224. Mary Moulton-Barrett to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 229–230.
Hope End–
Decr 30th 1825.
My own dearest Ba:
It is not only on the plea that I have a letter of yours to answer, that I now propose to devote to you some of my dulness, but that I also long to tell you with how much satisfaction of heart I heard of your receiving the Sacrament. May it be now, & ever to my beloved child, her strength in weakness, her comfort in sorrow, & her health in joy, as it ever must be to those who take it in faithful remembrance, as long as sin & suffering belong to humanity. Since your dear letters are next best to seeing you, I need scarcely say that they are more valued than even mince pies, plum cake, or any other festivities of the season & much more greedily devoured—there would be a regular, or rather irregular scramble for them amongst the juniors, if I did not generally take it upon me to deliver them, with due emphasis to the public ear. First let me tell you, how much we like your motto: [1] it is selected not only with “modesty”, but with much good taste; we think it a bold poetic licence to make poor Riga sing from the scaffold, [2] but have no doubt that his strain is appropriate, with more in it, even than that of the dying swan: the additions to the fugitive pieces, must encrease their interest & importance: I hope the last sheet is actually come & gone; as to the mystery, I begin to think it must be impenetrable. Time seems to have no effect in unravelling it: I have only one word to say about it, & that is an entreaty that you will not bind yourself to any laborious undertaking without letting us know, for we cannot help entertaining more vulgar solicitude about your precious health, than either wealth or fame: The mind indeed cannot retain its powers, if the casket which contains it, be injured or weakened, & you cannot encrease your hours of study, without sacrificing your health: You may think this “stale & unprofitable” [3] but it is the anxiety of our hearts dearest Ba!– There is another subject very near mine just now, tho’ it is one of such delicate texture that I scarcely know how to touch upon it, sensible as I am, that all your fears will vibrate to the idea of leaving dearest Granny! that day however must come, & from a hint of Papa’s yesterday, I have felt an apprehension that it may come too suddenly to admit of your going to Walthamstow, which I should dread Sam would consider unkind, as they took you from hence, [4] & have expressed so much certainty on the subject of your going to them– I know not how to suggest any escape from this danger, as it is only a surmise of my own, (tho’ a very strong one), that Papa’s cogitations run upon Bro’s being your escort home, before he goes to C[harter]. House. As this however is a mystery almost as dark as your own, (saving that some time ago he mentioned that as the only means he could think of for getting you home) I can suggest only, the expediency of your expressing speedily, your desire to spend if only a week, with Sam on your way, whenever you return: I am sure Granny will be of my opinion, that this pleasure, is an incumbent duty also– I would not for worlds have any sort of neglect shewn to that kindest of Uncles & of Friends– he deserves much more than we can ever do for him—& as a fortnight of the holidays only remain from next Tuesday, I own I rather dread your receiving some sudden mandate: Consult with dearest Granny & Tippy on this subject; for my own part, believe me, my beloved children my only wish is that the plans may be altogether such as may best suit your own wishes, & my own selfish feelings, are all directed to entire sympathy with yours– Say nothing of all this when you write, further than any allusion you may think right to Walthamstow– We were all pleased to hear of Tippys kindness in taking you to the play, which to your strong dramatic tastes, must have been a great treat. We do not hear even, of Mr. Foleys scenic fêtes this year: [5] trees heavy in wreaths of snow, pheasants feeding above the rock, & smiling faces round the Xmas board, & yule log, stand in lieu of all the histrionic display of talent which distinguished our Christmas sports last year; I must however add, the sport which greeted my eyes from the school room window this moment of the five eldest rolling an immense roll of snow, which their united strength can scarcely move, up the coach road, with many exulting shouts of delight <***>
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. On the title page of An Essay on Mind appeared Tasso’s line, “Brama assai, poco spera, e nulla chiede.” For the whole stanza, with a translation, see letter 226.
2. Konstantinos Rhegas (1757?–98), Greek patriot and poet executed by the Turks, was the subject of EBB’s “Riga’s Last Song,” published with An Essay on Mind.
3. Cf. Hamlet, I, 2, 133.
4. The previous summer EBB’s uncle Sam and his wife Mary were visiting Hope End. When they departed, they took EBB and Henrietta with them to their residence at Walthamstow, near London, and later to Hastings.
5. Probably E.T. Foley, a patron of the local library, whose seat was Stoke Edith.
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