1961. EBB to Mary Russell Mitford
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 10, 285.
[London]
Monday. [30 June 1845] [1]
Ever dearest Miss Mitford, you who are so kind are upbraiding me who am so unkind—are you? & can it be? But I wd not write till I cd speak definitively of the pic nic [2] .. that grand speculation—& you will have guessed perhaps, that my delay came from this cause. And now that I am able to write, I find myself pursued by visitors,—Mr Hunter waiting to see me while I write even thus much. So the letter must be for another day.
Today—thus much only!—that the party talk of next friday or next saturday—or the tuesday after—& beseech you to name the convenient day to you of those three. If it rains, the morning after is to be the heir of the pleasures intended for before. Will you decide? & do you comprehend? And will you be good enough to undertstand besides that they all eschew the omnibus except for the purpose of carrying the provisions & themselves from the station to White Knights, [3] & that afterwards they are ambitious of being walkers & seeing your fields & you at an advantage–Therefore the omnibus is not to be taken ‘for the day’ my direction says. And will you write directly—instantly? & so, as to define everybody’s intentions?
Is Mr Horne with you or likely to be this week? Write & tell me all—the romance-lore & the Hayward catastrophe whatever it may be. [4] I had a pleasing touching letter this morning from .. whom, do you suppose? .. Mr Hemans—Charles—the son of the poetess [5] .. asking to be let come to see me tomorrow? Such a kind letter! And to have to resist, really pains me a little.
Now no more—but always .. with delightful recollections of your visit & too great goodness in making it–
Your affectionate & grateful
“Ba”–
Publication: EBB-MRM, III, 123–124.
Manuscript: Reading Central Library.
1. Dated by internal reference to a letter from Charles Hemans.
2. Miss Mitford was planning a picnic for the younger members of the household of 50 Wimpole Street and their friends.
3. The park near Three Mile Cross where the picnic was held.
5. See the preceding letter.
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