Correspondence

180.  Edward Moulton-Barrett (brother) & Mary Trepsack to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 179–180.

April 27th 1823.

My ever dearest Bazy

As I knew you were not the most patient of human beings, I sat down yesterday evening, and in the little time which was allowed whilst Treppy was writing a few lines in my letter, I managed to finish the task which you had given me, however I was in so great a hurry that I forgot the second verse ought to be a pentameter instead of an Hexameter, I therefore set to again today and with my usual condescension and patience altered it into a short verse–

“Me vitam, rursum Sculptor habere jubet,” [1]

I also find upon second consideration that the “Ad lapidem” in the former line ought to [be] “In lapidem”. [2] Now Miss Bazy what do [you] think of that when you write to your friends, as Papa says, I dare say you will exlaim [sic] with him, he is breaking out in fresh places, never Bazy talk to me of idleness again, for I have sweated today as we ilegantly [sic] term it most properly both in body and mind, for Mr McSwiney, Brooks, Griffith, [3] and myself went into Kensington garden, where we all set on him with sticks and we all got so hot with running after him and he after us, that we were very nearly walking into the Serpentine up to our middles by way of cooling ourselves[.] Sam was put into a warm bath today and feels much the better for it. Mr Mc has seen your two lines and thinks them capital, he also [saw] mine but I can assure you he did not assist me in the least as I had finished them before he came nor did he make any alteration. My dearest Bazy I must finish my letter as it [is] past eight and I expect to be called for directly to set out for Charter House, only one more w<hole> week Bazy!!

Ever believe me

your affectionately attached

Brozy —

[Continued in Mary Trepsack’s hand]

Monday 5 oclock —— [28 April 1823]

Tiney Sam’s best Love & thanks for your Letter– he is much better, yesterday & today he was put into a warm Shower Bath which delighted him beyond every thing—he hopes to have it every day[.] It was a fortunate thing for his little Lordship that he was kept at home, taking his Complaint in hand at once has perhaps saved him a serious fit of Illness– he is greatly distressd at not being at School, the opportunity is lost he says for getting into another form this quarter you must love him my dear Ba, he is a little angel—so good, so amiable every way– he has been amusing me this morg with a variety of little anicdotes about his School, Hope End &c–talks much of going home & what he is to day– he is now engagd with a Bread pudding & sends his love to all

Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / Herefordshire.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

1. “Once more, the Sculptor commands me to life.”

2. Ad lapidem: to stone; In lapidem: into stone.

3. Charles Griffith (1805–86) was admitted to Charterhouse in 1817 and so was a senior at this time.

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