223. EBB to James Graham-Clarke
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 227–228.
2. Paragon Place Hastings
Decber 13th 1825.
My dearest James,
This ragged bit of paper is certainly a much too shabby representive [sic] of what I must needs say in behalf of our affectionate & grateful feelings towards you. Your letter is very kind & gratifying; gratifying as proceeding from you, & kind as vouchsafed to us. I assure you there was not one amongst us, from Granny down to Bro [1] (who is quite well now) to whom the expression of your kind feelings did not give pleasure, & who were not ready to return them with ten per cent interest. So much for ourselves.
We hear every thing good from all at home, who make as yet no advances in the way of getting us there. Christmas will most probably see us at Hastings, &, but for the Almanack, we might mistake it for April! We open the windows to let in the air, & draw down the blinds to keep out the sun; finding it quite unnecessary to improve a slight acquaintance with the fire who holds a sinecure. Were I inclined to be ill natured in respect to your dear coterie (& that, for my credit’s sake, I am not) I might draw “comparisons” which, as the writing master’s copy says, “are odious.” [2] But after all you have Newcastle coals, & the “yule log”, & merry hearts to keep the rest ‘alight.’
Give our very best love to every body near you, for without shrewdness I may conclude ‘every body’ so close in your neighbourhood to be ‘somebody’ beloved by me. Congratulate them on your recovery which delights us all so much; as to your Bachelorship I cant for my womanly credit say a word. You may make the best of it, but you will want an Eve after all. Granny desires me to compliment you on your anti-matrimonial propensities, & if you were of the ‘amiable’ sex I might be inclined to do so—otherwise it “sticks in my throat.” [3] Your professorship is quite a profession. You take your degrees, in so slovenly a manner, that it seems highly probable that you should change your mind .. in a degree; & instead of sitting down contented with a Bachelorship, be Master of arts [4] according to our Herefordshire aspirating pronunciation: i.e. “hearts”!
I say all this a little spitefully, inasmuch as I was fairly taken in by the preamble of your letter, & actually expected on the turning of the leaf to be in possession of the name of your betrothed. In return you deserve a little malice from me.
Sam the younger has gone home for the Christmas Holidays; & I write to Sam the Elder much seldomer than I think of him. Neither of us have time enough for the renewal of our ancient correspondance. So we both say, but there is a little scepticism on my side.
You ask me about my book. I can only say that it has been in the press nearly five months, & thro’ the weekly calls on me for proof-correcting, is a constant source of annoyance. If Mr Bayford’s friendliness had not encouraged and assisted me I should have been quite wearied of the whole business before this. But he has shown me much kindness, & his interest procured me valuable observations from other of his friends. I suppose we shall be done now in a few weeks, & shall advertise when the last sheet is in the press. Do you know any body who could be induced to notice it in the way of Criticism .. Averce [sic] would do as well as any thing, to produce a sale!– [5]
Granny suffers from her cough in spite of this unseasonable weather. She & Trippy with Bro Henrietta & myself unite in best of loves to dear Grandmama, & that never forgotten Bummy together with little Arabella & Louis d’or! [6]
Believe me always my dearest James
Your gratefully affectionate
E B Barrett.
Money recieved with many thanks!——
Henrietta hopes you wont change your intentions respecting her.
Addressed and franked by EBB’s uncle on integral page: London December fifteen 1825. / James Graham Clarke Esq / Fenham House / Newcastle on Tyne / S M Barrett. [7]
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. EBB placed an asterisk here. A related asterisk and the word “cool” appear at top of page 1.
2. John Donne’s “Elegies” (1633), No. 8 (later titled “The Comparison”).
3. Cf. Macbeth, II, 2, 30.
4. Underscored three times.
5. This whole paragraph refers to the protracted business of getting An Essay on Mind into print.
6. Although the gender here is clearly masculine, we take this to be a punning reference to Arabella Butler’s younger sister, James Graham-Clarke’s niece, Louisa Charlotte.
7. On reverse when folded, in EBB’s hand, is the address: “James G Clarke Esqr / Fenham.” It was crossed out, presumably by her uncle when he addressed and franked the letter.
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