1589. EBB to Anna Maria Hall

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 8, 289.

50 Wimpole Street

April 3. 1844.

Dear Madam,

I acknowledge your obliging letter with my thanks,—& think it better to explain that it was the first intimation to me of your change of purpose in regard to the magazine. [1] Perhaps it would be presumptuous in me,—to whom the uncertainties of life are multiplied,—to make any promise or engagement for a period so distant as next year—but under the ordinary circumstances of life & ability, I am sure I shd have every sort of gratification in contributing anything which your kindness could call “assistance,” .. towards a work undertaken by you.

And as you name Mr Hall, in writing to me, I may as well observe, .. while returning my respects to him, .. that I do not forget, or ungratefully remember, the kind encouragement I received from him, in some of my first steps before the public. [2]

I remain, dear Madam,

yours with sincere esteem

Elizabeth B Barrett.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Huntington Library.

1. EBB had mentioned in letter 1513 Mrs. Hall’s “proposition about a new magazine.”

2. Samuel Carter Hall (1800–89) was editor of The New Monthly Magazine at the time of EBB’s earliest contributions to that publication (see letters 542 and 543).

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