Correspondence

1776.  EBB to Clementia Taylor

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 259.

50 Wimpole Street

December 3. 1844.

I cannot receive the note which you do me the honour, Madam, to address to me, without assuring you that I read it with touched & gratified feelings, & that I thank you for it cordially. Such proofs of sympathy comprise the dearest parts of ambition, as they are the best encouragements to work. It is natural therefore that I should remain, .. with a strong desire to deserve your kindness better, ..

Your obliged

Elizabeth B Barrett.

Address: Mrs P. A. Taylor / 42 Gutter Lane / Cheapside.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Girton College.

1. Clementia Doughty Taylor (1810–1908) who, with her husband, Peter Alfred Taylor (1819–91), was active in the anti-corn law agitation. In letters 1780 and 1788 EBB mentions having received a sonnet from “Gutter Lane,” to which this letter may be a response.

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