220. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 221–222.
Hope End,
August 16. 1825.
My dearest Ba
My only object in writing is to say that if you and dear Granny and Trippy like to keep the Boys another Week you may [1] – Before the expiration of that time I shall know something certain of Mama’s intentions as Charlotte’s confinement has taken place, and who with her little girl were doing well when she wrote– [2] I met your friend Carden in the streets of Worcester yesterday he says, you may bathe with profit in the sea provided it be not too early nor you too cold when you take your plunge. If Knight delays giving you an answer soon I would beg Sam to remove your Poem into some other hand– [3] We know from the length of it that it could not require a sixth portion of the time he has had it, to form a judgement as to its publication, where he runs neither hazard of Character or Expenditure by so doing– You will be sorry to hear that the youngest Brother of Col: Money, who was in the East India Company’s China Trade, cut his Throat about a week ago, and was buried last Saturday.– [4] He was for a long time in a very dejected state– I requested Bro to write me word, all the information he could acquire of the state of the Hop yards in his way to Hastings; but not a line from him have I received– Tell Henrietta “to season her admiration” [5] that a Preacher should be a Physician for the Dr she heard in favor of the Home Missionary Society was a L.L.D not a MD. I believe he is a learned Man and above all possesses a Wisdom that will not descend to the grave but must mount up aloft after life– I hope she gave largely, as I am connected with the Society,—that is to say, if she could find no better motive; but from an observation of hers to me, I have no right to suspect this– Dearest Sette told me at Din<ner> to-day that he had behaved purtty well, not very well, that he had said his pictures, what t<hat> is I dont know, his counts, his multication [sic], his speling, his reading and his catsimn! [6] he certainly is the dearest thing in the natural and sensible World, he sleeps with me every night and often has occasion to tell me Oh ou skeese [7] me! Tell those who may feel an interest in it that this Week I hope to finish nearly my harvest, all very good and well won. I dont presume to retouch this on face– God bless you all my dear Loves and make you, what I never cease to pray for, good, healthy and spiritual–
Yr dearly attached EMB ——
I write almost in the dark on the eve of going to bed—and but ten o’clock– I get up at six—and therefore feel disposed for Bed early. I am rejoiced to find our beloved Sam has quite recovered but am concerned to hear his Mary is complaining. He is however where he can get the best advice and the result we must leave to a merciful Providence
Address, on integral page: Dear Ba ——
Docket, at left side of address page near seal, in EBB’s hand: My beloved Papa.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Bro and Sam were with EBB and Henrietta at Hastings.
2. EBB’s mother had gone to Ireland in July. While there her sister Charlotte gave birth to her first child, Charlotte Mary (“Arlette”) Butler.
3. EBB had submitted the manuscript of An Essay on Mind to Charles Knight (1791–1873), author and publisher.
4. Col. James Money-Kyrle (later Major-General Sir James, 1775–1843), was a neighbour of the Moulton-Barretts, living at Hom House, Much Marcle. His brother, John Money (b. 1786) had died unmarried on 6 August.
5. Hamlet, I, 2, 192.
6. Catechism.
7. Squeeze.
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