216. Edward Moulton-Barrett (brother) to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 217–218.
[London]
March 14th 1825.—
My dearest Bazy
You are so very ticklish when your wit, (which I really believe you like, and admire equally with your poetry,) is called into question that you make no scruple of venting your rage against any unfortunate wretch that you may most conveniently light upon, you fly into a violent passion with me, who was only the innocent instrument in offering you this imaginary insult, [1] now I had nothing more to do with it than merely being the means by which it was conveyed to you, you abuse me for my want of discernment, now Miss Bazy I flatter myself I may in this respect turn the tables upon you, could you possibly be so stupid as not to see that what I said to you was meant for Sam, to divert his suspicions from this part of the world, now I think you have exposed yourself most completely and almost deserve every thing that was said about you.
We went yesterday to Warrens Hotel and saw Jane, [2] she has been very unwell all this week with the fashionable complaint, viz a bad cold however is now recovered and went out for the first time during the week to dine on Friday, she talks of staying some time in town. Sam [3] has gone to day with a gentleman in a gig to West Molsey about fifteen miles from town to look at a house which he proposes taking for the summer, and riding up to town three or four times a week, this I think is almost a[s] bad a plan as staying in town, as I should think the exertion of riding so far and not being used to it will be almost as predjudicial to his health as the smoky atmosphere of London. Russell has given it out that we are to be examined next week, I am, as you may suppose a little nervous. Good bye my dearest Bazy
ever believe me your
affect Brozy.
Address and franked by EBB’s uncle on integral page: <Ma>rch fourteen 1825 / Miss Barrett / Hope End / Ledbury / <S M Barre>tt.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. The suggestion in letter 209 that EBB was responsible for sending Sam a shilling instead of a sovereign.
2. Jane Hedley, their maternal aunt.
3. i.e., uncle Sam.
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