1689. Thomas Westwood to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 103.
Chase Side[,] Enfield.
Wednesdy Aftn– Augst 14th– [1844] [1]
Dear Miss Barrett,
The parcel arrived this morning– [2] The first words that greeted me on my return at noon, were, “the books are come”! & indeed, they were the pleasantest words I had heard for many a long day– Thank you, thank you heartily!– I shall write again as soon as I have read them, & tell you how much pleasure we have received. In the mean time be very sure that our best—warmest good wishes go with them—& cheerfulest hopes too—& that amongst those who will rejoice in their success, none will give you a fuller measure of rejoicing than ourselves–
I am glad you have derived some pleasure from the sermons [3] —perhaps I overvalue Melvil from old associations; but of all the preachers I have heard, he is almost the only one who at all approaches my ideal of what a minister of the gospel ought to be. Do you know we had almost made up our minds that your book would not be published this season for a friend looked in at Dover St. the other day to enquire, & the shopman in a surly mood, said something to that effect. It was very kind of you to send them so early.
Believe me, in haste–
Dear Miss Barrett.
Very sincerely yours
T. Westwood.
Address: Miss E. B. Barrett / 50 Wimpole St. / Cavendish Square / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library.
1. Year provided by postmark.
2. i.e., containing his copy of Poems (1844). See Reconstruction, C90; present whereabouts unknown.
3. Westwood had lent EBB some of Henry Melvill’s sermons (see letters 1485 and 1542).
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