1786. Harriet Martineau to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 276–277.
| [In the hand of an amanuensis] | Tynemouth |
Decr 13. 1844
Dear Miss Barrett
Here I come only with a line of business– I promised to let you know if the two Sovereigns for poor Mr Langtree were wanted. [1] I fear they are, & much wanted. He lies at the Sanatorium, confined to his bed, sinking slowly, & entirely dependant on our remembrance & good offices. His residence there is paid for up to the 18th & I know of a 5£ which I can afterwards obtain, & good Miss Sturch is on the watch not to let him perish; but the charge has really been so heavy upon him & his excellent Sister, [2] that I am reckoning up my resources on every hand that they may not be too much encroached upon. If I am right in this reminder, & in going back to your former offer, your way will be to have the money left with Dr Hitchman [3] at the Sanatorium explaining, of course, that it is for Mr Langtree’s residence (the charge being a guinea a week)–
All week here—I confounding my mesmerist by going out in the most hopeless weather & coming back all the better for the venture. Never fear our shrinking either from our work or our responsibilities great as both are—the occasion is too serious for self indulgence & sensitiveness, or for caring for Newspapers while such letters come in as we have every day.
Ellen Marshall [4] is being mesmerized, with her circulation, & lo! she goes quietly to sleep.
I suppose you hardly see the League, but I saw a piece of appreciation of you last week, some of it worthy your eye– [5]
Yours affectionately
H. Martineau. [6]
Address: Miss Barrett / 50 Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Yale University.
2. Miss Sturch and Mr. Langtree’s sister have not been identified.
3. John Hitchman, a physician at The Sanatorium, Devonshire Place, New-Road, London.
4. Presumably Ellen Marshall (1806–54), an invalid. Her father, John Marshall (1765–1845), and her brother, James Garth Marshall (1802–73), both friends of Miss Martineau’s, were manufacturers and M.P.’s (see William Gordon Rimmer, Marshalls of Leeds: Flax-Spinners 1788-1886, Cambridge, 1960).
5. For the text of this review, see pp. 378–380.
6. Signature is in Miss Martineau’s hand.
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