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St / Cavendish Sqre.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. This letter is postmarked the following day, 24 February 1844.
2. EBB had suggested this quotation in letter 1546.
3. The reference to Lady Jane Grey and Ascham (see letter 1508).
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