1750. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 208–209.
[London]
November 2. 1844.
Ever dearest Miss Mitford
I have been wishing nearly ever since I wished it was’nt seven oclock & time for you to go, .. that I had been considerate enough to myself to ask you to send me a fugitive word just to say how you got home, & how you were after your kindness to me. I shd be easier if I knew. For the kindness, dear & welcome as it was, I feel it to be beyond thanking you for—you are far too kind. Such a delightful day,—to thank you as I ought for giving me such a day, wd be hard. It was a sort of clairvoyance to see you & hear you,—& I feel, (as I usually do after any of your avatars) as if I were slowly recovering from a vision. When will it come again? Oh—that I had held you fast until you promised to come again soon .. until I had a definite promise from you ..! I am unreasonable enough to wish that! But tell me—how are you? How did you reach Three Mile Cross? Do write & say.
I have been wishing to send you the pickles today—but it must be for another day, I see.
Well—the paper from Blackwood flagellates as an artistical critic shd, but uses such very strong language on the gracious side of the question, that it is likely to do me good & to give you pleasure far beyond what I anticipated. But … it is not by Mr Eagles!– That is as sure a fact as any internal evidence can prove it. Neither the style is Mr Eagles’s I think,—nor is the judgement I am sure. I mean that the note of Mr Eagles which Mr Kenyon showed me, [1] showed his preference of poems not preferred by the Blackwood critic,—Geraldine for instance, was his favorite of all, he said. Therefore Mr Eagles cd not have written this paper; & we must look further for the writer,—to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude, whoever he may be. [2] Tait also is very gracious.
I have had a letter from Mr Horne today. Not a word about coming home—& I am desired to send him the poems,—so that he cannot think of coming soon. He appears to me depressed—unlike himself. What can be the reason of it? Could the critics of the ‘Spirit of the Age’ have struck so very near the heart? or is it an arrow from a brighter quiver? Poor Mr Horne! I mean to write to him directly,—that is, on monday—and I shall tell him that you spoke of him .. He rather touches me by what he says of having missed seeing me. It was no unkindness, be sure, as I am sure.
Then I heard also from Mr Kenyon today—and he is still at Dover, & gives no sign of return. I suppose he must come some day .. which is a comfort.
Enclosed you will find Miss Martineau’s letter, [3] —& the Balzac list. [4] It is a list of all the books of his I know of– I will give a separate mark to those I have read. Do send me exactly such a list—all the books of his you know of, .. with a separate mark to those you have read. We shall dig our way in time, & see the light at the end of the cavern.
Most affectionately & gratefully
Your EBB–
I see in the Critic journal that Miss Martineau has empowered William Howitt to declare her recovery by means of Mesmerism, to the world,—reserving to herself the intention of giving a full account of her case & the process of cure, in a little time. [5]
Publication: EBB-MRM, III, 14–15.
Manuscript: Fitzwilliam Museum.
2. The full text of the review in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, written by James Ferrier, is reprinted on pp. 350–363.
4. This list is no longer with the letter.
5. The Critic for 1 November 1844 (no. 20, pp. 138–139) announced that Miss Martineau had “authorized” William Howitt to publish the details of her mesmeric treatments and recovery. His article appeared in The Atlas for 26 October 1844, p. 728.
___________________
