1654. Richard Hengist Horne to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 54.
[London]
Saturday [Postmark: 20 July 1844]
My dear Miss Barrett, When I wrote to Mr Mathews I had not received his kind present. [1] It came to hand a few days afterwards—and I did not write again. Ought I? Yes, I suppose I ought; and if I possibly can find time, and anything to say, I will before I leave for Germany.
But I cannot go till I have seen you; and yet if I do not go next week, I hardly know what will become of all my arrangements. Will you please to be in a state of gigantic health on Tuesday next, some time between 3 and 5 o’clock—or else in a condition of irritable calm, so that, by holding my breath, I may advance a corporal foot with velvet pace before you? Do let it be Tuesday, if you can—and let me know by Monday morning.
I am delighted to hear that the American’s [sic] seem likely to appreciate your poetry. It could hardly have been expected of a people with so much harsh practicality among them.
Has Miss Mitford told you of the ‘hour’ we normally sat up to, after ‘the guests’ were gone?
Yours always
H.
P.S. Cannot I have one of your vols. next week—and the other to come soaring and pouncing after me?
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St / Cavendish Sqre.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
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