1683. EBB to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 95–96.
[London]
Monday– [12 August 1844] [1]
My dearest George
You must write a line to your Hereford lodgings where my books, (by a mistake which I give you leave to call foolish as it is not mine,) are lying in the desert air.
Ever your affectionate
Ba.
I have sent no copies to anybody in Herefordshire—for fear of giving offence by not giving to all—& therefore perhaps you had better not talk among our friends if you see them, of my sending the book to you. If Mrs Martin were here, I shd like to give her one,—but think what scrapes I shd get into by sending to her only,—or to her & the Commelines & Lady Margaret Cocks only, as I thought once! And I shall have to give some thirty copies as it is. [2] But advise me.
Perhaps Mrs Martin may be coming soon to London,—that is, if she acts on the continental plan,—& then she can have a copy from me, should she care for it. [3]
Address: George G Moulton Barrett Esqr / Barrister at Law / On the Oxford Circuit.
Publication: B-GB, pp. 128–129.
Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.
1. Dated by postmark of 13 August 1844, a Tuesday.
2. See Reconstruction, C68, for EBB’s presentation copy to Lady Margaret Cocks. We have been unable to find any evidence that a copy was ever given to the Commelines. On a list in EBB’s early address book, there are 31 names of persons to whom she apparently intended to send copies (see p. 388). The Reconstruction cites 27 presentation copies.
3. We have been unable to locate the presentation copy to Mrs. Martin which EBB mentions, in letter 1701, as being sent care of Mr. Burden.
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